Ocean Victory, Epic Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica ex Ushuaia return

Epic Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
The Adventure Begins
On arrival at Ushuaia Airport, please make your way through to the Arrivals Hall where our representative will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel. Spend the first night of your voyage in the quaint town of Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world, and the capital of Tierra del Fuego, which means "land of fire.” Take the opportunity to explore independently at your leisure.

Arrive in the afternoon and meet your expedition team and fellow travellers. Gather for a warm welcome and orientation, then enjoy a festive group dinner featuring regional flavours and a taste of what lies ahead.

Day 2: Ushuaia
Embark on the Ocean Victory
Spend the morning exploring Ushuaia at your leisure. In the late afternoon, you’ll transfer to the pier where the Ocean Victory awaits, moored at the foot of the city. Step aboard and meet the captain and crew who will guide you on this remarkable journey.

In the evening, we’ll set sail through the legendary, wildlife-rich waters of the Beagle Channel, bound for the Falkland Islands. From the deck, keep watch for Magellanic penguins, rock cormorants, petrels, and black-browed albatross gliding overhead—as well as the occasional raucous sea lion colony bidding us farewell.

Day 3: At Sea
Learn On Board
As we sail toward the Falkland Islands, take this day at sea to settle into life aboard the Ocean Victory and get to know your expedition team. This is the perfect opportunity to explore the ship’s inviting spaces, enjoy the view from the outer decks, and connect with fellow travellers.

Join our team of expert naturalists and historians to gain fascinating insights into the region’s wildlife, geology, and human history. Learn about the first archipelago we'll visit on this voyage—the Falkland Islands, or Islas Malvinas, as they are known in Argentina—and what lies ahead.

Spend time on the bridge or out on deck with the team as they scout for seabirds and marine life—your first taste of the remarkable biodiversity of this region.

Day 4–5: Falkland Islands  
Enjoy Hiking, Zodiac Cruising, and Kayaking
Have your camera and binoculars ready as we approach the ruggedly beautiful Falkland Islands—a remote archipelago known for its dramatic cliffs, sweeping grasslands, and extraordinary wildlife.

These islands are famed for their vibrant penguin colonies, including gentoo, rockhopper, and Magellanic penguins—offering a fascinating natural spectacle against a backdrop of wild ocean and wind-swept grass. We’ll explore a variety of landing sites by Zodiac and on foot, with opportunities to hike across open landscapes, paddle through quiet inlets by kayak, and enjoy shore excursions shaped by the weather and wildlife around us.

Look out for large populations of black-browed albatross, Peale’s and Commerson’s dolphins, orcas, and a myriad of bird species—including the Falklands’ flightless steamer duck, imperial shags, and Cobb’s wren.

We’ll also visit Port Stanley, the island's quaint and colourful capital, which has a distinctly British outpost feel. Learn more about the complex and sometimes controversial history of the Falklands and enjoy time to explore the town. Keep your eyes peeled for southern giant petrels, endemic Falkland steamer ducks, kelp and dolphin gulls, black-crowned night herons, red-backed hawks, peregrine falcons, and turkey vultures.

Day 6-7: At Sea
Discover Fascinating History and Search for Wildlife
Set sail on an eastward course across the Southern Ocean, bound for South Georgia—home to some of the richest wildlife spectacles on Earth. Over the next two days at sea, we’ll cover more than 1,500 kilometres (837 nautical miles), journeying through open seas rich with history, mystery, and marine life.

This oceanic interlude offers time to slow down, reflect, and connect. Join your expedition team for presentations on the region’s dramatic history, fascinating geology, and the remarkable marine life that may appear along the way. Keep your eyes on the horizon—these waters are home to albatross, petrels, and the occasional sighting of large cetaceans. If whales are spotted, head to the decks to witness their powerful presence firsthand!

Stories of early navigators resound here—none more compelling than that of Ernest Shackleton, whose fateful expedition passed through these very waters. Like him, we now look toward South Georgia, and if the skies are clear, we may catch our first glimpse of its mountainous outline on the horizon.

Day 8-11: South Georgia
Marvel at Penguins, Peaks, and Polar History
South Georgia captivates every traveller who sets foot on its shores. Home to one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on the planet, the island’s beaches are blanketed with hundreds of thousands of penguins as far as the eye can see.

We’ll spend four days exploring this stunningly beautiful island—one that teems with life and is steeped in history. South Georgia played a pivotal role in Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary Endurance expedition and was once the heart of the southern whaling industry. You may even have the opportunity to visit the explorer’s final resting place at Grytviken.

Known as the Galápagos of the South, South Georgia is home to over thirty million breeding birds, thousands of seals, introduced Norwegian reindeer, and nesting sites of wandering albatross. The island hosts four species of breeding penguins. Watching thousands of them gathered together—sleek, dignified, and dressed in nature’s finest tuxedos—is a sight you won’t soon forget.

Each day offers a new landing and a new perspective. Hike across plains where fur and elephant seals lounge between glacial streams. Marvel at snowy peaks, emerald bays, and electric-blue glacier ice. Visit abandoned whaling stations that speak to a complex past and observe a living world that abounds in one of the planet’s most remote corners.

Day 12-13: At Sea
Search for Seabirds and Icebergs
As we bid farewell to the wildlife haven of South Georgia, we set our course southwest across the Scotia Sea, bound for the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Here, the horizon stretches wide and empty, the silence broken only by the wind and the call of seabirds wheeling overhead.

Join the expedition team for engaging presentations on glaciology, Antarctic wildlife, and the icy ecosystems ahead. Outdoor viewing areas and time on the bridge offer excellent opportunities for spotting seabirds and scanning for icebergs as we cross into polar waters.

