Join us for one of the grandest wild experiences the planet offers. Spend days immersed in the extreme beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula in the company of top naturalists and National Geographic Photography Experts. Expand the wonder with an exploration of South Georgia—where vast colonies of king penguins throng the beaches and Sir Ernest Shackleton rests for eternity. Cap that off with time spent in the windswept Falklands, awash in British charm and history.
Antarctica
Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falklands
22 Days aboard National Geographic Explorer. From NZD $41,752pp.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Trace the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s fateful journey in 1914, and toast his gravesite in South Georgia
- See three distinct regions and benefit from our 50 years of experience here
- Early November departures on all ships offer the possibility to cross-country ski and showshoe across the frozen sea ice, conditions permitting
- Create incredible images of the ice and vast penguin colonies with help from a National Geographic photographer
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Overnight Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Day 2: Fly to Ushuaia, Argentina/Embark Ship
- Day 3: At Sea
- Day 4-6: Falkland Islands
- Day 7-8: At Sea
- Day 9-13: South Georgia Island
- Day 14-15: At Sea
- Day 16-19: Antarctica
- Day 20-21: At Sea
- Day 22: Disembark Ushuaia / Fly to Buenos Aires
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Overnight Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arrive in Buenos Aires. Settle into the Alvear Art Hotel or similar before setting out on a guided tour of the city’s Beaux-Arts palaces and parks. Visit Recoleta—the final resting place of Argentina's iconic first lady, Eva Perón—and enjoy a private visit to El Zanjon de Granados, one of the city’s premier museums.
Arrival Time: Arrive before 11:30 a.m. local time.
Day 2: Fly to Ushuaia, Argentina/Embark Ship
Today we fly south to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, where we meet our ship. Ushuaia’s spectacular setting, between the jagged peaks of the Darwin Range and the protected waters of the Beagle Channel, makes it an appropriately wild place to begin our journey to the White Continent and a great destination in its own right. While we’re there, we visit Tierra del Fuego National Park. Lunch will be served onboard a private catamaran while cruising the Beagle Channel, where we’ll be on the lookout for huge South American sea lions and birds like imperial cormorants.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: At Sea
Settle into shipboard life as we sail to the Falkland Islands. Keep a lookout for albatross that glide alongside the ship.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4-6: Falkland Islands
Everything we love about expedition travel seems to come together in the western Falkland Islands. Where else can you land on a beach tucked into a rocky cove, hike out across a rolling green pasture, and suddenly find yourself at the crest of a sea cliff looking out over the South Atlantic surf? Just a few steps further and you’re standing at the edge of a breeding colony of black-browed albatross, so close that you can hear the wind on their wings as they swoop in to land beside you. Check out the thousands of irresistible gentoo, rockhopper, and Magellanic penguins that congregate here, along with fur seals.
Stanley, the bright, pretty capital of the Falkland Islands, is a wonderfully unexpected place: a charming outpost of British culture tucked into a small bay on the shore of these windswept islands in the far South Atlantic. Many Falkland Islanders still live in very traditional ways, and we’ll have a chance to visit a small farm to see some expert sheep shearing and learn about the best techniques for cutting blocks of peat for the fire. The rocky hills and white sand beaches outside town offer some excellent hikes, and afterward, a cup of tea or a pint at the local tavern goes down very nicely.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7-8: At Sea
With whales beneath and birds above, we continue toward South Georgia Island. Our naturalists will prepare us for the exciting days ahead with presentations on the wildlife of South Georgia, and, of course, the inspiring story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9-13: South Georgia Island
Simply put, there is nowhere else in the world like South Georgia. King penguins, the second largest species in the world, are unquestionably the most iconic wildlife of South Georgia. Exact numbers are not known, but the largest single colony on the island may have as many as 500,000 of these amazing birds nesting together on a single two-mile-long beach.
Explore the spectacular coastline of South Georgia Island. In keeping with the nature of an expedition, our schedule is flexible with opportunities for walking, hiking, kayaking, and Zodiac excursions. Sailing along the coast, we plan to offer activities every day including visits to Grytviken—the final resting place of Shackleton—and Stromness Harbour, where Ernest Shackleton, Tom Crean, and Frank Worsley finally reached aid at a whaling station.
