The Grand Tour
Dates, Prices, Itinerary, and More
| General Overview | |
|---|---|
|
Dates |
28 January – 17 February 2023 |
|
Trip Length |
21 days (19 nights on board) |
|
Prices From |
US$16,750 |
|
Start/End |
Ushuaia, Argentina |
Trip Highlights
The sub-Antarctic Falkland Islands/Malvinas and South Georgia are home to some of the most unique and abundant wildlife on earth. With beaches absolutely covered in fur seals, elephant seals, and hundreds of thousands of penguins, it’s one of the most jaw-dropping nature scenes you will ever experience. We’ll also explore the fascinating history of the area, dating back to the grandiose times of the ‘Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration’ of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- Exploring the remote British outpost port of Stanley
- Penguin rookeries with hundreds of thousands of birds on South\ Georgia
- Zodiac cruising amongst colossal icebergs
- Potential encounters with orca, humpback and minke whales
- A visit to Grytviken, a former whaling station, and the gravesite of Sir Ernest Shackleton
Prices
US$ – per person, shared accommodation.
There is a 15% discount on early booking prices (booked by 30 June 2021)
| Triple | Porthole | Window | Promenade | Deluxe | Verdana | Penthouse | Owners | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Standard Rate |
$20,205 |
$24,245 |
$26,015 |
$29,875 |
$30,465 |
$32,605 |
$35,535 |
$39,085 |
|
Discounted Rate |
$17,175 |
$20,610 |
$22,880 |
$25,395 |
$25,895 |
$27,715 |
$30,205 |
$32,220 |
Kayaking Option:
You may reserve a kayak for your trip at a cost of $895 at time of booking (numbers limited). This will give you access to several kayaking sorties, led by an experienced guide. All equipment will be supplied, including dry suit. Contact us for more information.
What's Included
Prior to Embarkation
- Transfer from Ushuaia airport to group hotel if arriving on Day 1 of itinerary, and providing we have your confirmed air itinerary at least 60 days prior to departure
- Two pre-voyage hotel nights in Ushuaia at the comfortable Arakur lodge (https://arakur.com/en/)
- Evening meal “out on the town” for CNH Tours guests on night prior to embarkation
- Transfer from group hotel to ship for embarkation
On Board the Island Sky
- Shipboard accommodations
- All meals on board
- All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (some super premium brands excluded)
- Coffee/Tea/Cocoa 24 hours a day
- All scheduled landings and excursions
- Certified emergency doctor and clinic
- The on-board citizen science program: participation in a variety of scientific activities that support important research projects
- Live entertainment
- Dedicated passenger service manager
- Expedition jacket (yours to keep)
- A pair of loaner boots for use during the voyage
- WiFi from the public computers; 200 MB WiFi card for use on you personal devices
- Daily international news service
- All port fees
- All landing fees
- Digital Voyage Log
Post Disembarkation
- Group transfer from ship to airport, hotel in Ushuaia, or central location following disembarkation. Please note we cannot drop at Airbnb / private homes. Taxis from a central location are easily hailed.
What's Not Included
- Any travel costs to and from Ushuaia
- Any visa fees or other fees for travel related purposes
- Transfer from airport to group hotel, unless arriving on Day 1 of the itinerary
- Pre- or post-voyage expenses in Ushuaia
- Travel insurance; medical insurance; evacuation coverage
- Laundry and personal expenses incurred on board
- Onboard communication charges such as outgoing phone calls, WiFi from personal devices in excess of the 200 MB provided
- Staff gratuities
Day by Day Itinerary
Day One: Arrival Ushuaia
Please arrange to be in Ushuaia on day 1 of our adventure. This will avoid stress over missed connections or flight delays as you arrive with plenty of time to unwind and enjoy the beautiful Arakur Resort & Spa or spend time discovering the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia.
Day Two: Ushuaia
Explore the sights of Ushuaia such as the museums and Argentinean leather markets or continue relaxing at the hotel. Attend the optional evening briefing for the opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow travelers. If you like, we can help arrange interesting day or ½ day trips on this day.
Day Three: Ushuaia/Embarkation/Casting Off
Spend your morning exploring Ushuaia or unwinding at the resort until our mid-afternoon transfer to the ship. Our Expedition Team and ship staff will greet you on board, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and Captain’s welcome dinner.
Day Six: Stanley, East Falkland
Stanley is a lively hub of activity nestled in a sheltered harbor. Head out on foot to explore the museum, shops and services centered on the port, or look for sea lions, dolphins, and bird life along the shores.
Day Seven to Eight: Southern Ocean
Things really start to ramp up with plenty of wildlife identifying to do as we make our way east across the Antarctic Convergence2 and officially enter Antarctic waters. Shipboard presentations continue, featuring topics such as the captivating history and abundant wildlife of South Georgia.
Day Nine to Twelve: Southern Georgia
South Georgia is often referred to as the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ and it’s easy to see why as you take in tens of millions of breeding penguins, seals, and seabirds. Magnificent mountain scenery, glaciers galore, icebergs, a rich historical tapestry, and an incredible array of wildlife will astound you as we travel down South Georgia’s leeward coast. We’ll also visit historic Grytviken whaling station, featuring the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.
Day Thirteen to Fourteen: Scotia Sea
Heading farther south, we’ll continue our informative presentations and wildlife spotting as the icebergs become bigger and more plentiful.
Day Fifteen to Eighteen: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
Here we’ll explore any number of picturesque bays and famed harbours, maneuvering through majestic channels as we travel the wildlife-rich waters. There are great opportunities to stop at several active scientific bases and historic landing sites as we spot numerous species of penguins, seals, and whales along the rugged coastlines and in the sea.
Day Nineteen to Twenty: Drake Passage
We leave this magical place and make our way north, once again heading across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. We have one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.
Day Twenty-One: Ushuaia Disembarkation
With huge smiles on weary, content faces, we disembark in the morning. Most flights to Buneos Aires depart in the afternoon. Let us know if you’d like to spend more time in the region, either in Southern Argentina or Chile, or further north, and we would be happy to help you put together a wonderful itinerary. Trip End Date: 17 February 2023 at Ushuaia. For those considering flying out of Ushuaia that same day, it will be safe to book a flight that departs no earlier than 12h00 (noon).
Species Checklist
Click below for a printable checklist of the species you are most likely to encounter on this itinerary.
