Duration: 8 days / 6 nights on board
Starts: Invercargill or Queenstown, New Zealand
Ends: Invercargill or Queenstown, New Zealand
Language: English speaking voyage

The itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather and ice conditions. Your Captain and Expedition Leader will make the necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible experience.

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Included

 Ship Cruise More info about this activity

Not only we travel from one point to another and find our shelter on board the ship we chose. We also enjoy from incredible scenery, landscapes and interactions that only our noble vessel can provide.

Everyday the Bridge Team navigates the ship to position ourselves on the best posible spots, looking for unique opportunities.
Many times, this includes sainig through narrow passages, on the vicinity of glaciers or entering bays and fjords only approachable from the ship.

Enjoy this incredible places from the comfort of the common areas on board, open decks or your own private balcony!

© Agustin Ullmann

© Agustin Ullmann

© Agustin Ullmann

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 Shore Excursion More info about this activity

Shore excursions are the backbone of almost all itineraries, with most ships making landfall at least once every day once they reach their destination. The weather plays a huge role in your daily itinerary, although given the sheer array of fantastic landing sites all over there are plenty of options your Captain and Expedition Leader can choose from. On-shore excursions allow you to visit scientific research stations, communities, prominent wildlife colonies and take hikes to elevated viewing points for fantastic photography.

© Agustin Ullmann

© Agustin Ullmann

© Agustin Ullmann

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 Zodiac cruising More info about this activity

On board the Zodiac you will discover a world of possibilities; accessing the most exclusive landing sites, cruising the coast in search of wildlife or simply enjoying a tour in the calm of the polar regions in search of marine wildlife or bird colonies.
The blue ice an its intimate presence is experienced at its best on zodiac tours.
It is not uncommon to meet curious seals, or humpback whales feeding.

© The Polar Travel Company

© The Polar Travel Company

© The Polar Travel Company

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 Enrichment Program More info about this activity

Expedition cruising must be one of the most incredible ways of travelling. Not only for the amazing places you visit and the unforgetable wildlife but for the wildlife, the sensory overload and the unimaginable memories.

But all of this needs a context in order to understand where you are and what you are experiencing.
On board your expedition vessell you will find a group of experts, naturalists, zodiac drivers and guides that that will translate the language of nature for you, telling you the stories of the places you are visiting, reviewing the historical, biological, ecological and geological aspects of your trips.

You will experience first hand what surrounds you and arrive back home wiser and loaded with new knowledge.

© Agustin Ullmann

© Agustin Ullmann

© Agustin Ullmann

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 Hiking More info about this activity

Hiking options include very easy beach hikes (good for photographers who need time for photography), easier short hikes, medium-difficulty extended hikes, and more challenging long hikes.

© Toomas Tartes

© Elis Stol

© Katja Riedel

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Optional

 Kayaking More info about this activity

The experience of sea kayaking in the humbling wilderness of Antarctica or the Arctic is guaranteed to stir your soul.
Sea kayaking is one of the highlights for any Polar Traveller, providing ice and weather conditions are assessed as safe by your Expedition Team.
This activity requires previous kayaking experience.

© A21

© A21

© A21

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You won't find them mentioned in a travel brochure on your high street; you won't find them in most guidebooks, you probably don't know anyone that has ever been there and they don't even appear on some maps of New Zealand's South Pacific - these are the ‘forgotten islands'. As featured in Conde Nast Traveler's influential 'The 25 Best Places to Go in 2025' list along with Heritage Expeditions and our voyages, these islands are among the most remarkable wildlife reserves in the Southern Ocean, designated UNESCO World Heritage sites and afforded the highest protection of any nature reserves in New Zealand. Remote, uninhabited and on no regular shipping route, access is further restricted by a strict Management Plan which limits the number of people allowed ashore each year.

Heritage Expeditions is the most experienced Southern Ocean operator, and the only Australasian family-owned and operated cruise company, and have been exploring the Subantarctic Islands for more than 35 years. This is one of our ‘signature expeditions' ensuring you will benefit from our unrivalled knowledge and expertise of the region. Campbell Island, the southernmost island, is an example of island restoration, now home to the majestic Southern Royal Albatross. The Auckland Islands offer Enderby Island, withwindswept Rata forests and a number of fascinating sites in Carnley Harbour. The Snares Crested Penguin, Fernbird and Tomtit are endemic to The Snares, which we enjoy from our Zodiac cruise. Kayaking around the islands is also an option on select voyages, with an expert guide to explore habitats beyond the reach of our Zodiacs. These islands represent a priceless ecosystem and joining this expedition redefines natural history travel. Stay on for our Beyond Fiordland voyage to explore more of Stewart Island/Rakiura and Fiordland.

