Extended & Combination Voyages
The Kingdom of Kings:
The Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica
A Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica Expedition – Montevideo to Ushuaia
Expedition OverviewThere are wildlife destinations, and then there is South Georgia.
This is the Kingdom of Kings — a journey into one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. Sail across the Southern Ocean to an island where hundreds of thousands of king penguins gather beneath glacier-covered mountains, chicks crowd the colonies, and beaches pulse with wildlife.
Witness different stages of the penguin breeding season, from bustling colonies of nesting parents to growing chicks.
Our journey first takes us through the wildlife-rich Falkland Islands before we cross the Scotia Sea along the Scotia Ridge, one of the Southern Ocean’s most productive marine environments and an exceptional area for seabirds and marine mammals.
We then experience South Georgia at the height of its brief but extraordinary summer, before continuing south to the Antarctic Peninsula, where immense glaciers, sculpted icebergs, penguin colonies, and whales await.
WILDLIFE, HISTORY AND RUGGED BEAUTY - SOUTH GEORGIA
HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience South Georgia at the height of the austral summer, when its extraordinary wildlife colonies are alive with activity
- Stand before some of the world's greatest king penguin colonies, with adults and chicks gathering in staggering numbers
- Witness different stages of the penguin breeding season, from busy colonies to growing chicks
- Explore wildlife-rich beaches populated by king penguins, fur seals and elephant seals
- Discover the Falkland Islands, home to spectacular seabird colonies, penguins and rugged coastal landscapes
- Cross the Scotia Sea, one of the Southern Ocean's most productive marine environments and an exceptional area for seabirds and marine mammals
- Follow in the footsteps of Antarctic explorers and, conditions permitting, visit Grytviken and Sir Ernest Shackleton's grave
- Continue south into Antarctica, exploring a world of glaciers, icebergs and wildlife
- Watch for whales throughout the voyage, with the later Antarctic summer offering excellent opportunities for marine mammal encounters
- Explore by Zodiac and on foot, with each day determined by the best wildlife, weather and ice conditions
- Kayak among icebergs and along remote coastlines, included at no additional cost
- Learn from our expedition team through lectures, interpretation and presentations throughout the journey
ITINERARY
Your journey into the Kingdom of Kings begins at the southern tip of South America.
Board Terra Nova Adventurer in Ushuaia, settle into your cabin and meet your expedition team and fellow travellers.
Following our safety briefings and introduction to expedition life, we leave the Beagle Channel behind and begin our journey into the South Atlantic.
Ahead lie three of the Southern Ocean's great wilderness regions: the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica.
Today we continue east across the South Atlantic towards the Falkland Islands.
This first full day at sea is an opportunity to settle into the rhythm of expedition life and get to know your expedition team.
Our lecture programme begins with introductions to the wildlife, history and environments we hope to encounter over the coming weeks.
Spend time outside too. Albatrosses, petrels and other seabirds may begin accompanying the ship, while whales and other marine mammals are always worth watching for.
Our first expedition experiences take us amongst the remote islands and rugged coastlines of the Falklands.
These islands support an extraordinary variety of wildlife, including several species of penguin, enormous seabird colonies and marine mammals.
We'll explore by Zodiac and on foot, choosing our locations according to the conditions and wildlife activity on the day.
Along the way, our expedition team will introduce the natural and human history of an archipelago shaped by its isolation in the South Atlantic.
Leaving the Falklands behind, we turn east and begin our crossing towards South Georgia.
But the crossing is not simply a way of getting from one destination to another.
The Scotia Sea is an incredibly productive part of the Southern Ocean, supporting vast numbers of seabirds and marine mammals. Albatrosses and petrels may accompany the ship for hours, while whales and other marine life can appear at any time.
Our expedition team will be out on deck helping spot and identify wildlife, while presentations introduce the remarkable ecology, history and wildlife of South Georgia.
Then, after days surrounded by ocean, mountains begin to rise from the horizon.
Welcome to the Kingdom of Kings.
Few wildlife experiences compare with stepping ashore on South Georgia.
Glacier-covered mountains rise behind sweeping beaches. Fur seals and elephant seals occupy the shoreline, while seabirds fill the skies above.
And then there are the penguins.
South Georgia is home to some of the largest king penguin colonies on Earth, where birds can gather in numbers that stretch almost beyond sight.
At this time of year, the colonies are particularly fascinating. The king penguin's unusually long breeding cycle means we may encounter birds at several different stages of their lives, including adults tending eggs and dense gatherings of fluffy brown chicks.
Over several days, we'll explore South Georgia by Zodiac and on foot, seeking out the best wildlife encounters available to us.
