Ultimate New Years: Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Circle

An epic 23-day journey covering the Falklands, South Georgia (Serengeti of the South), and the Antarctic Peninsula. Ring in the New Year and attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle, exploring the history and wildlife of the deep South.


Falkland, South Georgia, Antarctica
©PLT

Duration: 23 days / 21 nights on board
Starts: Ushuaia, Argentina
Ends: Ushuaia, Argentina
Language: English speaking voyage

The itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather and ice conditions. The Captain and/or Expedition Leader will make necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible experience.
The voyage takes place over New Year's Eve and attempts to reach the Antarctic Circle (66°33’S).
The trip includes a 1-Night Pre-Voyage Hotel stay at the luxurious Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa (or similar).


Included
Optional


This is the operator's most extensive, richly varied, and epic 23-day journey, timed to Ring In the New Year on Planet Earth’s Greatest Stage. The expedition immerses you in the rich history of the Falkland Islands and leads you to South Georgia, often called the 'Serengeti of the Southern Ocean'. There, you will witness jaw-dropping nature scenes on beaches covered in fur seals, elephant seals, and hundreds of thousands of penguins.

The journey culminates in the Antarctic Peninsula, where the final act awaits: an attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle (66°33’S), making this a true feat of exploration. Throughout the voyage, you will explore the fascinating history of the ‘Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration’. The ample time allocated for exploration, with twice-daily outings as the goal, ensures glorious views of icebergs and glaciers, and likely encounters with Orca and Humpback whales.

Highlights: Ring In the New Year on Planet Earth’s greatest stage (New Year's Eve celebration).
Attempt to reach 66°33’S and cross the Antarctic Circle, the ultimate achievement.
Explore the Falkland Islands, home to the largest black-browed albatross colony and five breeding penguin species.
Feast your eyes on South Georgia's wildlife spectacle, including hundreds of thousands of seals and penguins.
Explore the fascinating history of the ‘Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.’

Itinerary

©PLT
©PLT
©PLT

Day 1: Arrive and explore in Ushuaia
Relaxation and optional evening briefing
After a friendly welcome at the airport and a transfer to the luxurious Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa, take some time to unwind or explore the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. Our optional evening briefing is your opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow explorers.

Day 2: All Aboard! Embarkation, safety briefing and Captain’s welcome dinner Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia, before our mid-afternoon escort to the ship. Our Expedition Team and ship staff will welcome you on board, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and our Captain’s welcome dinner. We’re on our way!

Day 3: Southern Ocean
Briefings and expert talks
Important briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety are held. You won’t want to miss our scientific and environmental experts as they begin their deeply knowledgeable talks about the wildlife, history, and geology of the areas we will soon be exploring.

Days 4–5: The Falklands
Wildlife lover’s dream and historical exploration
Welcome to a wildlife lover’s dream. Keep the camera ready to capture the abundant wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Here, you’ll find the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world and five species of breeding penguin. We’ll explore Saunders Island and The Neck, a narrow peninsula with sandy beaches.

Days 6–7: Southern Ocean
Crossing the Antarctic Convergence and whale spotting
Things continue ramping up with plenty of birdlife sightings as we make our way east across the Antarctic Convergence. See if you can identify the world’s largest bird, the Wandering albatross. Be on the lookout for whale blows and our very first iceberg sighting.

Days 8–10: South Georgia
Serengeti of the Southern Ocean and Shackleton's grave
South Georgia is often referred to as the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ as you take in tens of thousands of breeding penguins, seals, and seabirds. We’ll visit the historic Grytviken whaling station, featuring the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.

Days 11–12: Scotia Sea
Sailing farther south
Heading farther south, we’ll continue our informative presentations and wildlife spotting as the icebergs become bigger and more plentiful.

Days 13–17: South Shetland Islands and Antarctica
Twice-daily outings and exploration of the Peninsula
With twice-daily outing as our goal, we’ll explore any number of picturesque bays and famed landing sites, maneuvering through iceberg-rich channels. There are opportunities to stop at several active scientific bases and historic landing sites as we take in the wide range of penguin species, seals, and whales.

Days 18–19: Antarctic Circle
Crossing 66°33’S and the Lemaire Channel
Venturing to the ends of the earth is a moment to cherish. We’ll take our time gliding through the famed Lemaire channel, with the anticipation of reaching latitude 66°33’S. A toast and celebration awaits should the Circle welcome us. The crossing will leave you breathless.

Day 20: South Shetland Islands and Antarctica
Final wildlife spotting and photo opportunities
Test your newfound penguin expertise and sharpen your wildlife-spotting skills as you identify fur, leopard, and Weddell seals. Zodiac cruises and shore landings will continue, offering ample opportunities to encounter the peninsula’s diverse wildlife and capture stunning photographs.

Days 21–22: Drake Passage
The journey north and final celebration
We leave this magical place and make our way north, once again crossing the legendary Drake Passage. We have one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.

Day 23: Ushuaia Disembarkation
Departure
With huge smiles on weary, content faces, we disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive and explore in Ushuaia
Relaxation and optional evening briefing
After a friendly welcome at the airport and a transfer to the luxurious Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa, take some time to unwind or explore the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. Our optional evening briefing is your opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow explorers.

