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GRADE
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II
Moderate hiking 2-4 hours per day on rolling terrain with occasional steep slopes and additional optional activities like longer hikes, snorkeling, camel riding, sea kayaking, rafting, etc. May include some rural, rustic accommodations, home-stay, or Wilderness camps.
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On this far-reaching expedition to Antarctica via the Falkland Islands and South Georgia Island, you will revel in 18 eye-popping days of exploration. Busybody penguins in rookeries by the thousands, behemoth icebergs reflecting startling greens and blues, humpback whales feeding on krill and of course the continent-sized sweeping ice sheet of Antarctica. Exploring the Falkland Islands we will find a relatively warm climate where an abundance of unusual wildlife thrives including sixty species of migratory birds and the rare rockhopper penguin. Continuing through the Antarctic convergence, our Antarctic adventure voyage takes us to the pristine island of South Georgia, featuring towering glacier-covered mountains and spectacular wildlife sightings including rookeries of the pompous king penguin, several seal species and the laughable macaroni penguin. South Georgia is also the final resting place of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. We explore the old whaling station at Grytviken and visit his grave nearby.
Arriving at the Antarctica peninsula, we are greeted by thousands of icebergs that look like modern art sculptures lining the bays of Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay. Meanwhile an overwhelming profusion of wildlife is on display from penguins torpedoing through the water to predatory leopard seals staking their claim on ice floes. We hope to stand on the mainland of the White Continent itself. From this vantage point, it is easy to understand why legendary explorers such as Roald Amundsen and Sir Ernest Shackleton were so captivated by this inhospitable region.
Prior to departing for the Antarctic, explore Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world and spend a full day hiking and paddling in Tierra del Fuego National Park.