Tours to Antarctica. How to get on an excursion to Antarctica? Distance to Antarctica

The southernmost continent in the world remains the most inaccessible. The first people appeared in Antarctica in 1821. Since then, the most fearless travelers have dreamed of visiting here. But this works out to no more than 40 thousand people a year. It is very difficult to get here and the climate here is harsh: in winter it reaches -75 degrees Celsius, and in summer -40 degrees, although on the coast the temperature in summer can rise to +5.

Previously, the journey took up to three years and was deadly, but now coming to Antarctica is difficult, but possible. Here are three ways:

1. Become a scientist, fireman, chef, artist, etc.

Depending on the season, there are about 70 scientific stations operating in Antarctica. The largest is the American McMurdo. Its employees travel on military aircraft. Here they study the continent's ice sheet. From Russia, the Vostok scientific station operates here, where 20-40 people work (depending on the season).

If it’s too late for you to become a scientist, sometimes vacancies appear to work at stations. Firefighters, chefs, hairdressers, plumbers and representatives of other professions who make life easier for scientists are needed.

There is also the National Science Foundation, which is dedicated to Antarctic artists and writers. Its participants can go to Antarctica to implement their project.

2. Become a marathon runner or extreme skier

Yes, there are marathons and ultramarathons in Antarctica. The registration fee for the Antarctic Ice Marathon and Half Marathon is 15 thousand euros (962 thousand rubles). The price includes: flight to Antarctica from Punta Arenas (Chile) and back, food and accommodation at the station, professional photographs, participation medal, T-shirt and other souvenirs. The 2018 competition will take place from November 21 to 27. You can register. Before filling out you need to get a doctor’s recommendation, and after that you need to buy insurance for 100 euros.

3. Go on a cruise

So far, this is almost the only way to get to Antarctica for people who are not connected with science. You won’t be able to buy a plane ticket either – there are no commercial flights to the continent (you can check through airline ticket search engines).

Most ships depart to Antarctica from the city of Ushuaia, which is located in Argentina. Cruise prices start at $3,000 and sometimes reach $30,000 per person.

For example, for 6 thousand dollars (342 thousand rubles) per person in a three-berth cabin you can book an 11-day stay on the Ocean Diamond. It will pass through the Drake Passage and the South Shetland Islands. Along the way there will be a landing at Livingston and Petermann Islands, as well as a boat trip in Neko Bay. Along the way you will see penguins, killer whales, whales and other animals. The price includes: accommodation on board, meals, excursions, lectures, insurance and rental of clothes for walking. Additionally, you will have to pay for air travel to Argentina (from 119 thousand rubles per person) and incur other expenses.

Antarctica (or Antarctica - from the Greek ἀνταρκτικός - the area opposite the Arctic) is a continent located in the very south of the Earth, the center of which practically coincides with the South Pole of our planet. Antarctica is washed by the waters of the Southern Ocean and has an area of 14.4 million km2, 1.6 million km2 of which are ice shelves, which are sources of huge icebergs. The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest on the planet, containing about 80% of all fresh water on Earth.

Geographically, the territory of Antarctica is divided into regions (lands) named after the travelers or famous personalities who discovered them: Queen Maud Land, Wilkes Land, Victoria Land, Mary Byrd Land, Ellsworth Land. Some adjacent islands belong to Antarctica.

The existence of the Southern continent (from the Latin: Terra Australis) was assumed for a very long time; on ancient maps it was often combined with South America or with Australia, which was named after this hypothetical part of the land. However, only the expedition of Thaddeus Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev in the south polar seas on the sloops “Vostok” and “Mirny” confirmed the existence of the sixth continent of the Earth. This happened on January 16 (28), 1820 (the official date of the discovery of Antarctica) in the area of the modern Bellingshausen ice shelf.

Antarctica does not belong to any state in accordance with the convention of December 1, 1959 (entered into force June 23, 1961), signed by 28 states and dozens of observer countries.

Any type of activity other than scientific activity is prohibited in Antarctica. This includes the prohibition of the deployment of military facilities and the entry of warships and armed vessels into its waters (south of 60 degrees south latitude). In addition, Antarctica is a nuclear-free zone, so nuclear-powered ships are also prohibited, and there are no nuclear power units on the mainland.

