The Weddell Sea and South Georgia: Celebrating the Heroes of HMS Endurance

Day 1 Overnight in a hotel in Ushuaia, Argentina

Today, only 112 stalwart adventurers will gather at a hotel in Ushuaia, at the tip of South America, to spend the night. Only they will feel the mounting anticipation as they prepare to track 235 years of Antarctic exploration and mark the 95th anniversary of Shackleton’s epic rescue of the crew of Endurance. They will discuss the rarity of encountering six penguin species in their natural habitat. Some will be eager to meet teams of scientists, who, in their remote research stations, could be unlocking secrets that will change the course of science forever. Those unable to sleep may walk the starlit promenade along the Beagle Channel, dreaming of what is to come.

Day 2 Embarkation Day

Two of the most miraculous accounts of Antarctic exploration occurred in the Weddell Sea in the early years of the 20th century. Members of this expedition will follow in the wake of Otto Nordenskjöld and Ernest Shackleton. They will visit historic sites, hike terrain and fly over pack ice floating on the same sea over which Shackleton and the crew of Endurance slogged in desperation. The names of these heroic expedition leaders will be on the lips of all who board the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov today bound for the open sea.

Days 3-4 At Sea

Raucous laughter will drift through the ship’s windows, as the icebreaker steams eastward through the Southern Ocean. There is nothing dignified about trying on life jackets. Sniggers are always heard when the Expedition Team delivers the first law of penguin watching – you smell them before you see them. Between the laughter and the fine dining there will be increasing anticipation as the handful of adventurers, who join this expedition, learn how difficult it is to go ashore on Elephant Island.

Day 5 Elephant Island

The crew of Endurance who sheltered on the island’s rocky shoreline for four and a half months did not have inflatable landing craft and navigation charts to assist them. Even with modern conveniences, the local conditions challenge Zodiac drivers. A successful shore landing will inspire a life time of conversation. If you join this expedition, you could be ashore on Elephant Island.

Day 6 Brown Bluff

Imagine how you will feel as you set foot on the 7th continent at Brown Bluff. You will be surrounded by Adelie and Gentoo penguins, two of the six species of penguins you could encounter on this expedition. All who step ashore will receive a certificate marking the occasion.

Day 7 Paulet Island

In 1901, the vessel Antarctic, sailed from Sweden, with Otto Nordenskjöld aboard. He reached Paulet Island in 1902, going ashore, unaware that a year later the island would be the backdrop for a dramatic - some say miraculous - meeting. The account of the Swede’s adventure, not as well known as Shackleton’s, is equally as dramatic as that of the Irishman’s. Our Expedition Team will ensure you become familiar with every suspenseful moment, before you go ashore to explore an Adelie Penguin rookery on Paulet Island.

Days 8-11 The Weddell Sea

Using the helicopters to provide aerial views of the pack ice, members of the expedition will follow in the footsteps of the crew of Endurance, over these four days. Shackleton used every ounce of leadership to encourage his men to drag three lifeboats up and over pressure ridges of ice and across treacherous leads for five weeks. The Expedition Leader, after examining weather and ice charts, may arrange for all to explore the pack ice on foot. Unlike Shackleton and his men, you can return to a warm safe cabin and three square meals a day at the end of your ice landing.

Days 12-17 Princess Martha Coast and the Anniversary Celebration

The eastward journey will end at Neumayer Station (70° 34’ 23”S, 8° 10’ 45”W). To reach the Princess Martha Coast, you will have sailed through 60 degrees of latitude. En route you will have visited three Emperor Penguin rookeries and research stations that are staffed by Germans, Britons and South Africans. You will be a world away from all you have ever known, should local permissions to visit be granted.

This shore of the Weddell Sea was unknown, when Hjalmar Riiser-Larsen flew over the coast in February 1931. Towering cliffs of ice from 20 meters (65 feet) to 35 meters (114 feet) rise from the sea. Few have seen the breathtaking sight of the cliffs sparkling under the midnight sun. You will be far below the Antarctic Circle, where the sun never sets as you explore the Princess Martha Coast of Queen Maud Land.

Days 18-20 The Weddell Sea

Aerial sightseeing aboard the icebreaker’s helicopters affords spectacular views of the ship crushing through pack ice on the northward journey. The opportunities to take unique photographs will be unparalleled. Be sure to pack a camera – and binoculars. There may be seals resting on the ice floes below.

Days 21-22 South Sandwich Islands

Stretching 305 km (190 miles) from south to north, the volcanic Sandwich Islands were first charted by the inimitable explorer – Captain James Cook in 1775. The First Lord of the Admiralty at the time was the fourth Earl of Sandwich. The astute Cook honored the Lord by naming the archipelago after him. During our visit we’ll visit the largest Chinstrap Penguin rookery in the world. The sound of a million penguins calling to their chicks can be heard from a great distance.

Day 23 At Sea

We’ll continue sailing north, but we will not have left Antarctica. Our destination is South Georgia, which lies south of the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary separating Antarctica from the rest of the world. While sailing, take your camera and binoculars on deck. Albatross and petrels should be gliding alongside the ship, as they have since sailors first navigated these waters.

Day 24 Drygalski Fjord and Cooper Bay, South Georgia

South Georgia may be the most awe-inspiring island in the Southern Ocean. Abundant wildlife – glaciers tumbling to the sea – vast tussock covered plains – and fjords – ensure there will be one unforgettable moment after another. Those moments begin on the southeast coast, where a 1.6 km (1 mile) wide fjord slices 11.3 km (7 miles) into the island. The ship will cruise through the fjord toward a spectacular glacier. You will want to keep your camera handy as Macaroni and Chinstrap Penguins are found in rookeries in Cooper Bay.

Day 25 Gold Harbour and St. Andrews Bay, South Georgia

The vibrant King Penguins that look as if they have stepped out of a painting by Georgia O’Keeffe breed all year round at St. Andrews Bay and Gold Harbour. You’ll be able to take photos of chicks, adolescents – so different from their parents that they were thought to be a different species – and adults.

Fur seals will be lolling on the beach against a back drop of a glacier. They will be sharing beaches with elephant seals.

Day 26 Grytviken and Fortuna Bay, South Georgia

Days 27-28 At Sea

Voyage recap sessions and identifying seabirds on the wing are two of the shipboard activities that will engage you during the crossing to the Falkland Islands. Keep a weather eye open as you cross the Antarctic Convergence, fog could surround the ship as you leave Antarctic waters for the southern Atlantic.

Day 29 Stanley, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Upon disembarkation in Stanley, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Santiago, Chile. You’ll spend the night in Santiago at a centrally located hotel. Sample the local vintages as you bid your new companions farewell.

Day 30 Santiago, Chile

Breakfast is included with the accommodation, so please book our homeward flight after 10 AM.