Argentina & Antarctica & Falkland Islands & The South Shetland Islands & South Georgia Island
Wildlife & wilderness of the Falklands, South Georgia Island & Antarctica
Drake Tour - 27 Night Itinerary
Embark on an extraordinary adventure on a 19-night expedition cruise exploring The Falkland Islands, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands, South Shetland and the Antarctic Peninsula, plus the Argentine Lake District, Ushuaia and Buenos Aires.
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Travel Highlights
- Explore the remote wilderness at the end of the world on a three week expedition cruise
- Discover Buenos Aires and the stunning Argentine Lake District
- Explore the beautiful Argentine Lake District
- Sail on your chosen expedition ship to the Falkland Islands - a birdwatchers paradise
- Continue to the remote South Georgia Island, known as 'The Galapagos of the Southern Ocean'
- Explore the South Shetland Islands rugged landscape and incredible wildlife
- Cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula and encounter penguins, seals, sea birds, whales & extraordinary icy landscapes
- Enjoy fascinating lectures and talks from expert guides and tour leaders
- Travel in comfort and style onboard your chosen expedition cruise ship including all meals and excursions
Webinar with Live Reports from our Guides in Buenos Aires and Bariloche
Tour Route
- Buenos Aires - 2 Nights
- Argentine Lake District - 3 Nights
- Fly to Ushuaia - 1 Night
- Falklands, South Shetlands & Antarctic Peninsula - 19 Nights
- Buenos Aires - 2 Nights
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.
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Tour Itinerary
Buenos Aires
2 NightsDay 1 - Overnight flight to Buenos Aires
Day 2 - Buenos Aires
Day 3 - Buenos Aires
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Overnight flight to Buenos Aires
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires.
Thursday, 24 September 2026
Buenos Aires
On arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Buenos Aires, named the “Paris of South America” for its turn of the century French architecture.
We visit La Boca, with its brightly coloured houses, the cathedral, the Recoleta area and the Presidential Palace, with its famous balcony where successive leaders have made appearances. Optional evening dinner and tango show.
Friday, 25 September 2026
Buenos Aires
Day at leisure to explore Buenos Aires or choose from a number of optional tours & excursions: tango classes; traditional bars & cafes of San Telmo; Colon Theatre; Evita and Peronism tour; art in Buenos Aires; Argentine Dinner experience; Buenos Aires' Jewish heritage; hidden Buenos Aires; underground tunnels of Buenos Aires; the life and times of Diego Maradona; estancias of the Pampa; Delta del Tigre day trip; day trip across the Rio Plata to Uruguay. All optional excursions are bookable locally through your Veloso Tours guide.
Emiliano Carrascal
Cyan Hotel de las Americas
An elegant hotel with spacious rooms and situated in the heart of the Barrio Norte, an elegant residential and commercial district, within comfortable walking distance of the exclusive shops of the Santa Fe and 9 de Julio avenues. All 162 rooms have private facilities, TV and telephone, mini-bar, and air-conditioning. There is 24 hour room…
Mine Hotel Boutique
This boutique hotel is located in the heart of Palermo Soho, metres from Plaza Julio Cortazar and many other touristic points of the city such as La Boca, San Telmo, and the Plaza de Mayo.
With strong Thai influences mixed with modern elements, the ground floor is warmly decorated. There are 3 rooms types, all…
Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta
Located in the elegant Recoleta neighbourhood, Sofitel Recoleta is a luxurious 5-star hotel providing an authentic experience.
The comfortable, air-conditioned, double or twin rooms have free WIFI, private bathroom, safe, mini bar, city or garden views.
Public areas include the Alma Buenos Aires restaurant specialising in seasonal local meats and vegetables. There is also a swimming pool,…
Argentine Lake District
3 NightsDay 4 - Bariloche and the Lake District
Day 5 - Exploring the Lake District
Day 6 - Exploring the Lake District
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Bariloche and the Lake District
Fly to Bariloche, in Argentina’s Lake District, staying for three nights including breakfast. This alpine town is surrounded by beautiful mountain countryside, with excellent hotels and country lodges. The scenery ranges from lush, snow-covered mountain peaks and beautiful lakes, to the dry Pampa in the lowlands.
