South Georgia & Antarctica Expedition
November 11 – 29, 2027
Dates:
November 11 - 29, 2027
Your Pros:
Juan Pons & Jaclyn Merica
Tuition:
Varies by Cabin
(See Tuition Section Below)
Location:
South Georgia & Antarctica
Fitness Level:
Moderate
Availability:
Few Cabins Remain
Dates:
November 11 - 29, 2027
Your Pros:
Juan Pons & Jaclyn Merica
Tuition:
Varies by Cabin
(See Tuition Section Below)
Location:
South Georgia & Antarctica
Fitness Level:
Moderate
Availability:
Few Cabins Remain
What Makes This Expedition Unique
6 full days spent photographing in South Georgia Island
Brand new, state-of-the-art ship, the M/V Magellan Discoverer
Small group of 76 passengers on board, instead of the typical 100+ passengers on most Antarctic voyages
-
Scenic return flight from Antarctic Peninsula to South America (skip the Drake passage)
-
Dedicated photo instructors for the entirety of the adventure
All incoming and outgoing hotel stays included in your tuition
Voyage to the "Galapagos of the South'
Antarctica is often a world traveler’s last frontier. It’s an embodiment of polar expeditions across these icy, southern waters, depicted in books we once read as children. There is something magical in witnessing these far reaches of the world few others are fortunate to see, and experiencing it all in the company of fellow eager adventurers adds even more excitement to the excursion.
We’re ecstatic to return to this incredible region for another in-depth expedition across thousands of kilometers of the Southern Ocean, all aboard a brand new ship, the M/V Magellan Discoverer. This is an unbeatable Antarctic adventure without sacrificing the luxuries of a comfortable home base for our 2.5 weeks at sea.
Together, we will visit some of the most unique, most biodiverse regions on the planet. During our workshop, and weather permitting, we have opportunities to photograph both on land and on water, with private outings aboard smaller skiffs and landings on shore to explore the terrain by foot. Group members also may have the chance to practice underwater photography while using underwater camera housing or action cameras.
Our 17-day trip itinerary is unique in that we spend 6 full days exploring and photographing the magnificent wildlife sanctuary of South Georgia Island– a can’t miss wildlife photo destination when traveling to Antarctica. We then continue on to the Antarctic Peninsula for more full days marveling at more wildlife, icebergs, glaciers, and snow-capped volcanoes before finishing our adventure with a scenic flight from King George Island back to South America.
We have the distinct pleasure of visiting the famed (and cacophonous) penguin colonies of South Georgia during nesting season. This island boasts approximately 500,000 nesting pairs of King penguins, 100,000 nesting pairs of Gentoo penguins, 6,000 nesting pairs of Chinstrap penguins, Macaroni penguins, Adélie penguins, as well as elephant seals, leopard seals, Antarctic fur seals, Weddels seals, Humpback whales, Fin whales, Minke whales, Southern right whales, Blue whales, orcas, an assortment of seabirds, like numerous species of albatross, and much more. The vast numbers of wildlife in South Georgia are due to the island’s location close to the Antarctic Convergence – a natural boundary where the warmer waters of the Atlantic Ocean meet the cold waters of the Southern Ocean. The resulting nutrient-rich waters are ideal for Antarctic krill, which attract fish, whales, seals, and penguins.
Throughout the workshop, you will learn how to compose compelling images, use the environmental conditions to your advantage, and master the technical aspects of photography. Whether you’re a beginner photographer or a seasoned pro, our experienced instructors provide personalized instruction and guidance to help you improve your skills and take your wildlife and landscape photography to the next level.
This comprehensive photo adventure will be an unforgettable educational experience for all. We offer personalized in-the-field instruction to best hone in your images and streamline your creative visions, as well as image reviews and editing sessions aboard our ship to continue improving the techniques learned throughout the workshop.
"…The thing that is most beautiful about Antarctica, for me, is the light. It’s like no other light on Earth, because the air is so free of impurities."
Enjoy 17 days aboard our expedition vessel, the Magellan Discoverer, a newly launched ship engineered for Antarctic expeditionary cruising. Its cutting-edge, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system means faster, quieter, and more fuel efficient journeys, and this highly maneuverable vessel features state-of-the-art stabilisers and a PC6 ice-class rating for smoother sailing in challenging icy waters.
This sub-100 passenger boat features 40 spacious rooms, with either king beds or 2 twin beds, all with private balconies for polar views, en-suite bathrooms, a wardrobe, individual heating control, and a sitting area- a far cry from cramped cabins with small portholes. The ship even offers single accommodations for those looking for some added privacy. During our excursion, the ship will be operating at a lower capacity, with just 76 people in total occupying the vessel, so there will be ample room for everyone on board.
