South Georgia Explorer aboard the Polar Pioneer
An intimate cruise to South Georgia on board one of the smallest expedition ships
From: USD 13,995
A 15-day expedition cruise
The Trip Highlights
A full week exploring the stunning South Georgia.
Develop your photography skills with the help of experienced guides.
Explore key wildlife sites including Saint Andrews Bay, Salisbury Plain and Gold Harbour.
Expect an abundance of baby fur seals and penguin chicks
Your Polartours 'Plus' Experience
Comfortable, and intimate ice-strengthened expedition vessel.
Led by highly experienced expedition leaders and photography guides.
only 48 passengers on board
Your trip is 100% carbon offset
Join us on a 15-day in-depth wildlife viewing and photography exploration of South Georgia’s spectacular nature. This expedition is aimed at those wanting to spend the maximum amount of unhurried time ashore observing wildlife and is suited for photographers and wildlife watchers.
What makes this trip even more special is our vessel takes just 48 guests and when you are ashore you will be in a small group of just 12 guests for an intimate wildlife and photography experience. Travelling on a small expedition vessel allows us to visit many sites along the coast that larger ships are not allowed to land and get closer to South Georgia’s incredible nature.
We compensate all 3.07 tons of CO2 that this trip will cause.
Your ship: Polar Pioneer
The well-known MV Polar Pioneer is a durable, capable veteran expedition ship (19 seasons strong) loved by guests and expedition leaders for its capability to explore remote polar regions with ease despite its small size.
Its new Scandinavian owners have done an extensive refit upgrading it to today’s standards and is ready for the 2022 Arctic season.
The Polar Pioneer benefits from holsting maximum 48 guests on an authentic expedition adventure free from the crowds of larger vessels. All guests can fit in the Zodiacs at once ensuring there is no waiting to go ashore and everyone can explor … Read more about Polar Pioneer
Amenities
Sauna
Doctor on board
Zodiac Fleet
Observation Deck
Rubber Boots
Bar
All meals
No dates selected
Day 1 • Your epic adventure starts in Stanley, Falkland Islands
Day 2-3 • Sail to South Georgia
The passage to South Georgia to or from the Falklands or South America is usually a 2-day sailing. On your way to the magnificent yet remote South Georgia, your expert guides will enthrall you with a range of talks and lectures all about the remarkable concentrations of Antarctic wildlife that can be found on the island.
As well as the huge numbers of breeding birds and sea mammals, you'll also learn about the geology and human history of the island, and its importance in the exploration (and exploitation) of the Southern Ocean.
On deck, your guides will help you to identify the bird species that frequently follow the ships, as well as spotting cetaceans and other marine life you can spot en route.
Day 4-12 • Explore South Georgia
This remote and mountainous island might seem to be barren at first, given that it has no trees and is snow-covered for much of the year. However, appearances can be deceptive, and South Georgia is teeming with life!
Not only is it home to important breeding grounds for fur seals, elephant seals, and king penguins, it is also the only known habitat of the South Georgia Pipit - the Antarctic's only songbird - and the South Georgia Pintail duck.
High, rugged mountains and stunning coastal fjords make cruising the coast of South Georgia a spectacle you will remember.
Used as a base for early-20th century sealers, there are relics of this industry at various places around the island - a reminder of the human history of exploitation of Antarctica and its natural resources.
Day 13-15 • At sea towards the Falkland Islands
As you sail towards the Falkland Islands your guiding team will do a series of lectures to finish off our exciting adventure. The final 2 sailing days offers a chance to relax onboard, take a sauna and share stories from the expedition with fellow guests. On safe arrival in Port Stanley you will disembark after breakfast on the final day.
The above itinerary is a guide only. A part of any expedition is the flexibility to take advantage of the weather conditions which are highly variable in South Georgia. Your expedition team will make sure you see as much a possible.
