In today’s highly accessible world there are few places that still hold the power to enthral and enchant. Antarctica is certainly one of these. Mere words cannot do justice to the awe-inspiring spectacle of this most southern of continents, this desert of ice which is so unique and uncommon to man’s experience, that even the most dramatic of photographs pale into insignificance when one is confronted by the sheer magnitude, beauty and wonder of the landscape.
For centuries myths abounded of a southern land but early exploration was hindered by the ice. Maps dating back to the late Medieval period show a continent named Terra Australis Incognita, ‘the unknown southern land’. Captain Cook became the first person to cross the Antarctic Circle in 1773 but never sighted land. The first person to set foot on Antarctica is thought to be an American sealer, Captain John Davis in 1821. Since then it is a land that has consistently challenged and inspired men of extraordinary character to deeds requiring extreme courage. The expeditions of Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton, Ross, Byrd and many others are a shining example of honour, strength and perseverance which today still inspire us.
Our voyage begins in Ushuaia from where we will be followed by albatrosses as we sail to for the Antarctica Peninsula where enormous tabular icebergs rise from the sea, white hillsides are covered with thousands of penguins and seals bask on icebergs. On departing the Peninsula, we hope to sail past Elephant Island, the island on which Shackleton’s men endured 128 days before finally being rescued. We continue to South Georgia where we have ample quality time to explore what is one of the world’s natural wonders with a remarkable concentration of wildlife. We will use Zodiacs to cruise bays and see remote beaches, alive with king penguins and Antarctic fur seals. These beach paradises are backed by some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in the world. From here we will journey to the Falkland Islands for our exploration of these isolated islands thriving with wildlife and a fascinating history.
We have timed our expedition aboard the MS Island Sky for what is regarded as summer when whale and dolphin sightings are at their peak, penguin chicks begin to fledge and the snow algae is in bloom.
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What to Expect
In Antarctica there is no such thing as a “typical” day. Flexibility is the key and sometimes the whole day’s schedule will be changed to maximise your experience. Each day holds something new and below are some extracts from a previous log from the MS Hebridean Sky which will provide you with an idea of what to expect if you choose to join this Antarctic adventure.
Antarctic Sound & Brown Bluff: Ahead of us to starboard was the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula and on the other side were some large, ice-covered islands. There was lots of ice in the water too – brash ice, ice floes and icebergs of many shapes and sizes. Continuing southwards, it wasn’t long before an interesting spot was noticed so the ship stopped and the Zodiacs were lowered. We were off on a Zodiac cruise amongst the pack ice and huge icebergs. The ship then headed further south still and eventually went in the direction of Brown Bluff, a favourite landing place. The scenery was stunning – geology on the one hand and sea and ice on the other. By now the sun had been out for some time, which added to both the ‘warmth’ and the colours all around us. Another very significant thing about Brown Bluff is that it is part of the continent itself so we could truly say that we had ‘arrived’. For some it was their seventh continent too. The Adelie penguins were a big attraction, being the first ones that many of us had seen.
Salisbury Plain, South Georgia: From the ship we could see the huge extent of the king penguin colony, as well as a myriad of cigar-shaped rocks. The rocks were, of course, hundreds of seals of the elephant and fur kind. By the landing spot there was a group of elephants, including a pup that was still suckling. In addition, there were tiny fur seal pups around as well, which looked adorable. The male fur seals often huge and intimidating were not a problem today. A route parallel to the beach had been flagged for us by the expedition team so it was a simple matter to get to and from the king colony in small groups. The birds were so curious that if we stopped they would often come sidling up towards us, to get a better look. In their black, white, grey and orange plumage the kings looked both regal and resplendent.
Elephant Island: Elephant Island came into sight at midday but at first it was indistinct, as it blended in with the murk so well. More and more of it became apparent as we got closer but it looked pretty daunting – largely snow covered cliffs that disappeared up into the clouds. Every now and then along the inhospitable coast there was a grounded iceberg. The captain did an excellent job of getting us into the relatively sheltered bay opposite the bust of Captain Pardo who was in command of the rescue vessel that eventually, with Worsley’s knowledge, managed to get all of Shackleton’s men off.
