South Georgia & Falklands
From Punta Arenas to Montevideo
Excellent chances of seeing whales, from humpbacks and orcas in South Georgia to sei, minke, and southern right whales in the Falklands.
Explore wildlife-packed shores with moulting king penguins, fully grown chicks, and elephant and fur seals jostling for space.
This end-of-season adventure offers low snow, dramatic landscapes, and a front-row seat to nature’s great south-to-north migration spectacle.
Through Rich Southern Waters
After tracing the dramatic southern edge of South America, this voyage threads through legendary waterways before reaching the southeast coast of the Falkland Islands. Here, windswept shores host abundant birdlife and lively colonies of Magellanic, southern rockhopper, macaroni, and gentoo penguins, where adults are busy feeding fledging chicks – a striking introduction to the raw beauty of the South Atlantic.
Following the Rhythm of Migration
Continuing to South Georgia, the voyage coincides with a lively period of wildlife activity. Penguins and seabirds are finishing the breeding season, while elephant and fur seals remain active along the shores. Humpback whales, orca, and other whales are often seen along the way. We’ll enjoy landings and hikes amid the dramatic landscapes before heading to another part of the Falklands, and sailing north towards Montevideo.
Key Expedition Details
Itinerary
Your adventure at a glance. Daily highlights, included activities, and optional extras to make it unforgettable.
The sights of Santiago de Chile
Welcome to Santiago, Chile’s bustling capital. With its colonial-era architecture, award-winning restaurants and fascinating museums, it’s the perfect place to start your expedition cruise. There’s a lot to see, from the Mercado Central to the Plaza de Armas and the Presidential Palace. Check out the Sky Costanera, which offers panoramic views of the city from 1,000 feet up.
With so much to discover in and around the city, you may want to arrive a few days early to join one of our optional Pre-Programmes.
Begin your expedition cruise in Punta Arenas
You'll have an early start today as we depart Santiago and fly to Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost port, where your expedition ship awaits. Once you’ve boarded the ship, get settled in, explore, and meet your Expedition Team.
As well as being your guides, hosts and local experts, they’re also your travel companions for the next three weeks. Friendly and welcoming, they’ll answer any questions you may have during your adventure in to the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.
Centre on science before your adventure
On the day crossing to the Falkland Islands, the Expedition Team will equip you with all you need to make the most of your expedition cruise.
Visit the onboard Science Centre and find out what lies ahead. Listen to experts talk passionately about Antarctica’s history, the science beneath the ice, and the impact of climate change and plastic pollution. You'll learn how to make your visit as safe and as low-impact as possible, and about the Citizen Science projects you can join.
There's plenty of time to relax, so unwind in the hot tub and sauna, enjoy some delicious cuisine and meet fellow travellers in the Explorer Lounge & Bar.
Southeast coast of East Falkland
Bleaker Island was first known as Long Island. It subsequently became Bleaker Island after the large waves that crash against it, but since at least 1857 it has been called Bleaker Island. Forty different breeding birds have been recorded including Magellanic, southern rockhopper, macaroni, and gentoo penguins, and a very large colony of imperial cormorants. Peale’s dolphins reside in the bays south of the settlements year-round.
Relax and prepare for more adventures ahead
As you savour your sailing, prepare for more adventures ahead as we cruise towards the South Georgia. Your Expedition Team will brief you about the history and biology of the islands. In the Science Centre, you can look through the microscope at the tiny krill and phytoplankton that sustains so much of the region's wildlife.
Enjoy all the amenities on the ship and get tips on how to improve your skills from our professional photographer, or join workshops on topics such as wildlife painting and nautical knot tying.
Visit a wildlife watcher’s paradise
South Georgia’s abundant wildlife has earned it the nickname ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’. Its unique position free from sea ice makes the island a breeding site for large colonies of penguins, other seabirds and seals. By mid-March, the breeding season is beginning to wind down, but the island remains full of life, with penguin chicks forming crèches, fur seal pups active along the beaches, and seabirds still busy feeding and fledging. In fact, it’s an Important Bird Area, home to albatrosses, petrels, shags, skuas, and terns.
You'll spend four days exploring this remarkable area. We’ll also try to reach Grytviken, the final resting place of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. As always, our plans are guided by nature, responding to daily conditions and wildlife activity, to ensure we explore safely and bring you the best possible experience.
Cruising the South Atlantic
Sailing from South Georgia, we’ll spend two days cruising towards the beautiful Falkland Islands. Look forward to seeing an archipelago filled with diverse wildlife.
The Expedition Team will prepare you for what lies ahead with lectures on the area’s wildlife, history, geology, glaciology, and stories of battles.
You’ll also learn how to make your visit as safe and low-impact as possible, and you can join our Citizen Science programmes to help collect data for global research projects.
Enjoy birding and hiking in these green islands
The Falkland archipelago is filled with vast horizons and white sands teeming with birdlife. Only the occasional farm dots the landscape of grassy hills and wildflowers.
In Stanley, you can stroll at your own pace and explore the charming town.
Our landings, hikes, and excursions are always guided by the conditions. We hope to visit albatross and penguin colonies, often sharing space with seals, and get as close as we can without disturbing them.
Time at sea to rest and reflect
On our sea days between the Falklands and Montevideo, our ship becomes a moving wildlife observatory. As we head north at the end of the season, we’ll be sailing alongside nature’s great migration– whales beginning their journey from Antarctic feeding grounds toward warmer waters, and seabirds tracking the same invisible ocean highways.
