Patagonia and Antarctica vacations

Most Antarctic cruises start in Ushuaia, a city on the southern tip of Argentina. It’s part of Patagonia, but many people don’t see much beyond the cruise terminal. Our Patagonia and Antarctica vacations offer the chance to make the most of exploring on land before heading out to sea. After all, you’ve travelled to one of the most remote places in the world – why not see some of the spectacular scenery while you’re here? Our trips tend to start with Patagonia first, crescendoing to the grand finale of Antarctica.

It’s not just the landscapes that are supersized in Patagonia and Antarctica – the wildlife goes all-out too. Andean condors soar on 3m-long wings, pumas pad through Torres del Paine, penguin and seal colonies are vast and vocal, herds of wild horses canter across the desert, and whales congregate in the Southern Ocean. Polar adventure experts steer our vacations, with any long stretches at sea filled with talks and workshops from marine, geology, climate change and conservation specialists. Many crews collect data along the way, helping scientists learn more about this rapidly changing region.

You’ll need at least two weeks to really enjoy a vacation to Patagonia and Antarctica, but if you’ve got three or four – or more – weeks to spare, that’s even better. Our specialists can tailor the suggested itinerary to your interests, budget, timings and accommodation preferences, sharing activities and lodges that slip under many tourists’ radars. You can also choose whether to start in Argentina (Buenos Aires) or Chile (Santiago de Chile) before heading on to Ushuaia. Either way, you’ll stop by the mountains, glaciers and lakes of Torres del Paine National Park before heading south.

Our Patagonia and Antarctica vacations cover a lot of ground. You’ll fly into Argentina or Chile to explore the cities and Patagonia, before flying to Ushuaia – the gateway to the Antarctic. Our Antarctic cruises are all aboard small ships that are less polluting and cause less disturbance than the big vessels. There are strict visitor number limits for landings in Antarctica, so smaller passenger numbers also mean you’ll get plenty of chances to disembark for hiking, kayaking or Zodiac boat trips. For many, crossing the Drake Passage is a big part of the adventure, but there’s also the option to fly to King George Island and start your Antarctic expedition minus the two-day crossing.