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Small Ship Cruising at its Best
Antarctica is to be experienced, not just to be seen, and we believe the only way to do this is on board a small ship in order to maximise the time spent ashore. To enjoy the wonders of this icy paradise in the company of a small and enthusiastic party is the perfect way to achieve the most from a visit to this extraordinary place and travelling with you on board will be polar expedition experts and naturalists with many years of experience in Antarctica who will add immeasurably to your experience. In between our landings and while at sea, you can pass the time on deck looking for wildlife, attend the series of lectures by members of the expedition team and simply relax on board. There are ships in Antarctica carrying higher numbers of passengers than the 100 guests on board the MS Island Sky, however due to the restrictions placed on vessels as to how many passengers may land at any one time, the larger vessels can only offer very restricted landings, whereas with the MS Island Sky, we are able to follow the strict Antarctic rules and yet have all guests ashore at the same time. For most travellers the Antarctic experience is a once in a lifetime visit, it is therefore important that the trip should be as rewarding as possible and our expedition aboard the MS Island Sky will certainly be so both in terms of the educational experience on board and the number of opportunities to go ashore.
Island Sky
The MS Island Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Hebridean Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Itinerary
Please note that flexibility is key to a successful expedition in Antarctica. Although we have outlined an itinerary below, this is only a preliminary plan, our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and the wildlife we encounter.
Day 1 London to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Fly by scheduled flight.
Day 2 Buenos Aires.
Arrive this morning and transfer to our centrally located hotel for an overnight stay. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon to either relax in the hotel or join an orientation tour of the city which will include the Plaza de Mayo, the Cathedral and the Cabildo (Old City Hall) before we continue towards the most traditional neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, San Telmo which is characterised by its old colonial houses and the cobblestoned streets. The tour will end in La Boca to look around the colourful zinc houses which used to be the refuge and home for the first immigrants and popular artists. The evening is free for independent exploration.
Day 3 Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Ushuaia. On arrival transfer to the MS Island Sky and start our adventure this evening as we cruise down the Beagle Channel.
Day 4 & 5 The Drake Passage.
Named after the 16th century English seaman, Sir Francis Drake, the Drake Passage separates the southernmost tip of South America from Antarctica. This crossing affords us the chance to sight many species of albatross, petrels, prions and shearwaters flying in our wake and is particularly good when its windy. If its calm we will be on the lookout for the oceanic signs of crossing of the Antarctic Convergence, a major biological boundary. During our days at sea our onboard experts will deliver mandatory briefings, informative presentations and entertaining talks on the wildlife, history and geology of Antarctica, the Southern Ocean and its Islands.
Days 6 to 10 Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands.
We have five days of exploration around the Peninsula which will include many of the best places for wildlife and magnificent scenery. Whilst we arrive with a planned itinerary the final schedule will be determined by our Captain and the Expedition Leader based on sea, weather and ice conditions. Using our Zodiacs we will make daily landings for unique encounters with animals such as gentoo penguins, Weddell seals and giant petrels. We hope to visit the collapsed volcanic cone of Deception Island for a chance to visit Whalers Bay, see the glaciers and humpback whales of Fournier Bay, the leopard seals at Pleneau Island, the stunning mountain lined Neumayer Channel and Half Moon Island with its rookery of chinstrap penguins. Depending on ice conditions we may sail through the breathtaking Lemaire Channel, surrounded by towering peaks up to 1000 metres. Before heading east we hope to see Elephant Island where Shackleton finally returned to rescue his men.
Days 11 & 12 At Sea.
Traveling in the same direction as the prevailing weather, we hope to spot wildlife on this great crossing. The waters between South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula are rich with baleen whales, where in good conditions we have seen dozens in a day. Look out for pintado petrel, wandering albatross and one of the most beautiful birds of the Southern Ocean, the snow petrel. Meanwhile during our lecture programme we will learn more about the wildlife and history of the region and prepare for South Georgia.
Days 13 to 15 South Georgia.
