Antarctica South Georgia Expedition

South Georgia Island · South Georgia

Expedition Grade7 daysAntarctica~£10,000 est.

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Overview

South Georgia is the densest wildlife spectacle on the planet. St Andrews Bay holds over 150,000 breeding pairs of king penguins in one roaring amphitheatre beneath glaciated peaks; elephant seal bulls the size of vans hold their beaches; wandering albatross ride the wind on 3m wings. Expedition ships sail from Ushuaia or the Falklands, and the mountaineering pilgrimage — the Shackleton crossing from King Haakon Bay over the glaciated spine to Stromness — retraces the most famous survival march in polar history on rope teams with crampons. Everything here is weather-permitting. Landings depend on swell and katabatic wind, the crossing succeeds perhaps one attempt in two, and biosecurity checks — vacuumed pockets, scrubbed boots — are rigorous and enforced. Grytviken's whalers' church and Shackleton's grave, toasted with whisky, close the circle. November to February is the season. Berths start around £10,000 for the voyage before flights to South America; the crossing itself is a guided add-on for experienced parties only.