Enjoy deluxe amenities like saunas, a gym, and locally-sourced cuisine served in stunning dining rooms, all while providing up-close access to the rugged scenery. Aboard the ship are a team of passionate naturalists eager to share their knowledge of this spectacular environment.
Bundle up and take in the sights from the outdoor observation decks and bar or cozy up in one of the indoor lounges with ample seating and large windows. After a long day photographing, join your group for an editing session in the spacious conference rooms.
Our vessel offers five accommodation categories:
| Type | Description | Size | Deck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Veranda | Single occupancy, cabin with king bed, sitting area, balcony, and private bath. | 280 sqft | 3 |
| Triple Veranda | Triple occupancy, two room suite, king bed convertible and a twin bed, with sitting area, balcony, and private bath. | 560 sqft | 4 |
| Deluxe Veranda | Double occupancy, cabin with a king bed convertible to two twin beds, with sitting area, balcony, and private bath. | 280 sqft | 4 |
| Family Veranda | Quadruple occupancy, two room suite with two king beds convertible to four twin beds, with sitting area, balcony, and private bath. | 560 sqft | 4 |
| Grand Veranda | Double occupancy, suite with king bed convertible to two twin beds, sitting area, balcony, and private bath. | 409 sqft | 4 & 5 |
This unique educational excursion offers exciting photo access to 20 participants, 2 instructors, and a team of naturalists and crew on an 17+ day voyage.
Our group of adventurers will enjoy a full spectrum adventure together, with in-the-field instruction and one-on-one post-processing sessions during downtime and long passages, as well as evening group image reviews to dedicate our time to making once in a lifetime images in this once in a lifetime location.
Our workshops are distinctive in that they’re fully inclusive– your tuition cost covers all expenses from the moment you arrive to Ushuaia, Argentina to the moment you depart Punta Arenas, Chile. With our many years spent guiding trips in this region, we have chosen our best possible accommodations, amenities, and cuisine options in these southern waters.
As workshop leaders, we take your trust in our expertise very seriously. We work in tandem with the respective National Park Service of any photo locations, and we always operate under the proper insurance, permits, and certifications.
You will be accompanied by Juan Pons and Jaclyn Merica during this workshop. Juan is an accomplished professional wildlife and travel photographer and educator with a deep passion for the outdoors and conservation. Jaclyn works alongside Juan, co-leading outdoor workshops in places like Yellowstone, Chile, Cuba, Botswana, Alaska, and more.
Our team believes the best way to teach is by demonstrating, and to this end, we will be shooting alongside you, showing you our technique, and sharing our love and knowledge of wildlife and the landscape. However, our priority is always YOU, and assisting you to get the best images YOU can get.
During this adventure you will have a dedicated team coaching you thru-out our entire journey both in the field as well as in the classroom. You get to participate in exclusive instructional photography sessions, image reviews and more. By keeping our group small we can ensure to provide you instruction tailored to your particular needs and interests. Some of the topics may include:
• Techniques for creating exciting and captivating wildlife images
• Hands on demonstration of the best use of your equipment
• Post-processing demos to enhance the quality of your images
• Image reviews
Our workshops are fairly intensive experiences, and as such, you should not expect this to be a leisurely vacation. Our goal is to capture the best images we can at every point possible during our voyage. Weather in this region can be very volatile, and we will ready ourselves for any and every opportunity to explore off our main ship. Some days, we will begin very early or arrive back at our ship after sundown. However, we will always have breaks between landings on shore and long transit days during this nearly 3 week long trip, so prepare yourselves for more rest than you often get on a typical workshop of ours.
On this workshop, you will fly into Ushuaia, Argentina (Airport code USH) and depart out of Punta Arenas, Chile (Airport code PUQ). You will receive important instructions from our team to secure your flights 7 months prior to the workshop.
Then, about 3 months prior to the workshop, you will start hearing from our team on a regular basis. We will provide you with a Workshop Information Packet with all relevant details, as well as go over more info regarding the workshop to get you inspired and thinking about the images you want to capture during the workshop. These provided documents will list all recommended clothing, equipment, and even discounts for gear you may want to acquire for this excursion.
Juan and Jaclyn, are always available to answer any questions you may have leading up to the excursion- simply call or email and we can help you as best we can.
Additionally, we will schedule a Zoom meeting 2 months prior to the start of our workshop. There, you can meet your fellow workshop participants, ask any questions before traveling, receive insights and recommendations for reference books, and much more.