Flight time:
(flights to Punta Arenas airport, Chile)
from Moscow - from 26 hours 50 minutes. (2-3 transfers)
from St. Petersburg - from 26 hours 35 minutes. (2-3 transfers)
from Kazan - from 35 hours 20 minutes. (3 transfers)
from Ekaterinburg - from 35 hours (3 transfers)
from Novosibirsk - from 37 hours 20 minutes. (3 transfers)

In total, there are about 45 research stations in Antarctica, owned by different countries and operating all year round. Today there are five Russian ones: , Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Vostok, Progress. You can read more about Russian stations in Antarctica on the website of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of the Russian Federation ().

How to get there

According to the International Association of Tour Operators in Antarctica (IAATO), about 36 thousand tourists visited the southern continent in 2010. To keep Antarctica's unique natural environment intact, restrictive regulations were introduced to protect the environment from intensive human encroachment, allowing only a certain number of passengers (up to 100 people) to disembark at a time. After all, every person who sets foot on the ice continent brings with him bacteria that are alien to its ecosystem and dangerous to the living organisms inhabiting it. Today, liners entering Antarctic waters are equipped with special equipment to minimize possible threats.

There are two ways to get to Antarctica: by plane or by ship.

Read more about options with a ship in the special material “Cruises to Antarctica from different countries”, where you will find information about:

Plane from Chile

The most popular air route to the icy continent begins in the Chilean city of Punta Arenas. Airplane excursions to the shores of Antarctica can be one- or two-day. Two-day tours include an overnight stay at the Chilean Frei station. Theoretically, Russian tourists can spend the night at the Russian Bellingshausen station, located nearby, having previously agreed with scientists through the AARI.

The Chilean airline operates flights to Antarctica using Beechcraft King Air 100 (6-seat) or BAE-146 (60-seat) aircraft. The cost of one-day and two-day trips can be found on the airline's website. You can read a review of a two-day trip to Antarctica this way.

You can buy a combined water-air tour to Antarctica from Punta Arenas at one of the largest travel agencies in Latin America. The plane with tourists departs from Punta Arenas, flies over Cape Horn and the Drake Passage, and a couple of hours later arrives at King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands. From there, tourists get to the icy continent on board a sea vessel, thereby saving a lot of time.

You can get to Punta Arenas from Santiago by planes of South American airlines such as or. The most convenient way to get to Santiago from Russia is by airline flights and via Paris and Madrid, respectively.

Plane from South Africa

Another air route to Antarctica is from Cape Town, South Africa. The flights are organized by a Russian company (Antarctic Logistics Center International) in Cape Town, with which many Russian travel companies cooperate. The flights are carried out by Il-76TD aircraft, the travel time is 6 hours, the final point of the route is the Russian Antarctic station Novolazarevskaya, next to which a snow-ice runway was built back in 1980.

Airplane from Australia

There are also air flights to Antarctica from Australia. Air communication with Antarctica was established under the auspices of the government's Australian Antarctic Division so that scientists and participants in research expeditions could reach the continent. From the island of Tasmania in the Antarctic summer (from mid-October to mid-March), a regular flight (Airbus A319-115LR aircraft with tail number VH-VHD) flies about 4 times a month from the city of Hobart to the ice strip named after. Wilkins 70 km southeast of the Antarctic Casey station. Airplane travel time is 4.5 hours.
Thus, only scientists and various specialists who got a job at Antarctic stations can travel by plane from Australia to Antarctica.

For ordinary tourists who want to get to Antarctica by air from Australia, only “sightseeing” excursions are available. They involve flights over the surface of Antarctica without landing, accompanied by a thematic lecture by a specialist from the Australian Antarctic Division. The flight lasts around 12-13 hours. The cost of the pleasure is $1000-6000, depending on the chosen class of service and the location (closer to the window or further away). The flights are carried out by a non-state company.

Climate and weather in Antarctica

The climate of Antarctica is extremely harsh and cold. In its eastern part, at the Vostok station, on July 21, 1983, the lowest air temperature on Earth in the entire history of meteorological measurements was recorded: 89.2 degrees Celsius below zero. This area is the Earth's pole of cold. However, seasonal temperature changes are still observed in Antarctica.

Spring is coming to Antarctica gradually. First, it warms up on the Antarctic islands: the Falkland, South Shetland and South Georgia. The warm air then moves further south. Therefore, most cruises and flights to Antarctica are organized between November and May: navigation becomes possible, and the temperature, although low, allows landing on land.