We have three days of expedition cruising in and around South Georgia, a paradise island with snow-clad mountain peaks rising 9000 feet and with 165 glaciers tumbling down towards the sea. For anyone interested in wildlife, South Georgia is a true oasis. During our time here we hope to visit Salisbury Plain where we will find enormous elephant seals which crowd the beaches alongside 60,000 breeding pairs of king penguins. The colony has had an extraordinary population increase over the last century as only 350 breeding pairs were counted at this site in 1912. In Gold Harbour as well as gentoo and king penguin colonies, the adolescent fur seals of the season dominate the beaches while southern giant petrels constantly patrol the site for feeding opportunities. Whilst at St Andrew’s bay we encounter the island’s largest king penguin colony as well as being home to over 6,000 southern elephant seal cows during the pupping season. Meanwhile in Grytviken we will visit the old whaling station and of course pay our respect at the grave of ‘the boss’ – Ernest Shackleton. Continuing north along the Islands coast, around the bays of Stromness and Leith we will see ruined whaling stations that are now the backdrop to large populations of Antarctic fur seals and king penguins vying for turf. From our Zodiacs we hope to see the 60,000 breeding pairs of king penguins at Sailsbury Plain. The colony has had an extraordinary population increase over the last century as only 350 breeding pairs were counted at the site in 1912.
Days 16 & 17 The Southern Ocean.
As we cruise the Scotia Sea towards the Falkland Islands, the richness of these waters will be evident in the marine mammal life, especially the fur seals and penguins on fishing forays. We have a good chance of spotting whales such as southern right whales and humpbacks whilst the birds circling our stern can be outstanding, especially the large albatrosses and numerous species of petrels.
Days 18 & 19 The Falkland Islands.
The Falkland Islands are isolated and windswept, a haven for wildlife. We plan to call at Port Stanley, the charming capital of the Falkland Islands, and discover some of the many historic sites on the island. Our time here coincides with the end of the breeding season for the many seabirds that make these islands their summer home. We hope to include stops at Carcass Island, a scenic and rat-free island with a great diversity of birds including Magellanic penguins. At New Island we may see the large colonies of black-browed albatrosses, rockhopper penguins and south American sea lions. We will use our Zodiacs to find a suitable location to land and take walks ashore for a closer look with our expedition team.
Day 20 At Sea.
Enjoy a final leisurely day on board and reminisce with your fellow travellers about all you have seen and experienced during our expedition. Attend some lectures, look for wildlife or simply relax as we make our way to Ushuaia.
Day 21 Ushuaia to Buenos Aires.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. This evening we will take in a tango show with dinner.
Day 22 Buenos Aires to London.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London. For those not taking the transfer, check out at the hotel is 12:00 hours.
Day 23 London.
Arrive this morning.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy8 to 30 January 2025 | ||
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Category | Price | |
Magellan Deck Standard Suites | Fully Booked | |
Columbus Deck Superior Suites | Fully Booked | |
Marco Polo Deck Premium Suites | £16495 | |
Marco Polo Deck Corner Suites | Fully Booked | |
Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suites | Fully Booked | |
Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | Fully Booked | |
Explorer Deck Island Suite | Fully Booked | |
Magellan Deck Standard for sole occupancy | Fully Booked | |
Columbus Deck Superior for sole occupancy | Fully Booked |
Tour Reference Code: SCISK150224
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Two nights accommodation in Buenos Aires with breakfast • 18 nights aboard the MS Island Sky on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch & dinner • Noble Caledonia expedition team • Shore excursions • Tango show in Buenos Aires • Gratuities • Transfers • Use of parka jacket and waterproof boots on board • Port taxes • Airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
During this expedition you will be visiting out of the way destinations and will be accompanied by an expedition team. Landings and excursions will be made by Zodiac landing craft. The use of Zodiacs will be key to the operation of the itinerary as shown. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage, please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants.
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Deckplan
Island Sky
The MS Island Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Hebridean Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Skys Video Tour
Video Library
What to Expect
In Antarctica there is no such thing as a “typical” day. Flexibility is the key and sometimes the whole day’s schedule will be changed to maximise your experience. Each day holds something new and below are some extracts from a previous log from the MS Hebridean Sky which will provide you with an idea of what to expect if you choose to join this Antarctic adventure.