Pricing for this adventure differs depending on your cabin choice. In addition to the cost of the cabin, there is a $3,500 photo workshop fee included in your total tuition (all prices are in US dollars).
You can reserve your spot with a deposit of $8,500.00.
The remaining balance for your choice of cabin will be billed directly by the ships operator according to the following schedule:
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $5,000 + $3,500 = $8,500.00 |
| Second | June 15, 2026 | $5,000 |
| Third | Dec 31, 2026 | $5,000 |
| Final | May 15, 2027 | Remaining balance |
Our vessel offers five different accommodation categories:
Single Veranda Cabin – SOLD OUT
Single Occupancy. There’s a very limited number of these single cabins. Single cabins feature a king bed, balcony, sitting area, and private bathroom with shower. This cabin is located on deck 3, and the total square footage of this cabin is 280 sqft.
The cost for this cabin is $30,895 + $3,500 for a total of $34,395.00 per person.
Triple Veranda Cabin
Triple occupancy. This is a two-room suite that features one king bed that can be converted to two twin beds, plus an additional twin bed. This cabin also features a sitting area, balcony, and private bathroom with shower. This cabin is located on deck 4 and the total square footage is 560 sqft.
The cost for this cabin is $20,595 + $3,500 for a total of $24,095.00 per person.
Deluxe Veranda Cabin
Double Occupancy. This cabin features a king bed that can be converted to two twin beds, balcony, sitting area, and private bathroom with shower. This cabin is located on deck 4 and the total square footage of this cabin is 280 sqft.
The cost for this cabin is $25,795 + $3,500 for a total of $29,295.00 per person.
Family Veranda Cabin
Quadruple Occupancy. This two-room suite features two king beds that can be converted to four twin beds. This cabin also features a balcony, sitting area, and private bathroom with shower. This cabin is located on deck 4 and the total square footage of this cabin is 560 sqft.
The cost for this cabin is $25,795 + $3,500 for a total of $29,295.00 USD per person.
Grand Veranda Cabin
Double Occupancy. This large cabin features a king bed that can be converted to two twin beds, balcony, sitting area, and private bathroom with shower. This cabin is located on deck 4 & 5 and the total square footage of this cabin is 409 sqft.
The cost for this cabin is $30,895 + $3,500 for a total of $34,395.00 per person.
Single travelers can choose between:
- Booking a dedicated Single Veranda Cabin: no supplement is applied for single use of dedicated Single Veranda Cabins.
- Booking a Deluxe Veranda Cabin for single use: an 85% supplement will be added to the rate per person when booking a limited number of Deluxe Veranda Cabins on the ship.
- Booking a Triple, Family, or Grand Veranda Cabin for single use: a 100% supplement will be added to the per-person rate.
- Sharing a cabin with another passenger of the same gender in Deluxe Veranda Cabins. If you are a single traveler, we will find a roommate for you.
If you are ready to reserve your seat on the adventure, click the link below to select the cabin type and the number of spots of passengers.
Book Before December 31, 2025 For $1,000 Discount
• Air travel from Antarctica back to Punta Arenas, Chile
• All lodging from the start date to end date of the workshop
• All airport and ship transfers in Argentina and Chile
• All meals, snacks, and water during daily outings
• Non-alcoholic beverages during our voyage
• Onboard lectures during sea days
Carbon offsets for the duration of the trip
• All permits, landing and port fees, and port taxes
• In-the-field instruction
• Image reviews and post-processing sessions
• Creative inspiration and group camaraderie
• An unforgettable experience
• Air travel from your home country to Ushuaia, Argentina and from Punta Arenas, Chile back to your home country
• Gratuities (this is not typical for us, but, due to the unique nature of this trip, we will provide you with guidance on gratuities)
• Emergency evacuation insurance (Required)
• Application fee for required entry permit to South Georgia
• Visa fees for Chile, Argentina, and/or United Kingdom (for South Georgia), passport expenses, and any arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable
• Any applicable items of a personal nature, such as laundry services and alcoholic beverages
• Travel, Medical, and Trip Cancellation Insurance (highly recommended)
• Optional day trips in Chile or Argentina
• Anything else specifically not listed as included
You are responsible for making your own flight arrangements to Ushuaia, Argentina and from Punta Arenas, Chile. We will assist you with flight arrival times and departures prior to your booking. Please do not book your flight reservations until you receive explicit instructions from our team.
Cancellations
Refunds are given based on the time remaining before the trip departure, as shown in the following table. Through March 14, 2027, the $300 per person cancellation fee can be applied toward another Juan Pons Photography trip- if the new trip is reserved within 6 months of the cancelled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferrable.
| Dates | Forfeited Amount per Person |
|---|---|
| On or before March 14, 2027 | $300 (see terms above) |
| March 15 to April 14, 2027 | 10% of trip cost |
| April 15 to May 14, 2027 | 40% of trip cost |
| On or after May 15, 2027 | 100% of trip cost |
Make sure to check the Terms and Conditions for all our workshops.