Our exact programme remains deliberately flexible, allowing the Captain and Expedition Leader to respond to weather, swell and wildlife activity.
Beyond its wildlife, South Georgia has one of polar exploration's most remarkable histories.
Conditions permitting, we hope to visit Grytviken, where we can learn about the island's whaling past and pay our respects at the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton.
South Georgia rewards time and patience, and our aim is to make every possible moment here count.
Eventually, we leave South Georgia behind and turn south-west towards another of the planet's great wildernesses.
These days at sea give us time to reflect on South Georgia while looking ahead to Antarctica.
The expedition programme continues with lectures and presentations on Antarctic wildlife, history, glaciology and conservation.
Outside, keep watching the horizon as we move deeper into Antarctic waters.
The first iceberg is always worth waiting for.
Towering mountains rise directly from the sea. Glaciers fill entire valleys and icebergs drift through channels in shapes that seem almost sculpted.
At the height of the Antarctic summer, the continent is alive.
Penguin colonies bustle with activity and growing chicks, seabirds patrol the coastline and whales are increasingly active in the productive waters surrounding the Peninsula.
For the next several days, there is deliberately no fixed daily schedule.
Instead, our Captain and Expedition Leader will use their experience, together with the latest weather, ice and wildlife information, to determine where each day can take us.
We may cruise by Zodiac beneath immense glaciers, step ashore at a penguin colony, navigate among spectacular icebergs or simply stop because whales have appeared nearby.
Where conditions permit, opportunities may include kayaking, hiking, photography, Zodiac cruising and the polar plunge.
Our goal is to experience the best of Antarctica that the conditions give us.
Our Antarctic exploration continues for one final planned day.
By now, the rhythm of expedition life has become familiar: waking without knowing exactly what the day will bring and waiting to see what conditions reveal.
Perhaps we'll find whales feeding in a sheltered bay. Perhaps the weather opens a route towards a spectacular landing site. Or perhaps an iceberg-filled channel becomes the day's destination.
These unscripted moments are often the ones that stay with us longest.
Eventually, we turn north and begin our journey towards the legendary Drake Passage.
We leave Antarctica behind and turn north across the legendary Drake Passage.
These final days at sea are an opportunity to absorb just how far we've travelled — from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia's immense king penguin colonies and finally into the ice of Antarctica.
Join the expedition team's final presentations, exchange photographs with fellow travellers or head outside for one last chance to watch the albatrosses and petrels of the Southern Ocean.
As South America draws closer, we round Cape Horn and enter the sheltered waters of the Beagle Channel.
This morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia.
Say goodbye to Terra Nova Adventurer, your expedition team and the people you've shared this extraordinary journey with.
You return having crossed some of the wildest waters on Earth and experienced three remarkable regions — from the Falkland Islands and South Georgia's king penguin colonies to the ice of Antarctica.
This 21-day / 20-night expedition operates from Ushuaia to Ushuaia. The day allocations shown above reflect the planned itinerary and are approximate. Dates, operational days, landing locations and time spent in each destination are dependent on weather, sea, ice and other operational conditions. Our aim is to maximise the experience in each region rather than guarantee a fixed number of days, landings or activities in any particular location. The Captain and Expedition Leader will adapt the programme throughout the voyage to make the most of conditions, wildlife and expedition opportunities.
No extra charges. Just extra adventure.
Secure your spot with a small deposit now.
No surprise charges when you board.
Everything here is included too.
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Your cabin.
Fully serviced cabins with daily housekeeping, fresh linen, and en-suite bathrooms.
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Every meal. Every day.
Three meals, all-day snacks, tea and coffee, and house beer/wine/soda during dinner hours.
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Adventure activities.
Kayaking, snowshoeing, camping, trekking, Zodiac cruises, yoga, and the polar plunge — all included.
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Expert equipment.
Loaned muck boots and activity gear and a personal outer layer expedition parka for you to keep.
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Expert guides.
Expert-led shore excursions, daily lectures, and educational talks from naturalists, historians, and scientists.
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Hotel Expenses
Basic Wi-Fi and crew gratuities are already included in your cruise fare.
Your Ship:
The Terra Nova Adventurer
Proven in the Polar Regions.
Designed for Exploration.
We carry an average of just 98.
More space. More expedition.
Guided by our experienced team on the ice.
The same passionate team, voyage after voyage. Naturalists, historians, and guides who have given their careers to this continent.
