Start: October 14, 2023 | RAF Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands
End: October 28, 2023 | RAF Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands
Guides: Mike Reyfman, Dmitry Arkhipov, Marco Grassi, Svein Wik, Jeanette Fraser,
Price: from $ 10095
.......................................
SOLD OUT
Antarctica Under Sail • Yachting Photography Expedition. December 1, 2024 – December 22, 2024 »
The archipelago is the home to hundreds of thousands of king penguins, which makes South Georgia the best location to photograph penguins. We'll bear witness to the daily lives of those incredibly interesting creatures, who, unexpectedly, are very similar to humans. We'll visit South Georgia at a time when the snow still on the ground and thousands of king penguins peacefully wobble along the shore — the sight of teeming bird colonies against the backdrop of sharp mountain peaks is truly breathtaking. It is also the time when growing chicks gather in huge crèches. When the chick is old enough, King Penguins put it in one of the crèches, returning every several days with food. Both parents will leave at the same time. All the chicks in the rookery will stay together until their parents return. When the parents come home they recognize each other by the sound of their voices. Despite the thousands of youngsters crowded together, the parents are incredibly able to locate their youngsters by detecting their individual calls. The sight of a very serious adult penguin walking among very serious chicks is provides incredible photographic opportunities.
Besides king penguins, South Georgia has colonies of very photogenic macaroni and gentoo penguins. The island also harbors large pipits, pintails, several species of albatrosses, such as black-browed, gray-headed, and wandering albatrosses, southern giant petrels, brown skuas, and Antarctic terns.
Wandering albatrosses are incredible birds and the opportunity to see them and other albatross species is making South Georgia worth a visit. The largest bird species on earth, whose wingspan can reach up to 3.5 meters (11.5 ft) wandering albatross can cover nearly 1000 km (621 miles) in a single day even flying against the wind. Photographing these magnificent birds in flight is a rare and exciting opportunity. In October, the aggressive Antarctic fur seals still mostly hunting in the sea, and we'll have easier access to the nesting sites of various albatross species, and the magnificent Prion Island - the breeding place of the wandering albatrosses will be open for visitors.
The southern elephant seals are the largest species of seals on the planet and a highlight among South Georgia wildlife. October is the mating season for elephant seals when huge alfa males define and defend territories. They collect a harem of 40 to 50 females, which are much smaller than their enormous mates. Males battle each other for mating dominance. Some encounters end with roaring and aggressive posturing, but many others turn into violent battles. Southern elephants are the largest of all seals. Males can be over 20 feet long and weigh up to 8,800 pounds. You can only imagine what photographic potential brings the fight of such giants. Females give birth to a single pup and nurse it for approximately a month. Touching scenes of baby elephant seals and their attentive moms - one of the highlights of the South Georgia coastline in October. They are great fun to observe and photograph. After giving birth the mother will then move around to face her baby, vocalize with it (they bond vocally) and defend it from birds. Each newborn weighs around 80 pounds — but not for long. The pups get right to work drinking their mothers’ milk. The milk is super-rich and full of fat. In less than a month, a pup can balloon to 250-300 pounds, putting on a bulky layer of blubber by the time they are weaned. Weaners are always happy to see something new and not scared of humans. They always ready to pose for the portrait.
For our voyage, we chartered expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit (operated by Poseidon Expeditions). A properly selected expedition vessel is the key to a truly unforgettable journey in the Antarctic. It must have two main qualities - good cruising speed and the "correct" size. We managed to find this "golden middle" in M/V Sea Spirit. The vessel has a high cruising speed, which will allow us to get to the South Georgia Archipelago faster and spend more time there. Sea Spirit possesses everything necessary for safe and comfortable sailing in the stormy waters of the South Atlantic. The vessel has an ice-strengthened hull, a fleet of Zodiacs, and a set of retractable fin stabilizers for smoother sailing while maintaining the maneuverability and special atmosphere of small vessels. A maximum of 100 participants will be welcomed aboard Sea Spirit for our expedition cruise to South Georgia. Unlike large cruise ships, aboard Sea Spirit will not feel like you are in a big city with a bunch of strangers. You will be a member of a close-knit group of like-minded people with the main goal of exploring the wonderful world of South Georgia to the fullest and bringing home fantastic photos and videos.
In addition to the above, the Sea Spirit is a luxury ship that allows you to combine the comfort of a cruise liner and the wildlife of the Antarctic islands, thousands of miles away from civilization, in one expedition. Sea Spirit was renovated in 2017 to offer a unique mixture of adventure and comfort for our sophisticated travelers. Participants may enjoy sophisticated leisure areas. Public areas include Reception, Restaurant, Bar, Outdoor Bistro, Club Lounge, Library, Presentation Lounge, Infirmary, Gym, Bridge. All decks can be accessed by the elevator. A large selection of spacious suites include 15 suites with private balconies. All suites are very spacious (minimum suites size is 215 square feet / 20 square meters) and comfortable compared to other ships of similar size operating in these latitudes. We have great prices for such a photo expedition and the level of service!
