See what Shackleton saw. Stand where he stood. Understand, finally, why he kept coming back.
Follow in the footsteps of Shackleton. This voyage follows the survival route in sequence. South Georgia first, aiming to reach King Haakon Bay, where the James Caird made landfall after the 800-mile crossing from Elephant Island; Fortuna Bay, where the hike to Stromness follows the final miles of the mountain crossing; and Grytviken, where Shackleton rests. Then north-west to Elephant Island, Point Wild, where 22 men waited under two upturned lifeboats for the ship that took four months to come. Then south into Antarctica, the continent the Endurance never reached.
With just 36 guests, six Senior Polar Guides, and four Zodiacs on the water at once, every guest explores South Georgia at its wildest and the Antarctic Peninsula together, with the freedom to linger, observe, and experience the polar world without compromise.
Spring breathes new life into the Southern Ocean as South Georgia’s vast king penguin colonies teem with activity and elephant seals battle for breeding territories along the beaches. Fur seal pups begin to appear, while wandering albatross soar effortlessly overhead. As the expedition continues south into Antarctica, gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins begin nesting, seals haul out on pristine sea ice, and the first humpback and minke whales return to feed in the nutrient-rich waters, marking the beginning of another extraordinary polar season.
19 days. 36 guests. The same Southern Ocean. Different century.
- Shackleton's route, end to end. South Georgia, Antarctica, and Elephant Island in a single voyage. These are the locations the story moves between, covered in one continuous itinerary.
- Follow Shackleton’s footsteps. Walk the windswept shores where Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary journey unfolded. Visit Grytviken, where his final resting place lies, and connect with the island’s compelling polar history firsthand.
- King Haakon Bay. Where the James Caird made landfall after the 800-mile open-boat journey from Elephant Island. The bay is remote, rarely visited, and unchanged.
- The Fortuna Bay hike to Stromness. The final section of Shackleton's mountain crossing with Worsley and Crean. The walk rewards those willing to do it. The arrival at Stromness is its own thing.
- Elephant Island. Point Wild, where 22 men lived under two upturned lifeboats through an Antarctic winter, waiting for a ship that took four months to come. We aim to land or Zodiac cruise, conditions allowing.
- Antarctica in early season. November brings the continent white and largely undisturbed. Leopard seals on ice floes, penguin colonies at the nest, glaciers calving into channels that carry no traffic.
- South Georgia wildlife alongside the history. King penguin in courtship at St Andrews Bay and Salisbury Plain, elephant seal bulls competing on the beaches, wandering albatrosses from Bird Island.
- 36 guests aboard Aureum. Active fin stabilisers for the crossings. Ice-class hull for Antarctic waters. Six senior polar guides across the whole voyage.
- 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 Antarctica and South Georgia.
Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Aureum
Accommodating just 36 guests, Aureum embodies everything that defines the Secret Atlas experience: small-ship exploration, exceptional flexibility, and a level of immersion that larger expedition vessels simply can’t offer.
Purpose-built for polar exploration, Aureum features a high ice class, allowing her to navigate through sea ice with confidence, along with wing stabilisers for enhanced comfort in open water. One of the features we're most excited about is her hybrid propulsion system. When conditions allow, we can switch off the engines and glide silently through the polar wilderness, experiencing the extraordinary stillness of the ice while watching whales and wildlife undisturbed.
Onboard, you'll enjoy exceptional service alongside thoughtfully designed facilities, including a panoramic observation lounge and wellness centre with gym equipment, sauna, and outdoor hot tub. I particularly love the open bridge policy, so at any time you can watch the captain at work, ask questions, search for wildlife and feel in the heart of the expedition operations.
With just 36 passengers onboard, MV Aureum is particularly well suited to solo travellers. You embark as strangers but often disembark as friends. Because the group is so small, you’ll have the opportunity to meet everyone onboard, share the experience together and quickly become acquainted as one close-knit group.
Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.
