Aboard the Sea Spirit
Falklands and South Georgia Photography Expedition Cruise
Overview
The Antarctic region is perhaps the most photogenic on earth, with countless beautiful scenes presenting themselves every day. Endless expanses of ice, beaches crowded with seals or penguins, sunsets over unbroken horizons, starlit skies—they all present fantastic photographic opportunities. On this photography expedition cruise from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia, you'll learn and practice your photography alongside experienced professionals and come home with some spectacular images of these wondrous places. From Santiago, Chile, you'll fly to the Falkland Islands to embark on the Sea Spirit for a fascinating learning and visual experience. Expert photographers will be on hand to answer your questions and give advice, both in the form of on-board lectures and workshops on shore. Explore the key elements of photography in a fun and relaxed setting, with plenty of opportunities for questions and feedback. Learn how to see light in a new way and experiment with the techniques of composition and framing. And above all, experience the awesome nature of this part of the world board a comfortable expedition cruise ship!
Arrive: Santiago, Chile
Depart: Santiago, Chile
Highlights
- Learn photography skills from expert professionals and capture memorable images of one of the most beautiful places on Earth
- Visit the very-British Port Stanley, capital of the Falklands
- Enjoy an epic wildlife experience including South Georgia's thousands-strong king penguins
Itinerary
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
Your expedition starts in the early morning in the Santiago airport where you will take a transfer flight to the Falkland Islands. Minimal days at sea means more days for photography with World Photo Travels Guides Mike Reyfman, Dimitry Arkhipov, Marco Grassi, and Svein Wik. After a short landing in Punta Arenas in Patagonia, you'll arrive at the starting point of the cruise. Welcome to Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands! Take your time to explore this amazing city. Visit the Falkland Islands Museum, the Governor's house, a cathedral with impressive whalebone arch outside, a war memorial, quality gift shops, pubs, and views of shipwrecks in the harbor. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where you will be warmly welcomed aboard the deluxe expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit. Get comfortable in your home away from home for the extraordinary adventure to come.
As the ship sails east toward South Georgia, you will be able to witness incredible wildlife. You will also cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. Don't lose your time aboard! Attend the most interesting briefings and lectures from the expert staff and prepare yourself for the arrival in South Georgia. This cruise was designed for amateur photographers of all skill levels, so use this chance to make new friends, exchange your photo experience, and attend photography master classes. Discussing ISO and exposure is always better in the cozy bar, restaurant, or lounge.
South Georgia is the best place on Earth for wildlife and landscape photographers. You will be taken to great locations for the best light. The archipelago is home to hundreds of thousands of king penguins, which makes South Georgia the best spot to photograph these wonderful creatures. The plan is to visit the most picturesque sights such as Gold Harbour, Cooper Bay, Drygalski Fjord, and other great places, including beaches such as those at Salisbury Plain and St. Andrews Bay, where over 100,000 elephant seals and three million fur seals jostle for space among innumerable penguins.
The bountiful waters surrounding South Georgia are also inhabited by an increasing number of whales. The historical whaling station of Grytviken is now home to the excellent South Georgia Museum managed by the South Georgia Heritage Trust. This is also the final resting place of Ernest Shackleton, the legendary polar explorer.
However, the route and exploration opportunities in South Georgia are heavily dependent on the weather conditions encountered. The experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to you by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the world. Every safe opportunity is taken to go ashore in this amazing place and take the best wildlife photos.
It's time to head back toward the Falkland Islands. However, your adventures are not over yet. You will pass the remote, seabird-covered pinnacles known as Shag Rocks on the way (get your cameras ready!). There is also time for festivities such as the Captain's Farewell Cocktail and the end-of-voyage slide show. You will share your impressions, review all the great photos everyone has taken, and enjoy a friendly atmosphere of like-minded fellow travelers.
The adventure finishes in Port Stanley. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for the flight to Santiago.
Important: Itinerary, landings, and all other activities during the cruise depend strongly on ice and weather conditions and are subject to the decisions of the Expedition Leader and the Captain of the vessel. Encounters with any mentioned wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
We recommend you arrive in Santiago a day earlier to have a good rest after a long flight before your Subantarctic adventures begin. A pre-cruise night is not included in the price of the itinerary, but we highly recommend the Holiday Inn Hotel due to its most favorable location right in the airport terminal.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 1+, Easy. You will be traveling to a very remote destination. You must be able to complete on board safety drills and emergency evacuation procedures without the assistance of others.
Rolling seas and windy conditions require you to be stable on your feet, especially when walking on slippery decks or up and down steep gangways. Shore excursions often require hiking over uneven terrain without the benefit of a developed trail. Some agility is required for getting in and out of the Zodiac landing crafts. While several Zodiac landings are dry, many will require that you step in the water to get ashore. Zodiac and shore excursions are weather permitting.
The Antarctic summer begins in November and ends in March -- no tourist ships visit in the winter. December through February are the best times to visit as they bring long daylight hours and milder temperatures. You'll experience a variety of weather conditions including rain, snow, sleet, and sunny skies no matter when you visit. Temperatures can change quickly and range from the high 30s to below freezing, sometimes with a significant wind chill.
All meals will be taken on board. All ships we offer have the capacity to seat everyone at a single, open seating in the main dining room. In some cases outdoor buffet breakfast and lunch options are also available. Please let us know of any special dietary needs; the ship will accommodate as best as possible.
Having the right clothing and gear is vital to the enjoyment of your trip to Antarctica, layered breathable clothing is best with a fully waterproof jacket and waterproof over-pants (required). Note that ponchos are NOT recommended as wind makes them less useful. A polar jacket is included on most voyages; waterproof boots are available to borrow on all cruises.
Visit wildernesstravel.newheadings.com to begin shopping. Be sure to check out our Get Ready Packages, which features 3 Polar Packages that provide excellent value for the gear necessary to keep you warm and dry. Polar gear is available to rent or buy and it may be possible that rental gear can be delivered to your hotel in South America prior to your cruise.
Antarctica is an extremely remote and isolated region of the world. In the case of serious illness or injury, medical attention and swift evacuation are not always available. Once you sail from Ushuaia, you are far away from towns and medical facilities. In the case of serious illness or injury, the cruise ship will make every effort to reach medical facilities as soon as possible, but be aware that it may take several days to get you to a hospital. If you have health or medical issues of concern, please discuss them with your physician before considering this trip.
Due to the remoteness, emergency evacuation insurance is required for all voyages to Antarctica.
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.