VIRTUAL TOUR • DECK PLANS • CABINS AND PRICES
We built this itinerary trying to make our South Georgia expedition most effective. The selection of places that we are planning to visit represents most of South Georgia's incredible wildlife and landscape potential. Our passages and landings will depend not only on our desires but also on the current weather conditions and we will be very flexible to make the most of our time spent on South Georgia.
Today we'll meet in Santiago de Chile. Due to tomorrow's early morning flight to the Falklands, we advise participants to fly to Santiago a day earlier and spend the night at the Holiday Inn hotel located in the airport terminal..
Early in the morning, we'll board a LATAM flight to the Falkland Islands. After a short landing in Punta Arenas in Patagonia, we'll continue our flight to RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falklands. Upon arrival, we'll take a comfortable bus to Port Stanley where our ship will be waiting.
Although we far from the land, we'll witness incredible wildlife from the ship decks. A huge variety of birds, including several species of albatrosses such as black-browed, gray-headed, and wandering albatrosses, southern giant petrels, cape petrels makes photography from decks very entertaining.
During our sailing days, we'll have lectures about South Georgia and its inhabitants. Photography guides will share their secrets and show Antarctic portfolios. We can enjoy a glass of wine in a cozy bar, restaurant, or lounge. Contemporary, international cuisine created by our talented chefs is beyond praise.
We are visiting some of the best areas for wildlife and landscape photography, such as Salisbury Plains, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour, Cooper Bay, Drygalski fjord and other great places. Nine days in South Georgia will allow us to see and photograph most of its interesting inhabitants and landscapes.
During our return to the Falklands, we'll share our impressions, discuss the footage and spend time in the pleasant company on our comfortable ship! Albatrosses are still circling around the ship prompting us outside.
After disembarkation at Port Stanley, transfer to the airport and flight to Santiago. Due to the schedule of international flights, most travelers will spend the night in Santiago.
To book a place on the expedition, you need to:
Register online, and after receiving a confirmation from us, make a deposit payment of 33.3% of the price of your chosen accommodation;*
Deposit payment of 33.3% of the price is due by June 1, 2022
Final payment of 33.3% of the price is due by June 1, 2023
*We guarantee a full refund if the tour is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic circumstances.
If the deposit is paid before November 15, 2021, the funds are returned within a month from the date of cancellation.
When paying a deposit after November 15, 2021, participants will receive a voucher for the amount paid for a period of 12 months with the possibility of renewal up to 24 months. If it is impossible to redeem the voucher within the specified period, the deposited funds will be returned to the participants in full.
All payments are non-refundable*.
This is dictated by the terms of the contract between the Organizers and the vessel owners.
*We understand that unforeseen circumstances may force you to cancel your participation in our trip. The full refund will be issued if you find a full-paying customer taking over your spot. Please let us know as soon as possible if you have to cancel and we will try to find replacement on your spot.
Organizers reserve the right to cancel the itinerary due to insufficient reservations.
In the very unlikely event that the itinerary is canceled prior to departure, Organizers will provide a full refund of all collected funds. This refund will be the limit of the Organizers' liability. Organizers are not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, or other trip-related expenses.
Participating in this voyage does not require a high level of physical fitness.*
*There may be instances where environmental conditions require a level of fitness/mobility. In these cases, individual participation in the landing in question may be restricted by the Captain, Expedition Leader, or ship’s doctor.
**Once on shore, you can walk for shorter or longer distances - it is up to you. Landing details will be given in advance of each landing.
Don't let a fear of seasickness scare you away! For all but the most sensitive, seasickness is rarely a big problem. It’s a good idea to bring medication if you get seasick or are unsure, but you may find that you do not need it after a couple of days once you have your “sea legs.” Even those who have experienced seasickness reported that the incredible wildlife and overall experience were well worth the temporary discomfort.
You are transferred to the partners' website to complete the registration
Should you have any questions please contact us»
I just came back from a four-week trip to South Georgia Island, Patagonia, and Iguazu Falls with Mike. It was a trip of a lifetime. Some of these places are remote and hard to get to. Mike managed and organized all of it. I would probably have never gone to these places if I had not joined his group. He had been very responsive and helpful during the time leading up to the trip; I asked him countless questions about camera gear, backpacks and clothing items to bring. He patiently answered them all. He was also extremely helpful during the trip, offering technical support, giving suggestions, and even offering an extra day to make up for a rained-out day. Overall, I had a wonderful time and took loads and loads of photos to take home to process.
