trip to antarctica | How to travel in Antarctica

How to travel in Antarctica


3 parts: Getting to Antarctica by boatFlying to AntarcticaOrganize your trip

Traveling to Antarctica is one of the most exhilarating journeys you can make. Even if the trip is expensive, it is really spectacular and you will never forget it. Antarctica is an inhospitable and distant place, so this destination will necessarily be different from all the others. However, there are some possibilities for intrepid explorers who want to witness the majesty of this frozen continent. Whether you want to travel by boat for several weeks or by plane for a day, if you go ahead and you have a comfortable budget, you can afford the trip of your life.

Part
1
Traveling to Antarctica by boat

1
Embark aboard a cruise ship. The most common way to travel to Antarctica is to take a special cruise ship. Cruises of this type vary, but generally last between 10 days and three weeks [1]. You can take different routes to the peninsula depending on your starting point. The advantages of cruises are that everything will be provided on the boat and that you will be able to see Antarctica and its wildlife for a long time.
Most trips to the Antarctic Peninsula start from Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego in Argentina, from Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, from Hobart to Tasmania or from Invercargill to New Zealand. Some leave from Punta Arenas in Chile, Buenos Aires or Puerto Madryn in Argentina.

2
See if you want to take a big boat or a smaller one. There are boats of all sizes: they can hold from 45 to 280 passengers. They all have advantages and disadvantages. In general, larger boats are more comfortable and better equipped, but you will probably have fewer opportunities to land in Antarctica and see things very closely.
On the high seas, the bigger boats are more comfortable, but the regulations regarding the number of people who can visit the coast will limit your chances.
The smaller boats allow more time to be spent on the spot: the regulation concerning tourist visits limits the berthing to 100 people [2].
All good cruise tour operators are registered with the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), so it's a good idea to check it out as you plan your trip. It supports trips to Antarctica that respect the environment [3].
The price of cruises varies, but for a 10-day trip, count at least 4,000 euros and from 10,000 to 20,000 euros for the longest journeys [4].

3
Travel on a sailboat. Joining Antarctica on a sailboat is possible, but it is not very common and is better for experienced people than for the average tourist. There are many recreational companies that are licensed by IAATO and organize trips to Antarctica. You can contact them [5]. The sailboats leave rather Ushuaia or Stanley and are reserved for very brave and adventurous people.
For smaller boats, travel conditions are far more dangerous than on larger ones [6].
This option is expensive and can exceed 900 euros per day for each traveler [7].

4
Travel on a French refueling boat as a tourist. The ship Marion Dufresne II leaves the island of Reunion Island and takes about a month to arrive safely [8]. The number of tourists allowed on board is limited and you will have to contact the Reunion tourist office for information on departure dates, availability and cost [9].
In 2014, the fare was 8,300 euros in the double cabin and 16,500 in the individual cabin for the month [10].
Part
2
Fly to AntarcticaImage titled Travel to Antarctica Step 5
1
Take the plane. This is probably the most direct way to see Antarctica. You can book a flight to admire the whiteness of the peninsula from above. This is a good option for those who want to travel in one day and spend a few hours over Antarctica, then return home the same day. You will enjoy the view as experts comment on what you see from the plane and you will be given food and drink. [11]
Australia is the only place from which you can catch these flights. [12]
You will need to do this in advance.
If you want to approach and observe nature closely, this option will not suit you.
Depending on your place, the tickets will go from 1,000 to 7,000 euros [13].

2
Find a flight that lands in Antarctica. If you want to set foot in Antarctica, there are some companies that offer this service from different locations. Your destination will depend on the rest of your trip, so think about it: is it better to leave Australia, Chile, South Africa or Argentina? Search for departure dates from each region. Keep in mind that flights to Antarctica are less frequent and less predictable than ordinary flights [14].
Some tour operators have agreements that include landing in Antarctica and skiing, climbing or camping there. [15]
You can reach the island of King George from Punta Arenas in Chile and spend the night in a camp reserved for tourists [16].

3
Learn about cruise and plane options. The cruise and plane package is another option: it reduces the time spent on a boat (avoiding the Drake Strait known to be difficult to pass), while allowing you to approach. You can take a flight to King George Island and embark on a boat that will bring you closer to the fauna and landscapes of the peninsula.
This can be a good option if you want to see ice and nature up close, but you do not want to travel for too long aboard a cruise ship. However, it will not be cheaper.
Expect to pay between 9,000 and 12,500 euros for a two-week trip [18].

