Tour Overview
| Duration | 24 Days |
|---|---|
| Destination | South Atlantic — Ushuaia → South Georgia → Tristan da Cunha → St. Helena |
| Price From | $8,650 per person (twin cabin) |
| Departure | Ushuaia, Argentina (April 2027) |
| Tour Style | Expedition Cruise — the Ultimate Remote Voyage |
| Data Source | Young Pioneer Tours 2026/2027 verified pricing (€7,995 ≈ $8,650) |
Itinerary Highlights
Part 1: South Georgia — The Serengeti of the Southern Ocean
Depart Ushuaia, Argentina, and sail into the Southern Ocean. After several days at sea crossing the Antarctic Convergence, arrive at South Georgia — a 170km crescent of glaciated peaks rising from the South Atlantic. This is the most wildlife-dense place you will ever visit: colonies of 100,000+ king penguins stretch to the horizon, elephant seals bellow on beaches, and albatross nest on windswept tussock slopes. Visit Grytviken, the abandoned whaling station where Ernest Shackleton is buried — raise a toast of whisky at his grave, a tradition among Antarctic travelers. South Georgia’s history is as dramatic as its wildlife: Shackleton’s 1916 rescue journey after Endurance was crushed in the Weddell Sea, crossing the island’s unmapped glaciers in 36 hours with a carpenter’s adze serving as ice axe, remains the greatest survival story in exploration history.
Part 2: Tristan da Cunha — The World’s Most Remote Inhabited Island
After 5-6 days at sea, the volcanic cone of Tristan da Cunha appears on the horizon — 2,062m of basalt rising directly from the deep ocean, with no land closer than 2,400km (South Africa) and 2,800km (South America). The settlement, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, is a cluster of about 80 houses on a narrow coastal plateau, home to approximately 250 people — all sharing just 8 surnames (Glass, Green, Hagan, Lavarello, Repetto, Rogers, Squibb, Swain). The island has no airport, no harbor — only a small breakwater. Everything arrives by ship, roughly 10 times a year. Ashore (weather and conditions permitting; Tristan has a 60% landing success rate), visit the Thatched House Museum built from volcanic stone and shipwreck timber, the Albatross Bar (the world’s most remote pub), and the post office where you can mail postcards with Tristan stamps. Hiking options include the Potato Patches (where each family farms their plot), the 1961 volcanic evacuation site (the entire population was evacuated to England when the volcano erupted beside the settlement), and for the very fit, Queen Mary’s Peak (2,062m) — a full-day climb to the crater lake at the summit. The wildlife is extraordinary: Tristan albatross, rockhopper penguins, yellow-nosed albatross, and fur seals. Attempt to land at Nightingale Island (vast seabird colonies) and circumnavigate Inaccessible Island (UNESCO World Heritage, no landings permitted). Overnight: expedition ship.
Part 3: Saint Helena — Napoleon’s Prison, Nature’s Fortress
Sail from Tristan to St. Helena (2,200km north), one of the most remote inhabited islands. Visit Longwood House, where Napoleon Bonaparte spent his final 6 years in exile (1815-1821), preserved exactly as he left it. Hike Jacob’s Ladder (699 steps, 183m vertical), visit Jamestown’s Georgian architecture, and see Jonathan the tortoise — hatched circa 1832, he’s the oldest known living terrestrial animal. The island’s dramatic volcanic landscape, endemic flora (cabbage trees, ebony), and complete isolation create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. Overnight: expedition ship.
Inclusions
- 24-day expedition cruise (twin cabin)
- All meals + coffee/tea on board
- Expedition staff + naturalist guides
- Zodiac landings (all permitted sites)
- Tristan da Cunha landing fees + permits
- St. Helena landing + Longwood House entry
- South Georgia landing fees
Important
Landings at Tristan da Cunha are NOT guaranteed (approx. 60% success rate due to weather). Travel insurance with medical evacuation to Cape Town is mandatory. This is a genuine expedition, not a cruise — schedules and itineraries are subject to weather and sea conditions.
