You will be spending hours just sitting in one spot adoring the view. Our captain sent up a drone ahead for navigation while we slowly inched our way through the crystalline field. Once in Buenos Aires, there are regular flights to Ushuaia. Read the full review, Terrie Mandina - There were mossy patches reaching up the hillside, which was an unusual sight in the surroundings. The Weddell Sea is a treasure trove of great, tabular icebergs A luxury Antarctica cruise means uncompromised, first-class adventuring Why not tell the story of your amazing Antarctic experiences through pictures? Without a second glance, we sailed from the southernmost point of South America and into open ocean. Scattered throughout the continent are a series of bases maintained by various countries around the world. It re-awakened my commitment, and that of other guests, to care for our planet. This is all part of a healthy ecosystem. Approximately 54,000 visitors make the journey each year, with around 50 expedition vessels sailing Antarctic waters each season. Ive always wanted to do a trip like this but naturally assumed it was cost prohibitive. Researching and choosing the right journey for you is key. We had dreamed of visiting Antarctica. One of the many beauties of Antarctica is the lighting. After a night of champagne below the midnight sun, we paddled out into Covadanga Harbor. This was a rare opportunity to compare the calls and behaviors of these species. For the next hour we floated on the outskirts of a feeding frenzy just a stones throw from numerous humpbacks. There are a growing number of solo travellers undertaking an adventure to Antarctica. There are seemingly infinite pristine white glaciers. Our mid December / early January trip was structured to sail down to Antarctica and fly back at the end. From zodiac safaris and continental landings to expert-led lectures, theres absolutely no risk of boredom. While some people enjoy Antarctic wildlife encounters in traditional methods, others take it to another level. As a passenger on a yacht to the Antarctic Treaty area, you should make sure ahead of your journey that the required authorisations have been granted. Hey Adam. An outstanding program, successfully operated for over 15 seasons., By offering time saving flights, extended time in Antarctica and the chance to reach the Polar Circle, this 10-day voyage maximises the polar experience. In contrast to our visit to Port Lockroy where visitors are common, this Chilean base had likely not seen outsiders for some time. Fly to Antarctica on a BAE146 whisper jet. An extended fly & cruise voyage spending eight full days actually in Antarctica onboard a small, state-of-the-art expedition ship. The following day, we ventured into the Beagle Channel where we anchored for the night. With our slower sailboat speeds, we at times needed to travel overnight which required our small crew to take turns watching for ice hazards floating in our path. Sailing the Drake Passage from the tip of South America to the Antarctic Peninsula takes 48 hours. Recording sounds for the Hearing in Penguin project. With Argentina on our right and Chile on our left, the trip through the fjords of Tierra del Fuego is special on its own. Pairing the beauty with the adventure of a sailboat was extra special. If you enjoyed this remote adventure, then youll love these other posts: Some people are more adventurous than others. This was our first opportunity to escape the boat and explore the surroundings in our kayaks. As a group of just twelve people, we created minimal impact on the pristine environment. Thanks for sharing your Antarctica experience! Every voyage in this part of the world is an adventure in a landscape formed from constantly shifting ice. The majesty of our small boat trip to Antarctica was again apparent. Read the full review, We lost a couple of days up front due to weather-related flight issues into the Falkland Islands, however, the crew did a great job maximizing our time on South Georgia so that we hardly noticed the lost time. It provides the most choice in terms of voyages. Spend 6 days kayaking, hiking, camping, mountaineering and snowshoeing, all included in the price. Let Swoop's deep knowledge guide you. Dont forget to pack The 15 Most Essential Items for Minimalist Travel! Once in Santiago there are regular flights to Punta Arenas. When swells were large, the boat would fall into immense troughs hiding the horizon line from view. With a long sail day we navigated through Graham Passage, Hughes Bay and Sterneck Bay on our way to what would be one more amazing encounter with Antarctica. Acting equally as unconcerned for our departure as they were of our arrival, they awkwardly waddled off without giving us a second thought. Just twelve people in the hull of a sailboat, drifting amongst the coldest and most remote wilderness on earth. 99% of Antarctica trips start from either Ushuaia in Southern Argentina or Punta Arenas in Southern Chile. The pristine environment, flush with wildlife, distant from everything. We survived the harrowing turbulence on the Drake Passage, our lives in the hands of our skipper and his two crew. We were very impressed with the proactive response re the flight delay from Buenos Aires to Frankfurt. Your two main considerations should be which part of the continent to visit and whether to travel by ship or plane. United States Of America, Swoop was brilliant throughout, from making the initial booking to steering us through the pre-trip preparations. Nearby Port Lockroy is yet another show stopper, Dorian Bay, which made a wonderful place for a kayak and land adventure. We hauled in the anchor and set sail into the 131 kilometer passage made infamous by the polar explorer Ernest Shackleton. The neighboring islands supported a unique mountain habitat with all three brush tailed penguins. Learn how your comment data is processed. The majority of cruises leave from Ushuaia (Argentina), whereas Fly & Cruise trips leave from Punta Arenas (Chile). Winds had dropped to a mere 25-30 knots meaning that the Drake was looking about as good as it gets. The bays were glassy, sea birds abounded and dozens of seals lay on the sea ice nearby. Our on board scientist lead small group research to coastal colonies where we recorded the vocal displays of Gentoo,ChinstrapandAdelie species. Would love a breakdown of the fees of something like this. One popular destination is Port