Shackleton Crossing
of South Georgia Island
With its boundless opportunities to observe wildlife and its breathtaking scenery South Georgia Island is a true Antarctic Oasis. That's why it's often referred to as "Antarctica in a Nutshell," where the wonders of the world's wildest continent are all concentrated on one magical island. And believe it or not, that's only part of the reason why we love it.
It also happens to be home to one of the greatest adventure stories of all time. In 1916 Ernest Shackleton and a handful of his crew from the Endurance Expedition (officially called the "Imperial Trans Antarctic 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 over 600 miles away on a remote island. To this day their story of relentless hope and perseverance inspires the world. On this journey we'll follow in their footsteps and witness the amazing glaciers and mountains that are so central to their story.
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 traveler's dream come true. Even getting to South Georgia Island is a remarkable journey; and our transit aboard the m/s Janssonius, an expedition cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions will ensure that we have an incredible experience. Surpassing the requirements of the polar code the m/s Janssonius represents the most flexible, advanced, innovative touring vessel in the polar regions.
One final thing we love about this expedition 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
2024 Dates:
October 26-November 13, 2024
(2024 pricing coming soon...)
2023 Dates:
November 8-23, 2023
2023 Price:
This expedition is FULL. Join the waitlist by sending us a message.
$5,400 USD plus your choice of cabin (see below):
Cabin/berth pricing:
Quadruple porthole: $10,500 USD pp
Triple porthole: $12,800 USD pp
Twin porthole: $12,800 USD pp
Twin window: $13,400 USD pp
Twin deluxe: $14,300 USD pp
Superior: $26.010 USD (or $30,600 USD for the complete cabin for 2 people, 1 double bed)
Participants receive a discount on our 5-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 3-7 or 8
Sea voyage to South Georgia. Depending on the specific voyage itinerary this may include a stop at the Falkland islands.
DAY 8 or 9
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.
More Pictures
RElated Blog Posts
