Antarctica & Iguazu Falls Delight - Cruise & Land Journey: 17 days Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires

Welcome to Buenos Aires, where you’ll stay overnight. Perhaps plan to spend some time in the city, nicknamed the ‘Paris of South America’. Resplendent with Belle Époque buildings, sidewalk cafes and green spaces, there’s the fiery passion of Latin America – a collective love for football, flame-cooked meats (asado) and the tango.    Some of the highlights are La Boca, a colourful, creative mecca with a must-do art walk, and San Telmo, a former aristocratic neighbourhood abandoned during a 19th-century epidemic. Mansions were turned into conventillos (shared housing), boutique hotels, antique shops, and tango clubs, exuding a captivating bohemian vibe. 

Depart Buenos Aires on an included flight to Ushuaia the gateway to Antarctica and the world’s southernmost city, nestled on the rugged shores of Tierra del Fuego. The Captain and crew will warmly greet you as you board your ultra-luxury Scenic Discovery Yacht.   
 
Raise a glass of Champagne as you set sail through the legendary Beagle Channel, tracing the path of Charles Darwin’s historic voyage. From your private verandah or the Observation Deck, take in breathtaking views of the snow-capped Andean peaks and pristine Patagonian wilderness — marking the beginning of an unforgettable Expedition Voyage.  

Enjoy breakfast in your suite as your Scenic Discovery Yacht navigates the legendary Drake Passage bound for Antarctica. Take in the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean as each moment brings you closer to an unforgettable exploration.  Feel the excitement building as the Discovery Team shares with you all the details on how your Zodiac, helicopter^, submersible^ and other Discovery Excursions will work. Get familiar with the team and your polar equipment – your expedition kit includes an expedition parka and water bottle that are yours to take home, plus the use of specialised polar boots, trekking poles and specific equipment you need for kayak and stand-up paddleboard activities. Between landings, your outdoor gear will be stored in a personal locker in the Discovery Centre.   Prepare yourself for unparalleled ‘pinch-me’ moments, and be exposed to the unpredictability of the region, with your expert team deciding the course of action in the coming days.    The team will make every attempt to have numerous landings and Discovery Excursions, including Zodiac, kayak and optional helicopter^ flights and submersible^ dives.  

Today you will enter Antarctic waters, an unpredictable but stunningly beautiful environment. Put on your complimentary polar parka and head to the Observation Deck to spot icebergs for the first time – it’s a feeling that will stay with you forever.   
 
Watch out for whale blows in the distance. Your Discovery Team will be available to provide insightful information.   Be sure to check your Daily Program for the essential biosecurity and boot fitting schedule. And join the fascinating enrichment lecture on marine and seabird life – a captivating experience that will enhance your knowledge and connection to the natural world around you.   On board, savour a leisurely lunch at Azure Bar & Café, where you can graze throughout the day as you take in spectacular ocean views. This evening, enjoy a glass of Champagne at Lumière's Champagne Bar, or choose from a range of distinct culinary experiences, before settling into an evening of thoughtfully curated entertainment. 

Slide open the floor-to-ceiling doors of your verandah suite to see icebergs sculpted by nature and glacial mountains rising from the ocean. Antarctica is a birdwatcher's delight, home to a variety of species, so keep your eyes peeled for wandering albatrosses, shearwaters, giant petrels and more.   Due to the extraordinary nature of the region, Discovery Excursions throughout your Expedition Voyage are dependent on weather and ice conditions. Your experienced Captain and Discovery Leader, who have made countless journeys to Antarctica, will use their expertise to design a bespoke voyage, making the most of your time in this spectacular destination.    Visit the open bridge on Deck 7 to meet the Captain and navigational team and gain first-hand insight into a Scenic Discovery Yacht’s state-of-the-art technology from one of the most inspiring vantage points on board. 

Scenic Discovery: Daily experiences may include cruising on Zodiacs, stepping ashore to view vast penguin rookeries or historic huts, and kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding around icebergs. Wherever your voyage takes you, you will have countless “pinch me" moments.  

Start your day with freshly squeezed juice, steaming barista-made coffee or tea delivered to your suite by your butler. Then set out on Zodiac excursions to explore breathtaking glaciated bays, tranquil channels and pristine landing sites. As you trek across the Antarctic wilderness, meet the adorable chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins that inhabit this magical region.  Small groups offer the best way to experience an environmentally sensitive destination like Antarctica. You will board the Zodiacs according to your designated colour, with our expert polar Discovery Team guiding you, ensuring an unforgettable and unique adventure.   Back on board, warm up in the Senses Spa, with infrared saunas, steam room and signature thermal loungers or gather at the Observation Lounge where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the polar landscape. 

Various species of penguins can be found in the Antarctic and the sub-Antarctic region, including Adélie, chinstrap and the gentoo. Guided by your expert Discovery Team, you’ll witness colonies up close; hear their calls and watch as they clumsily waddle along and interact with each other.    Whales are another majestic creature you may encounter, including minke whales, humpback whales or orcas. Watch them up close in a kayak or a Zodiac with your Discovery Team or observe them from the comfort of your ultra-luxury Scenic Discovery Yacht. Whichever way you see them, it’s a breathtaking experience. 

Scenic Discovery: During daily Discovery Excursions, ask your expert Discovery Team for photography tips so you can best capture the incredible wildlife and landscape around you. To see Antarctica from above or below the horizon book an optional helicopter^ or submersible^ experience. 