It is a hub for outdoor activities, horse riding and walking the numerous trails; a wonderful place for picnics on the shore of picturesque lakes. Gabriela, our local guide, has a detailed knowledge of the area.
Sunday, 27 September 2026
Exploring the Lake District
Depending on your interest, take an optional excursion or guided walk, led by our local guide. Enjoy a picnic by a lake.
Monday, 28 September 2026
Exploring the Lake District
Relax at your hotel or take further optional excursions discovering the scenic beauty of the Lake District.
María-Gabriela Segura
Hosteria Las Lengas
Located in the village of San Martin de los Andes, at the foot of the mountain you will find Hosteria Las Lengas, in a lush corner of a quiet road, three blocks from downtown and five from Lake Lacar.
The rooms have private bathroom, TV, safe, hair dryer and minibar.
A cozy lodge with excellent services,…
Sol Arrayan Hotel & Spa
Located in the heart of Argentine Patagonia, Sol Arrayán Hotel and Spa is less than a mile away from the centre of Villa La Angostura. The resort overlooks the Nahuel Huapi lake, with 42 rooms leaning on a hillside, affording all its guests an incomparable view, with the snowed mountain peaks reflected on the lake.…
El Casco Art
Nestled by the shore of the Nahuel Huapi Lake in one of the most beautiful spots of the Patagonia, the El Casco Art Hotel blends into its surrounding landscape with its stylish architecture, comfort and advanced technology.
The 33 air-conditioned suites all have breathtaking views of Lake Nahuel Huapi and are decorated with 300 exclusive…
Fly to Ushuaia
1 NightDay 7 - Ushuaia
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Ushuaia
Fly to Ushuaia and transfer to your hotel for one night on a bed and breakfast basis, in preparation for embarkation tomorrow.
Los Naranjos Hotel
Located in central Ushuaia, Los Naranjos offers comfortable rooms with panoramic views of the surrounding Andean mountain range, the city or the Beagle Channel. All rooms have private facilities, free WiFi, and safe deposit box. The restaurant serves traditional Andean food as well as international dishes.
Albatros Hotel
Located overlooking the Beagle Channel, just a minute’s walk from the port of Ushuaia and the city's shopping centre, and only 300 metres from the End of the World Museum.
The spacious air-conditioned rooms have private bathroom, room service, safe, TV free Wi-Fi, hair dryer, coffee making facilities and mini bar.
Public facilities include the…
Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa
Situated on a natural balcony 800 metres above Ushuaia, Arakur Resort offers contemporary luxury rooms surrounded by panoramic views of the mountains, the bay and Ceroo Alarken nature reserve.
There is a spa with indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, and the restaurant serves excellent international cuisine.
The rates include breakfast.
Falklands, South Shetlands & Antarctic Peninsula
19 NightsDay 8 - Embark your chosen expedition ship
Day 9 - South Atlantic Ocean
Day 10 - Falkland Islands
Day 11 - Falkland Islands
Day 12-13 - Sail to South Georgia Island
Days 14-18 - South Georgia Island
Day 19 - Towards the South Shetlands & the Antarctic Peninsula
Day 20 - Sailing to Antarctica
Day 21 - Awe-inspiring Antarctica
Day 22 - South Shetland Islands & the Antarctic Peninsula
Day 23 - Exploring the White Continent
Day 24 - Last Day in Antarctica
Days 25-26 - Sail to Ushuaia
Day 27 - Captain's Farewell Dinner
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Embark your chosen expedition ship
Spend the morning at leisure in Ushuaia. Embark your chosen expedition ship in the afternoon. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. After getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the scenery and gorgeous evening light as we pass through the Beagle Channel.
Thursday, 01 October 2026
South Atlantic Ocean
Though you’re now at sea, there’s rarely a lonesome moment here. Several species of bird follow the vessel southeast, such as albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.
