Whales of the Weddell Sea
The sheer majesty of witnessing whales against the stark, icy canvas of Antarctica is an experience few can rival. This unforgettable journey immerses you in the frozen world of the Weddell Sea, an area sculpted by immense tabular icebergs that's also a haven for a remarkable congregation of orcas, humpbacks and minke whales. After exploring Buenos Aires, you'll settle into your luxury cruise in Ushuaia, ready to witness the unfolding marvels of the great, White Continent.
Trip Highlights
- Uncover Buenos Aires' spirit through street art and tango
- Marvel at Tierra del Fuego's natural beauty
- Traverse the formidable Drake Passage
- Watch whales across the Weddell Sea
- Cruise past tabular icebergs and towering ice shelves
- See Adelie penguins as you explore the Antarctic Sound
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–3
First, Buenos Aires
Argentina‘s capital, Buenos Aires, is the starting point of your life-changing cruise to Antarctica.
It’s a city oozing with plenty of style and charm. Enjoy its many excellent restaurants, bars and cafés, and immerse yourself in its captivating blend of architectural styles, from the grand classical façades and elegant boulevards to the colourful Italian influences of La Boca and the graceful curves of Art Nouveau — you’ll notice a cityscape so distinctive from the others across Latin America.
Where you could stay
Uncover Buenos Aires' street art scene
Explore Buenos Aires’ neighbourhoods, whose corners reveal a kaleidoscope of brightly painted murals. As you wander, you’ll learn about the history of the city’s street art and its cultural importance. You’ll witness a collection of older pieces alongside more contemporary works by a variety of local artists.
Days 3–4
Ushuaia, your gateway to the White Continent
Next, you’ll head south to Ushuaia. Perched at Argentina’s southernmost edge, the city serves as the gateway to your Antarctic adventure, where your cruise sets sail from the legendary Beagle Channel.
Leaving Ushuaia’s harbour behind, you can explore Tierra del Fuego’s dramatic natural beauty, home to majestic mountains rising above untouched forests, turquoise lakes and rocky coastlines claimed by sea lions and penguins.
Where you could stay
Discover the natural wonders of Tierra del Fuego
Head into the pristine wilderness of Tierra del Fuego National Park, bordered by the Andes Mountains and the Beagle Channel. You’ll trace its history through dense woodlands and ancient beech forests, which give way to magnificent fjords and a dramatic coastline, home to seals, sea lions and penguins.
Days 4–14
Your Antarctica cruise
Aboard your luxury Antarctica cruise, you’ll experience the wonders of the Weddell Sea, an ice-laden realm where extraordinary wildlife thrives amidst frozen waters. These teem with abundant krill, attracting various whale species, including pods of orca alongside large baleen, southern minke and humpback whales.
Your state-of-the-art expedition vessel will take you deep into this remote frontier. You’ll cruise along colossal ice cliffs and navigate between wind-sculpted icebergs. Together with a fleet of Zodiacs and experienced guides, you’re guaranteed a truly remarkable journey.
Luxury expedition cruises you can take
Cruise highlights
Crossing
Antarctic Sound
Weddell Sea
Traverse the 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. As you cruise, keep your eyes peeled for seabirds like albatrosses and petrels diving between the waves.
Explore the Antarctic Sound
Your exploration begins at the Antarctic Sound, scattered with rafts of sea ice and vast tabular icebergs, which form from the giant ice shelves fringing the continent’s interior.
This region hosts some of the Antarctic Peninsula’s most spectacular sites, from the 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.
Journey across the Weddell Sea
Heading south, you’ll enter the Weddell Sea. Witness city-sized tabular icebergs and catch a glimpse of the icepack, the vast mosaic of never-melting floating ice stretching to the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf.
This sea ice is the nursery of the Antarctic krill, the tiny crustaceans forming the base of the food chain — where krill can be found, predators are not far behind.
Other than penguins, you can observe Weddell, leopard and elephant seals, immense flocks of seabirds, and often large numbers of humpback whales.
Navigate the Drake Passage on your return
Departing Antarctica, you’ll voyage back across the formidable waters of the Drake Passage and towards the shores of the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia.
As you sail, reflect on your incredible adventure, or simply enjoy the flight of the albatross which accompanies the cruise northwards.
Days 14–15
End your adventure in Buenos Aires
Your journey to Antarctica culminates back in Buenos Aires, where your final evening ignites with the tantalising spectacle of a live tango performance in an exclusive venue.
Where you could stay
Watch a spellbinding tango show
Enjoy an exquisite, three-course dinner as you watch an exhilarating tango performance in an intimate yet stylish salon. More than just a show, the tango is a memorable immersion into Argentinian culture.
The folks at Jacada are real pros. They delivered an amazing trip, which was beyond expectations. My 3 kids (17-19-22 years old) best summed it up after our trip: "best trip ever"! Thank you Jacada.
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
