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Country Facts
Population
Between 1,100 to around 4,400
Capital
Does not have a capital
Area
Mass of ice and rock extends over 14.2 sq.km
Time Zone
South Pole (UTC+13)
Currency
Antarctic dollar
Antarctica: Ice Paradise Awaiting To Be Explored
The magnificent ice continent of Antarctica is an unforgettable destination, teeming with an abundance of wildlife and dramatic sights.
Antarctica is the coldest, driest and windiest place on the planet and 98% of it is covered by ice that is at least a mile thick. Antarctica has no permanent human population but at any one time there are a number of scientists and staff at the various research stations.
Follow in the path of the great expeditions from the golden age of polar exploration with modern, spacious and well-designed ships for the journey of a lifetime.
These pages are designed to be a comprehensive guide to the full range of Antarctic cruises and expeditions which travel between October and March, avoiding the darkness of the Antarctic winter. Early booking is advisable – usually a year in advance.
Some itineraries include the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Shetlands.
Most itineraries include the Antarctic Peninsula, some also include the Weddell Sea and there are a few which cross the Antarctic circle.
Most cruises will start or end in Ushuaia, in southern Argentina, from where it is a day and a half’s journey to cross the Drake Passage to reach the Antarctic Peninsula.
If time is short and you don’t have particularly good sea-legs, there are some Antarctic Air-Cruises which include flights from Punta Arenas in Southern Chile to and from King George Island in the South Shetlands, avoiding crossing the Drake Passage in each direction.
Other itineraries start on King George Island and end in Stanley, in the Falklands Islands, which would involve a flight southwards from Punta Arenas and crossing the Drake Passage by boat northwards (or vice versa).
At the end of the season, there are some itineraries which include remote islands such as Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and Ascension Island.
We also book tailor-made tours to the Falkland Islands, with flights from RAF Brize Norton or via Chile.
Important Information about Antarctic Expedition Cruise Ships
Travellers to Antarctica need to understand that landing sites are restricted in Antarctica according to the capacity of the ship.
Category 1 expedition vessels (up to 200 passengers): These have the broadest range of potential landing sites.
Category 2 expedition vessels (201-500 passengers): These are permitted to land in a few restricted areas only.
Cruise-only ships carrying more than 500 passengers are not permitted to make landings.
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands consist of two main islands together with over 700 smaller islands and islets. The Falklands are teeming with wildlife, including 7 species of penguin, the world’s largest colonies of Black-browed albatross, the endemic Falkland steamer duck and Elephant seals. The sea trout fishing season runs from September to April with ideal conditions usually September/October and March/April.
Tailor Made Itineraries:
We arrange tailor-made tours to the Falkland Islands making use of regular flights from RAF Brize Norton or by scheduled flights via Santiago. We book flights to islands within the Falklands archipelago with FIGAS (Falkland Islands Government Air Service) and will arrange battlefield tours to Goose Green, San Carlos and Mount Tumbledown for travellers with an interest in the 1982 conflict with Argentina.
Expedition Cruises:
Each year a number of expedition cruises include a stop at the Falklands on a journey to South Georgia and/or on to Antarctica. These itineraries usually only stay for a day or two visiting such places as West Point Island with notable colonies of rockhopper penguins and black-browed albatrosses, Carcass Island with gentoo and magellan penguins and Stanley. Amongst the birdlife are southern giant petrels, endemic Falkland steamer ducks, kelp and dolphin gulls, black-crowned night herons, red-backed hawks and peregrine falcons.
Unquestionably, the longer 18-21 day itineraries which combine the Falklands Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica make for the very best of expeditions. These are sometimes referred to as Epic or Ultimate Antarctica journeys.
Landings
Travellers to Antarctica need to understand that landing sites are restricted in Antarctica according to the capacity of the ship.
Category 1 expedition vessels (up to 200 passengers): These have the broadest range of potential landing sites.
Category 2 expedition vessels (201-500 passengers): These are permitted to land in a few restricted areas only.
Cruise-only ships carrying more than 500 passengers are not permitted to make landings.
Geography
Note: you should be able to use the zoom on the map above to help identify all key locations:
Ushuaia, Southern Argentina – the starting point for many expedition ships to Antarctica.