Friday, 02 October 2026
Finding the Falkland Islands
The remote and sparsely-populated Falkland Islands are a birders’ paradise. We anticipate spending two days in the remote outer islands where large colonies of penguins and albatross are easily accessible. The Falklands are also a great place to observe marine mammals. Fur seals and elephant seals can be found on sandy beaches while the waters around the archipelago are home to cetaceans such as Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins. Our exact route and exploration opportunities are dependent on weather among these isolated and windswept islands.
Saturday, 03 October 2026
Falklands culture - Stanley
Today we intend to visit Stanley, the charming capital of the Falkland Islands. Attractions within pleasant walking distance along the waterfront promenade include the Falkland Islands Museum, the governor’s house, a cathedral with impressive whalebone arch outside, a war memorial, quality gift shops, pubs, and views of shipwrecks in the harbour.
Sunday, 04 October 2026
Sail to South Georgia Island
En route to South Georgia, you now cross the Antarctic Convergence. The temperature cools considerably within the space of a few hours, and nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to colliding water columns. This phenomenon attracts a multitude of seabirds near the ship, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas.
Monday, 05 October 2026
Sail to South Georgia Island
Further exploration towards South Georgia Island.
Tuesday, 06 October 2026
South Georgia Island
We arrive at South Georgia. Please keep in mind that weather conditions in this area can be challenging, largely dictating the program.
Sites you might visit in the next four days include:
Prion Island – This location is closed during the early part of the wandering albatross breeding season (November – January). The previous summer’s wandering albatross chicks are almost ready to fledge, and adults are seeking out their old partners after a year and a half at sea.
Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour – These sites not only house the three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, they are also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for southern elephant seals. Only during this time of year do they peak in their breeding cycle. Watch the four-ton bulls keep a constant vigil (and occasionally fight) over territories where dozens of females have just given birth or are about to deliver. You can also see a substantial number of Antarctic fur seals here during the breeding season (December – January).
Fortuna Bay – A beautiful outwash plain from Fortuna Glacier is home to a large number of king penguins and seals. Here you may also have the chance to follow the final leg of Shackleton’s route to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across the mountain pass beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall, and as the terrain is partly swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams.
Grytviken – In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place – because they basically do. Here you might be able to see the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.
Wednesday, 07 October 2026
South Georgia Island
Exploring South Georgia.
Thursday, 08 October 2026
South Georgia Island
Exploring South Georgia Island.
Friday, 09 October 2026
South Georgia Island
Last day exploring South Georgia Island.
Saturday, 10 October 2026
Towards South Shetlands & Antarctic Peninsula
There may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some south polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds trailing the vessel south.
Sunday, 11 October 2026
Sailing to Antarctica
We continue on our voyage to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Monday, 12 October 2026
Awe-inspiring Antarctica
If the ice conditions permit, you now sail into the Weddell Sea. Here colossal tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its large population of Adélie penguins, is a possible stop. You might also visit Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound, where you could get the chance to set foot on the Antarctic Continent itself.
If conditions aren’t favorable to enter the Weddell Sea from the east, the ship will set course for Elephant Island and head into the Bransfield Strait, between the South Shetland Island's and the Antarctic Peninsula.
The volcanic islands of the South Shetlands are windswept and often cloaked in mist, but they nonetheless offer many subtle pleasures. A wide variety of flora (mosses, lichens, flowering grasses) and fauna (gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins, southern giant petrels) live here. Chinstrap penguins and Weddell seals often haul out onto the beach near Cámara Base, an Argentine scientific research station on Half Moon Island.
On Deception Island, the ship plunges through Neptune’s Bellows and into the flooded caldera. Here you can find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, and thousands of cape petrels. A number of kelp gulls, brown skuas, south polar skuas, and Antarctic terns can be spotted too. Wilson’s storm petrels and black-bellied storm petrels also nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. As an alternative, you can take part in activities near Telefon Bay, further inside the caldera.
This extended voyage gives you the chance to sail even farther down the icy coast of the western Antarctic Peninsula. There are several opportunities for great landings where you might set foot on the Antarctic Continent, surrounded by an epic landscape of alpine peaks and mammoth glaciers calving at sea level. Gentoo penguins, leopard seals, Weddell seals, humpback whales, and minke whales are often seen here.
