Shackleton’s Antarctica

In the Footsteps of Shackleton

This is a genuine remote expedition. Twenty-eight days on board the helicopter equipped ice-strengthened m/v Ortelius, tracing one of the most storied routes in the history of exploration from the mountain-fringed waterways of Ushuaia, across the Scotia Sea to the Serengeti of the South, South Georgia, the final resting place of Sir Ernest Shackleton, through the South Sandwich Islands and deep, deep into the Weddell Sea where no other vessels venture, returning via Elephant Island to complete this historic voyage.

The scale of life in South Georgia defies comprehension. At Salisbury Plain and St Andrews Bay, king penguin colonies stretch to the horizon. The sight, sounds and smell of hundreds of thousands of penguins seals and seabirds overwhelming the senses. Elephant seals lie together engaging in their catastrophic moult and young fur seals tumble through the surf. At Fortuna Bay, if the weather allows, you can follow the final leg of Shackleton’s legendary crossing to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness and at Grytviken you’ll have the opportunity to pay respects Shackleton, Frank Wild and raise a quiet toast to the most audacious escape in Antarctic history. You’ll also have pause to reflect upon the era of exploitation amid the rusting remains of the whaling station.

After the sensory overload of South Georgia we will make for the South Sandwich Islands, once again experiencing the various seabirds on this transit including two species of Diving petrel and Blue Petrels, great ‘ticks’ for the keen birder.

If conditions allow on the exposed windswept coast of the South Sandwich Islands we may take to the zodiacs to get a closer look at the landscapes and wildlife after which we will press on toward Queen Maud Land and the northeast reaches of the Weddell Sea.

The ice begins to appear in earnest now, first in scattered fragments, then in towering tabular bergs that dwarf the ship. This is a place that operates on its own terms.

Emperor penguins have been sighted from the ice on past voyages in this region, and as you push further south, the chances of an encounter grow. These are no ordinary penguin moments. Standing at the edge of sea ice as a curious emperor waddles toward you with its improbable dignity is an experience that tends to rearrange something inside you permanently. Humpbacks feed on Antarctic krill. Weddell seals lie contentedly on floes. Crabeater and leopard seals patrol the margins. Pastel hues light the horizon for hours at this time of year as nighttime returns to Antarctica.

The Ortelius carries three helicopters. Where Zodiacs cannot go, the helicopters take you. Ice formations that would otherwise be impassable instead become launching pads. Sea ice landings, elevated views across an empire of white, access to coastline that no other vessel reaches. These are the moments that define a voyage like this one.  

Hauling west along the Luitpold Coast and toward the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf, you pass close to where Shackleton’s ship Endurance was trapped, crushed and finally swallowed by the ice in 1915. The wreck was only discovered in 2022, lying remarkably preserved on the seafloor below. You won’t be able to dive to it, but standing at the ship’s rail in this place, with nothing around you but ice and sky and the distant call of seabirds, the story feels utterly immediate.

The return journey brings you past the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula where we will encounter Adelie Penguins, Gentoo Penguins and Snow Petrels. We will visit Elephant Island where twenty-two of Shackleton’s men survived for over four months while Shackleton and five crew made the historic crossing in the James Caird to South Georgia to raise the alarm.

By the time you cross the Drake Passage and sail back into Ushuaia, you will have logged close to four weeks in one of the most extreme and beautiful places on the planet.

Truly a remote expeditionary experience like no other itinerary.  This is a journey for those wishing to experience the essence of Antarctic exploration, past and present.  

This is not a luxury cruise, it’s expedition. It’s in keeping with out ethos that the greatest luxury is not champagne, caviar and silk sheets, it’s the time and capacity to explore regions like no-one else. Ortelius is not a luxury vessel, it’s a polar work-horse and this is the only itinerary of its kind.

What’s Not Included

• Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights.
• Pre- and post- land arrangements.
• Passport and visa expenses.
• Government arrival and departure taxes.
• Meals ashore.
• Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
• Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
• The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).