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
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
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
Buenos Aires
Transfer
Transfer to your hotel in Buenos Aires
Accommodation in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Overview
Hub Porteño is a historic property set on a quiet street in the heart of Recoleta, and feels more like a home than a hotel. There are just 11 rooms, bright and spacious and filled with antique furniture and more recent pieces from local artisans.
The hotel’s rooftop terrace is a beautiful spot with outdoor seating nestled among the lush greenery – a real city centre oasis. Here you can relax with a drink from the bar and a bite to eat or simply sit back with the morning paper. La Pecora Nera Grill specialises in new Argentinian cuisine while the cosy living room is the place to enjoy drinks and snacks.
There is also a wellness centre with a sauna, gym and treatment room.
→ Find out moreBuenos Aires
Overview
Nuss Hotel is located in a converted convent in the lively are of Palermo, next to the colourful Plaza Serrano. The surrounding streets are lined with boutique shops, excellent restaurants and art galleries.
There are 22 bright rooms with city views – some of the deluxe rooms have their own small balconies. Guests can enjoy afternoon tea, drinks and tapas at Deli Lobby Lounge.
Facilities also include a spa area with gym, sauna and massage room and a very pleasant terrace with a small pool.
→ Find out more
Buenos Aires
Overview
Set in the fashionable and leafy district of Palermo, Legado Mitico is a beautiful boutique hotel within easy reach of the city’s main attractions and restaurants.
Located in a refurbished three-storey townhouse, the hotel draws on the rich historical culture of Argentina. There are 11 rooms each inspired by a famous figure such as tango dancer Carlos Gardel, writer Jorge Luis Borges, and Evita. A warm colour scheme runs throughout the rooms and wooden floors and period antique pieces give them lots of traditional charm.
The cultural theme extends into the communal areas with a small library in the lounge where the more inquisitive guest can read all about the historic figures that inspire the decoration of the room. The library opens out onto a small patio where guests can relax with a drink.
→ Find out moreBuenos Aires
Highlights
- Chic, well-appointed rooms and suites offering you a quiet space to relax
- Argentina's finest meats and seafood served at Elena
- Refined and sophisticated communal areas
Overview
Located in the prestigious Recoleta neighborhood, the Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires seamlessly blends an early-20th-century mansion with a modern high-rise, offering a fusion of contemporary comfort and European-style elegance. Throughout the hotel, from the lavishly decorated rooms to the refined communal areas, there is a distinct sense of luxury and sophistication.
The chic, well-appointed guest rooms ensure the utmost in comfort and privacy, providing a serene space for you to relax and recharge. Perfect for family vacations, the spacious suites offer you ample room, featuring separate areas for sleeping and living to enhance your stay while you’re not out exploring the city and surrounds.
At Michelin-selected Elena, a two-story restaurant inspired by the historic homes of San Telmo, the focus is on dry-aged meats, brasserie fare and charcuterie. Savor some of Argentina’s finest meats and seafood, paired with an exceptional selection of regional wines. Meanwhile, at Nuestro Secreto, outdoor barbecues offer a unique dining experience, turning Buenos Aires’ traditional asado into a social event centered on top-tier grilled meats. End your evening at the equestrian-themed Pony Line bar, where creative cocktails, gourmet burgers and live DJs create a vibrant atmosphere.
→ Find out more
Buenos Aires
Highlights
- 88 rooms and suites filled with eye-catching touches
- Seasonal Argentinian dishes at Bistro Sur
- Vibrant Rojo Tango shows at El Cabaret
- Stunning views over the Ecological Reserve and the quaysides of Puerto Madero
Overview
The Faena Buenos Aires is a striking design hotel in the waterside neighborhood of Puerto Madero, the brainchild of local empresario Alan Faena and designer Philippe Starck.
The hotel is located in the restored El Porteño building, an enormous silo built in 1902 that produced grain for post-war Europe. The décor encapsulates the grandeur of the belle époque that characterised Buenos Aires at the turn of last century. A red, black and white colour scheme runs through the hotel teamed with exposed brick walls and concrete pillars that hark back to its industrious past.
Rooms and suites are filled with eye catching touches such as hand embroidered throws and filigree mirrors and feature huge windows which look out over Ecological Reserve, the parks, Río de la Plata and the quaysides of Puerto Madero.
Eating and drinking at the Faena is a real treat. Enjoy fine dining at Bistro Sur where the menu is inspired by the finest seasonal Argentinian produce, or opt for something more casual at El Mercado which is inspired by the country’s famous cantinas and the open air markets of Europe. The Library Lounge is an intimate space filled with antique books and crysal chandeliers, while El Cabaret, inspired by the city’s 1920s tango clubs, is where you can catch the award-winning show, Rojo Tango.
