Antarctica Travel Information – Trip to Antarctica

Antarctica is the earth’s last frontier, a pristine paradise of majestic mountains, gigantic icebergs and a beautiful sight against the blue ocean, covers most of the area in the Antarctic Circle. The White Continent, encased in eternal ice reaches a thickness of 4000 meters; the greatest desert and last true wilderness on the planet, where the sun doesn’t shine for three months in winter and doesn’t set for three months in summer, where storms rage and silence reigns. A voyage to Antarctica is perhaps the ultimate adventure journey. The Antarctic Peninsula extends over 1,900 kilometers towards South America. Less than 5 percent of the continent is free of ice; primarily coastal areas including Victoria Land and Wilkes Land. The region is confusingly tagged with many names, including the South Pole, the Antarctic Circle, the Antarctic Continent and the Antarctic Peninsula. While strictly speaking they are different geographical boundaries and locations, it is commonly understood that they refer to the vast expanse of ice covered land at the Earth’s Southern extremity.

Although it is possible to go there from several countries, the most popular departure port is Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, which teeters on the very edge of Argentina, and the options available range from a direct there – and – back trip to a more in-depth itinerary that takes you east to the Falkland Islands and then onto South Georgia before cruising south – west to the Antarctic Peninsula. When the seas calm down, it is fascinating to stand at the stern and watch the spectacular flying displays of the numerous seabirds, including albatrosses that follow the ship. And it is a thrilling moment when the first iceberg is spotted- an excitement surpassed only by the sighting of the first whales. With clear skies, and providing you can get yourself out of bed at 4 AM, you may be treated to a glorious sunrise upon arrival at the mountainous island of South Georgia. Before the voyage, most people expect that Antarctica will be the highlight of the journey, but South Georgia often ends up being their favorite place. It is one of the world’s truly magical locations, isolated and yet crammed full of incredible wildlife and rugged scenery.

Antarctica has an average land area of around 14 million km2 but it increases or decreases in size depending on the season. The ice layer is thickest at the center of the continent and declines in thickness towards Antarctica’s edges. Mount Vernon is the highest mountain on the continent. The mountain is 4,897 meters high and it was first climbed in 1966. The area around the South Pole is situated 2,804 meters above sea level. The average elevation of the continent is 2,340 meters. The Antarctic treaty, signed in 1959, declares that the continent will be used peacefully for the mutual benefit of all mankind. The Antarctic treaty system has stopped any potential mining efforts on permanent human inhabitants and there are also no land animals on the continent. In 1985, scientists discovered a hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica.

The large bays in the Ross Sea and Weddell Sea divide western Antarctica from the rest of the continent. Between these 2 regions lies the Transantarctic Mountain range. The Transantarctic Mountains are located near the South Pole and rise above 4,000 meters. Mount Kilpatrick, the highest peak in this range, rises 4,528 meters. The ice mass covering the continent is frozen but active. Large glaciers frequently break away from the continent’s edges and become ice bergs. Rivers of ice in the continent’s interior continuously create new glaciers. There are several large ice shelves in the continent including the Ross Shelf (490,000km2) and Filchner Ronne Shelf (450,000km2). The continent is surrounded by the world’s stormiest waters.

Antarctica is the coldest place of Earth. Temperature reaching -89.2 degree Celsius have been recorded at Vostok climate station in western Antarctica. Even in summer most of Antarctica has temperatures below the freezing point. Because of its cold temperatures and storms Antarctica is almost uninhabitable. Penguins live in large colonies in order to survive in this harsh environment. The Antarctic Peninsula lies between the Weddell Sea and the bellings Hausen Sea. The peninsula is over 1,200 kilometers long. Mount Jackson is the highest point in this region, rising almost 4,190 meters. The Antarctic Peninsula, which extends to South America, is Antarctica’s warmest region. Geologists believe Antarctica has large reserves of natural resources including oil, gold and natural gas. The highest peak in the mountain chain is Mount Kirkpatrick with a total height of 4,528 meters above sea level. Mount Minto is the highest mountain in Victoria Land. Around 2,500 scientists work in the over 50 international research stations in Antarctica. Cape Darnley borders Mackenzie Bay is home to a large colony of Emperor Penguins. Almost 12,000 tourists visit the continent every year.

In magnificent gold harbor, back dropped by the blue ice of the high, hanging glacier, the beach is alive with thousands of king penguins and their fluffy brown chicks, and with many species of seal including the monstrous elephant and fur seals. A further two days’ sailing over very rough seas, leads to Elephant Island and a call into point wild. The windswept spit, surrounded by soaring rock islands, is a daunting place even for a few hours. It is beyond comprehension that Frank wild, who was left in charge by Shackleton, and after whom Point wild is named, managed to maintain morale among the men who made camp there for four months, and ensured they all survived. The next place is Deception Island, where the ship passes through the narrow Neptune’s bellows into the flooded crater of a volcano. The moment you step onto land will be a memorable one. The stunning, ice-laden bay, its calm waters reflecting the enormous, crevasse-ridden, ice-blue glaciers above is a fitting place to end your visit to what is, without doubt, the most spectacular and Pristine continent on the planet.

A final two days’ sailing takes you back across the Drake Passage to Ushuaia – where you will probably yearn for the world of ice you have left behind.

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