Beyond the sixtieth parallel, we may begin to encounter vast tabular icebergs—flat-topped giants calved from the Weddell Sea ice shelves—heralding our approach to Antarctica. As each day passes, we deepen our understanding of this frozen frontier, learning more about the wildlife and natural forces that shape it.

In between lectures and birdwatching, take time to unwind in the ship’s sauna or jacuzzi, connect with fellow travellers, and enjoy the many comforts aboard the Ocean Victory.

© Sandra Petrowitz
Day 14-17: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Step Foot on the Seventh Continent
Spend four unforgettable days exploring the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula—a region that has captivated explorers for centuries and continues to enchant modern-day travellers.

Antarctica dazzles with its scale and silence. Towering peaks and electric-blue glaciers dominate the skyline, while chinstrap, gentoo, and Adélie penguins crowd the shores. Crabeater, Weddell, fur, and elephant seals sprawl across the ice, and seabirds trace lazy arcs overhead. Listen for the thunderous crack of a calving glacier or the raucous chatter of penguins fiercely defending their perfect nesting pebble.

We’ll make the most of every opportunity to explore—whether it’s hiking along ridgelines with sweeping views, kayaking through brash ice, snowshoeing over white terrain, or enjoying spontaneous Zodiac cruises that bring you close to Antarctica’s wonders. Between landings, our on board experts will continue to share insights through lectures, workshops, and informal conversations.

Sites like Brown Bluff, Paradise Bay, and Neko Harbour offer ever-changing possibilities for exploration—each shaped by the mood of the sea, the will of the weather, and the wonders that await. We may visit Deception Island, the flooded caldera of a collapsed volcano, where black-sand beaches contrast starkly with snow and steam, or sail through the Gerlache Strait, threading among towering bergs and glacial cliffs.

As we cruise from one site to the next, take in the scenery from the outer decks or enjoy the ship’s health and wellness amenities—from the spa and sauna to the fitness centre and a relaxing massage. And for the truly adventurous, there may even be a chance to take a polar plunge into the icy Antarctic waters!

Day 18: At Sea — Drake Passage
Indulge in Whale Watching and Iceberg Spotting
We set our course north across the legendary Drake Passage—the stretch of sea that separates Antarctica from South America. Named for explorer Sir Francis Drake, these waters are famously unpredictable—sometimes calm and still, other times wild and rolling.

Head out on deck to look for the mighty albatross that flies overhead, scan the waters for breaching whales and drifting icebergs, or enjoy the view from the warmth of the observation lounge.

As our journey winds down, the expedition team shares closing reflections on the Antarctic Treaty and its vital role in protecting this region. After two weeks of wonder, we return with a renewed sense of connection and a shared commitment to protecting this extraordinary part of the planet.

Day 19: At Sea — Beagle Channel
Sail Past Fjords, Forests, and Wild Shores
Journey through the majestic Beagle Channel—a narrow, glacier-carved passageway that winds between the southern edges of Chile and Argentina. Framed by rugged mountains, windswept islands, and forests that spill down to the sea, this storied waterway—named after the ship that carried Charles Darwin—offers a peaceful stretch of sailing and a chance to reflect as seabirds wheel overhead and soft light plays across the water.

As we navigate past remote islets and rocky shores, watch for sea lions basking in the sun, imperial cormorants lining the cliffs, and dolphins weaving through the ship’s wake. With the Andes rising in every direction and the waters leading us gently toward Ushuaia, the Beagle Channel offers a serene and stirring finale.

Day 20: Ushuaia, Argentina
A Fond Farewell
Disembark in Ushuaia after enjoying your final breakfast on the Ocean Victory. You have an included transfer to Ushuaia airport if you're flying home today, otherwise, enjoy some extra time exploring Tierra del Fuego and its rugged surroundings.

A departure transfer to the airport is included in your voyage fare if you are flying out today. Please speak to your agent to organize this.

If you are flying out today, please do not book your flight to depart Ushuaia before midday in case of any delays caused by unfavourable weather conditions.

The Ocean Victory, launched in 2021, is one of the most modern small expedition vessels at sea. Purpose-built for discovery, it combines comfort, capability, and a deep commitment to sustainability - an ideal platform for Adventure Canada's small-ship journeys to some of the world's most remarkable places. Its innovative X-BOW® hull delivers smoother, quieter crossings and greater stability, while its ice-strengthened design ensures safe passage into areas few ships can reach.

On board, travellers are welcomed into bright cabins, panoramic decks, and inviting spaces designed to spark conversation, laughter, and learning. Shared meals, engaging presentations, and quiet moments of reflection as icebergs drift past create a sense of community and curiosity. The Ocean Victory offers a rare combination of comfort, connection, and environmental care.

Founded in 1987, Adventure Canada was created to bring travellers to Canada's "blank spaces", those areas whose remoteness alone made them special. Over the last fifteen years, along with our guests, we have discovered that there is so much that is extraordinary about the places we travel, from the landscape, wildlife and culture to the history, art and archeology that is unique to every destination. It is our belief that there is so much to see “beyond the binoculars” that drives us to delve deeper into our favourite places with every expedition and continually seek out new destinations.

We travel by small expedition ship, the best suited mode of transportation for remote exploration. The number of passengers on our voyages run between 45 and 100, depending on the ship we choose. We believe that these small vessels are superior, as they not only allow us to gain access to places not accessible by larger vessels, but our fleet of Zodiac landing craft permit us to visit some of the most remote places imaginable - the key to expeditionary travel.