The hotel also features a spa, fitness centre and an outdoor pool.
→ Find out moreThis 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.
Transfer
Transfer to the airport
Transfer
Flight to Ushuaia
Transfer
Transfer to your hotel in Ushuaia
Ushuaia
Accommodation in Ushuaia
Ushuaia
Highlights
- 117 modern rooms and 14 suites with panoramic views
- Built according to sustainable architectural standards
- A spa and pool to unwind in after a day spent exploring
- Argentine and international flavours at La Cravia Restaurant
Overview
Hotel Arakur is situated in the middle of this extraordinary environment inside the Reserva Natural Cerro Alarkén, just a few minutes from downtown Ushuaia, perched on an outcrop above the town. A stay here is all about breathtaking views of the stunning natural surroundings, while enjoying the luxurious amenities.
Sustainable stays in the Patagonian wilderness
The five-star hotel, built according to sustainable architectural standards, offers fascinating views of the Beagle Channel. 117 modern rooms and fourteen luxurious suites enjoy large panoramic views: to the south, the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia city; to the north, valleys, mountains and the Natural Reserve. Look out for Mounts Cortes, Olivia, and Cinco Hermanos from parts of the hotel.
Geothermal air-conditioning and humidity controls ensure a comfortable temperature when the weather outside is changeable, and furnishings feature local materials, with an interior made of stone, wood and marble transforms the landscape inside the hotel. The hotel also offers a wonderful spa and pool that makes the most of the views.
Dining at Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa
When it comes to dining, Arakur’s haute cuisine shines just as bright as the unparalleled vistas out over the bay, city and the Vinciguerra Glacier. Take a table at La Cravia Restaurant and indulge in dishes inspired by typical Tierra del Fuego flavours. The menu here boasts a selection of Argentine and international meals, as well as a buffet. Some of the highlights include Argentine barbecue, spider crab, lamb and black hake.
→ Find out more
Ushuaia
Overview
Located actually on the shore of the Beagle Channel, Los Cauquenes is one of the best located and most comfortable options available in Ushuaia.
Though a large hotel, it has been constructed from wood and stone in sympathy with the natural surrounds of the area. The hotel has 54 spacious rooms. Given the location we feel that it’s definitely worth choosing a channel view room.
Facilities include a spa and pool area both enjoying stunning views out across the channel. The hotel is around 7km from the town of Ushuaia itself, though the hotel’s own restaurant is excellent.
→ Find out moreYour 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.
Cruising Antarctica
Cruise ships in Antarctica
Antarctica Cruises
Highlights
- Light and bright accommodation for 152 guests
- Spacious and relaxing public spaces
- Inviting stargazing deck
- Comfortable observation lounge
Overview
This elegant Scandi-design boutique ship offers you the ultimate way to explore Antarctica in an intimate setting. Make yourself at home in your light and bright stateroom and then allow yourself to be fully immersed in the sights and scenery of the voyage. Rooms are decorated using natural materials and boast luxurious bathrooms. The vessel can accommodate up to 152 guests.
You main venue for breakfast, lunch and dinner is the 152-seat Swan Restaurant which dishes up a delectable medley of local and international cuisine with a firm focus on quality ingredients from some of the destinations the ship visits.
Antarctica Cruises
Highlights
- A dedicated science education area
- Wellness and Fitness centre onboard
- A hearty restaurant
- State of the art navigation and stabilising systems
- 70 comfortable and spacious cabins
- Several exciting activities such as kayaking and snow shoeing
Overview
The Sylvia Earle honours highly accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer Dr Sylvia Earle. As the first female chief scientist of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the vessel pays tribute to Dr Earle’s long-standing conservation efforts for marine protected areas and ocean wildlife.
The vessel has been purpose-built for undertaking expeditions to some of the most remote places on Earth. The revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW will allow it to cross oceans more efficiently. The Sylvia Earle boasts numerous observation decks from where you can marvel at the scenery you slip past.
The 70 comfortable cabins can accommodate up to 132 guests. In addition to inviting communal areas, there is a modern lecture lounge, zodiac launching platforms, a restaurant, a gym and a wellness centre.
There are variety of activities to fill your days, both on board and on land.
→ Find out moreThe impact of your stay:
- As a guest, you are directly contributing to vital conservation and climate change education efforts through their partnership with numerous non-profit organisations.
