ANTARCTICA...
The Ultimate
Travel Experience

"Take only photographs, leave only footprints"...

Your fantastic journey to the white continent will most likely start from the port city of Ushuaia (1.200 km. away), in Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire), southern Patagonia, Argentina.
Also the southernmost tip of the American Continent.

To the Ross region and eastern Antarctica, the usual ports of departure are Hobart (Australia) and Auckland and Lyttleton-Christchurch (New Zealand).
However, bear in mind that these are longer and more expensive trips.

Tourism to the Peninsula started in 1966, when Lars-Eric Lindblad conducted the first expedition cruising- coupled with education as a major theme.
Before that, human activity was limited to early explorers, those seeking fortune in the exploitation of seals and whales and to scientific research and exploration.
By 1969, the "Lindblad Explorer" was built and he started the modern expedition cruise industry.

Today, some 25 thousand tourists visit the place every summer...and increasing.
Antarctica cruise has a different flavor than a Mediterranean or Caribbean cruise for instance - which are more entertainment oriented, with late nights, dancing, cocktails and fun.

Nevertheless, you could still get some of it by choosing large vessels, but they usually involve sightseeing only, without landings.

Expedition cruising is more educational, with lectures and video presentations conducted by experts and veterans of the eternal ice. Involves landing as well.

Take your pick and plan beforehand, then select a ship/tour company that cater for your needs.

Let's experience Antarctica through this short video (music of Vangelis)...

And talking about cruise lines/tour companies, please make sure they are members of the International Asstn. of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO).
Back in 1991, IAATO was founded by seven private tour operators. Today, has grown to include 68 members in several countries.

Their mission is..."dedicated to appropriate, safe and environmentally sound private sector travel to Antarctica"..among other goals.
Please check with www.iaato.org to learn more about it.

Only 100 passengers at any one time may be landed in any one place, therefore, if your ship is larger, there will be less opportunity for landing.

More to this point...

• All landings are "wet", there are no harbors there.
• You will approach the coast by rubber boats (Zodiacs, most likely) and will jump to the water to disembark.
• Knee-high rubber boots are necessary, as well as impermeable clothes, sunglasses and sun protector.
  Get some cream to protect your skin and lips as weather is very dry.
• You'll be briefed about how to approach fauna, procedures on landings and transfers to/from the vessel.
• No food or drink to be taken ashore.
• Landing will vary from 5 minutes to 3 hours.
• Some Zodiac trips don't involve landing, just glide among icebergs or skirt a beach.

Summer (November to March) is the time to get there.
You'll get daylight for over twenty hours a day.
Temperature will vary somewhere around -5C. to 10C., as a rough indication.

The lowest ever temperature was recorded at the Russian Vostov station: -89.6 Celsius.

For the most adventurous and sports oriented, Antarctica gives you the option to practice some...

• scuba diving
• sea kayaking
• ice climbing
• camping ashore

So please choose your ship/tour company accordingly.

Let's have another taste of Antarctica through this wonderful National Geographic Podcast called "Inside the Emperor's World".
It's all about the Emperor penguin, another magnificent creature of the eternal ice...

Have a fantastic travel experience in Antarctica!...

If you plan to board a cruise from Ushuaia, Argentina, have a look at Ushuaia page, ther's is plenty to see and visit while you are there...

How to Get to Ushuaia:

By Air:

There are direct flights from Buenos Aires (Aerolineas Argentinas / Austral)to Ushuaia.
You could also get a flight connexion in El Calafate, main gateway to Glaciers National Park.

To/from Chile you can fly with Aerovias DAP that service Punta Arenas-Ushuaia on a Twin Otters 20-passenger three times a week in high season. It costs around US$100.00

By Bus:

It's a two-leg trip for a total of 3,220 km (one way)...

• From Buenos Aires to Rio Gallegos. There are several bus companies that run this service from Retiro Bus Station.
• Rio Gallegos to Ushuaia. This overland trip - serviced by Tecni Austral - crosses the Magellan Strait before reaching your final destination. So you will have to do Customs.
  It certainly is a long journey but you will experience Patagonia in a unique way.
  Time permitting don't hesitate to do it.
  You'll love it.

There is not direct service between El Calafate and Ushuaia. Nevertheless, you have two options...

• Via Rio Gallegos
• Via Chile: You will do Puerto Natales-Punta Arenas-Ushuaia.
  We did it and enjoyed all the way...

Where to Stay:

• Hostal Del Monte: Rosales 305, Tierra del Fuego
• La Posta Albergue: Peron Sur n 864, Rafaela Ishton Nº 865
• Hostel Cruz del Sur: Calle Deloqui 636,
• Cabañas del Hain: Barrio Tierra de Leyendas
• Pueblo Viejo: Gobernador Deloqui 242,

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