Day 2: All Aboard! Embarkation, safety briefing and Captain’s welcome dinner Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia, before our mid-afternoon escort to the ship. Our Expedition Team and ship staff will welcome you on board, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and our Captain’s welcome dinner. We’re on our way!

Day 3: Southern Ocean
Briefings and expert talks
Important briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety are held. You won’t want to miss our scientific and environmental experts as they begin their deeply knowledgeable talks about the wildlife, history, and geology of the areas we will soon be exploring.

Days 4–5: The Falklands
Wildlife lover’s dream and historical exploration
Welcome to a wildlife lover’s dream. Keep the camera ready to capture the abundant wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Here, you’ll find the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world and five species of breeding penguin. We’ll explore Saunders Island and The Neck, a narrow peninsula with sandy beaches.

Days 6–7: Southern Ocean
Crossing the Antarctic Convergence and whale spotting
Things continue ramping up with plenty of birdlife sightings as we make our way east across the Antarctic Convergence. See if you can identify the world’s largest bird, the Wandering albatross. Be on the lookout for whale blows and our very first iceberg sighting.

Days 8–10: South Georgia
Serengeti of the Southern Ocean and Shackleton's grave
South Georgia is often referred to as the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ as you take in tens of thousands of breeding penguins, seals, and seabirds. We’ll visit the historic Grytviken whaling station, featuring the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.

Days 11–12: Scotia Sea
Sailing farther south
Heading farther south, we’ll continue our informative presentations and wildlife spotting as the icebergs become bigger and more plentiful.

Days 13–17: South Shetland Islands and Antarctica
Twice-daily outings and exploration of the Peninsula
With twice-daily outing as our goal, we’ll explore any number of picturesque bays and famed landing sites, maneuvering through iceberg-rich channels. There are opportunities to stop at several active scientific bases and historic landing sites as we take in the wide range of penguin species, seals, and whales.

Days 18–19: Antarctic Circle
Crossing 66°33’S and the Lemaire Channel
Venturing to the ends of the earth is a moment to cherish. We’ll take our time gliding through the famed Lemaire channel, with the anticipation of reaching latitude 66°33’S. A toast and celebration awaits should the Circle welcome us. The crossing will leave you breathless.

Day 20: South Shetland Islands and Antarctica
Final wildlife spotting and photo opportunities
Test your newfound penguin expertise and sharpen your wildlife-spotting skills as you identify fur, leopard, and Weddell seals. Zodiac cruises and shore landings will continue, offering ample opportunities to encounter the peninsula’s diverse wildlife and capture stunning photographs.

Days 21–22: Drake Passage
The journey north and final celebration
We leave this magical place and make our way north, once again crossing the legendary Drake Passage. We have one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.

Day 23: Ushuaia Disembarkation
Departure
With huge smiles on weary, content faces, we disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.


©PLT
©PLT
©PLT


INCLUSIONS

Prior to Embarkation
One pre-voyage hotel night with breakfast in Ushuaia
Transfer from airport in Ushuaia (USH) to group hotel (providing you arrive on Day 1 of the itinerary, and we have your confirmed air itinerary at least 15 days prior to departure)
Transfer from group hotel to ship for embarkation

On Board
Shipboard accommodations and meals
“Welcome” and “Farewell” receptions with sparkling wine and soft drinks
Beer/wine/soft drinks at lunch and dinner
Coffee/Tea/Cocoa 24 hours a day
500MB WiFi card for use on your personal devices
Expedition jacket for use during the voyage
Fleece-lined down jacket (yours to keep)
A pair of loaner boots for use during the voyage
All scheduled landings and excursions
Snowshoes for use during landings (subject to availability)
Our Citizen Science program: participation in a variety of scientific activities that support important research projects
Photography Coach available throughout the voyage
Participation in the Polar Plunge
Access to our onboard medical clinics
Access to our onboard fitness centers
All port and landing fees
Digital Voyage Log

Included with Ocean Albatros & Ocean Victory Suites
Wine and fruit on arrival
Restocked mini bar (non-alcoholic)
Complimentary laundry service
In-room espresso machine

Post Disembarkation
Group transfer from ship to airport, hotel in Ushuaia, or central location (please note we cannot drop at Airbnbs or private homes, which are often inaccessible for our transfer vehicles)

EXCLUSIONS

Any airfare or travel expenses associated with arrival or departure other than those specified above
Pre- or post-voyage expenses in Ushuaia other than those specified above
Travel insurance; medical insurance; evacuation coverage
Laundry and personal expenses incurred on board, except as listed in inclusions
Any other alcohol and soft drinks, except as listed in inclusions
Onboard communication charges such as outgoing phone calls or WiFi, except as listed in inclusions
Staff/crew gratuities


Dates & Rates


Ship: Ocean Albatros (PLT) | Date: 22 Dec 2025 - 13 Jan 2026 (4635)
Cat. G single
$41,495
Cat. F Triple
$27,695
Cat. E French Balcony
$34,095
Cat. D Stateroom
$32,295
Cat. C Balcony
$35,795
Cat C Sup Balcony
$36,895
Cat C Grand Balcony
$38,695
Cat. B Balcony Suite
$42,395
Cat. A Jr. Suite
$44,295
Freydis Suite
$51,595
Brynhilde Suite
$62,695

* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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