Photos of Antarctica

What to see

Flora and fauna of Antarctica

The flora of Antarctica is most widespread in the coastal zone. Terrestrial vegetation in areas deprived of ice is represented by various types of mosses and lichens, and does not form a continuous cover. On the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent islands, two species of flowering plants grow - Antarctic meadowsweet and Quito colobanthus.

The fauna of Antarctica consists of various species of seals (Weddell seals, crabeater seals, leopard seals, Ross seals, elephant seals) and many species of birds, including a couple of species of petrels (Antarctic and snowy), two species of skuas, Arctic terns, Adélie penguins and emperor penguins. South Georgia is considered the habitat of emperor penguins. Birds lay eggs in December, so in February tourists can already see fluffy chicks in pebble nests, which were incubated (more precisely, “rested”) by male penguins for 63 days.

Virtual tour of Antarctica from

Connection

Try to plan your trip to Antarctica in advance because almost all cruise lines offer significant discounts for early bookings.

Cloth

Try to take clothes for several seasons at once, since it may be high summer in the country of your departure to Antarctica (Chile, Argentina). Your clothing should also be layered, as temperatures in southern latitudes vary significantly throughout the day. Don't pack heavy parkas without checking your cruise details first—many cruise lines give these jackets to their passengers. A wool sweater is worn under these jackets. You will also need windproof, waterproof, insulated pants. In addition, do not forget to take gloves, a scarf, a warm hat, and thermal underwear.

IAATO requirements, designed to avoid harm to Antarctica's fragile ecosystem, require all tourists to bring a set of clean clothing to wear on shore. Don't forget about the little things: sunglasses, sun cream, swimsuit (if the boat has a jacuzzi).

Equipment

For your photography and video equipment, you should use a UV filter or light filter and lens cap. It is also recommended to bring extra batteries and batteries, as they discharge much faster in the cold.

Health

IAATO requires all travelers to complete an IAATO Medical Questionnaire and have it certified by their physician prior to issuing travel documents. You must take the completed form with you and give it to the doctor on the ship. In your personal first aid kit, in addition to individual medications, there should be tablets for seasickness.

As everyone has long known, Antarctica is the southernmost and coldest corner of our planet. Only penguins and other beautiful animals for which this climate is quite suitable can live permanently on its territory. The air temperature in Antarctica does not rise below -5 degrees, but it can drop to -60 degrees Celsius.

Detailed map of Antarctica

Since the country is not intended for permanent residence, it would be logical to assume that a visa is not required. Indeed, who will check it with you upon arrival? A visa to Antarctica is not required in 2019. There is no visa for this particular continent, which does not officially belong to any state.

If you decide to spend your holiday in Antarctica, then take care of planning your route in advance. This is due to the fact that you will need to obtain a visa for the country from which you will take the ferry or fly to Antarctica.

Accordingly, the documents and requirements for a visa are different for all countries. Ferries most often go there from New Zealand and Argentina. Therefore you will need, for example, . . Therefore, in order not to obtain additional permits, you can travel to Antarctica from this country.

Tours to Antarctica

Antarctica has become a very popular destination among tourists. Despite its harsh climate, thousands of people travel there on their own every year or buy tours to Antarctica.

First of all, this is due to the fact that Antarctica is extremely beautiful, and in its vastness you can see penguins, fur seals, polar bears and many other interesting animals.

Since permanent life in Antarctica is not provided, you will not find any hotels or restaurants upon arrival. Your guide will meet you and take you to the tent where you will stay during the entire tour.

Tours to Antarctica are not cheap, but if you decide to visit this continent, this will not stop you.

Most often, a travel company recruits a group of such a size that it can completely buy out seats on the ferry that will take you to Wonderland.

This is for your convenience only, so that you can communicate with other tourists in your native language.

Nuances of visiting

Antarctica is considered a continent with pristine nature, unique flora and fauna. This leaves a certain imprint on the possibility of visiting her. No more than 100 people can descend on its shores at the same time.

This is not a simple whim. These are completely reasonable demands. Antarctica is sterile in its own way, and every new tourist who comes there on their own or using tours to Antarctica brings with them alien microorganisms that have a detrimental effect on nature.

What to take with you

A trip to Antarctica will definitely be one you will remember for the rest of your life. To ensure that only positive memories remain, you need to think through everything down to the smallest detail. Particular attention, especially if you are traveling on your own, should be given to the list of things that are recommended to take with you.

