Marvel at huge numbers of whales in the waters of Antarctica

Personalised journeys from start to finish

Every trip helps support Conservation

Every detail taken care of

  • Personalised journeys from start to finish

  • Every trip helps support Conservation

  • Every detail taken care of

Itinerary highlights

  • Spend some time exploring Tierra del Fuego with a private guide
  • Venture into the freezing Weddell Sea surrounded by rafts of ice
  • Catch a glimpse of seals and mighty humpback whales
  • Enjoy a sultry tango show in Buenos Aires

What's included

  • Full support from your Travel Concierge before, during and after your trip
  • Luxury Antarctica cruise
  • Meet and greet airport service
  • Completely private tours in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia
Use this itinerary to inspire your bespoke journey

At a glance

There can be few things quite as spectacular witnessing whales rolling and socialising in the icy deep of Antarctica. This memorable journey will take you right to the frozen waters of the Weddell Sea. This area is known for its huge tabular icebergs as well as large numbers of orca, humpback and minke whales. Keep your camera ready.

Begin with two nights in Buenos Aires, soaking up the sight of the sounds of the city and going on an engaging street art tour, before flying down to Ushuaia where you’ll have time to explore the beautiful Tierra del Fuego National Park. Finally time to embark on your Antarctica cruise you’ll settling into one of our favourite luxury cruise ships and begin the journey through the Drake Passage. Your sailing time is taken up with learning about the remote continent you’re heading towards and preparing for the exciting experiences that await. Temperatures drop as you head south and press into the ice-crusted waters, city-sized tabular icebergs slipping slowly by as you keep a lookout for the ocean giants you’ve come to see.

You’ll return via the Drake Passage once more and spend your final night in Buenos Aires full of wonderful stories to share with your family and friends.

Example trip itinerary

Days 1-3

Buenos Aires

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Transfer to your hotel in Buenos Aires

Accommodation in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires street art tour Buenos Aires street art tour

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.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Transfer to the airport

Transfer

Flight to Ushuaia

Transfer

Transfer to your hotel in Ushuaia

Days 3-4

Ushuaia

Accommodation in Ushuaia

Tierra del Fuego private half day tour Tierra del Fuego private half day tour

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.

Days 4-14

Cruising Antarctica

Cruise ships in Antarctica

Antarctica
11-day Antarctica cruise 11-day Antarctica cruise

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.

Drake Passage Drake Passage

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.

Antarctic Sound and Weddell Sea Antarctic Sound and Weddell Sea

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.

Return to the Drake Passage Return to the Drake Passage

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.

Days 14-15

Buenos Aires

Accommodation in Buenos Aires

rojo-tango-show-buenos-aires-argentina
Rojo Tango Show with dinner Rojo Tango Show with dinner

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.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Transfer to the airport

Use the navigation to jump down to a particular part of this example trip
What's your dream trip?

We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.

Get in touch

Whales of the Weddell Sea

15-Day Example Trip
Prices start from
  PP
1
Simply complete the form below or give us a call
2
We'll get in touch within 24 hours and work with you to perfect the details of your trip.
3
Sit back and relax while we plan the perfect itinerary for you.