Antarctica

Next to Space travel this is probably the most exciting experience anyone adventurous can undertake!

The Continent of Antarctica is a great white desert which is larger than Europe. It is a land of extremes----the driest, coldest and most isolated place on Earth. The coldest temperature ever recorded is -89 degrees Celsius or -112 Fahrenheit. In summer at the coast temperatures can reach a balmy 15 Celsius or 59 Fahrenheit.

Unlike the Arctic, there are no permanent residents. There are various research stations, the largest being Russian. The average year round “population” is about 3,750, with a significant 5,000 plus during the summer months from November to February. There is an Orthodox church at the Russian Bellingshausen Station.

The Antarctic is colder than the Arctic as most of it is at an altitude of around 3,000 metres above sea level (nearly 10,000 feet). Much of it resembles the Andes, and there are several volcanoes, some active. The most recent eruption was in 2008. The highest peak is Vinson Massif located in the Ellsworth Mountains and is at 4,892 metres or 16,050 feet.

There is unique flora and fauna with numerous penguins, blue whales, orcas, colossal suids and fur seals. There are no polar bears.
Antarctica is both romantic and awesome. It has definite “wow” factor. Vast and ownerless, it is unique and a journey there is like no other.

What To See & Do

  • Not all of these moments can be arranged during our itineraries but they do include some visitors’ reported highlights:

  • Having postcards stamped at the Dome, South Pole

  • Taking a cruise on an inflatable rubber dinghy amongst the icebergs

  • Bathing in a thermally heated cove

  • Visiting famous explorers huts

  • Drinking Antarctic distilled Antarctic Old Fashion bourbon whisky with added glacier ice

  • Eating a BBQ set up on the ice

  • Seeing: icebergs, Emperor penguins, glaciers, seals and people who actually live there

  • 24 hours sunlight; the sun reflecting from the ice makes sunburn just as much a hazard in the summer as frostbite in the winter!

When To Go

Visits only take place in the summer months between November and February.