Here is a basic list of things that you can add at your discretion:

Is it possible to travel with children

Usually children are not taken on this kind of trip, since the climate is not entirely suitable, and the trip to Antarctica itself is not an easy test. However, there are still people who prefer to travel exclusively with children.

Tour operators do not prohibit this kind of action, but they decline all responsibility for the health of the latter. That is, if you take your child with you, you will have to monitor him tirelessly to avoid possible complications.

What to see

Despite its harshness, Antarctica is very picturesque. There are many places that you won't see anywhere else. A wonderful phenomenon such as the bloody waterfall deserves your close attention and visit. There you will see a stream of water flowing out of the glacier. This stream has a bright red color, which is why it got the name bloody.

You will also be offered numerous picturesque mountains, Deception Island, and several straits where you can see local wildlife. Surprisingly, there is even a monument to V.I. Lenin in Antarctica.

Cruises to Antarctica were a dream for a couple of years. Today everyone can see the delightful landscapes of the snow-white continent.

The main thing is to get ready for an extreme vacation, after which you can already look for tours and find out how and what to get to Antarctica.

Those who want to go kayaking or skiing should improve their physical fitness.

Read on for more details about the nuances of a holiday on the icy continent and its cost.

Antarctica is a place for the elite.

After all, who, besides pioneering scientists, lovers of extreme recreation and adventure seekers, will like:

murderous winds,
low temperatures,
lifeless polar plateaus,
huge blocks of ice.

In practice, the situation is different: every year this continent, which does not belong to any state, is visited by more than 50 thousand people. There are not many Russians among them - about 1%.

The Argentine Navy first took tourists (about 500 people) on board in 1958.

The trip to Antarctica was such a success that in 1969 Lars Erik Lindblad launched the Explorer, a ship specially built for Antarctic cruises, and began regular tourist expeditions to the most little-explored continent on Earth.

The number of people wishing to see:

the silvery glow of snow;
cold waters that are home to whales and seals;
penguin colonies.

Antarctica is protected from intense human invasion.

Therefore, tourism to the south polar region is an increasingly popular destination.

Cruise to Antarctica: a journey to the South Pole of the Earth

How to get to the ice continent?

There are only two ways to get to the unique region:

Sky;
By sea.

From different parts of the globe people go here:

cruise ships,
aircraft,
icebreakers,
yachts.

When going to Antarctica, you should choose your wardrobe so that your clothes are multi-layered.

Don't forget to take with you:

insulated waterproof trousers,
thermal underwear,
warm headdress,
scarf,
gloves.

However, do not rush to pack heavy parkas without first checking the details of the cruise. Most companies give such jackets to their passengers.

Tours from Argentina

From this country you can only get to the mainland of interest to us by sea. The boats depart from Ushuaia, a small town in the south of the country. From there to this amazing part of the land is approximately 490 nautical miles (1.5-2 days of travel). The shortest and most economical way.

Trip from Chile

Both ships and commercial flights depart from here.

The route to the icy continent by plane will begin in Punta Arenas.

Here tourists will board a Beechcraft King Air or BAE-146, accommodating 6 and 60 passengers, respectively. Local travel agencies offer one- and two-day trips.

Cruises from New Zealand

Starting points are in Littleton and Christchurch. The distance to the place is 3000-3100 km.

Air flights with landing on the ice strip named after. Wilkins also exist in Australia, but only scientists can use them. Tourists have access to “sightseeing” excursions, which involve a non-stop flight over the surface of Antarctica.

Cruises from Russia

This service is offered by many travel companies, but they only involve the formation of Russian-speaking groups. They will go on a trip from one of the places listed above.

Sea cruises to Antarctica are the most popular. They allow you to fully enjoy the exotic beauties, go deep into the mainland, and see penguins and other representatives of the local fauna in close proximity.

The level of comfort largely depends on the type of vessel.

Small and large expedition vessels

Most of them are Soviet scientific icebreakers left without funding, converted to transport tourists.

Among the advantages of icebreakers is their maneuverability, which allows them to reach secluded fjords and make frequent landings on shore. There is only one drawback - lack of comfort.

Examples of expedition ships:

"Clipper Adventurer"
"Academician Sergei Vavilov"
"Plancius".

Their capacity is from 107 to 122 passengers.

Tourists are accommodated in cabins with or without amenities, including:

restaurant with free seating,
restroom,
lecture hall.