The island is also home to huge elephant seals and thousands of king penguins. South Georgia is sometimes called “the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean”, but even that description seems inadequate; this lonely island is unique in the world, so rich and so beautiful that it defies any comparison.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14-15: At Sea
As we voyage, head up to the Bridge to watch for icebergs and observe expert navigation at work as our skilled Captain and officers sail these historic waters. There’ll also be time to enjoy a massage in the wellness center, work out in the gym, and browse in the library. Each day our naturalists offer talks that add depth to your experience.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16-19: Antarctica
With long hours of daylight at this time of year, we have ample opportunities to explore. Our schedule is flexible, allowing us to take advantage of the unexpected. We might set out by kayak to encounter towering icebergs at water level; embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags; walk amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins; or experience the thrill of the ship crunching through pack ice. Everywhere we go in Antarctica we’re surrounded by opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images. Along the way our expert expedition team will enrich our experiences.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 20-21: At Sea
This 500-mile-wide strait between the Antarctic Peninsula and South America is one of the most famous bodies of water in the world. Sometimes ferocious, sometimes flat calm, the Drake is always a fascinating place in its own right. This part of the journey is our best opportunity to see gorgeous seabirds like the wandering albatross, and we might be lucky enough to encounter orca whales or rare species of dolphins. Visit the Bridge (a great place to spot wildlife), have a relaxing massage, attend a talk about the biology of the penguins you’ve just seen, or settle into a comfy chair in the observation lounge to look out over the waves and reflect on your incredible journey. Toast our epic voyage at a festive farewell dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 22: Disembark Ushuaia / Fly to Buenos Aires
Disembark in Ushuaia, and fly by charter to Buenos Aires, then transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Departure Time: Depart after 9:00 p.m. local time.
Next Departure Date: 18 Oct 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct 2025 - 08 Nov 2025 | NZD$41752pp | ||
| Category 1 Cabin | NZD$41752pp | Contact us | |
| Category Solo A | NZD$41752pp | Contact us | |
| Category 2 Cabin | NZD$47304pp | Contact us | |
| Category Solo B | NZD$48863pp | Contact us | |
| Category 3 Cabin | NZD$48863pp | Contact us | |
| Category 4 Cabin | NZD$52779pp | Contact us | |
| Category 5 Cabin | NZD$66767pp | Contact us | |
| Category 6 Suite | NZD$78152pp | Contact us | |
| Category 7 Suite | NZD$86678pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Category 1 Cabin
17.5m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, non-smoking, 1-2 portholes, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 2 Cabin
16m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 3 Cabin
19.5m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 4 Cabin
15.5m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category Solo A
12m², single bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category Solo B
12m², single bed, non-smoking, window, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 5 Cabin
16.5m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, balcony with sliding glass doors, non-smoking, writing desk, reading lamp, private bathroom, shower, TV, A/C, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, luggage storage.
Category 6 Suite
33m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, balcony with sliding glass doors, non-smoking, writing desk, reading lamp, large private bathroom, shower, 2 wash basins, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, TV, A/C, luggage storage.
Category 7 Suite
36m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, sofa bed, balcony with sliding glass doors, non-smoking, seating area, writing desk, reading lamp, large private bathroom, shower, 2 wash basins, bathroom amenities, hairdryers, bathrobe, 110-volt and 220-volt outlet, TV, A/C, luggage storage.
National Geographic Explorer Deckplan
Specifications
- Crew: 86
- Officers: International
- Guests: 148
- Tonnage: 6471
- Length: 367 Feet / 112 Metres
- Width: 54 Feet
- Speed: 15 Knots
- Passenger Decks: 6
- Built: 1982
- Registry: Bahamas
Whats included?
- One pre-voyage hotel night in Buenos Aires
- Activities/shore excursions as specified
- Lectures and presentations by expedition leaders and naturalist staff
- Group transfers
- All meals during your voyage
- Selected alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages
- Use of kayaks
- Port fees and service taxes
- Gratuities
What’s not included?
- International airfares
- Internal airfares mentioned in itinerary are optional and not included*
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Any item not listed as included
Notes
*Please note the charter flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia return are not included on the cabin price listed. These will be extra.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Antarctica
On any cruise to Antarctica you can expect to experience a wide variety of landscapes, unprecedented wildlife viewing opportunities and a healthy mix of historic landing sites. Be astounded by the sensory overload of the huge amount of ice-bergs, glaciers, high mountains and the abundant and tame wildlife.
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