Are you considering taking a trip to Antarctica – the most isolated continent in the world?
It’s remote, extremely weather dependent, and one of the most pristine environments on the planet. It’s likely going to be one of the most unforgettable trips of your life but potentially the most admin heavy.
I recently travelled to Antarctica with my mother, who is 68 years young, and we took an expedition cruise with Hurtigruten Expeditions on the 12-day Highlights of Antarctica trip. This fully inclusive trip departed from and concluded in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
In planning for one of the most incredible trips of a lifetime I learned a lot. Here’s a guide to aid you in your planning to make the most of your adventure to the white continent.
Understand the travel time required
Most trips to Antarctica start from 12 days. The reason for this is that it requires a massive amount of time to reach the white continent.
Based on the itinerary I undertook, one day was required for travel from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia in Argentina, where the ship departs from. Once on board the ship, two and a half days is required to sail across the Drake Passage to reach the Antarctic Peninsula, and then further travel time to reach the continent and make landfall.
The same amount of time is required to return back to South America after the journey to Antarctica is complete. So, effectively it’s a 50/50 split between time spent to get to Antarctica and the time spent in the region. It truly is as much about the journey as reaching the destination.
Travellers also need to account for the travel time required to arrive in South America. From Australia, 16 hours of flight time is required simply to reach Buenos Aires.
Be prepared for lots of travel time if you decide to embark on a trip to Antarctica.
Know what you want to do and see
Antarctica is an extremely seasonal destination and the window for travel is very limited, with trips operating from late October to early April each year during the Antarctic summer.
Within this season is a wildlife season where particular species are more prominent and active, based on their breeding and migration patterns. For example, penguins are making babies and nurturing them early in the season. Mid-summer chicks are prevalent and adults are starting to need nourishment. Later in the season the chicks are grown and leaving the shores. If you visit in late March you’ll see fewer penguins as they have begun to head out to sea.
Whales are rare in the early part of the season as they are still making their way south. Later in the season they are far more prevalent, as they fill their bellies with krill in preparation for their breeding migration to the north.
If you’re intending on taking an expedition cruise this most likely means that you’ll be stepping foot on the land. A scenic cruise is different and you’ll most likely only observe the land and wildlife from the ship. Check with the tour operator to ensure that you get the experience you hope for. It’s an expensive error to make and most likely one that will be difficult to rectify once booked.
On-shore activities are also linked to seasonality. Earlier in the season, the land is covered in soft snow and overnight camping is possible. Snow shoeing is also a common activity offered earlier in the season. Kayaking in the early and mid-season is at its best, as later in the season the weather shifts to winter conditions where there wind picks up, hampering kayaking opportunities.
Ensure you’re aware of the requirements to travel
As you are embarking on a trip to the most isolated location on earth, there are some strict safety requirements to adhere to.
The company I travelled with required passengers to possess a travel insurance policy that included remote evacuation to ensure that, in case of an accident, there was sufficient insurance to cover any necessary requirements. A doctor’s medical review was also required, along with a medical declaration to identify any pre-existing medical conditions.
The trip is certainly not for the faint hearted and you will cross the most treacherous passage of water in the world, known as the Drake Passage. It’s more than likely you will experience some serious ‘motion in the ocean’ on the crossing. Those who suffer from seasickness or motion sickness should be aware and prepare accordingly. Even if you don’t normally suffer from seasickness, I would still suggest to take precautions as the ocean can be extremely rough.
Be aware of the packing requirements for Antarctica
Most trips to Antarctica depart from South America and, of course, it is summer in the southern hemisphere which means it will be warm (at least initially).
The tour I took departed from Buenos Aires in early March where daily temperatures were in the low 30s (degrees Celsius). As we headed south the temperature gradually dropped. From the port in Ushuaia, where the ship departed, temperatures were about 5 degrees Celsius. By the time we reached the Antarctic Peninsula the temperature dropped to -2 degrees Celsius – and this was in the summer!
For this reason, you need to pack for the warmer weather in Buenos Aires, especially if you plan to spend a few days pre and post trip in Argentina (which is highly recommended). You also need to pack for on-ship and shore activities (depending on your tour) and need to be able to change as quickly as Clark Kent so you don’t miss any pivotal moments.
On our trip, the jacket and boots were provided by the tour company – the boots were a loan item but the jacket was yours to keep. Thermals obviously are a must and layering was the secret to quick changes, warmth and comfort.
By day on the ship, once we reached the Antarctic Peninsula, I wore thermal leggings as day wear with a thermal singlet and a shirt or lightweight sweater. This allowed me to quickly throw on a jacket and be ready (and warm enough) to head out on deck when whales or other wildlife sightings were announced. I also wore a buff that could double as a head band or a scarf, or I wore a beanie.
Arriving on land required a little more preparation. The dressing process involved putting on two pairs of socks, long thermal underwear, thermal pants, waterproof pants, a thermal singlet, a long sleeve t-shirt, down jacket, beanie, neck gaiter and gloves, plus the provided jacket and boots. Fifteen minutes later we were ready to make landfall.
There are other packing requirements to consider, namely camera gear. I highly recommend taking a large zoom lens with your camera, and binoculars. I also took a GoPro to capture each landing and primarily used my phone to capture all the on-deck and on-shore antics. One of the benefits from the trip was a series of professional images that were provided from the official ship photographer, delivered six weeks after the trip concluded.
It goes without saying that a trip to Antarctica is truly unique and incredible, and armed with a little knowledge you’ll be able to make the most of every moment.
