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South Georgia In Depth Expedition Micro Cruise

Overview
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Maps
Ship Information
Highlights

South Georgia before the crowds arrive. When frost still holds the coast, elephant seal bulls are locked in battle on the beaches, and the island carries that rare charge. Wild enough to overwhelm, quiet enough to absorb.
This is a dedicated 15-day expedition to South Georgia, not a stop between destinations but a journey devoted entirely to one of the world's greatest wildlife sanctuaries. With an aim for eight days exploring the island, you'll have the luxury of time to discover its spectacular coastline, historic landing sites, dramatic mountain scenery, and extraordinary abundance of wildlife at a pace few expeditions can match.
Early Austral spring reveals South Georgia at a remarkable moment. Frost-white beaches remain untouched, king penguins gather in their hundreds of thousands, elephant seal bulls battle for dominance, and fur seal numbers have yet to peak, opening access to landing sites that become far more restricted later in the season. Long golden evenings stretch across the landscape, with a sense of solitude rarely found elsewhere.
36 guests. Six senior polar guides. One purpose-built expedition vessel with active fin stabilisers and hybrid propulsion for the Southern Ocean crossing. Every landing decided by conditions and opportunity, not by a printed schedule.

04 September, 2027 to 18 September, 2027

Special Departure

White Kings: South Georgia Special Photo Expedition with Paul Goldstein

Signature Single

Six single cabins on Upper Deck, on starboard side, including cabins 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, and 315, each with a window. At 12.5m² / 134.5 ft², the Signature Single features a single bed, and an ensuite bathroom. Solo explorers are not an afterthought on Aureum, with dedicated single cabins across two decks
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Classic Single

Two single cabins on Main Deck, starboard side, including cabins 219 and 221, each with a porthole. With a floor plan size of 12.5m² / 134.5 ft², the Classic Singles feature a single lower berth with an upper bunk for stowing gear, and an ensuite bathroom. Low and central on the ship, it's a settled, private base to return to after a long day ashore. Ideal for solo travellers who'd rather have their own space than share a twin.
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Classic Twin $19,995 USD pp

The Classic Twin sits on Main Deck, on port side, with a porthole window, double or twin beds, and an ensuite bathroom. Including cabins 218 and 220 at 17.5m² / 188.4 ft². Available for two guests travelling together, a same gender share, or single occupancy at a supplement. Low and central on the ship, it's one of the calmer places to rest. Well suited to guests who'd rather put their time into the ice than the cabin.
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Signature Twin $22,995 USD pp

The Signature Twin sits on Upper Deck, including cabins 301, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314, on port and starboard, with a window looking out to sea. With a floor plan size of 18m² / 193.8 ft², the Signature Twin cabins feature a double bed or twin beds, ensuite bathroom, desk, and storage. Available for two guests travelling together, a same gender share, or single occupancy at a supplement. Comfortable, well-proportioned, and designed for two people who want space to move in it.
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16 October, 2027 to 30 October, 2027

Classic Twin

Signature Single

Classic Single

Signature Twin $22,995 USD pp

30 September, 2028 to 14 October, 2028

Classic Twin $20,995 USD pp

Signature Twin $24,500 USD pp

Classic Single $26,500 USD pp

Signature Single $28,500 USD pp

14 October, 2028 to 28 October, 2028

Classic Single

Classic Twin $20,995 USD pp

Signature Twin $24,500 USD pp

Signature Single $28,500 USD pp

South Georgia In Depth Expedition Micro Cruise itinerary:

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Day 1 Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

Embarkation day. Most guests fly into Mount Pleasant Airport, where the expedition team will meet you. Luggage is transferred directly to the vessel. We take a charter bus into Stanley together.

If you are already on the Falklands, join us at the Tourist Office from 15:00. The afternoon is yours — the Maritime Museum, a walk along the waterfront, a pint at the Globe.

Aboard by 18:00 for mandatory safety briefings. That evening, the official start: welcome cocktail, dinner, first introductions.

Days 2 - 3 Southern Ocean

The Scotia Sea passage. Aureum's dynamic fin stabilisers keep the crossing manageable; the programme on board does the rest - polar science lectures, photography workshops, personal accounts from the expedition team.

On day 3, we hope to cross the Antarctic Convergence and pass Shag Rocks - isolated jagged islets with exceptional concentrations of seabirds, seals, and whales. The first land since the Falklands. South Georgia is close.

Days 4 - 11 South Georgia

South Georgia hosts some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on earth.

Our approach takes us past Bird Island, one of the largest numbers of albatross nesting on earth. Wildlife meets you at the water's edge before the first landing and the sound of seven million penguins arrives before the sight does.

Stand at Salisbury Plain among 50,000 king penguins, or at St Andrews Bay among 200,000. The sound arrives before the sight does. Our flexible schedule should take us to key colonies at the best times to witness these awe-inspiring moments.

Grytviken is a formal customs stop, the museum and the abandoned whaling station reward proper time. In the whalers' cemetery, Shackleton and Frank Wild rest beneath simple headstones.