Antarctic Sound & Brown Bluff: Ahead of us to starboard was the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula and on the other side were some large, ice-covered islands. There was lots of ice in the water too – brash ice, ice floes and icebergs of many shapes and sizes. Continuing southwards, it wasn’t long before an interesting spot was noticed so the ship stopped and the Zodiacs were lowered. We were off on a Zodiac cruise amongst the pack ice and huge icebergs. The ship then headed further south still and eventually went in the direction of Brown Bluff, a favourite landing place. The scenery was stunning – geology on the one hand and sea and ice on the other. By now the sun had been out for some time, which added to both the ‘warmth’ and the colours all around us. Another very significant thing about Brown Bluff is that it is part of the continent itself so we could truly say that we had ‘arrived’. For some it was their seventh continent too. The Adelie penguins were a big attraction, being the first ones that many of us had seen.
Salisbury Plain, South Georgia: From the ship we could see the huge extent of the king penguin colony, as well as a myriad of cigar-shaped rocks. The rocks were, of course, hundreds of seals of the elephant and fur kind. By the landing spot there was a group of elephants, including a pup that was still suckling. In addition, there were tiny fur seal pups around as well, which looked adorable. The male fur seals often huge and intimidating were not a problem today. A route parallel to the beach had been flagged for us by the expedition team so it was a simple matter to get to and from the king colony in small groups. The birds were so curious that if we stopped they would often come sidling up towards us, to get a better look. In their black, white, grey and orange plumage the kings looked both regal and resplendent.
Elephant Island: Elephant Island came into sight at midday but at first it was indistinct, as it blended in with the murk so well. More and more of it became apparent as we got closer but it looked pretty daunting – largely snow covered cliffs that disappeared up into the clouds. Every now and then along the inhospitable coast there was a grounded iceberg. The captain did an excellent job of getting us into the relatively sheltered bay opposite the bust of Captain Pardo who was in command of the rescue vessel that eventually, with Worsley’s knowledge, managed to get all of Shackleton’s men off.
Small Ship Cruising at its Best
Antarctica is to be experienced, not just to be seen, and we believe the only way to do this is on board a small ship in order to maximise the time spent ashore. To enjoy the wonders of this icy paradise in the company of a small and enthusiastic party is the perfect way to achieve the most from a visit to this extraordinary place and travelling with you on board will be polar expedition experts and naturalists with many years of experience in Antarctica who will add immeasurably to your experience. In between our landings and while at sea, you can pass the time on deck looking for wildlife, attend the series of lectures by members of the expedition team and simply relax on board. There are ships in Antarctica carrying higher numbers of passengers than the 100 guests on board the MS Island Sky, however due to the restrictions placed on vessels as to how many passengers may land at any one time, the larger vessels can only offer very restricted landings, whereas with the MS Island Sky, we are able to follow the strict Antarctic rules and yet have all guests ashore at the same time. For most travellers the Antarctic experience is a once in a lifetime visit, it is therefore important that the trip should be as rewarding as possible and our expedition aboard the MS Island Sky will certainly be so both in terms of the educational experience on board and the number of opportunities to go ashore.
Also of Interest
Antarctica - Land of Heroes
An expedition to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the MS Island Sky
Island Sky
Itinerary at a glance
- Buenos Aires / Puerto Madryn / Falkland Islands / South Georgia / Antarctic Peninsula / South Shetland Islands / Ushuaia / Buenos Aires
The Great White Continent
An Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the MS Island Sky
Island Sky
Itinerary at a glance
- Buenos Aires / Ushuaia / Antarctic Peninsula / South Shetland Islands / Ushuaia / Buenos Aires
Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falklands
An expedition to the Great White Continent aboard the Hanseatic Inspiration
Hanseatic Inspiration
Itinerary at a glance
- Buenos Aires / Ushuaia / Falkland Islands / South Georgia / South Orkney Islands / South Shetland Islands / Antarctic Peninsula / Drake Passage / Ushuaia / Buenos Aires
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Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000