The Crew at ExpeditionTrips.com: How to Choose the Right Antarctic Trip
by the Antarctic Specialists at ExpeditionTrips.com

ExpeditionTrips.com specializes in helping people choose the perfect Antarctic trip. We work with the majority of vessels that explore Antarctica. Between us, our staff has traveled to Antarctica over 100 times. Our mission is to help you understand the differences between the trips and choose the right Antarctica program based on your own interests and requirements.

Why visit Antarctica?
If you are planning a trip to Antarctica, get used to answering this question! Antarctica is without doubt one of the most spectacular and pristine wilderness areas on Earth. Icebound during the winter months, certain regions of Antarctica’s coastline explode with wildlife during the Antarctic spring and summer months. Penguins, seals and whales are attracted to Antarctica’s nutrient rich waters to feed, breed and frolic. The abundant wildlife, dramatic scenery, towering majestic icebergs, and surreal stillness make a visit to Antarctica one of the most fantastic experiences imaginable.

Antarctica – Where to go?
Most trips visit the Antarctic Peninsula, as this is where the majority of penguins nest. Extending northward like a panhandle, the 800-mile long peninsula stretches towards South America. The Antarctic Peninsula is the best area to see the wildlife. This region is absolutely spectacular with its towering granite mountains, crystal clear waters, and immense ice-blue icebergs. The Antarctic Peninsula is also the most accessible Antarctic Region. It is only a two-day journey from Ushuaia, Argentina.

Do Antarctic trips only visit the Antarctic Peninsula?
Some trips also visit the ‘Sub-Antarctic Islands’. These Islands are located far enough north from Antarctica to not be icebound in the winter, and are a year-round haven for numerous wildlife species. The most well known Sub-Antarctic Island is South Georgia. Made famous by the intrepid explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, South Georgia offers visitors an entirely different experience than Antarctica and is well worth a visit.

Stepping ashore in South Georgia, visitors discover tens of thousands of king penguins, nesting albatrosses, fur and elephant seals. The scenery is also stunning: immense, jagged mountains, verdant green tussock grass, and pristine beaches. South Georgia was at one time the hub of Southern Ocean whaling; hence, several abandoned whaling stations remain here. The most well known is Grytviken, where polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.

Some expeditions venture to the Weddell Sea, located east of the Antarctic Peninsula. Known as one of the most dynamic and fast-changing regions of Antarctica, the Weddell Sea offers remote scenery and is home to towering tabular icebergs, pack-ice, wildlife-rich islands, Leopard and Weddell seals, and penguins galore.

Any trip that visits South Georgia will also visit the Falkland Islands, a group of remote Sub-Antarctic islands that are a British Territory. The Falkland Islands offer their own unique collection of wildlife combined with a culture that is considered by many to be more British than in Britain itself! The Falklands are often the starting or ending point for trips that include Antarctica and South Georgia.

In addition to trips leaving from South Americpa, each year a few trips visit Antarctica from either New Zealand or Australia. These trips visit the Ross Sea and McMurdo Sound area of Antarctica. These voyages offer travelers the chance to discover frozen relics of the past: historic huts from early exploration such as Robert Scott’s 1901-1904 Discovery Hut. Passengers can also visit research stations and learn of the scientists’ polar work. Those daring enough can experience the thrill of flying in a helicopter to remote emperor penguin colonies.

Finally, for those who want to see it all: The Kapitan Khlebnikov offers semi- and full-circumnavigation of Antarctica trips every few years. These expeditions journey to less-explored shores aboard a polar-class icebreaker carrying just 108 passengers, and feature helicopter excursions, regular Zodiac landings, and specialist presentations. These once-in-a-lifetime epic voyages trace the routes of past explorers, visit historic research stations, and encounter a wide array of wildlife.

When is the best time to visit Antarctica?
The Antarctic season is between late November and early March.

November & Early December (Late Spring / Early Summer)
• Winter pack ice is melting and breaking up. The scenery is white, clean and pristine. View pack ice and giant icebergs.
• Courting season for penguins and seabirds – see spectacular courtship rituals.
• Seals visible on fast ice.
• Spring wildflowers in the Falklands and South Georgia.
• Elephant and fur seals establish their breeding territories.

Mid-December and January (Mid Summer)
• Normally Antarctica’s warmest months.
• Longer days create great light conditions and late night photo opportunities.
• Antarctic chicks hatch.
• South Georgia and the Falklands – first penguin chicks emerge and fur seals are breeding.
• Seal pups visible on South Georgia and the Falklands.
• Receding ice allows for more exploration.

February and March (Late Summer)
• Whale sightings are at their best.
• Penguin chicks start to fledge.
• Receding pack ice allows ships to explore further south.
• More fur seals in the Antarctic Peninsula.

How do I visit Antarctica?
ExpeditionTrips feels that the best Antarctic experience in on a small ship ranging in size from 50-200 passengers. This style of trip is referred to as 'expedition cruising' and differs from a normal cruise in that a great deal of your time will be spent off the ship. While larger vessels do now visit Antarctica, you are unable to get off the ship! To us, this just seems a crazy waste... you might as well rent an Antarctic video and save your money!

Most of the vessels that travel to the Antarctic also carry Zodiacs, rubberized landing craft that enable passengers to journey away from the ship and land virtually anywhere. Naturalists accompany travelers and offer a wealth of knowledge when interpreting the destinations and wildlife. These trips are very casual, with open seating in the dining area, comfortable yet simple accommodations, and everyone on a first name basis. Combined, these elements result in a fun, educational, and, for some, addictive experience!

The following is brief overview of the different styles of vessels that offer the very best Antarctic experience. There are four types of vessels: Small Russian Ships, Icebreakers, Expedition Vessels, and Luxury Expedition Vessels.

Smaller Russian Ships: The smaller Russian ships tend to offer more active programs and attract a younger clientele. These ships were originally built for polar research and all have ice-strengthened hulls. When the former Soviet Union collapsed, many ships were chartered by adventure tour companies to bring travelers to the Polar Regions. The accommodation on these vessels is simple – comfortable, but not luxurious. These trips often feel more like a private expedition than a conventional cruise.

Icebreakers: The icebreakers often explore the most remote areas, located further south, where an icebreaker is needed to safely explore in more extensive sea ice. These are true expeditions. There are often helicopters onboard. These voyages attract well-traveled people who want to see areas of Antarctica where few vessels have ventured. They usually operate longer itineraries and are generally more expensive.

Expedition Ships: The expedition ships offer more comfortable accommodations and higher quality of onboard service and dining. They provide a higher academic experience and have excellent expedition staff. Typically, there is a 10 to 12-person expedition staff, each with a specific area of expertise. Rates vary from vessel to vessel, but the price is generally higher than the first two styles of ships. The clientele are usually fifty and above.

Luxury Expedition Vessels: These ships offer an even greater level of comfort than expedition ships. Cabins are typically larger with a wide variety of amenities, passengers enjoy formal dining and sophisticated cuisine, and ships are newly built or renovated with aesthetically appealing interior designs.

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To confirm your trip or if you have questions, please call our office toll-free
1 877 412-8527, or email info@expeditiontrips.com. Our company founders worked on the ships as Expedition Leaders for years and ALL of our reservation staff have traveled to Antarctica and have toured the vessels. We are ready to help you make the right choice when choosing your Antarctica trip and look forward to hearing from you soon!