I want to thank you for an amazing trip to South Georgia. My last-minute switch to your trip was a blessing in disguise. It was definitely one of my best trips ever- and the group made it so special. With the focus on photography with all of the amazing photographers you brought from all over the world - it could not have been better
One of my favorite trips of all times! Mike Reyfman was very responsive the full year before we left. I was in good hands every step of the way with the expedition team. I saw everything I'd hoped to see (and more). Highly recommend!
From the first time I saw Mike's captivating Namibia pictures, I knew this is the place I must see. I signed up for the next expedition without hesitation. And yes, I got everything and even more than I expected: spectacular scenery of Namib Desert and Sossusvlei, mesmerizing ghost town Kolmanskop, surreal sights of Deadvlei, scenic helicopter rides over the desert and ocean with mind-blowing views, desert "rollercoaster" rides, and safari game drives. It had been an unforgettable and unique experience. The logistics of the trip were extremely complex, but they were very well and thoughtfully crafted by Mike, with attention to details such as exclusive lodge locations where we stayed, ensuring we enjoyed the accommodations and were always in the right place at the right time.
Mike's leadership, professionalism, and willingness to help every member of the team go above and beyond. He shared his experience, knowledge, and skills and made sure we were able to get That perfect shot. Participating in Mike's expeditions is always a very inspirational, enriching, and learning experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have shared it with such a passionate and talented photographer.
I did two Greenland trips with World Photo Travels and I was absolutely impressed by the outstanding service provided by the company's founder Mike Reyfman. Both times the planning and expectations for the adventure were very well communicated and executed. Mike provided sufficient pre-departure information and helpful tips for the participants to properly prepare for the sailing photo tour in the Wild North.
Everything was handled perfectly during the trip. The boat, the crew, the guides, and the itinerary they chose were excellent. Everybody did their best to make the most out of the trip. It was a great Arctic adventure with comfortable onboard accommodations and elaborate cuisine. There were two photo guides so we had plenty of opportunities for one-on-one feedback and professional help and tips to boost our photography skills. The shooting locations and times were carefully selected; the guides and the boat captain worked as a team choosing the best route and navigation to give us paramount vantage points for shooting.
World Photo Travels is not just about photography but the experiences, the people, great social time, and lots of fun!
Great trip. Mike worked constantly with the crew and expedition guides to maximize our opportunities at all times of day and "night" - photo opportunities 'round the clock in the Arctic midnight sun - even waking us for 0-hour zodiac excursions. Can't say enough about the ship crew and the tour leads in making it the best trip possible.
Svalbard was a five-star plus photo expedition The location offers an unprecedented number of photo opportunities; both wildlife and landscape. It is truly dramatic. Each day of the expedition brought a new experience as we sailed around the archipelago. Mike was a first-class leader of the expedition always on hand to offer support and advice with each photo opportunity. Mike has a wealth of experience and knowledge.
It is also worth highlighting his partnership with Yves, our Expedition Leader. Yves was a critical element to the overall success with his in-depth knowledge of Svalbard and its wildlife inhabitants. Freya is a "first-class base" for the trip; well-equipped, superb crew, great food, and extremely comfortable cabins and social space. Over and above the "photography side" of the trip, it was a very sociable trip with many very talented amateur photographers coming together from different continents.
I just got back from an EPIC trip ice-breaking through Svalbard. Usually, when I go on these trips as weather and animal sightings can be so unpredictable, my expectation is to go home with ONE framable photo! However, on this trip, I easily have 10 framable photos plus many hundreds of great images of rare animals in their natural habitat! Beautiful!
One of the things I love about Mike's trips is that they are for real photography, there is no compromise. If we don't sleep in days to get the shot, then we don't sleep! But get the shot. Too many of these tours end up being travel and not photography. So for this reason, if you want the shot, you book one of Mike's trips. This is my second time with him and another thing that stands out is the quality of the guides, they have always been above excellent and super dedicated to the cause, which is always enjoyable and refreshing. This trip was truly great as we also had an amazing mixed group of nationalities. Look forward to the next trip!
I just got back from an AMAZING photo tour to the Cypress Swamps hosted by Mike Reyfman and Dmitry Arkhipov! Mike and Dimitry planned and executed everything beautifully. They know exactly where and when to take you for the best photographs, as he knows these swamps so well. Mike and Dmitry both are world-class photographers and they shared their knowledge with us throughout the trip. If we had questions (no matter what kind of cameras we had), they had answers. It was also a great group! For a few days, we stayed in these cabins and it was a fun time collaborating on photography, cooking, and eating meals together. and establishing friendships...it really made this tour special!
I will definitely be taking another tour with Mike and/or Dmitry...hopefully soon!