Lockroy, formerly a British base on the West Antarctic Peninsula. Port Lockroy is beautiful with the Seven Sisters mountains to the east looming over huge powdery snow drifts. It was right in our wheelhouse but we wanted the experience to ourselves, not shared with hundreds of others on a large cruise ship. There is little that can compare to the free feeling of cutting through the crisp air and still waters in our kayaks. Enjoy daily, Explore the White Continent onboard one of the newest additions to the Polar fleet, a state-of-the-art expedition vessel combining adventure with comfort. As they approached, they disappeared for several minutes before one suddenly breached from beneath our boat causing everyone to scream. Travel on outstanding expedition ships with optional kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. Choosing the best time to visit Antarctica is a crucial part of the planning process. Spacious cabins, delicious cuisine and optional adventure activities all help create this ideal marriage of comfort and. This was the first areas where we saw any land vegetation. We kayaked between giant blue icebergs while penguins swam at our sides. The weather quickly shifted from snowy and grey into the remarkably warm polar sunshine we had wanted. We witnessed icebergs break and flip upside down exposing the areas previously underwater to view. Month of travel, length of trip, whether you fly or sail, and the level of comfort will have an influence on the end price. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Prices change based on trip, length, cabin and availability. After a ridiculous half day of touring, pictures and videos on base, we escaped to enjoy the final hours of 2018 in peace in the most beautiful place in the world. Optional kayaking & polar, The great strength of this trip is choice - the widest selection of departure dates and optional adventure activities available across four first-rate ice-strengthened ships (128 to 199 guests). For ease and efficiency few things beat flying to Antarctica. Emperor penguins and your plane, Weddell sea, Fly over the Drake Passage in just 2 hours, both to and from Antarctica. However, there are private individuals navigating the Antarctic Treaty territory unmonitored, whose presence is only registered upon berthing at Port Lockroy. Looking at these photos, I have to take a slow, deep breathso peaceful. While wenever approached wildlife, many species had no problems coming to inspect our strange arrival. Even checking that we had arrived at our hotel in Buenos Aires. Eventually our skipper saw a gap in the weather big enough for us to escape. In any event you should become acquainted with the rules of proper behaviour on location prior to the start of your journey. Choosing the best time to visit Antarctica is a crucial part of the planning process. Chinstrap penguins couple changing duties after one returned from sea. It takes 48 hours to reach the Antarctic Peninsula by boat, and just 2 hours by plane. You can get to Antarctica by boat or plane. Read the full review. We sailed for eighteen days, watched glaciers crumble, kayaked with whales and broke through ice. This was the beginning of our scientific penguin research program which would ultimately span nearly a dozen outings. As surgical and finance career professionals, the two of us made the decision to live and not just exist. Getting to Punta Arenas via Santiago:There are daily, direct flights to Santiago from New York, Miami, Dallas and Atlanta (approx 8-10 hours). Aside from experiencing the Antarctic at night, . Explore the route to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas. The bay was surrounded by gigantic mountains with every other available space filled with glacier. Ask our specialist for assistance if you're unsure. For as strange as these birds act on land, they seem more fish than fowl in the water. Unless one goes there, no one can believe how vast and how wild the white continent is. Several yachts are members in the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and are thereby subject to compliance with its regulations. In addition to cruise ships, yachts are an everyday sight in Antarctic tourism. Minimum travel time & maximum exploring time and all the benefits of only 73 people, This impressive Polar Circle voyage combines all the comfort and expediency of flying in both directions with extended time in Antarctica (7 full days). We moved to the neighboring Half Moon Bay to drop anchor. Privacy policy, Antarctic Interior and South Pole Expeditions, What Our Customers Think of How to get to Antarctica. We traveled through the middle section before sailing to King George Island at the far northern tip where we flew to Punta Arenas, Chile. Ideal for those wanting a high comfort level, but who have limited time or are anxious sailors. Sailing remains the most popular way to get to Antarctica, and for good reason. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Our trip departed from the harbor in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in Argentina. My advice is to review the videos that are out there on a trip to Antarctica. Not a group to shy from adventure, we looked for a safe passage through the rippling layer of ice. Our group took turns washing dishes in the tiny galley to assist our French chef after meals. Using a drone to scout a safe passage through the ice. We have seen climate change first hand and knew that now was the time to delve into this elusive continent. Discover more about combining Patagonia and Antarctica. Our boat sat among beautiful icebergs which changed to a deep shade of blue in the sunlight. Maybe it was the midnight mood lighting or maybe it was our imagination, but they seemed not to share our feeling of loss. There were continuous attempts by skuas to steal chicks being sheltered by their parent. Receive monthly Antarctic travel inspiration and ideas. 32 different yachts landed in its small natural harbour during the 2012/2013 season. At times it can feel like the coldest place on earth when the sun is obscured and winds are strong, but a little sun can make it seem rather warm. Discover more about combining Patagonia and Antarctica, Get in touch today and start your journey. Fully surrounded by snowy hills and glacial mountains, the constant noise of avalanches and calving echoed around the boat.
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