Your fare covers everything you need for the expedition itself:
- Accommodation in a fully serviced cabin throughout the voyage
- Three meals, all-day snacks, tea, coffee, and house beer, soda, and wine during dinner hours
- All shore excursions — guided walks, Zodiac cruises, and standard adventure activities including polar plunge, yoga, kayaking, camping and snowshoeing
- Expert expedition team of 12–14 guides, naturalists, and lecturers
- Expedition parka/shell for you to keep, plus rubber muck boots on loan
- Port fees, landing permits
- Gratuities for crew
- Basic Wi-Fi — upgrades available for a fee
Not included: flights, pre- and post-departure accommodations, personal onboard bar charges, boutique purchases, Wi-Fi upgrades and any optional activities not listed in the inclusions.
The Drake Passage typically takes around 2 to 2.5 days to cross each way, depending on weather and sea conditions. While it is known for variable conditions, Terra Nova Adventurer is equipped with stabilisers that help reduce movement and maintain stability throughout the crossing.
Conditions can range from a calm “Drake Lake” to a more active “Drake Shake,” but either way, it’s considered an iconic part of the journey and a memorable prelude to reaching Antarctica.
To help you stay informed about current conditions in the Drake Passage, you can follow updates via this link.
To help you prepare, we recommend reviewing our FAQ section: “What seasickness precautions do you recommend?”
You don't need to be an athlete, but you should be in good general health and comfortable with moderate physical activity. Shore landings involve boarding Zodiacs from a moving platform, stepping onto uneven or slippery rocks, and walking on snowy or uneven terrain.
We offer a range of activities suitable for different ages and ability levels. Adventure activities like kayaking and snowshoeing are optional.
All guests are required to complete a pre-departure medical form, which is reviewed by our onboard doctor. In certain cases, we may request a clearance or waiver from your general practitioner. In rare instances, our onboard doctor may determine that participation is not possible for safety reasons.
If you have specific health concerns, we recommend speaking with your doctor before booking and contacting us to discuss your needs.
Terra Nova Adventurer is designed to accommodate more passengers, but we keep our guest numbers below 98 on purpose, supported by an experienced crew and an expedition team of 12–14 specialists. This size keeps the experience genuinely expedition-like: small enough for a community feel, yet large enough for a full programme of activities and expertise onboard.
Passengers typically range in age from 35–65, with an average age of around 45. We welcome travellers from all backgrounds, with most coming from Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia.
Full details of our deposit requirements and cancellation policy are set out in our Terms & Conditions . We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes cancellation cover. We require coverage for medical emergencies and evacuation — given the remote nature of Antarctic expeditions, this is essential rather than optional.
If you have questions about a specific voyage or booking, speak with our team — we're happy to walk you through everything before you commit.
We aim to make two landings per day in the South Shetland Islands and along the Antarctic Peninsula, using our fleet of 12 Zodiacs. With over 500 possible landing sites in the region, no two voyages are ever identical.
Antarctica is a wilderness and no itinerary is guaranteed. The Captain and Expedition Leader will adjust the programme based on weather, ice conditions, and wildlife opportunities — always prioritising the best possible experience. Flexibility is part of what makes Antarctic travel genuinely exploratory.
Terra Nova Adventurer carries a licensed physician and a stocked infirmary for the duration of the voyage. The clinic is designed to handle first aid and general medical needs, with the ability to provide initial care and assessment should more complex treatment be required.
Given how remote Antarctica is — evacuation to a mainland hospital can take several days or may not be possible — we require all passengers to hold comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical emergency and evacuation cover. All evacuation costs are the passenger's responsibility.
Most of our Antarctic expeditions embark in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world's southernmost city and the main gateway to Antarctica. However, some itineraries operate from a different departure port. For example, the 15 October 2027 Kingdom of Kings departure embarks in Montevideo, Uruguay and finishes in Ushuaia, while the 26 January 2028 Kingdom of Kings departure operates round-trip from Ushuaia.
We strongly recommend arriving at least one day prior to your departure date to allow for potential travel delays. Boarding is generally scheduled for the afternoon, but your exact embarkation time, meeting point and luggage-drop arrangements will be confirmed in your embarkation letter approximately 30 days before departure.
Disembarkation is typically in the morning on the final day. Avoid booking early onward flights. Any applicable transfer arrangements will be confirmed in your final travel documents.
Yes, we can assist with domestic flights to Ushuaia as part of our optional pre- and post-cruise services, but flights are not included in the cruise fare by default.
We also offer a range of curated pre- and post-cruise excursions, which can be added to enhance your overall journey. These services are available as optional add-ons, and our team can help arrange and coordinate them for you. Learn more here.
Still have questions? Speak with our team about a specific voyage or booking — we're happy to walk you through everything before you commit.