Tuesday, 13 October 2026
South Shetland Islands & the Antarctic Peninsula
There are also various research stations here, some even with a gift shop and post office.The wilderness of Antarctica is subject to unpredictable weather and ever-changing ice conditions, which will dictate the ship's route and exploration opportunities. This is a real expedition. Every opportunity will be taken to experience excellent wildlife viewing, amazing scenery and excursions via Zodiac.
Wednesday, 14 October 2026
South Shetland Islands & the Antarctic Peninsula
Immerse yourself in the icy wilderness of this remote and spectacular environment. Enjoy small zodiac boat excursions, get close to the region's abundant wildlife on land and sea and admire towering snow-covered mountains and magnificent icebergs of every shape and size. Large penguin colonies bring the area to life, foraging in the waters and congregating on land.
Thursday, 15 October 2026
Last day in Antarctica
Your last day to enjoy with White Continent.
Friday, 16 October 2026
Drake Passage
Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.
Saturday, 17 October 2026
Towards Ushuaia
Sailing towards Ushuaia, reflecting on your amazing journey.
Sunday, 18 October 2026
Captain's Farewell Dinner
Enjoy the captain's farewell dinner tonight on the last night of your incredible journey.
Hondius
A voyage on the Hondius is spends as much time ashore as possible. The itinerary is flexible, taking advantage of wildlife opportunities by using zodiacs for both landings and cruises. Knowledgeable guides assist on these outings, providing detailed information. This is supplemented by lectures on board which covers topics such as wildlife, nature and history.
…
Sea Spirit
View the M/V Sea Spirit amazing Antarctica video
The 114 passenger is our favourite Antarctica expedition vessel for size and value, allbeit slightly old fashioned in decoration. It has a comfortable and welcoming feel, with spacious cabins, lounge areas and superior manoeuvrability. Guests are infused with an adventurous spirit by the enthusiastic crew and highly…
Sylvia Earle
Launched in December 2022, The Sylvia Earle is a floating ambassador for the conservation of the planet. Paying tribute to Dr. Sylvia Earle and six pioneering conservationists with public decks honouring their contributions and shining a light on their important conservation causes.
Certified 100% climate neutral, with a fully equipped Citizen Science Centre, expert lectures and participate in…
Buenos Aires
2 NightsDay 28 - Disembark and fly to Buenos Aires
Day 29 - Buenos Aires
Day 30 - Overnight flight to UK
Day 31 - Arrive in the UK
- Full Description
Disembark and fly to Buenos Aires
After breakfast disembark in Ushuaia and transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, staying for two nights including breakfast.
Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Buenos Aires
A free day to enjoy Buenos Aires: perhaps explore the artistic, bohemian district of Palermo with cafes, galleries and shops; take the ferry across the river to the old colonial settlement of Colonia in Uruguay; or enjoy cafes and shopping.
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Overnight flight to UK
Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.
Thursday, 22 October 2026
Arrive in the UK
Arrive back in the UK in the morning.
Price Guidelines
| Season | Low Season | High Season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Dates | October, November 2026; March, October, November 2027; March 2028 | December, January 2027 & December, January 2028 | ||||
| Room Arrangement | Tourist | First | Deluxe | Tourist | First | Deluxe |
| Multiple Travellers - Twin Rooms | £14,495 | £18,449 | £24,222 | £18,767 | £21,949 | £27,369 |
Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- 31 Days / 28 Nights
- International flights (2 overnight)
- Internal flights
- Accommodation as shown on the itinerary. Cruise prices are based on the lead-in cabin type on the ship.
- 19-night Antarctica Expedition Cruise, with all meals & excursions
- Welcome & farewell cocktails
- Soft drinks, house wine, beer and house spirits included on first class and deluxe ships
- FREE use of rubber boots or snow shoes for shore landings
- All port fees
- Breakfast every day in Buenos Aires, the Lake District and Ushuaia
- Transfers to and from airports
- Transport throughout the itinerary
- Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
- Prices are per person (twin share) based on a shared cabin. Supplement for exclusive use.
Complete a form or call our specialist advisors to start planning your trip. Please provide as much information as possible, and we will aim to respond to your enquiry the same or next working day.
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