This adventure requires emergency evacuation insurance. Additionally, we highly recommend Travel Insurance from a reputable insurance company. We have partnered with Squaremouth, a website that allows you to compare multiple travel policies from multiple providers to choose the best one for you based on your needs and costs. https://www.squaremouth.com/
* Above is a sample map of the region, not our ship’s route*
When photographing wildlife and nature, the key is to remain flexible to adjustments in order to maximize our daily landings as needed to observe the most optimal times for wildlife and lighting conditions.
An example workshop itinerary is as follows:
November 11, 2027: Arrival to Ushuaia, Argentina
On this day, plan to arrive into Ushuaia by noon on November 11, and convene with group members at a local hotel.
Our ship’s crew and your photo guides will hold introductory meetings around mid-afernoon and then a group meal together, before retiring early to rest ahead of our voyage beginning the next day.
November 12, 2027: Boarding Our Vessel and Setting Sail to South Georgia Island
On the official first day of the workshop, after overnighting in Ushuaia the night before, the group transfers to the boat, the M/V Magellan Discoverer, and settles in for the next 17 days utilizing the vessel as a home base.
Once aboard and given a safety briefing, the ship’s crew sets its sights on South Georgia Island, a two day sail from Ushuaia. Known for its hundreds of thousands of penguins inahiting the island, as well as other marine animals, South Gorgia Island is a refuge for wildlife in the region.
This island is also very significant to history aficianados as the resting place of polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Shackleton’s family felt that his love for the island was so great that when he experienced a heart attack and passed away moored at the island, they requested South Georgia Island to be his final resting place.
These travel days include a lot of downtime, so the group can enjoy optional meals together, ask questions about your gear, attend optional naturalists talks, or work together editing and reviewing images, or just rest up ahead of our full-on adventure to come!
November 13 – 15, 2027: Passage to South Georgia
For 2 days, our group transits through these southern waters to South Georgia. Once we arrive, weather permitting, we may enjoy a scenic skiff ride to take in the sights before sundown.
November 16 – 21, 2027: 6 Days Exploring South Georgia Island
On this day, we begin our full 6 day exploration of South Georgia Island. Our ship’s itinerary is highly desirable in that we have the most days spent in South Georgia than any other vessel, allowing for multiple visits to the many incredible widllife locations.
This large island has snow-capped mountain ranges, expansive glaciers, and dramatic coastlines spread across 170 kilometers, providing amazing backdrops for wildlife images. The island is estimated to have around 1,500 different animal species, both big and small- truly, a wildlife haven.
We’ve perfectly timed our excursion to overlap with the breeding season. You’ll witness massive colonies of King Penguins, battling elephant seals, and four other penguin species—Gentoo, Chinstrap, Macaroni, and Adélie. Expert polar naturalists and your professional photo guides will take you on Zodiac cruises and hikes for up-close encounters in one of Earth’s most pristine ecosystem.
November 22 – 23, 2027: Cruise from South Georgia to Antarctica
After an extensive exploration of South Georgia Island, we set our sights on the Antarctic Peninsula. While 2,000 kilometer passage will take 2 full days, it’s important to note that our ship is conveniently bypassing most of the infamous Drake Passage. Those who experience sea-sickness will revel in the potentially calmer waters and easier passage.
November 24 – 27, 2027: 4 Days Exploring The Antarctic Peninsula
On this day, we begin our 4 full day exploration in Antarctica. The Antarctic Peninsula is significant in that it is the warmest region of Antarctica, thus hosting the most biodiversity in all of the icy continent. The mountains found here on the peninsula are a continuation of the Andes Mountains in South America, so geology enthusiasts will revel in the discussions organized by the ship’s team of naturalists and geologists.
Our days will be spent enjoying scenic Zodiac cruises and on shore landings to take in the sights.
November 28, 2027: Flight from Antarctica to Puna Arenas, Chile
On Day 18, we have a very special return trip planned for the group. We board a scenic flight from Antarctica back to Patagonia, this time landing in Punta Arenas, Chile. Our group arrives into town and checks into an area hotel.
On our final evening together, the group enjoys dinner and reminisces on the amazing adventure together.
November 29, 2027: Return Home from Punta Arenas, Chile
On Day 19, clients are welcome to fly home anytime on this day from Punta Arenas, Chile (Airport code PUQ).
