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: fly by plane and sail by ship.
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.
Flights to Antarctica are operated by the Chilean airline DAP on 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. A review of a two-day trip to Antarctica in exactly this way can be read here.
You can buy a combined water-air tour to Antarctica from Punta Arenas at Goway Travel - 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 after a couple of hours 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 on South American airlines such as Lan Airlines or Skyairline. The most convenient way to get to Santiago from Russia is with Air France and Iberia flights via Paris and Madrid, respectively.
FLIGHT FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Another air route to Antarctica is from Cape Town, South Africa. The flights are organized by the Russian company ALCI (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.
PLANE 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 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 get 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 operated by a non-governmental company, Croydon Travel’s Antarctica.
EXPEDITIONAL CRUISE SHIPS AND THEIR TYPES
The sea route can be accomplished using an expedition cruise on specially equipped liners. This route is the most popular; it has a fairly long history: the first Antarctic tourists were taken on board by Soviet icebreakers, which were left without government funding during the split of the USSR. In this way, research ships financed their own scientific programs. These icebreakers can still be found in Antarctica today, they are called large and small ice-class expedition vessels. Originally designed for scientific purposes, they were converted to carry passengers.
Travel on such ships will not be luxurious; the environment on them is subordinated to only one goal - to get to know the amazing Antarctic world as much as possible. The lack of certain comfort will be more than compensated for by the very special “family” atmosphere that reigns there. A big plus will also be the maneuverability of these ships, which will allow them to enter narrow straits, make frequent landings, and get to secluded fjords.
Examples of such ships are the Clipper Adventurer for 122 passengers (cruise cost around $4,700), Polar Star for 105 passengers (from $9,600), Ushuaia for 84 passengers (from $4,300), and Antarctic Dream. for 84 passengers (from $6900).
Some expedition ships are equipped with special equipment that allows them to optionally provide their passengers with some active entertainment services: kayaking, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, diving.Such ships are “Akademik Sergey Vavilov” for 104 passengers (cruise cost from $3900), “Ocean Nova” for 73 passengers (from $5600), “Plancius” for 114 passengers (from $4000), etc.
The next type of cruise ships is luxury expedition ships . They combine the comfort of the interior, corresponding to the level of a 4-5* hotel, with the uniqueness of the routes and a fair amount of maneuverability. Among them, the most popular are National Geographic Explorer for 148 passengers (from $10,580), Prince Albert II for 132 passengers (from $8,760), Le Boreal I for 224 passengers (from 4,675 euros) and Le Boreal II "for 199 passengers (from $8895), "L"Astral" for 224 passengers (from 2550 euros).
And finally, the lords of ice and snow - icebreakers. These powerful ships, equipped with helicopters, offer their passengers the maximum possible range of activities: flying over the Antarctic coast, landing at almost any desired location and much more. The most famous Antarctic icebreaker is the Kapitan Khlebnikov for 112 passengers. The cost of a cruise on it varies from 9,900 to 38,000 dollars, depending on the duration of the cruise, program and accommodation conditions.
Since there are no piers or moorings in Antarctica, the liners enter glacial bays, where rubber boats (inflatable boats) of the Zodiac type, and sometimes kayaks, are used to disembark tourists. Each boat is accompanied by an experienced expert guide who will tell you a lot of interesting things about the pioneers of Antarctica and the unique geology and life forms found here.
Cruises operate from different places: from Argentina, from Chile, from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa.
Excursions to the South Pole are a new tourist trend.
The club of travelers who have visited polar latitudes thanks to tours from tour operators is expanding every year. An extreme cruise to the Sixth Continent is a unique opportunity to see the interesting world of icebergs and glaciers. Travel company Russia Discovery is the first tour operator in Russia offering both group and individual tours to Antarctica from Moscow.
Exploration of Antarctica continues to this day.Plants and animals living in ice-free Antarctic oases are being actively studied, and scientists are monitoring sea level changes.Antarctica is also open to walking and sea excursion tours.
