Whales of the Weddell Sea

This tour will see you explore either the northern or southern neighbourhoods of the city discovering fascinating murals and pieces of street art along the way. You'll learn a little about the history of street art in Buenos Aires and its cultural importance. The tour includes older pieces as well as more contemporary works by a variety of artists.

Your guide will collect you from your hotel for the short drive west of Ushuaia to the Tierra del Fuego National Park, which borders the Beagle Channel across the valley of the Pipo river and Laputaia Bay. You'll explore the scenic woodlands and beech forests, marshes and flora as well the history of forest fires, beaver populations, traders and hunters that have shaped this part of the world.

This incredible expedition voyage will take you to the Weddell Sea where you'll get to see some of the astounding wildlife that calls these icy waters home, as well as stunning mountain scenery and icebergs. Your purpose-built expedition vessel will allow you to experience the wonder of this remote frontier up close. A fleet of Zodiacs and experienced guides will ensure this is a remarkable journey.

Sail across the famed Drake Passage - the body of water separating Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula. It's known for its rollicking conditions and strong westerly winds, nicknamed the Roaring Fifties. While this passage may be challenging, you can rest comfortably aboard your expedition vessel, which are purpose-built with stabilizers, powerful engines and manned by a highly-qualified crew.

Your days in the Drake Passage will be put to good use preparing for your arrival in Antarctica. The dedicated expedition team will assist you to biosecure your clothing and equipment (a vital process to protect Antarctica's delicate ecology), as well as share tailored lectures on Antarctic exploration history, wildlife, geology, glaciology and more. You'll cross into the Antarctic Convergence on the third day of our voyage.

Over the coming days, you will begin exploring the exciting region at the very tip of the continent, beginning with the Antarctic Sound. It is much colder than the rest of the Peninsula. Despite its northerly location, the area is subject to winds and currents which arrive from much further south in the Weddell Sea, bringing freezing temperatures, rafts of sea ice and vast tabular icebergs, which can only form from the vast ice shelves fringing the continent's interior. Though challenging to reach, this region hosts some of the Peninsula's most spectacular sites, from the vast Adelie penguin colonies of Hope Bay and Devil's Island, to the historical sites of Esperanza Base and the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Brown Bluff.

From here you venture further south into the Weddell Sea, which takes its name from the early British explorer and sealer James Weddell, who reached the southernmost point of his day in the area. As you enter the Weddell Sea of today, you can expect to see numerous city-sized tabular icebergs, and catch a glimpse of the icepack - the vast mosaic of never-melting floating ice which stretches to the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf. This sea ice is the nursery of the Antarctic krill, the tiny crustaceans which form the base of the food chain: where krill can be found, predators are not far behind. Apart from penguins, the wildlife here includes Weddell, leopard and elephant seals, vast numbers of seabirds, and often large numbers of humpback whales, all of which come to feast on the bountiful krill.

You'll eventually depart Antarctica, and spend two days at sea on your way northwards back across the Drake Passage towards the more welcoming shores of the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia. During our time at sea, a variety of activities will be arranged on board to provide you with the chance to reflect on your voyage.

Enjoy the best Tango Show in town, set in the exclusive environs of the Faena Hotel. The Rojo tango is the smallest and most stylish of tango salons. Your evening includes a three course dinner, wine, and transfers to and from the venue.