Day 1 / Punta Arenas, Embarkation From 9:00 hrs., make your way to Explorers House in Punta Arenas and enjoy the facillities and educational opportunities of Antarctica21's exclusive expedition center. At 16:00 hrs., a group transfer will take you to the port for embarkation. As we sail along the Strait of Magellan, our Expedition Team will introduce the history of this fabled sea route. Day 2 / At Sea Enjoy the ship’s hospitality as we make our way to the Falklands. Our engaging series of lectures and presentations begins. Day 3 / Saunders Island, Carcass Island During a morning visit to Saunders Island, we enjoy the long white-sand beach. During this wilderness experience, the main attractions are observing rockhopper penguins, nesting black-browed albatross, and sub-Antarctic gentoo penguins. In the afternoon, we visit Carcass Island. There is an option for an easy hike to the settlement, bird watching, and a typical Falklands tea experience. Day 4 / Port Stanley Join our expedition team on guided walking tours of Port Stanley or Gipsy Cove. Or explore on your own and absorb the atmosphere of this isolated outpost in the South Atlantic. Day 5-6 / At Sea We sail eastwards across the Scotia Sea towards South Georgia. Our engaging series of lectures and presentations continues. Day 7 / Elsehul Bay Our first landing is at Grytviken. We clear Customs and then visit the historical site with the South Georgia Museum and Ernest Shackleton's grave. In the afternoon, we land at Fortuna Bay / Stromness to see king penguins. Here we learn more about Shackleton and his expedition, and there is also an optional 2-3 hour "Shackleton walk." Day 8 / Grytviken, Fortuna Bay / Stromness Morning landing at Grytviken. We’ll clear Customs here, then visit the historical site featuring the museum and Ernest Shackleton’s grave. In the afternoon, we plan for a landing at Fortuna Bay / Stromness. We’ll see king penguins and learn more about Shackleton and his expedition. There is an optional 2-3 hour “Shackleton walk. Day 9 / Salisbury Plain, Prion Island Morning visit to Salisbury Plain to observe more king penguins and stunning landscapes. In the afternoon, visit Prion Island to see the nesting wandering albatross. Day 10 / St. Andrews Bay, Cooper Bay Morning visit to St. Andrews Bay. We’ll see the largest king penguin colony and elephant seal bulls. In the afternoon, visit Cooper Bay to encounter macaroni penguins on a Zodiac cruise. Days 11-12 / At Sea After our epic days in South Georgia, we sail southwest across the Southern Ocean towards Antarctica. Our engaging series of lectures and presentations continues. Day 13 / Elephant Island In the afternoon, we will see Elephant Island. While a landing here is unlikely, we will see the island from the ship or, if sea conditions allow, from a Zodiac. Days 14-17 / Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands We cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula and among the South Shetland Islands, visiting sites in the Antarctic Sound and the Gerlache Strait. The voyage may include visits to sites such as Gourdin Island, Brown Bluff, Half Moon Island, Deception Island, Wilhelmina Bay, the Lemaire Channel, Cuverville Island, the Melchior Islands, or other magnificent places. Days 18-19 /At Sea Enjoy the ship’s hospitality as we make our way north across the Drake Passage. Our engaging series of lectures and presentations concludes. Day 20 / Ushuaia, Disembarkation Arrival in Ushuaia and disembarkation.