Shackleton Crossing
of South Georgia Island
South Georgia Island is known for two things, and depending who you are you'll know one before the other. It's the remote and rugged island that Ernest Shackleton crossed on foot in a daring rescue to save the crew of his ship, Endurance, who were stranded nearly 800 miles away. It's also one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet, home to countless penguins, seals, elephant seals and sea birds. With its boundless opportunities to observe wildlife and its breathtaking scenery South Georgia Island is a true Antarctic Oasis.
Shackleton's incredible traverse of the island is an important part of the greatest adventure story of all time. In 1916 Ernest Shackleton and two of his crew member from the "Endurance Expedition" crossed South Georgia Island with no maps, no tents, and little hope of reaching the whaling station on the other side, all in an epic attempt to save the 22 men that were stranded nearly 800 miles away on a remote island. To this day their story of relentless hope and perseverance inspires the world.
On our expedition we'll follow in Shackleton's footsteps and traverse the amazing glaciers and mountains that are so central to his legacy. Shackleton made the crossing in just over 30 hours, but we'll take a more leisurely 3 nights / 4 days. We'll travel by ski, towing our supplies in individual sleds. Conditions can vary widely from calm blue skies to windy white-outs, making our preparations and ability to adapt vitally important.
Everything about this expedition is an adventure. Even getting to South Georgia Island is a remarkable journey; and our transit aboard the m/s Plancius, an expedition cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, will ensure that we have an incredible experience.
One thing that makes this expedition unique is that you can share it with family or friends who are less adventurous than you. Bring them along and you'll share the entire expedition with the exception of handful of nights that you're doing the Shackleton Crossing. While you're traversing the interior of the island they'll tour South Georgia's coast, with daily zodiac tours, hikes and presentations by the expedition staff. Capped off with excellent meals and accommodations they'll have a fabulous adventure of their own.
Interested in joining this expedition? Give us a call or send us an email to let us know about your interest. Space is limited and we recommend booking well in advance.
Dates & Rates
2025 Dates:
November 12-27, 2025
2025 Price:
$6,800 USD plus your choice of cabin (see below):
Cabin/berth pricing:
Triple porthole: $12,950 USD pp
Twin porthole: $12,8950 USD pp
Twin window: $13,600 USD pp
Twin deluxe: $14,750 USD pp
Superior: $26,860 USD (or $31,600 USD for the complete cabin for 2 people, 1 double bed)
Participants receive a discount on our 6-day Polar Shakedown Training.
Inclusions:
Includes all group equipment, guide(s), permits, communication & safety gear, transfer to/from the our start and end point, most meals.
Itinerary
Pre-expedition: Arrive at our starting location (could be Ushuaia, Puerto Madryn or another city in coastal South America).
DAY 1
In-town gear reviews and a welcome reception to meet the other team members and review the schedule.
DAY 2
Board the ship for our voyage to South Georgia.
DAY 2-3
Sea voyage to South Georgia.
DAY 4:
Potential passing of Shag Rocks
DAY 5:
Arrive at South Georgia. Our starting point for the crossing will be King Haakon Bay. Weather permitting we will be dropped here in the morning to begin our crossing.
Contact us for the full itinerary
Qualifications
This expedition is for people who are in good shape and are eager to push themselves physically and mentally. The days can be long and the skiing, though not technically difficult requires that you maintain an appropriate pace. You will need to have very good cardiovascular endurance and the ability to pull a sled (between 25-35 kilos) for several hours at a time. You need to have experience with glacial travel and a familiarity with crevasse rescue (if you don't we can recommend training options). Importantly you need to be able to regulate your body temperature and energy so that you do not get too cold, too hot, or "hit the wall" with fatigue.Towards the end of the day it is critical that you have the energy reserves to help with the group camp chores.
This expedition can encounter extreme conditions including high winds, limited visibility, snow, rain, and cold temperatures. Living in such conditions 24 hours a day can be very challenging. You do not have to be a world class athlete to participate in and enjoy this expedition, but every ounce of training and preparation will help to make the expedition more enjoyable and safer.
Please contact us with further questions!
Equipment
Upon registration, you will receive a comprehensive gear guide that explains the importance of each item as well as gear recommendations from our past participants. Please contact us for more information about your personal gear and group gear for this expedition.
Several items on our equipment checklist are available from our store.
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