Communication with the ground is maintained via satellite telephone and Internet.

Among the amenities, it is worth noting the presence of:

gym,
swimming pool,
saunas,
massage room.

For photo and video equipment you will need:

lens cap;
light filter or UV filter.

Also, don't forget extra batteries and rechargeable batteries, as they drain quickly in the cold.

Icebreakers

Nuclear icebreakers delivering tourists to Antarctica:

"50 Years of Victory"
"Captain Dranitsyn"
"Captain Khlebnikov"

In addition to closed rescue boats, they also include helicopters. They are used for landings on the coast.

Icebreakers move in any navigation conditions and make it possible to explore extremely inaccessible areas of Antarctica.

Sailing ships

About a dozen sailing ships sail to Antarctica 3-6 times a week. Often there is an expedition on board, and tourists are taken as guests.

The yachts are equipped with berths, but what they lack in comfort they make up for in complete freedom of movement through the icy waters.

Discounts are available for early booking of the tour.

Spirit of Sydney 'Australis'"SEAL" are sailing yachts specializing in commercial expeditions with video filming. Capacity – from 4 to 20 people.

Cruise ships

On board the liners they can comfortably accommodate from 200 to 1000 people. However, tourism in Antarctica will be more contemplative.

If there are more than 500 people on board, the ship does not have the right to disembark.

When the number of tourists is from 201 to 500, the requirements are also high:

limited drop off areas;
reduced time spent on land.

Restrictions are imposed to avoid harm to the ecosystem.

Seasickness and storms are easily tolerated on liners.

The atmosphere of home comfort is provided by the following on board:

theaters,
restaurants,
fitness centers,
Beauty Salons,
outdoor swimming pools,
recreation areas with panoramic windows.

In addition, each cabin has:

bathroom,
air conditioner,
satellite TV and telephone,
minibar and electricity.

Very popular today. You will visit many European countries.
What is attractive about a wedding in the Czech Republic? Find out how to organize a grand celebration in the land of freedom and lovers.
We bring to your attention the prices of a cruise on the Black Sea. You may find them quite attractive.

Landings: excursions and activities

Excursions to Antarctica necessarily involve landings on the shore (their number depends on the number of passengers on the ship and the weather).

Tourists get to the islands on Zodiac-type rubber boats. They are designed for use in difficult weather conditions.

Zodiacs are also used for excursions:

to the waterfalls,
to the rock bird colonies,
to the icebergs
to mammal rookeries.

In addition, during excursion tours there is an opportunity to look at the scientific base where research scientists live and get acquainted with their life and customs.

A holiday here may include some unusual and even extreme entertainment.:

Hiking on skis and snowmobiles;
Kayaking;
Camping;
Diving under the ice of ice shelves;
Hot Air Balloon Flight;
Snowshoeing;

All tourists, in accordance with IAATO requirements, are required to fill out the IAATO medical form and have it certified by their doctor before issuing travel documents.
You must take the questionnaire with you and give it to the ship's doctor.

When to go?

The tourist season on this harsh continent lasts from November to March.

Going to the mainland in October - November, you can see the Antarctic spring, the time when penguins choose a mate and give stones as a sign of love (they later go to build a home).

In December-January, nature blossoms, and penguins look for food for their growing offspring. The only way to see this is on a New Year's cruise to Antarctica.

There are even special family tours, during which children are given Christmas gifts and a festive table with a children's menu is organized.

The climate of Antarctica is extremely harsh and cold.

In January-March, night frosts already begin, the sun begins to set below the horizon. They say this is the best time for whale watching.

Cost of travel to Antarctica

How much does a cruise cost? This is the question asked by all those who have a desire to see representatives of the Antarctic fauna and ice shelves with their own eyes.

The price of the trip is calculated individually for each tourist, because the cruise program can be designed for a period of 8 to 21 days. Also important:

service level,
number of travelers
departure date.