- Your stay helps to fund the Women in Conservation programme onboard the Sylvia Earle ship. This programme honors inspiring female conservationists from around the world and provides fundraising opportunities for related organisations.
- For their voyages in Greenland and the Northwest Passage, they have partnered with the Oxen Network as part of their Community Ambassador Programme to bring local Inuit guides on select itineraries. Your journey onboard helps support the inclusion of local expertise.
Antarctica Cruises
Highlights
- Zodiac tours
- Wildlife spotting
- Sea kayaking
- Snowshoe
- Polar diving
- Rolls Royce stabilising system
- Custom-built hydraulic viewing platforms
- Private balconies
- Daily cabin service
- 24 hours complimentary tea and coffee and snack facilities
Overview
This is a sturdy, purpose-built expedition vessel designed in consultation with expedition experts who have over 25 years of experience in navigating the harsh arctic conditions. Accommodating up to 120 passengers per voyage, with comfortable and elegant interiors, it provides the perfect sanctuary from the severe conditions outside.
Yet, as severe as they may be, the landscape of the Antarctica floating by always provides awe inspiring scenery which can be observed from the ship’s custom-built hydraulic viewing platforms which fold out for uninterrupted panoramas and wildlife spotting.
The ship holds 15 zodiac boats for getting up close to the best that nature offers, from icebergs to glaciers and arctic wildlife.
Built with a Rolls Royce stabilising system with other state of the art technologies, you can expect the smoothest and safest of ventures. What’s more, the ship’s technology ensures a reduction in emissions, fuel consumption and damage on the surrounding environment.
The superbly spacious and exquisitely decorated cabins offer the epitome of serenity, as you wake to the sight of icebergs floating past your floor to ceiling windows from the warmth of your bed.
All cabins have private bathrooms, ample space and daily cabin service. The majority of staterooms boast private balconies allowing you to breathe in the crisp outside air entirely undisturbed.
Be sure to head to the 180-degree panoramic lounge and 360-degree open deck for more sightseeing or check in with the captain as he navigates the waters for the captain’s cabin on The Greg Mortimer has a fascinating open-door policy to give passengers insight into the inners workings of their spellbinding voyage.
→ Find out moreThe impact of your stay:
- Your support extends to impactful initiatives such as their partnership with Upschool, an Australian start-up education platform. Through this collaboration, they contribute to global access to climate change education by providing free courses and resources for children and teachers worldwide.
- As a guest aboard the ship, your journey extends beyond exploration to meaningful engagement in environmental stewardship. They collaborate closely with the Polar Citizen Science Collective (NGO) to deliver an onboard citizen science programme. Through this initiative, guests actively participate in projects such as Happy Whale, eBird, the Big Microplastic Survey, the Globe Program, Eye Sea, Fjord Phyto, Phytoplankton and iNaturalist.
- By choosing the Greg Mortimer, you help support their partnership with Eyesea. The Greg Mortimer is the first passenger vessel to test their cutting-edge marine pollution mapping technology, now available to and promoted among passengers. These efforts contribute crucial data to global scientific endeavors, helping to address pertinent environmental questions in the regions they visit.
Antarctica Cruises
Highlights
- 93 comfortable staterooms with ocean views
- A variety of restaurants with tempting menus
- Modern lecture lounge
- Relaxing observation lounge
- Library full of of practical information
Overview
Explore Antarctica onboard this stylish cruise ship built for comfort and adventure. There are a total of 93 comfortable staterooms for you to choose from, all of them with beautiful views of your icy surrounds, and many with their own balcony. Share the highlight of the journey with your fellow passengers in the Albatros Observation Lounge where easy conversation flows as the memorable landscapes pass by outside.
Onboard you’ll find several restaurants with menus catering to a variety of tastes. Take a table at the Beagle Restaurant where dinner always begins with delicious hot soups, cold cuts and fresh salads. The Albatros Nordic Bar Lounge provides warm Nordic hospitality with a large selection of drinks, including wine tasting menus from Gerard Bertrand. And when the weather is good, don’t miss a grilled meal prepared in the BBQ Deck.
When not out on deck or exploring beyond the ship, spend some time in the Knud Rasmussen Library where there is plenty of reading material, providing you with an abundance of practical information about Antarctica, Polar wildlife and stories of the first expeditions to these parts.
→ Find out moreThis 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.
Buenos Aires
Accommodation in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Overview
Hub Porteño is a historic property set on a quiet street in the heart of Recoleta, and feels more like a home than a hotel. There are just 11 rooms, bright and spacious and filled with antique furniture and more recent pieces from local artisans.
