Inspiration
South America & Antarctica Exploration
Discover the very best of South America, from its cosmopolitan cities and dramatic deserts to roaring waterfalls and remote southern wilderness, before embarking on the adventure of a lifetime: an expedition cruise through the icy beauty of Antarctica.
Latin heat and polar light
This extended journey blends cultural depth with breathtaking natural experiences, taking in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and a rare opportunity to walk among penguins on the White Continent. As always, every element of this trip can be tailored to your pace and preferences. We also offer extensions to more remote regions or time at leisure if you’d like to slow things down.
- Santiago
- Atacama Desert
- Southern Patagonia
- Antarctica
- Drake Passage
- Buenos Aires
- Iguazú Falls
- Rio de Janeiro
Pauline Duffin
Pauline specialises in designing highly-personalised adventures, guided by her decades of travel expertise. With a focus on India, South East Asia and South America and a deep love of African safaris, she's renowned for her finely-tuned ability to create experiences that reflect your unique interests.
Santiago & the Atacama Desert
Your journey starts in Santiago, Chile’s colourful capital, between the Andes and the coast. Explore the city’s contrasts on a private guided tour – colonial plazas and grand cathedrals to colourful neighbourhoods filled with galleries, leafy parks and local charm. Take in sweeping views from the top of San Cristóbal Hill before unwinding with a glass of Chilean wine as the sun dips behind the skyline.
Next, swap city life for the stillness of the Atacama Desert – one of the driest places on Earth and a landscape unlike anywhere else. Stay in a characterful desert lodge and venture out with your private guide to see steaming geysers at dawn, mirror-like salt flats, sculptural rock formations and vivid altiplano lagoons.
Back at your lodge, evenings are for stargazing beneath some of the clearest skies in the southern hemisphere.
Antarctica
From the Atacama, journey south to Punta Arenas – the gateway to Chilean Patagonia and the starting point for your Antarctic expedition. Spend a night in this picturesque coastal town, where European heritage and maritime history meet the raw edge of the southern wilderness.
The following morning, board a small aircraft bound for King George Island, where your polar voyage begins. Boarding your expedition vessel, set off into the silent, ice-filled waters of the Antarctic Peninsula.
No photograph prepares you for the feeling of arriving here – of seeing your first iceberg or hearing the echo of glaciers carving into the sea. Over the next several days, your experienced expedition team will shape each day’s itinerary around weather, wildlife and conditions, giving you the best chance to spot whales, seals and penguins up close.
Twice-daily landings and Zodiac excursions take you to penguin rookeries, vast ice cliffs and historic huts. Optional activities like sea kayaking, hiking and even a polar plunge (for the brave) are all on offer. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in one of the most remote and humbling places on Earth.
Walking Among Penguins in Antarctica
There are few travel moments as surreal – or as stirring – as stepping onto the Antarctic Peninsula and finding yourself surrounded by thousands of curious penguins. With your expedition team leading the way, you’ll land by Zodiac on remote icy shores where gentoo, chinstrap or Adélie penguins waddle between nests, squabble, and slide across the snow. The silence, broken only by distant glacier cracks and the low calls of wildlife, is unforgettable. This is more than a wildlife sighting: it’s a rare and humbling moment of connection in one of the world’s last true wildernesses.
Buenos Aires & Iguazú Falls
Return to the rhythm of South America with a few days in Buenos Aires – Argentina’s elegant, energetic capital. Explore the city with your private guide, from the leafy avenues of Recoleta to the cobbled streets of San Telmo and the colourful facades of La Boca. Visit grand landmarks, browse boutique galleries or simply soak up the atmosphere in a local café with a glass of Malbec.
In the evening, enjoy a glamorous night of dinner and tango at one of the city’s most intimate venues – a true celebration of Argentina’s passion, culture and artistry.
Next, fly north to the border of Argentina and Brazil for a stay at the mighty Iguazú Falls. With time to explore both the Brazilian and Argentine sides, you’ll experience the full power and beauty of this natural wonder.
Walkways and suspended platforms bring you right to the edge of the Devil’s Throat, while quieter trails reveal butterflies, toucans and lush rainforest.
You’ll stay just moments from the falls themselves, making it easy to explore at your own pace.
Rio de Janeiro
Your journey ends in one of the world’s most iconic cities. With its golden beaches, rainforest-clad peaks and infectious energy, Rio de Janeiro is the perfect finale to your South American adventure.
You’ll have a private guide and driver on hand to help you explore at your own pace. From the panoramic views atop Sugarloaf and Corcovado to the vibrant streets of Santa Teresa and the laid-back beach life of Ipanema, Rio is a city of contrasts and colour. Visit lively neighbourhood markets, sip a caipirinha at sunset or take a scenic hike for a different perspective.
You’ll stay at a renowned beachfront hotel on Copacabana – a refined base from which to relax, recharge and soak up the spirit of the city. Whether you’re discovering its art and culture or simply enjoying the rhythm of daily life, Rio offers the perfect blend of exploration and ease.
On your final day, transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home – or extend your journey with time in the Brazilian countryside or a nearby island retreat.
Talk to our specialists to start planning your trip