Punta Arenas, Southern Chile – you can fly from here to King George Island (South Shetlands) to board your expedition ship.
Drake Passage – the ocean between the southern tip of South America and Antarctica.
South Shetland Islands – 11 major islands including King George Island, Deception Island, Livingston Island and Elephant Island.
Antarctic Peninsula – 60 miles southeast of the South Shetland Islands, the 600 mile long arm stretching out northwards and eastwards from the bulk of the Antarctic continent. The tip of the peninsula is Antarctic Sound.
Falkland Islands – 300 miles east of southern Argentina. The Falklands consist of 2 main islands (East and West Falkland) and around 740 other islands and islets. The capital is Stanley. There are flights between Stanley and Punta Arenas.
South Georgia – 860 miles southeast of the Falklands.
Weddell Sea – the sea on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula from Antarctic Sound.
South Orkney Islands – a small group of islands 375 miles northeast of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Coronation Island is the largest.
Antarctic Circle – the most southerly of the parallel circles of latitude. Some of the trips to the Antarctic Peninsula attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle through the Lemaire Channel and into the Penola Strait.
Welcome to Antarctica & Falklands!
– Antarctic Peninsula:
- Spectacular Scenery
- Abundant Wildlife
- Gerlache Strait
- Polar Exploration
– Falkland Islands:
- Stanley & Port Howard
- Over 700 Remote Islands
- Exceptional Wildlife
- History & Photography Tours
– South Shetland Islands:
- Elephant Island
- Deception Island
- King George Island
- Livingston Island
– South Georgia:
- Salisbury Plain
- Grytviken
- Glaciers
- Drygalski Fjord
Preparing For A Trip To Antarctica?
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Visa Information / Entry requirements – Antarctica
Although there are no entry requirements for Antarctica itself, travellers must pass through either Argentina or Chile to get there. The port town of Ushuaia in Argentina and the port city of Punta Arenas in Chile are the two key gateways to the White Continent, from which travellers either sail or fly south to the ‘end of the Earth’.
Chile and Argentina’s borders are currently open to international travellers, but the entry requirements vary, so if you haven’t decided on a specific trip or voyage just yet, we recommend reading the travel information for both countries.
Please click the links below for up-to-date visa and entry requirements for British nationals travelling to South America:
Argentina: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/argentina/entry-requirements
Chile: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/chile/entry-requirements
Falkland Islands: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/falkland-islands/entry-requirements
Passport validity
Please make sure your passport is valid and up to date. In general terms, your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from your date of arrival into all South American countries.
Travelling with children
Please contact us if you are planning on travelling with children to Antarctica as minimum age restrictions may apply.
Single parents or adults travelling with children under the age of 18 are required to provide notarised documentary evidence of parental responsibility, or consent to travel from those with parental responsibility. Such documentation is often required before being allowed to enter Latin American countries and, in many cases, before permitting children to leave the country.
Local airport taxes
International and domestic airport taxes may be payable locally if it is not included with your airline tickets. This is usually payable in US dollars and it may not always be possible to pay by credit/debit card.
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Tourism Health Information – Antarctica
For any expedition cruise journey to Antarctica you must be fit enough to be able to board ships and disembark onto zodiacs and other support vessels.
For up-to-date advice on any vaccination requirements and any health risks associated with visiting South America and Antarctica please contact your local GP.
The following NHS website provides health information and advice for travellers to South America, the Falkland Islands and Antarctica:
www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/destinations.aspx#south-america–antarctica
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Weather & When To Go To Antarctica
Antarctica is the coldest, driest and windiest place on the planet and 98% of it is covered by ice that is at least a mile thick.
Antarctic expedition cruises travel between October and March, avoiding the darkness of the Antarctic winter. Early booking is advisable – usually a year in advance.
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Tailor-Made Holidays
At The Earth Trip we will design and plan your personalised itinerary according to the exact requirements of your trip. Whether you prefer to be on a mountaintop or under a waterfall; wake up in the middle of a jungle or have a picnic with locals in the tea plantations – we select the accommodation and activities in order to suit not only your preferences, but also your budget.
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