The trip
Overview
One trip, one continent, done properly: an escorted land journey through South America's three giant sights — Machu Picchu, the Iguazu Falls and Rio de Janeiro — followed by a long southern voyage from Buenos Aires that reaches the Antarctic Peninsula for several days of scenic cruising among icebergs and glacier fronts. The ship does not land in Antarctica; it sails it, which is precisely what keeps a month-long, two-hemisphere itinerary within reach of a normal travel budget.
The land half is escorted throughout — internal flights, guides at every site, hotels of a solid four-to-five-star standard — because distances in South America defeat independent planning on a first visit. The sea half then empties the diary: down the Argentine coast to Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia, days among the Peninsula's channels and ice, and usually a Falklands call on the way back north, though every port and scenic day depends on the sailing and, in the far south, on ice and weather.
This is a leave-of-a-lifetime trip — most guests pair long-service leave or retirement with it. From Dubai the routing is long but simple: one flight out to Lima, one flight home from Buenos Aires.
Highlights
- ✦Machu Picchu with a guide, reached by the mountain railway from the Sacred Valley
- ✦The Iguazu Falls from both the Brazilian and Argentine sides
- ✦Rio de Janeiro — Corcovado, Sugarloaf and Copacabana
- ✦Several days of Antarctic Peninsula scenic cruising among icebergs
- ✦Ushuaia, Puerto Madryn and usually a Falklands call, sailing round-trip from Buenos Aires
Who it suits
- ●Travellers with long-service leave or new retirement to spend well
- ●Anyone who wants Antarctica without expedition-ship pricing
- ●First-time visitors to South America who want it escorted, not improvised
Why this journey works
- ✓Scenic-only Antarctic cruising on a larger ship costs a fraction of a landing expedition
- ✓The escorted land tour removes the hardest logistics on the continent
- ✓One linear route covers sights that would otherwise take three separate holidays
- ✓Southern-summer timing means escaping the UAE winter's busiest social season, not its heat
Day by day
Days 1–6
Peru — Lima, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Fly Dubai to Lima and join the escorted group. Two days acclimatising through the Sacred Valley — Pisac market, Ollantaytambo — then the mountain railway to Aguas Calientes and a guided morning at Machu Picchu before the day-trip crowds peak. Cusco's colonial centre closes the Peru chapter. Hotels are characterful four-star; the pace is deliberately gentle at altitude.
Days 7–10
Iguazu — the falls from both sides
Fly via Lima to Iguazu. A full day on the Brazilian side for the panorama, a full day on the Argentine side for the walkways over the Devil's Throat, staying in a lodge close to the national park. The spray, the coatis and the sheer noise of it are the point — no commentary required.
Days 11–14
Rio de Janeiro — the land finale
Three nights in Rio: Corcovado and the Christ statue, the cable car up Sugarloaf at sunset, a beach morning on Copacabana or Ipanema and a samba evening if the group has the energy. Then a short flight to Buenos Aires and a night ashore before the ship.
Days 15–28
The voyage — Buenos Aires to the ice and back
Sail south from Buenos Aires. Calls typically include Montevideo, Puerto Madryn for the Valdés Peninsula's wildlife, and Ushuaia at the foot of the Andes, before the ship spends several days cruising the Antarctic Peninsula's channels — icebergs, glacier fronts, whales and penguin colonies seen from the deck, with expert commentary. A Falklands call features on most routings northbound. Ice, weather and the specific sailing set the final route; we confirm exactly what your departure includes.
Day 29
Buenos Aires and home
Disembark in Buenos Aires and fly home to Dubai, arriving the following day. Add city nights here if you have anything left in the tank — most people are gladly spent.
Possible ports of call
Scenic cruising only — this larger-ship voyage does not make Antarctic landings. Cruise line, ship, routing and ice-dependent scenic days are confirmed at quote stage.
When to go
Antarctic scenic sailings operate only in the southern summer, roughly November to March, when the Peninsula is accessible and daylight runs long; the same months are ideal for Rio and Iguazu, and warm in Buenos Aires. Machu Picchu is drier from May to September but entirely workable year-round with the right kit. Departures aligning the whole route fall between November and February and sell far in advance.
Planning around seasons, regions and style? Read the full Antarctica destination guide →
What’s included
- ✓Return flights from Dubai to Lima, home from Buenos Aires
- ✓Escorted touring with internal flights, guides and entrance fees on the land itinerary
- ✓Hotels throughout the land tour with breakfast
- ✓Cruise fare for the selected sailing and cabin category
- ✓Transfers throughout
- ✓PCT travel consultant support before and during travel
Not included
- —Shore excursions during the cruise
- —Lunches and dinners on land unless stated in your quote
- —Drinks packages and gratuities unless quoted
- —Travel insurance including the cover this voyage requires
- —Visas where required
Ways to extend it
- +Add three nights in Buenos Aires after disembarkation
- +Extend into the Chilean Lake District or Atacama before flying home
- +Upgrade to a balcony cabin — worth it for the ice days
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