Highlights:
Exploring the Subantarctic Islands, UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Opportunity to see unique wildlife, including the Southern Royal Albatross and Crested Penguin.
Zodiac cruising along the dramatic coastline and tree daisy forests.
Expert wildlife photography and conservation tips from Doug Gimesy on select voyages.
Optional sea kayaking excursion with an expert guide on select voyages.

Itinerary

© HER

© HER

© HER

Day 1: Invercargill/Queenstown
Arrival and Welcome
Guests should make their way to the designated hotel in Invercargill where we will spend the first night of the expedition, or join our Queenstown transfers to Invercargill. Informal get-together at the hotel for dinner to meet fellow adventurers and some of our expedition team.

Day 2: Port of Bluff
Embarkation and Sail
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant and morning free to explore before returning for lunch and departing for the Port of Bluff to embark your ship. Safety briefings and setting course to Campbell Island.

Day 3: At Sea
Learn and Prepare
Learn more about the flora and fauna as we prepare for our arrival at Campbell Island. Great birding opportunities may include Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross, and various petrel species.

Day 4: Campbell Island
Full Day Exploration
Explore Campbell Island, New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory. Rich and varied history, from sealers toCoastwatchers. Options to explore include extended walk to Northwest Bay or easier walk to Col Lyall Saddle to enjoy the Southern Royal Albatross.

Day 5: Auckland Islands – Carnley Harbour
Human History and Zodiac Cruise
Large sheltered harbour rich in human history. Opportunity to Zodiac cruise along the coast of Adams Island and Victoria Passage, or visit historical sites like Coastwatcher’s hut and Grafton wreck remains.

Day 6: Auckland Islands – Enderby Island
Wildlife and Birding
Northernmost island in the archipelago, outstanding wildlife and birding location. Walk through the windswept Rata forests and along coastal cliffs. Birds to encounter include Auckland Island Flightless Teal, Yellow-eyed Penguin and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross.

Day 7: The Snares – North East Island
Zodiac Cruise Protected Area
Uninhabited islands with highest protection as Nature Reserves. Zodiac cruise along the sheltered eastern side to see endemic Snares Crested Penguin, Snares Island Tomtit and Fernbirds. Farewel and celebratory dinner.

Day 8: Stewart Island/ Invercargill/Queenstown
Explore and Disembark
Spend the morning exploring Stewart and Ulva Islands, rich in history and wildlife. Farewell transfer to Invercargill or Queenstown Airport.

Itinerary

Day 1: Invercargill/Queenstown
Arrival and Welcome
Guests should make their way to the designated hotel in Invercargill where we will spend the first night of the expedition, or join our Queenstown transfers to Invercargill. Informal get-together at the hotel for dinner to meet fellow adventurers and some of our expedition team.

Day 2: Port of Bluff
Embarkation and Sail
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant and morning free to explore before returning for lunch and departing for the Port of Bluff to embark your ship. Safety briefings and setting course to Campbell Island.

Day 3: At Sea
Learn and Prepare
Learn more about the flora and fauna as we prepare for our arrival at Campbell Island. Great birding opportunities may include Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross, and various petrel species.

Day 4: Campbell Island
Full Day Exploration
Explore Campbell Island, New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory. Rich and varied history, from sealers toCoastwatchers. Options to explore include extended walk to Northwest Bay or easier walk to Col Lyall Saddle to enjoy the Southern Royal Albatross.

Day 5: Auckland Islands – Carnley Harbour
Human History and Zodiac Cruise
Large sheltered harbour rich in human history. Opportunity to Zodiac cruise along the coast of Adams Island and Victoria Passage, or visit historical sites like Coastwatcher’s hut and Grafton wreck remains.

Day 6: Auckland Islands – Enderby Island
Wildlife and Birding
Northernmost island in the archipelago, outstanding wildlife and birding location. Walk through the windswept Rata forests and along coastal cliffs. Birds to encounter include Auckland Island Flightless Teal, Yellow-eyed Penguin and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross.

Day 7: The Snares – North East Island
Zodiac Cruise Protected Area
Uninhabited islands with highest protection as Nature Reserves. Zodiac cruise along the sheltered eastern side to see endemic Snares Crested Penguin, Snares Island Tomtit and Fernbirds. Farewel and celebratory dinner.

Day 8: Stewart Island/ Invercargill/Queenstown
Explore and Disembark
Spend the morning exploring Stewart and Ulva Islands, rich in history and wildlife. Farewell transfer to Invercargill or Queenstown Airport.

© HER

© HER

© HER