From the moment it was discovered, Antarctica has held an irresistible allure for intrepid explorers. The bold exploits of legendary explorers like Scott, Shackleton, and Amundsen have fuelled its mystique, inspiring generations to venture into this untamed wilderness.   On this unforgettable day, you’ll cruise past Antarctica's stunning icy mountains before stepping ashore by Zodiac to immerse yourself in the polar wilderness. With ample time to explore, this voyage ensures you experience the magic of this awe-inspiring landscape up close.   Back on board, enjoy a warm speciality tea or coffee in the Observation Lounge and take in the views through the Swarovski telescopes.  

In the untouched silence of this frozen wilderness, nature’s rare sounds become unforgettable, whether it’s the endearing chatter of penguins squabbling over prized pebbles or the thunderous roar of a glacier calving into the sea.   Towering glaciers provide one of the most awe-inspiring spectacles of your journey, with the chance to witness massive ice formations breaking away, creating brand-new icebergs before your eyes, a moment of pure wonder.   On board, explore some of your Scenic Discovery Yacht’s indulgent spaces, from the welcoming Observation Lounge to the expansive Senses Spa#. Choose from a selection of world-class culinary experiences on board tonight.   

On board your ultra-luxury Scenic Discovery Yacht, every moment is crafted for both comfort and connection. Our inviting Scenic Lounge provides the perfect setting to unwind and share unforgettable experiences with like-minded travellers.   For those craving excitement, the legendary Polar Plunge offers a thrilling rush — an unforgettable dive into icy waters, expertly coordinated by the Discovery Leader and Captain.  If you prefer to stay warm, find a prime viewing spot and enjoy the spectacle as fellow guests take the plunge, then join them for a toast with a glass of whiskey or a steaming cup of hot chocolate. 

Scenic Discovery: Glide past towering icebergs on a Zodiac, step onto untouched white snow, and soar over vast mountain ranges. This is one of the world's few remaining pristine wildernesses, awaiting your exploration.  

As you cruise back across the Drake Passage toward South America, take this time to indulge in the ultra-luxury comforts of your Scenic Discovery Yacht, and reflect on the awe-inspiring moments you’ve experienced.  Perhaps start your day with an invigorating workout in the state-of-the-art POWER: Gym, a guided Pilates session, or a moment of relaxation in the PURE: Yoga & Pilates Studio.   During the day, the theatre comes to life with captivating lectures from our Discovery Team. Don´t forget to check the Daily Program on your in-suite TV for timing, you won’t want to miss these inspiring sessions.  As evening arrives, unwind in the elegant Scenic Lounge Bar, where you can toast to your expedition with a perfectly aged whiskey, a glass of fine wine, or a flute of French Champagne — all part of Scenic’s truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury philosophy.

Travel isn’t just about where you go; it’s about how you feel along the way. Days at sea on board your Scenic Discovery Yacht offer something rare: the chance to slow down, reflect and embrace the beauty of the ocean. It’s not a pause, it’s part of the adventure.  Make sure you book a final treatment# at the tranquil Senses Spa before your Expedition Voyage ends. Perhaps an ESPA facial or massage or an alternative therapy including Ayurvedic treatments or Japanese shiatsu. Afterwards, hold on to that feeling of calm for a whilst longer in the Zen-like space of the Vitality Lounge.   Return to one of your favourite bars and lounges for a pre or post dinner drink, then savour refined dining before live music brings your evening gently to a close. 

This morning, bid farewell to your expert crew and fellow travellers as your extraordinary journey comes to an end. After a final indulgent breakfast on board, disembark in Ushuaia and board your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival transfer to your elegant hotel for an overnight stay. 

Please note: Days 13-17 is an independent extension, not escorted by a Scenic Tour Director, however you will have the services of a local guide.

Depart Buenos Aires this morning and fly to the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls. The world’s largest waterfall system by volume, it stretches for more than 2.7 kilometres across the border of Brazil and Argentina. Enjoy a three-night Scenic Special Stay at the Gran Meliá Iguazú, the only hotel located within the Argentinian side of Iguazú National Park.

Wake up early this morning to watch the sun rising over the falls, a truly unforgettable experience. Then enjoy a leisurely tour to discover the Brazilian side of the falls. Stand on the walkway in the middle and take in this vast spectacle with 275 individual cascades spread over a four-kilometre crescent shaped cliff. Enjoy lunch with a beautiful view inside the National Park.

After lunch, embark on an exhilarating jet boat adventure toward the base of the falls, where you’ll feel the refreshing spray on your face and the sheer power of the cascading water up close.

Optional helicopter flight
Take to the skies on an optional helicopter flight and soar above Iguazú Falls for a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of this natural wonder. (Additional cost, please book on tour.) 

This morning, visit the Argentinian side of the falls before the park gates open to the public. Around 80 per cent of the falls are on this side of the border and the many walkways that thread between the upper and lower falls allow you to get closer into the cliff face. Walk to the lookout where you will see the famous Devil’s Throat, the largest and most formidable waterfall within the entire system. Be awed by the sheer volume of water cascading over the falls.

After one final glorious sunrise, bid farewell to the magnificent Iguazu Falls as you transfer to the airport.

#Spa treatments and services at additional cost. Daily activities may be subject to change; please consult your Daily Wonder for updates.   +All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board.
~Kayak and stand-up paddleboard not available in all locations.
^Flights on board our two helicopters and submersible experiences are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather, ice and tidal conditions.  Subject to weather and operational conditions. Sightings cannot be guaranteed.?   

The itinerary on this page is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the land journey or the cruise will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. Hotels are indicative and subject to change.