4
Remember that bad weather can ruin your plans. Flights may be canceled due to bad weather or other security reasons. This is the case for any flight in the world, but the extreme conditions that govern this region of the world make it happen much more often. The best thing to do is to read guides on Antarctic travel or consult specialized websites as details may change from year to year depending on availability or interest.
Part
3
Organize your trip

1
Choose the right period. The tourist season in Antarctica covers five months, mainly during the austral summer (November to March [19]). At any other time of the year, it is extremely cold and dark and the pack ice is frozen. Know that even if there will be fewer people at the end of the season, most of the wildlife will already be gone and returned to the sea. Here is what you can hope to see during these months:
in November, the pack ice begins to break and this is the breeding season for penguins and other birds,
in December and January, baby penguins hatch and are fed in the nursery,
from February to March, they cover themselves with feathers, the adults moult and one can easily see the whales [20].

2
Plan a huge budget. This is an extremely expensive destination that does not leave you with many options unless you are employed. You will have to spend at least 4,500 euros and this is just the necessary. You will not necessarily have the best seats or opportunities.
It is possible to pay less with last minute offers for cruise ships from Ushuaia. You must be in town, flexible and able to board immediately. It's a risky option, but if you do, you can save a lot of money. [21]
If you do not want to leave as a tourist, think of other options, like joining a government expedition. To do this, you must have technical, scientific, medical or other skills such as being able to cook for many. You must also present an impeccable professional history as a state employee. [22]
Traveling as a guest of a team is another possibility. Some people are offered as journalists, photographers or artists to travel all expenses paid. It also depends on your skills.

3
Be aware of the health and safety risks. The Antarctic environment is dangerous for humans. The weather can deteriorate rapidly and it is very cold, even during the summer (the maximum temperatures on the coasts are generally between 5 and 13 ° C). There are dangers like crevasses on icefields and glaciers. The risk of fire is also high because of the very dry environment, so handling flammable materials must be done with care.
Read on to find out what equipment and what clothes to pack. You will need waterproof clothing. You may be able to borrow clothes during your cruise, but they may not be able to go [23].
There is no recommended vaccination for Antarctica, but you must be in good physical condition and not have a health problem, because the medical treatments are basic and not very provided in relation to the number of passengers. If you have health concerns, your doctor should detail them in a letter, especially if you need to take medication with you.

4
Respect the fragility of the Antarctic environment. It is fragile and, except for expeditions, bases and some tourists, men have made few changes. Wildlife is always afraid of humans because of centuries of negative interactions. It is important to respect the pure nature of Antarctica and to ensure that tourism does not have a negative impact. There is a visitor guide adopted by the Antarctic Treaty that regulates visitor activities and it is worth reading in the preparation of your trip [24]. Here are some basic things to keep in mind:
do not get too close to animals and do not bother them,
do not throw trash,
do not degrade anything: all human-built structures have historical value and many huts have an inheritance. Do not burn anything in rocks or any other material,
take only pictures. Leave eggs, shells, plants, rocks, fossils, earth, etc., where they are.

5
Enjoy your trip because it only happens once in a lifetime. It's a journey that no one can forget and that we always want to talk about. If you love pristine beauty, fantastic scenery, wildlife and you're not afraid of getting cold, this trip could be perfect for you.
Advice
Carry enough clothing: it does not matter if you are in July or January, remember that it is cold in Antarctica.
Reliable tour operators submit to the Antarctic Treaty. Review its contents and accompanying instructions before leaving.
Make sure you sign up for good travel and health insurance before you leave. In addition, discuss with your doctor any health concerns that may turn into an emergency. There are few doctors in Antarctica.
Since this experience is very expensive, people often save for years. If this is your case, keep in mind that you will need to regularly check the updated information, especially if you are doing it well in advance, as there are often changes in the travel industry to Antarctica depending on climatic conditions and the needs of scientific research.
Find out how to be a 'good citizen' in nature. There is no authority in Antarctica and your behavior is governed by the laws of your country.
Do research on different organized trips and different formulas to find what interests you most and fits your budget.
warnings
The weather in Antarctica is extreme. Prepare for intense sun, strong winds, ice and extreme cold.
Traveling to Antarctica can be relatively expensive, but, if you can afford it, it's an exceptional trip.
Leave with all you can. Do not leave any trace.
See the manufacturer of your photographic equipment if it can withstand extreme weather conditions.
Necessary elements
Appropriate clothing, boots and other items such as goggles, gloves and a balaclava (ask your tour operator to suggest a list of things to take away and a list of what will be provided to you )
Medications you usually take
Books and magazines to pass the time during the trip
A camera and a battery (check that they will work in cold weather)
Snacks that you like and that the tour operator will not provide you
The Antarctic visitor's guide and the Atlantic Treaty (you can find all this documentation on the internet before leaving)