Therefore, it seems possible to indicate only the average prices for tours to Antarctica from Moscow:

Term	Price	Vessel
“Aero Cruise to Antarctica + Crossing the Arctic Circle” (from Argentina)
9 days	$14.190
Flight to Punta Arenas is additionally paid (RUB 72,000)

"Exclusive tour to Antarctica" (from Ushuaia)
17 days	$12.150	"Prince Albert II"

"Antarctic Express"
9 days	4.000 €	Liner "Ocean Nova"

"The Continent of Antarctica: Active Exploration"
11 days	7.725 €	Ortelius (expedition vessel)
Camping – 125 €, Kayaking – 325 €

"The Antarctic Peninsula and the Weddell Sea"
15 days	8.200 €	"Polar Pioneer"
The ship's crew is Russian-speaking, a guide if there is a group of Russian-speaking tourists

Crossing the Antarctic Arctic Circle (air flight + cruise)
9 days	$11.700	“Ocean Nova”
Full board

Residents of the northern capital can book tours to Antarctica from St. Petersburg:

Cruise "Antarctica, Weddell Sea, South Georgia and Falklands: Cruise and Land Passage"
20 days	$12.415 *	"Polar Pioneer"
* The price is indicated for a cabin without amenities. The cost of a three-day trek through ice crevasses is $1,250.

"Zimbabwe - South Africa - Antarctica"
11 days	29.360 €
Visit to the Novolazarevskaya scientific station, accommodation in the camp.

"Antarctica: Continent of Extremes"
11 days	$6.974 *	"L'Astral"
*Harbor charges are not included.

New Year's Antarctica Cruise
11 days	$6.595 *	"Ocean Diamond"
* No relocation. Landings twice a day

Day flight to King George Island
1-4 days *	$4.582
* The duration of the expedition depends on weather conditions. A unique expedition, maximum 6 people.

Ross Sea: Expedition to the Heart of Antarctica
29 days	$18.700	"Professor Khromov"
A corner of the planet accessible for visiting only 2 months a year

What could be more interesting than! You will have a wonderful rest and see numerous attractions of these countries.
If you have long dreamed of going somewhere fishing, then watch the video of winter fishing in Kamchatka. It really is a very fun and rewarding activity.

It is generally accepted that a trip to Antarctica is something akin to playing Russian roulette. Tourist flows to this coldest, driest and windiest place on Earth began back in the 1950s, but even 15 years ago, traveling here was a real challenge. Today, you can get to the southernmost continent without any problems. Look at the numbers: last year 37,405 people visited Antarctica, in 1999 - 10,000, and a hundred years ago, in 1914 - 0 people.

But be that as it may, Antarctica is still the most remote and inaccessible wilderness in the world, many times more difficult to reach than almost any land mass on the planet. First, you'll need a permit and will have to comply with the Antarctic Conservation Act, which prohibits interfering with the local ecosystem in any way. If you decide to step to the “bottom of the world”, you have only 5 ways to do it.

1. Become a local station employee

The least expensive (and longest in terms of stay) way to Antarctica is to become an employee at one of the local research stations. The US government's National Science Foundation (NSF) operates three bases on the continent: Palmer, Amundsen-Scott and McMurdo. But you don't have to be a scientist - bases also need cooks, plumbers, roofers, pilots and forklift drivers. The Antarctic stations are maintained by the Lockheed Martin company. You can view available vacancies on their website.

2. Become an artist or writer

According to the NSF website, participation in the project, which will "promote understanding of Antarctica and help document America's Antarctic heritage," will get you free airfare and accommodations on the southern continent.

The Foundation gives preference to long-term projects and invites writers, directors and even artists working in the installation genre.

3. Be a scientist

The US government is also willing to spend money on scientists who can convincingly show that their research requires a trip to Antarctica. A complete list of those the fund is willing to support can be found on the NSF website.

4. Buy a sea tour

Most people get to Antarctica with the help of tour operators and, as a rule, by water, since this is the most economical route, although trips already cost from several to ten thousand dollars. The departure point is usually the port city of Ushuaia in southern Argentina.

Before landing in Antarctica, you'll have to sail past penguins, icebergs and through the shipping hazard of the Drake Passage.

All operators involved in tours to Antarctica are members of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, which ensures that travel does not harm the environment.

5. Buy a plane ticket

If you want to ski to the South Pole, conquer Vinson Massif (Antarctica's highest point), or wander the vast expanses of the continent, you'll have to fly. There are no regular commercial flights to Antarctica, so you will have to travel to Cape Town, South Africa, where the International Antarctic Logistics Center is located, from where you will be transferred to the Russian Novolazarevskaya base. There is another option to use the services of Adventure Network International, which flies from Chilean Punta Arenas to the small base of Union Glacier, from where guided expeditions start. In any case, you will hardly be able to find a ticket for less than $20,000 per seat on the Il-76.

It might be useful to read: