Antarctica Birdlife View Basket

24 days - Scotia Sea Springtime

Aurora Expeditions' invites you to join its small expedition ship, Polar Pioneer, on an exclusive BirdLife Australia voyage to Antarctica & South Georgia. Enjoy magnificent birdwatching from the ship's observation decks and as you land ashore, where Aurora's expert guides, including a BirdLife Australia specialist, identify and explain each species. From gentoo and king penguins to wandering albatrosses and Antarctic skuas, this is your chance to experience some of the most unique and mesmerising birdlife on our planet.

Join BirdLife Australia's Mick Roderick

Mick has been an avid birder ever since studying ecology at university. He has travelled the globe to fulfil his passion for birds, and for over a decade he has worked as an ecologist, managing programs on threatened species and conservation as well as guiding birding groups. Mike is a self-confessed 'petrel-head' and joins Aurora Expeditions on this special BirdLife Australia voyage to share his knowledge of seabirds and the other birdlife we encounter along the way. Mick is currently BirdLife Australia's Project Coordinator of the Woodland Birds for Biodiversity project and is based in Newcastle, New South Wales.

Celebrate the Shackleton Centenary

This year Aurora Expeditions also pays tribute to one of Antarctica's greatest explorers, Sir Ernest Shackleton to celebrate 100 years since the ill-fated 1914- 1917 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. This voyage will also benefit from Aurora's program of Shackleton Centenary events which includes a unique floating exhibition of imagery taken by Shackleton's Australian photographer, Frank Hurley, during the expedition. You'll also enjoy a commemorative expeditionary dinner, a guided tour of the South Georgia museum, a special Shackleton memorial and tributes to other fascinating Antarctic explorers.

Voyage Highlights

• World's largest king penguin colonies
• Fresh snowscapes & unsullied penguins
• Spectacular seabirds enhance your Drake Passage crossing
• Skuas & leopard seals patrol rookeries
• Step ashore on the Antarctic Continent
• Zodiac cruise past glaciers & icebergs
• Shackleton Centenary celebration

Why travel with Aurora Expeditions?

Small groups are best

At sea, Aurora Expeditions' high-latitude, expedition ship is small enough to go where others can't, often resulting in more landings. On land, Aurora's group size is limited to 16. Fewer people means a more personalised experience and a lasting camaraderie.

Consistently Aurora Expeditions.

Rather than book you onto another company's trip, Aurora Expeditions operate only its own expeditions, either on vessels that it charters, or working closely with local experts who share its ethos and style.

Aurora Expeditions' staff put you first

Your security, wellbeing and understanding of the places you visit are Aurora Expeditions' staff's priorities. Aurora's staff have a passion for sharing their knowledge and making everyone feel as if they are on the same team.

Enrichment through understanding

The more Aurora Expeditions' remote area specialists share their knowledge about the history and natural environments you encounter, the more rewarding the experience.

Environmental sensitivity

Aurora Expeditions' helped develop international environmental guidelines for the polar regions you visit, and consciously limits the number of people it takes to its destinations.

Flexibility and freedom

Aurora Expeditions stops for breaching whales! Enjoy your destinations in your own way, within the bounds of safety. Hike up a snow slope, take your time photographing wildlife, inspect historical huts or simply sit and admire the view.

Aurora Expeditions' spirit of adventure!

Photograph wind-plumes on Mt Everest, share the trail with gauchos, yak-herders or rarely-visited rainforest hunters. Scuba dive or snorkel with leopard seals, sea kayak with whales or enjoy a feast of tundra berries. Ponder ancient rock paintings or lift your spirits in a Buddhist monastery. No matter where in the world, Aurora Expeditions encourages a true sense of exploration.

Aurora Expeditions has fun

Aurora Expeditions loves what it does and believes that everyone involved, from expeditioners to staff, ship's crews to trekking teams, shares the same goal – the best expedition imaginable!

Many inclusions

Whether it's a stylish jacket and photo journal memento to keep, or gumboots to wear on our polar voyages; flights for our fly/sail Antarctic program; linking flights in Iceland, Alaska, Ecuador, Nepal and Africa or Everest heliflights, our inclusions are what most others would consider extras.

Environmental Stewardship

From Aurora's very first Antarctic voyage in 1992, it has been committed to environmentally responsible tourism practices. Founding Australian members of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), Aurora supports research, donates funds, and allocates resources to ensure it leaves places it visits as it found them – or better. As you travel with Aurora,it hopes you develop a deeper understanding of the natural forces shaping our world. By creating lifelong environmental ambassadors, Aurora aims to preserve the wild places for future generations.

If you're a solo traveller, welcome on board!

Aurora Expeditions welcomes many solo travellers on its trips, and their numbers are increasing each year. Maybe it's simply the nature of the expeditions, but Aurora understands what a big step it is for many to set off on their own. To address this, Aurora has developed its informal 'cabin-mate finding service' that matches solo travellers with a cabin mate of the same gender. And it has had great success so far! Aurora Expeditions' small groups and relaxed atmosphere make it easy to make new friends (and remember everyone's name!), and the inspiring destinations are a great conversation starter. Plus, by sharing a cabin you'll also avoid paying any extra 'single supplements'. You might arrive alone, but Aurora can guarantee that you'll go home with lifelong friends.