Antarctica – it’s a destination that many dream of and earlier this year I had the chance to make that dream come true when I visited the white continent. It was a highly anticipated trip, I had booked well in advance (over a year) to take advantage of a good deal and have enough time to save for the trip and be as well prepared as possible. I had booked the trip with Hurtigruten Expeditions, a 12-day Antarctic expedition cruise. The trip would begin and end in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I shared this trip with my mother, a trip of a lifetime for both of us, and we had booked the excursion to include a shared double cabin on the Arctic Superior ship with balcony.
Preparing for the trip to Antarctica
This trip is quite expensive and requires a lot of preparation and there is a lot to know and plan before departure and given that it is in the most isolated place on the planet, this is understandable.
Health and safety requirements for travel include:
- A doctor’s medical assessment
- An insurance policy with remote evacuation
- Current passport and visas (if required for Argentina)
- Vaccination
- Ship’s manifest
There are a whole series of requirements that must be met to be able to travel safely. Although children are welcome on the trip, the activities they can participate in are limited based on their age and anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present at all times.
Packing for travel to Antarctica
With the pre-trip planning complete and flights booked, I began purchasing and gathering the appropriate equipment, then packing for the extreme weather of Antarctica. On the ship, I just needed some light sweaters and pants for the winter. To observe the wildlife and landscapes on deck I needed a scarf, a hat, warm socks, comfortable walking shoes, a jacket (provided by the ship) and gloves and finally for landings I needed thermal clothing (trousers and tops), a warm sweater, a neck gaiter. gaiter/buff, hat, waterproof pants, several pairs of socks and waterproof gloves. Keep in mind that you are only down for a short time. Some items can be worn again, so you don’t need to pack too much.
Camera equipment was important and a large zoom lens was valuable to my DSLR camera because it allowed me to capture whales and icebergs in the distance. I also used my phone for quick snaps and selfies, as well as a Go Pro to capture all the action on land. At the time of our trip, no one was allowed to take a tripod into the field because there was bird flu which can be transmitted through contaminated surfaces. If you intend to take a trip, you should check what is allowed at the time of your expedition.
The journey to Antarctica begins
Once the long flight to Argentina was over, we had a few days sightseeing in Buenos Aires before joining the expedition and heading south to join the ship. A charter flight took us to Ushuaia, Argentina, nicknamed the “end of the world”. Upon arrival, we boarded a bus for a tour of Tierra Del Fuego National Park with its spectacular scenery of mountains and lakes. After the tour, we arrived at the port of Ushuaia and boarded the huge ship that would take us to Antarctica, the southernmost continent in the world.
Getting to Antarctica
We were traveling to the White Continent aboard a Norwegian ship, the MS Roald Amundsen. This was a reasonably new vessel built in 2019. It is a high-tech, sustainable hybrid Hurtigruten fleet that sails seasonally between the Arctic and Antarctica. With a capacity of 530 passengers, the ship has 265 cabins, 3 restaurants, a gym, a day spa, a science center, a conference space, a lounge and bar for explorers, observation decks , a rooftop walking/running track, an outdoor gym, two hot tubs, and a swimming pool. swimming pool with bar. An extensive crew and expedition team support all the excellent facilities on board. The Expedition team is made up of experts in their field – scientists and outdoor adventurers dedicated to keeping passengers informed, educated and safely experiencing the magic of Antarctica.
Once we left Argentina, we crossed the Drake Passage, renowned for the strongest currents and roughest seas in the world. The crossing certainly lives up to its reputation with the nickname “Drake Shake”. The crossing was very difficult on the first day and got better on the second day.
Arrival in Antarctica
After attending the obligatory briefings and equipping ourselves with our severe weather gear, we were ready to experience the Antarctic wilderness. As we were walking around the decks enjoying the sea view, we suddenly saw a huge iceberg.
We have finally arrived in Antarctica!
Our first landing was the next day at Damoy Point. We had received our landing order and it was time to get dressed for the first excursion. Waterproof pants, waterproof and windproof jacket, thermal layers, gloves, hat and sturdy rubber boots – preparing to land was certainly a process. Aboard a small inflatable dinghy or Zodiak, we headed toward the water and aimed for land. It was breathtaking. We feel so small, enveloped in a white and icy landscape.
The most amazing thing is the silence, there is no sound other than the song of the whale or the cry of a grumpy penguin or two.
Experiences galore!
The next 5 days in Antarctica were filled with incredible experiences: landings, ice hikes, iceberg cruises, whale and seal sightings, penguin and bird watching, educational lectures and the most pristine and beautiful landscapes. more breathtaking than one can imagine.
The program was subject to adjustments based on weather conditions and wildlife sightings and each evening a briefing was held to inform of the activities planned for the following day. There were so many activities offered on board and shipboard that there wasn’t much time to rest, but on an expedition that wasn’t the point of adventure.
I had the chance to make the big polar jump at Deception Bay during our last landing. Leaving all layers of warm clothing and boots on the shore and wearing only a swimsuit, I waded into the 3 degree Celsius water for a few brief moments completely submerged. The plunge into the icy water was quick to avoid attracting the attention of the nearby seals!
Leave Antarctica
After an unforgettable adventure, our exploration of the white continent was coming to an end. The return trip through the Drake Passage was surprisingly calm and rightly earning the title “Drake Lake”. The weather was beautiful with sunshine and blue skies. We returned safely to the port of Ushuaia and bid farewell to the ship and all the fantastic crew. We took the shuttle to the airport to return to Buenos Aires, Argentina on a dedicated charter flight.
Visiting Antarctica exceeded expectations and left us with lasting memories, a greater appreciation of the wildlife and ecosystem and the fragility of the global environment. Part of the learning along the journey has to do with what each person can do in their daily lives to preserve the beauty and wonder of white.
continent.
About the author:
Danielle is a freelance writer based in Melbourne, Australia. She is an avid traveler in Australia and has visited over 60 countries around the world. With a professional career in tourism and business development, Danielle enjoys sharing travel stories and adventures with others, encouraging them to get out and explore.
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