The hotel’s rooftop terrace is a beautiful spot with outdoor seating nestled among the lush greenery – a real city centre oasis. Here you can relax with a drink from the bar and a bite to eat or simply sit back with the morning paper. La Pecora Nera Grill specialises in new Argentinian cuisine while the cosy living room is the place to enjoy drinks and snacks.
There is also a wellness centre with a sauna, gym and treatment room.
→ Find out moreBuenos Aires
Overview
Nuss Hotel is located in a converted convent in the lively are of Palermo, next to the colourful Plaza Serrano. The surrounding streets are lined with boutique shops, excellent restaurants and art galleries.
There are 22 bright rooms with city views – some of the deluxe rooms have their own small balconies. Guests can enjoy afternoon tea, drinks and tapas at Deli Lobby Lounge.
Facilities also include a spa area with gym, sauna and massage room and a very pleasant terrace with a small pool.
→ Find out more
Buenos Aires
Overview
Set in the fashionable and leafy district of Palermo, Legado Mitico is a beautiful boutique hotel within easy reach of the city’s main attractions and restaurants.
Located in a refurbished three-storey townhouse, the hotel draws on the rich historical culture of Argentina. There are 11 rooms each inspired by a famous figure such as tango dancer Carlos Gardel, writer Jorge Luis Borges, and Evita. A warm colour scheme runs throughout the rooms and wooden floors and period antique pieces give them lots of traditional charm.
The cultural theme extends into the communal areas with a small library in the lounge where the more inquisitive guest can read all about the historic figures that inspire the decoration of the room. The library opens out onto a small patio where guests can relax with a drink.
→ Find out moreBuenos Aires
Highlights
- Chic, well-appointed rooms and suites offering you a quiet space to relax
- Argentina's finest meats and seafood served at Elena
- Refined and sophisticated communal areas
Overview
Located in the prestigious Recoleta neighborhood, the Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires seamlessly blends an early-20th-century mansion with a modern high-rise, offering a fusion of contemporary comfort and European-style elegance. Throughout the hotel, from the lavishly decorated rooms to the refined communal areas, there is a distinct sense of luxury and sophistication.
The chic, well-appointed guest rooms ensure the utmost in comfort and privacy, providing a serene space for you to relax and recharge. Perfect for family vacations, the spacious suites offer you ample room, featuring separate areas for sleeping and living to enhance your stay while you’re not out exploring the city and surrounds.
At Michelin-selected Elena, a two-story restaurant inspired by the historic homes of San Telmo, the focus is on dry-aged meats, brasserie fare and charcuterie. Savor some of Argentina’s finest meats and seafood, paired with an exceptional selection of regional wines. Meanwhile, at Nuestro Secreto, outdoor barbecues offer a unique dining experience, turning Buenos Aires’ traditional asado into a social event centered on top-tier grilled meats. End your evening at the equestrian-themed Pony Line bar, where creative cocktails, gourmet burgers and live DJs create a vibrant atmosphere.
→ Find out more
Buenos Aires
Highlights
- 88 rooms and suites filled with eye-catching touches
- Seasonal Argentinian dishes at Bistro Sur
- Vibrant Rojo Tango shows at El Cabaret
- Stunning views over the Ecological Reserve and the quaysides of Puerto Madero
Overview
The Faena Buenos Aires is a striking design hotel in the waterside neighborhood of Puerto Madero, the brainchild of local empresario Alan Faena and designer Philippe Starck.
The hotel is located in the restored El Porteño building, an enormous silo built in 1902 that produced grain for post-war Europe. The décor encapsulates the grandeur of the belle époque that characterised Buenos Aires at the turn of last century. A red, black and white colour scheme runs through the hotel teamed with exposed brick walls and concrete pillars that hark back to its industrious past.
Rooms and suites are filled with eye catching touches such as hand embroidered throws and filigree mirrors and feature huge windows which look out over Ecological Reserve, the parks, Río de la Plata and the quaysides of Puerto Madero.
Eating and drinking at the Faena is a real treat. Enjoy fine dining at Bistro Sur where the menu is inspired by the finest seasonal Argentinian produce, or opt for something more casual at El Mercado which is inspired by the country’s famous cantinas and the open air markets of Europe. The Library Lounge is an intimate space filled with antique books and crysal chandeliers, while El Cabaret, inspired by the city’s 1920s tango clubs, is where you can catch the award-winning show, Rojo Tango.
The hotel also features a spa, fitness centre and an outdoor pool.
→ Find out moreEnjoy 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.
Transfer
Transfer to the airport
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.