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South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula - aboard m/v Plancius October 23 to November 14, 2025 Group Trip

Earth’s Greatest Wildlife Destination

Escorted by: Scott Davis and Hugh Rose

Let your Imagination soar!

This trip explores both South Georgia Island which is an absolute must see place on the planet coupled with the other worldly landscapes of Antarctica. We are running this trip early in the season so the snowscapes will be phenomenal and long before all the massive penguin colonies turn it into giant mud and poo baths and dirty penguins. Since its earlier in the season, we should see lots of mating behavior and displays amongst the various penguin colonies. Same thing at the giant E-seal colonies. We should see some big mating fights amongst the big bulls which is always a sight to behold - 5000 lb behemoths battling each other. With our seasoned and highly experienced guides, for those days when the weather does become a bit more challenging there is a higher likelihood that we will still go out for various activities where other ship companies might call it a day because their teams have far less experience in inclement weather and zodiac operations.

We will have very experienced mountaineer guides (including a 3-time Mt Everest summiteer and grandson of famed Tenzing Norgay who was the first to summit Mt Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary) onboard for those that want to go on more extended and challenging hikes.

Photography guides; Naturalist and Marine Biologists and Bird Biologists. Documentary filmmakers onboard to give informative lectures and workshops. A plethora of educational lectures onboard to listen to while we are traveling and as previously mentioned an incredible staff to client ratio.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend six full days on South Georgia Island and six full days in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands with maximum shore time and Zodiac cruising.

• See five penguin species (possibly 6)! Plus, many species of whales, seals, albatross, and seabirds.

• Hear the cacophony of king penguins as you walk near colonies of up to 300,000 birds.

• See gentoo, macaroni, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins as they start their breeding cycles.

• Marvel at dramatic snow-capped mountains descending into valleys and glacier-fed rivers emptying into the ocean.

• Watch southern elephant seal bulls defend their territories from competing bulls and females nursing pups during their peak breeding season.

• See wandering albatross chicks and endangered gray-headed albatross on nests, only possible this time of year.

• Hike or snowshoe on South Georgia Island. Take shorter walks in the Antarctic Peninsula.

• With only 100 participants, everyone can land and/or Zodiac cruise at once, rather than in separate groups.

• Our 15 leaders are polar specialists, photographers, and naturalists who will provide numerous lectures, workshops, and guided excursions.

Cindi LaRaia has been on the Plancius 2 times before, I know it is a comfortable and highly capable ship for Polar Exploration with great food.

Here are more details on my friend Scott Davis who has crafted this ‘extraordinary’ expedition.

Scott Davis is a wildlife researcher, international photography expedition leader and guide, and professional assignment photographer specializing in wildlife, travel, documentary and editorial imagery. Originally trained as a wildlife and marine biologist, Scott's research, photo assignments and expeditions have repeatedly taken him to the far remote corners of the globe and all seven continents including 15 seasons in Antarctica.

Scott is a National Geographic Society Grant recipient and has co-authored and published several peer reviewed scientific articles investigating aspects of animal behavior. He has worked with and consulted for National Geographic, BBC, and Animal Planet Series. He has stringed for Reuters News Service in Africa. His photographic work has appeared in ad campaigns for Fortune 500 companies as well as commercial websites, prestigious stock agencies, Federal reports, national and international magazines and newspapers including the San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, Microsoft, Sport Diver, Conde Nast, AFAR, Focus, and Men's Journal. He has also worked as a commercial photographer for several national and international ad campaigns including Barclays Global Investments, The Cayman Islands Bureau of Tourism, Atlantis Resorts, Syngenta USA, Nationwide Children's Hospital, USA Aid, Rainforest Connection, California Bureau of Tourism and the World Wildlife Fund to name a few.

As a guide and photography workshop leader, Scott's easy-going style coupled with a passion for all things photography and wildlife is contagious. He finds great satisfaction sharing his unique insight, experience and knowledge with others, be they aspiring or already established photographers.

"I have guided to Antarctica for 16 years, I have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the region."

When not hopping a plane, train or automobile in search of his next subject, Scott currently makes his residence in Monterey, California.

Itinerary

Download itinerary and details [pdf]

COST:
$17,050 - Quadruple occupancy
$19,050 - Triple occupancy
$20,795 - Double occupancy (Twin Porthole)
$21,795 - Double occupancy (Twin Window)
$23,495 - Double occupancy (Twin Deluxe)
$25,495 - Double occupancy (Superior)

For more information
Contact:
Dive Discovery
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1 800 886-7321
(415) 444-5100
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