We aim to explore South Georgia’s wildest corners. The eight days that follow are shaped around early morning landings in golden light. Possible locations include: Bird Island, Elsehul Bay, Fortuna Bay, Stromness Bay, Cooper Bay, Drygalski Fjord, Grytviken, Nordenskjold Glacier, Ocean Harbour, King Haakon Bay.

Days 12 - 14 Southern Ocean

Aureum turns north. The return passage mirrors the crossing south — lectures, workshops, time on deck, the rhythm of life at sea.

We hope to reach the Falkland Islands during the second half of day 14. Conditions allowing, a final shore visit before the expedition draws to a close.

Day 15 Port Stanley

Disembarkation after breakfast. A briefing from local airport authorities on timings and procedures. The expedition team will organise the transfer to Mount Pleasant Airport.

Please note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

South Georgia In Depth Expedition Micro Cruise reverse itinerary:

show main itinerary

Please note: *

Itineraries are subject to change.

Day 15 Port Stanley *

Disembarkation after breakfast. A briefing from local airport authorities on timings and procedures. The expedition team will organise the transfer to Mount Pleasant Airport.

Days 12 - 14 Southern Ocean *

Aureum turns north. The return passage mirrors the crossing south — lectures, workshops, time on deck, the rhythm of life at sea.

We hope to reach the Falkland Islands during the second half of day 14. Conditions allowing, a final shore visit before the expedition draws to a close.

Days 4 - 11 South Georgia *

South Georgia hosts some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on earth.

Grytviken is a formal customs stop, the museum and the abandoned whaling station reward proper time. In the whalers' cemetery, Shackleton and Frank Wild rest beneath simple headstones.

Days 2 - 3 Southern Ocean *

Day 1 Port Stanley, Falkland Islands *

Embarkation day. Most guests fly into Mount Pleasant Airport, where the expedition team will meet you. Luggage is transferred directly to the vessel. We take a charter bus into Stanley together.

If you are already on the Falklands, join us at the Tourist Office from 15:00. The afternoon is yours — the Maritime Museum, a walk along the waterfront, a pint at the Globe.

Aboard by 18:00 for mandatory safety briefings. That evening, the official start: welcome cocktail, dinner, first introductions.

* = Indicative

Map for South Georgia In Depth Expedition Micro Cruise

Aureum

Vessel Type: Ice-Class Small Ship

Length: 56 m

Passenger Capacity: 36

Aureum is a purpose-designed micro expedition vessel built to deliver an intimate and highly flexible Antarctic experience, carrying just 36 guests supported by 26 crew, including six senior polar guides. With an ice-class 1C rating, Polar Code compliance, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion and active fin stabilisers, the vessel combines expedition capability with comfort and reduced environmental impact. Four Zodiacs allow guests to move efficiently between ship and shore, while open decks, a forward observation deck and the bridge lounge provide exceptional vantage points for wildlife and photography. The open-door bridge also gives guests the opportunity to follow the expedition alongside the captain and guides as routes and conditions unfold.

Life aboard Aureum is designed around relaxation and connection after days of exploration. The intimate lounge and dining room provide welcoming spaces for briefings, lectures, meals and quiet downtime, while the wellness area on the top deck features a sauna, hot tub and gym. A dedicated mudroom and disembarkation platform make the transition from ship to shore straightforward, with space to prepare and store expedition gear. With a high proportion of single cabins, comfortable shared spaces and a small-group atmosphere throughout, Aureum offers a distinctive blend of premium service, expedition capability and genuine access to the polar environment.

• South Georgia as the destination, not a stop. No transit ports before or after. Fifteen days built around a single island is the longest South Georgia expedition we run.

• Early-season timing. September and October bring frost-covered shores, elephant seal bulls in active competition, king penguin colonies in courtship display, and the island largely free of peak-season vessel traffic. The beaches are accessible and uncluttered.

• Eight full days on the island. More time ashore than any comparable operator. The itinerary follows opportunity and the conditions. Site exploring extended, a morning held, a landing added. Micro-scale makes that possible.

• Wildlife at its most active. King penguins, wandering albatrosses, elephant seals, fur seals, macaroni and gentoo penguins. Early season means the behaviours are raw and dynamic.

• Expert photography guidance. A dedicated photography guide is part of the guiding team on every departure, on hand to help you capture the wildlife, icescapes, and dramatic light of South Georgia.

• Shackleton's island. Grytviken, the whalers' cemetery, Fortuna Bay, Stromness. The history is everywhere and the guides know it well enough to make it live.

• Fin-stabilised crossing. Aureum is equipped with fin stabilisers, which makes the Scotia Sea crossing considerably more comfortable than the Southern Ocean's reputation would suggest.

• Micro enough to access. Subtle enough to stay. Together, we explore farther south, spending more time where wildlife is most active and the ice is at its most spectacular. That's what the right scale feels like on an South Georgia expedition.

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