Christmas & New Year in Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands

21 days
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Small Ship Cruise
This epic 21-day adventure takes you across the depths of the Drake Passage to the awe-inspiring Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Celebrate Christmas and the new year on the Great White Continent, retracing the path forged by Ernest Shackleton. Explore areas known for their plentiful wildlife with an expert expedition team, seeking...

Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Celebrate the festive season and start the new year in Antarctica – there’s nothing like toasting with a glass of champagne and views of icebergs and white mountains!
    • Travel during the height of Antarctic summer when the days get longer, the skies are most likely to be clear and wildflowers begin to bloom.
    • This expedition hits three major Antarctic hotspots – the Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands – maximising chances of spotting wildlife and exploring diverse polar landscapes.
    • We carbon-offset all our trips, serve only sustainable seafood, avoid single-use plastics and more to help preserve Antarctica (and the world) for future generations.
    • Among our experienced crew are experts in marine biology, glaciology and Antarctic history, and they’ll share their knowledge throughout the journey in a comprehensive lecture program.

What's this trip about?

    This epic 21-day adventure takes you across the depths of the Drake Passage to the awe-inspiring Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Celebrate Christmas and the new year on the Great White Continent, retracing the path forged by Ernest Shackleton. Explore areas known for their plentiful wildlife with an expert expedition team, seeking out penguin rookeries, scouting for seals along the coast and (if the weather behaves) heading out by Zodiac in search of minke whales, orcas and more. Travel on a vessel with comfortable living quarters and wellness services and enjoy a comprehensive lecture program during your journey.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeGroup - max of 200 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityUshuaia
End CityUshuaia

Travel Themes

  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • South America
  • Argentina
  • Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
  • Antarctica

Attractions

  • Antarctic Peninsula
  • Ushuaia

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Ushuaia

Welcome to the port city of Ushuaia for the start of your Antarctic adventure. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel and settle in before meeting your fellow travellers. If you’re arriving earlier there are plenty of activities to choose from. Visit Tierra...

Day 2 Ushuaia – Embarkation Day

You will have some time this morning to shop for any last-minute items and take a final look around town before departing in the afternoon. This afternoon, take an included transfer from your hotel to the port and board the Ocean Endeavour. Meet your expert crew and t...

Day 3-4 Drake Passage

The next few days are spent at sea, crossing the infamous Drake Passage. Get to know your team of polar experts as they share in-depth knowledge into the Great White Continent and its wildlife, history and geology so you can gain a greater understanding and be prepare...

Day 5-9 Antarctic Peninsula

Set your eyes on the incredible terrain of the world’s most southern land. Welcome to the Antarctic Peninsula! Spend the next few days exploring on Zodiac boat rides and onshore excursions across a number of potential landing sites. No two days on any expedition are t...

Day 10-11 At Sea

Continue following Shackleton’s route across the ocean to South Georgia. Life on board the Ocean Endeavour is a very different experience to that of the explorers at the start of the 20th century. Perhaps take this time to study in the library, take a yoga class or simply watch the ocean go by.

Day 12-15 South Georgia

Over the next few days, explore the island of South Georgia, once the homestead of whalers and isolated explorers but now a protected area with dedicated Antarctic research teams. Over the next few days, you’ll explore a variety of landing sites and areas around South...

Day 16-17 At Sea

Leave South Georgia and chart a course for the Falkland Islands. From the deck, scan the horizon for seabirds and other wildlife. Prepare for the Falklands by attending the onboard presentation highlighting the dramatic history and wildlife encounters that await.

Day 18-19 Falkland Islands

The two main islands (East Falkland and West Falkland) have much to offer and provide a rare opportunity to witness the biological diversity, extraordinary scenery and history of the southern islands. The Falklands have the largest black-browed albatross colony in the...

Day 20 At Sea

Cruise towards Ushuaia with time to reflect on the spectacular scenery and the multitude of wildlife you've encountered during the voyage, as well as on the endeavours of legendary explorers like Shackleton.

Day 21 Ushuaia – Disembarkation Day

Disembark in Ushuaia after breakfast and enjoy an airport transfer included in your ticket price.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $16,995
Price per day$809
Last Updated: 4/9/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for active and adventurous travelers at a range of different price points and service levels.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night),Expedition cruise ship (19 nights),

Transportation & Flights

Expedition cruise ship,zodiac,

Transportation & flights

Expedition cruise ship,zodiac
Guides
Your expedition will be led by an experienced expedition leader and at least one assistant leader. In addition, there will be a team of Polar experts who will be with you throughout. These experts will have various areas of expertise to inform you about the wildlife you may see, the terrain you'll pass through, the history of the area and to help you get the most out of photography opportunities, there will be a photography guide on board. In addition there will be specialist guides for kayaking, a yoga instructor and on some voyages, special guest presenters. With a passenger to guide ratio of 8:1, there will always be someone around to answer any questions you may have.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of travel that you have taken out a comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover you for all eventualities and that covers you for travelling in the Polar regions.
Visa requirements
No visas are required to visit the Antarctic continent or its offshore islands. However, you will need to have your passport with you on the ship, as port authorities will wish to inspect passports on departure from Ushuaia and also again at the end of your voyage. For all departures, the Ocean Endeavour departs for the Antarctic continent from the port of Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Argentina. At the time of printing, no visas for Argentina are required by holders of Australian, New Zealand, British, Canadian, U.S.A. or European passports. Passengers holding passports issued by other countries should carefully check the situation with their travel agent or Argentinean consular authorities. For the voyages scheduled to visit the Falkland Islands, visitors from Britain, the Commonwealth, North America, Chile and the European Community do not need visas as at the time of printing. Visitors should check their particular situation with us, their travel agent, the nearest British Consulate, or contact the Travel Co-ordinator at the Falkland Island Government Office in London (tel: 020 7222 2375).
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Finish point Ushuaia Array Ushuaia ARGENTINA
Trip ID
intrepid-GQMCG

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