Have you ever had the insane wish to travel to the least travelled continent of this world? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go to Antarctica? Well, you don't have to wonder anymore because I have got it covered through this post.
After all, Antarctica isn't that inaccessible as most people imagine it to be. More than 45,000 travelers from the United States, China, Australia, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, India and many more countries have travelled to Antarctica in 2016-17.
When is the Best Time to Visit Antarctica?
The usual Antarctic travel season November to March which is the summer time in Antarctica. The temperature ranges from 20 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Late December and early January is the best time to spot penguins. But if you are more interested in whale watching, then the ideal time would be February to March.
There are various other activities which can be done on this continent like snowboarding, kayaking, skiing, snowshoeing, camping, and so on.
How to Get to Antarctica?
You next question must be - How will I go to Antarctica? Well, the answer isn't very straightforward. Many of us have watched movies like Eight Below where the protagonist went to Antarctica from New Zealand or Australia, but simplest way to go to Antarctica is from Ushuaia which is a city at the southern tip of Argentina. You need to first reach either Buenos Aires, Argentina or Punta Arenas, Chile because these cities have international airports.
During the summers, ports in Ushuaia are busy embarking and disembarking expedition vessels to Antarctica. Various companies offer cruises ranging from 9 to 24 days.
They traverse the Drake Passage, a 600 mile body of water between South America and Antarctica.
People can also take a plane from Punta Arenas to an airstrip on an island adjacent to Antarctica. From there, they will be on board the expedition ship which will take them to their destination.
Things to Pack when going to Antarctica
- Waterproof Pants
- Binoculars
- Camera and lenses
- Knee-high waterproof boots
- Waterproof gloves
- Sunscreen
- Medications
- Lots of warm clothes, beanies and socks
How long can an expedition take?
Different websites come up with different itineraries. While searching through various sites can be confusing, it should be kept in mind that these plans are not rock-solid but to give you an idea of what to expect. Some expeditions also allow you to explore the sub-Antarctic regions of Falkland Islands and South Georgia.
There are some express expeditions which takes about eight to ten days while there are some more laid back expeditions which take up around three weeks or more. The most common one usually last for ten days with five full days of exploring the Antarctic continent. If you are on a tight budget, then you can choose to fly from Chile but otherwise, it is recommended to sail from Ushuaia through the Drake Passage as it provides amazing views which stay imprinted in your brain for the rest of your lives and give you a great opportunity to explore the wildlife.
Why you should take an expedition ship and not a cruise
Expedition ships are smaller and unlike commercial cruise ships, they would allow you to actually set foot on the Antarctic Peninsula. You will also come in contact with various scientists and researchers who are conducting their research.
Large cruise ships which would only give you a glimpse of the glaciers carry around 700 to 3000 passengers while the smaller expedition ships would carry 50 to 100 people at once. Smaller groups allow a better exploration of the 7th continent and also allows various activities which are not possible on a large cruise.
The expedition ships are designed in such a way so that they can withstand contact with sea ice and icebergs. They allow you to immerse into the traditional feeling of sailing and gives you a more intimate introduction to the 7th continent.
Things to do in Antarctica
- Camping
You can set up a sleeping bag among the glaciers as your ship slowly sails away. You are surrounded by a few other brave souls who accompanied you to the continent of ice. The silence surrounds you as you drift off to sleep knowing that what you have accomplished, many people would not dare to in their whole lives.
- Kayaking
Sea kayaking has been a very popular sport among the travelers who go to Antarctica. It allows you to navigate between the icebergs and get a better look across this continent. This kind of experience can leave lifelong impressions.
Some people also pursue mountaineering and snowshoeing which are included in most of the expeditions.
You Can Do It!
Although visiting Antarctica sounds insane but trust me it is easier than it seems. With every passing day, the world is developing and all the things that we consider impossible are becoming more possible and achievable.
Comentarios