Description

Journey from Antarctica to South

Antarctic Destinations

Antarctica, at times an unforgiving continent marked by harsh temperatures and rugged terrain, is home to a rich diversity of wildlife that inhabits the glaciers, mountains, bays, fjords, inlets, pebble beaches and rugged coastlines. The Antarctic Peninsula, for instance, is abundant with minke, humpback, right, blue, sperm and killer whales.

Snow Hill Island, in the ice-choked Weddell Sea, is the site of one of the world’s largest colonies of Emperor penguins. The sub-Antarctic destinations of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia are equally rich with wildlife.

Region Highlights

The Infamous Drake Passage

Crossing the 800-km Drake Passage where the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern Oceans converge, is a rite of passage for many travelers.

Iconic Wildlife

Wildlife enthusiasts can observe at least five species of penguins in the Falkland Islands

Historic South Georgia

Antarctica abounds with historic sites and landmarks associated with early polar explorers such as Sir Ernest Shackleton, who’s buried at Grytviken, South Georgia.

Crossing the Antarctic Circle

Crossing south across the Antarctic Circle, at 66°33' S, is a milestone experienced by only a few polar travelers

In contrast to the population of the Falklands which numbers about 2,900 permanent residents, South Georgia has only a handful of temporary inhabitants – and that contingent is primarily researchers and scientists. The slightly crescent-shaped, mountainous island is known for its diverse wildlife, glaciers and fjords, as well as wildlife. South Georgia is sometimes called the “Galapagos of the Poles” because of the massive king penguin colony at Salisbury Plain, and other wildlife, including the thousands of fur and elephant seals.

Polar history enthusiasts are particularly keen to visit South Georgia. British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton first crossed the island in 1916 in search of aid for his ill-fated trans-Antarctic expedition. Upon Shackleton’s death, his widow insisted the late great explorer be buried at the former whaling station at Grytviken on South Georgia.