September 26 – October 12, 2026
September 26 - October 12, 2026
A private geographic cruise, exclusively by Phototeva, to the hidden paradise of Antarctica – the South Georgia Islands.
One of the most remote locations and home to some of the world’s largest concentrations of wildlife: vast colonies stretching to the horizon with millions of penguins, elephant seals (at the peak of birthing season), whales, countless birds, all set in a landscape that seems straight out of another world.
A private ship with only 90 participants allows us to enjoy unrestricted access, unlike the larger ships – since the beaches are limited to a maximum of 100 people.
An Effective Wildlife and Scenic-Focused Itinerary
With a Private Ship: Maximized Shore and Wildlife Time
A brand-new ship, launched in 2019, featuring the latest in maritime technology and advanced stabilizers to minimize sea motion. All rooms are exceptionally spacious and comfortable, offering top-tier amenities. In the rooms with private balconies, guests can enjoy an unparalleled experience – taking in the full glory of the South Georgia Islands from the comfort of their own space. It’s a breathtaking view beyond words, where you can watch these majestic landscapes unfold just beyond the railing.
We know there’s more than one way to visit the South Georgia Islands,
so we wanted to share what truly makes our cruise unique:
Our Private Ship
We sail on the brand-new MS Magellan Explorer – a ship that’s entirely ours! This means we control the schedule. For example, we adjust the ship’s entire operating clock so we can be on land at sunrise, maximizing the best light and the finest photography opportunities.
Our Content
This isn’t just a cruise; it’s a “floating congress,” with dozens of fascinating lectures (in Hebrew and English) on a variety of topics – from wildlife and nature to photography and the stories of legendary explorers. Every detail is crafted to ensure an enriching and enjoyable experience, including captivating shore excursions led by our expert team, headed by senior wildlife photographer Roy Galitz.
We’ve carefully planned our schedule to visit the very best locations: including Gold Harbour, St. Andrews Bay, Salisbury Plain, and more.
Weather can be unpredictable in these regions, so we’ve secured multiple time slots at these key sites to ensure we make the most of every opportunity and come away with the best results.
Our ship is one of the newest and finest polar vessels, featuring a private chef, dining room, lounge, three lecture rooms, library, gym, sauna, and high-speed Starlink internet connectivity.
Our Experience: Backed by the expertise of Israel’s largest, most professional, and leading company in polar expeditions, we bring unmatched knowledge and dedication to every journey.
Board the ship in Punta Arenas starting at 9:00 AM and enjoy the facilities at the Explorers House. At 16:00, a group transfer will take you to the port for embarkation. We then set sail through the spectacular Strait of Magellan—known worldwide as "Tierra del Fuego"—famous for its stunning mountainous landscapes. The expedition team will introduce the legendary history of this sea route. From there, we continue toward the Falkland Islands. Preparations for the journey ahead will be made during the day.
We proceed to the West Falkland (Malvinas) area. Throughout the day, enjoy a rich program of lectures and workshops covering geography, wildlife, and history, alongside photography sessions focusing on wildlife, landscapes, and smartphone photography, preparing you for the days to come.
Start the morning visiting Saunders Island, where you can observe Rockhopper Penguins, Black-browed Albatrosses during their breeding season, and Sub-Antarctic Gentoo Penguins. Then we continue to Carcass Island for a coastal walk with birdwatching and a traditional hot tea experience.
Today we visit New Island, a classic Western Falklands experience, home to albatrosses and large penguin colonies. Weather permitting, we will continue in the afternoon to Weddell Island.
As we sail toward South Georgia, enjoy captivating lectures by the expedition team covering photography, wildlife, and natural history. From the upper decks, take in breathtaking open-sea views and watch remarkable seabirds such as Light-mantled Albatrosses, Petrels, and various whale species.
Depending on sea conditions over the previous days, we plan to arrive in Elsehul Bay in the afternoon. Subject to South Georgia Government approval, we will conduct a Zodiac cruise in the bay during the evening.
Our first landing is at Grytviken Bay, also known as Sir Bay. We will visit the grave and museum of Ernest Shackleton, honoring one of history’s legendary explorers. In the afternoon, we land at Fortuna Bay to observe King Penguins.
Visit Gold Harbor, a stunning site with King Penguins, Elephant Seals, and magnificent glaciers. In the afternoon, visit Cooper Bay for Zodiac cruising and viewing Macaroni Penguins.
We visit St. Andrews Bay, home to the largest King Penguin colony and Elephant Seals. In the afternoon, a Zodiac cruise explores the area’s whale industry shipwrecks from a bygone era.
Visit Prion Island to see nesting Wandering Albatrosses. In the afternoon, continue to Salisbury Plain for additional King Penguin viewing and spectacular scenery.
During days 12-14, we sail back to the Falkland Islands, enjoying ship facilities and an engaging program of lectures and enrichment activities.
We land in the evening at Bleaker Island, a renowned nature reserve rich with birdlife
Upon arrival in Punta Arenas, disembark and take a group transfer to the city center where the amazing journey concludes. From here, you may return home or continue exploring Chile and South America.
Room size: 18 sqm
Two twin beds
Seating area and windows
Private bathroom
$13,795 per participant
Room size: 19 sqm
Two single beds or one king-size bed
Seating area and balcony
Private bathroom
$15,795 per participant
Room size: 22 sqm
Two single beds or one king-size bed
Seating area and balcony
Private bathroom
$16,895 per participant
Room size: 33 sqm
Two single beds or one king-size bed
Seating area and balcony
Private bathroom
$18,995 per participant
Room size: 44 sqm
Suite with 2 bedrooms
Private balconies and living area
Private bathroom
$17,995 per participant
Each double room can be converted to a single-occupancy room for maximum comfort and privacy
• Porthole – $24,141
• Veranda – $27,641
• Deluxe Veranda – $29,566
Three meals a day throughout the cruise
Sail on the Magellan Explorer – a modern, comfortable ship built for polar adventures
Land on remote shores with Zodiac boats and get close to seals, penguins, and more
Lectures, tours, and great content throughout the trip
Pre- and post-trip Zoom sessions to get ready
Photography guidance by Roie Galitz, a leading wildlife photographer.
South Georgia Entry Permit
(£200 per person, effective as of August 2025)