From the decks (and often right from the ship’s side), keep watch for blows on the horizon, breaching moments, and the effortless glide of albatrosses and other pelagic birds riding the wind.
With the Expedition Team on hand to help spot and identify species, these days at sea turn into a shared 'migration watch', combining real-time observations with talks and briefings that bring the journey – and the ocean’s wildlife corridors – to life.
This is the perfect time to go through your pictures and relive your experiences in Falklands and South Georgia. Enjoy the onboard comforts one last time. Relax in the hot tubs or sauna or unwind in our Explorer Lounge & Bar.
Plus, you can join the Expedition Team in the Science Centre for further investigations and contribute to Citizen Science projects.
Disembark the ship and explore the vibrant city
Disembark the ship in the morning and enjoy time to explore Uruguay’s interesting capital at your leisure.
You might stroll along the Rambla of Montevideo, a picturesque waterfront promenade stretching over 13 miles, or wander through Ciudad Vieja, the historic centre lined with colonial architecture, art galleries, and bustling markets. Don’t miss the colourful Mercado del Puerto, a lively spot selling traditional Uruguayan cuisine.
This is your chance to soak in Montevideo’s culture, history, and waterfront at your own pace.
Included activities & excursions
These activities are included with your trip. Dates and times will be confirmed closer to departure, you’ll just need to reserve your spot after booking.
What else is included?
Optional extras
Enhance your journey with optional extras. Some activities are only bookable onboard and can’t be reserved online or by phone. Subject to availability.
Our Antarctica ship
Get a taste of what life is like on board the ships that sail on this itinerary
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to complete a Medical Screening Form?
Due to the remote nature of our expeditions to Antarctica, it’s important for us to be aware of any health concerns. To prioritise the health and safety of our guests and crew, a Medical Screening Form is required for expeditions to Antarctica. For more detailed information on this topic, click here.
What is the Medical Screening Form Promise?
Our promise to you is that if your Medical Screening Form is declined for medical reasons as determined by Vikand Solutions, we will refund you of all bookings made by HX up until the date of declinature. This includes all applicable flights, hotels and ground transportation. Rebookings can be made at no additional cost, subject to applicable booking conditions.
For more detailed information on this topic, click here.
How do I complete the Medical Screening Form?
We require all guests (including children) to submit and complete the Medical Form prior to departure to Antarctica.
Complete the form online through the Vikand Medical portal. It includes sections for both you and your doctor to fill out. You can begin the process up to 120 days before your sailing start date. Group bookings: access opens 90 days before your sailing start date. To start, Vikand will verify your name against our passenger list. If your name isn’t found, please contact HX or your local travel agent(if you booked through one) to ensure your name has been added to the booking exactly as it appears on your passport. For Doctor’s section - if your doctor can't sign the form, please consult an alternative or use Vikand’s online doctor service.
To make sure you receive important updates about your Medical Screening Form, we’ll send a verification email to the address you provided. Please check your inbox (and Spam/Junk folders) and click the verification link to continue. Once verified, you can complete the Guest Section of the form. If you don’t receive the email, try using an alternative address for future updates.
Please note: We only accept the Medical Screening Form available through Vikand portal and has been specially designed for HX sailings to remote destinations.
What is a solo supplement?
A solo supplement is an additional cost for occupying a cabin alone. At HX, we actively work to reduce or remove this wherever possible. We offer two kinds of solo offers, (1) no solo supplement offers and (2) reduced solo supplements offers (e.g., 25% instead of a 100%).
What is included when I book a suite?
À la carte dining option | On the ships that have a Lindstrøm restaurant, suite guests are offered the chance to have all their meals here. Reservations must be made on board and are offered upon availability.
Room service | Room service is available only aboard MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen in these selected suites: MF-700, MD-701, MC-749, MC-756, MA-800, MA-801, MC-849, MC-856, MC-919, MC-932. Free of charge, room service is available only from the Lindstrøm menu during the restaurant’s opening hours.
Suite check-in | Are first to check in as per our timeslot system. An exclusive welcome area in Lindstrøm is available for suite guests, where they may meet and greet some of the ship officers.
Welcome greeting | On embarkation day, all guests receive a Galápagos Big 15 wildlife book and a reusable water bottle.
Turn-down service | Suite guests will receive a daily turn-down service, including fresh towels and chocolate or similar on the pillow.
Laundry service | This service is free of charge for all suite guests. One laundry bag limit per day per suite.
Minibar | Daily replenishment of the minibar is included for suites (The first round is included, any additional refills will charged ).
Beverages | House wine, beer, soft drinks, and still and sparkling water are available and complimentary at lunch and dinner. For cabin guests, premium drinks and signature cocktails are not included; for suite guests, signature cocktails, premium beers and wines by the glass are included (premium wines including sparkling by the bottle at extra cost). Coffee, tea, and potable water that has been purified on board are included throughout the day.
For those on Santa Cruz II, only guests who book a suite will receive:
Welcome greeting | On embarkation day, all guests will receive a complimentary Galapagos wildlife book and a reusable water bottle. Suite guests will receive an additional welcome gift in their cabin.
Turn-down service | Guests will receive a daily turn-down service, including fresh towels and chocolate or similar on the pillow.
Wi-fi | Guests will receive limited complimentary Wi-fi access. Additional Wi-Fi is available for purchase, but due to the Galapagos’ remote location, please be aware that the internet connection is intermittent and low-bandwidth.
Wetsuit rental | Wetsuit rental is complimentary for all guests on request.