The Antarctic Peninsula offers ski trips to the South Pole, excursions to the land of Queen Maud, the opportunity to be on board an expedition ship and other unique tourism offers.
You can:
Cross the Drake Passage, connecting the Antarctic Peninsula to South America.
Visit the polar stations of the South Pole.
Admire the beauty of the Arctic and Antarctic mountain ranges. The largest mountain range of the Antarctic Peninsula is Wilson, 4897 m above sea level.
Get acquainted with the amazing fauna of the Antarctic continent.
Will visit near subglacial lakes. Currently, Lake Vostok near the scientific station is considered the largest. Here at one time the lowest temperature on planet Earth was recorded.
Excursion tours to Antarctica
The travel agency offers travel in four unique destinations:
Crossing the Antarctic Circle (ship cruise from Cape Horn in the Drake Passage to the central point of the Southern Hemisphere).
East Antarctica: in the footsteps of Mawson. Expedition to the adjacent islands of the Southern mainland - Snarr and Auckland. Many operating polar stations are located here.
Whale Safari is a popular Antarctic itinerary. You will be able to see the remains of the whaling bases of West Antarctica.
Express tours on a luxury ship along the west coast of Antarctica.
Any expedition to Antarctica includes air travel, accommodation on a ship, excursions with the possibility of photo and video filming.
The goal of our company is to organize the most comfortable trip to Antarctica. Send a request to the manager to find out how much a particular tourist route costs. You can book a cruise to Antarctica online by indicating the month of your trip. When booking early, it is possible to pay for the travel agency's services in installments.
The most beautiful places on the White Continent are waiting for you!
Like any trip, a trip to Antarctica must begin with preparation. In this case, limiting yourself to ordering and paying for a tour will not be enough. We have prepared for you a detailed description of the routes, programs, a list of things you need to take with you and other useful information. So, our review of the best cruises to Antarctica that will give you a lot of impressions and emotions.
A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the website until June 30:
- AF500guruturizma - promotional code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
- AF2000TGuruturizma - promotional code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Tunisia from 100,000 rubles.
And you will find many more profitable offers from all tour operators on the website. Compare, choose and book tours at the best prices!
Until quite recently, our ideas about traveling towards the South Pole were limited to the achievements of expeditions of polar scientists and a few extreme sports enthusiasts. But exciting stories about the wild nature of Antarctica, bound by ice, photographs of its inhabitants, impressions of weather surprises - all this haunted many adventure lovers.
Sea communication with Antarctica began in the 20s of the last century, when mail ships from the Falkland Islands began delivering mail and equipment for whalers to the mainland. And the first commercial expeditions began to transport tourists only in the 60s, but these were still rare lucky ones. Just 10 years later, air carriers supported the interest of tourists in this direction by organizing air travel to Antarctica. They were carried out from Australia and New Zealand.
The real tourist flow began in the 90s, when several operators began to create cruise routes to the land of icebergs. The real boom in extreme tourism was noted after 2000, and in recent seasons about 50 thousand travelers visited Antarctica. True, the percentage of Russians in this number is small, but the interest of our tourists is growing every season. Everyone has the same dream - to see the endless rocky land covered with snow, floating ice blocks guarding the approaches to the shore, dark, restless ocean waters that have become home to seals and whales, and, of course, colonies of handsome penguins.
Antarctica carefully protects its territory from intensive human presence. Control over safety and compliance with environmental responsibility is carried out by the International Association formed by Antarctic tour operators. According to the Antarctic Treaty, today every tour operator must have permission to visit the southernmost continent.
The main thing you must understand is that a cruise to Antarctica will be an extreme vacation. Having realized and weighed your strengths and financial capabilities, you can begin to select a tour and get acquainted with the intricacies of the routes.
Choosing a route
You can only get to Antarctica by air or sea. Today, the coast of the southern continent welcomes planes, cruise ships, private yachts and icebreakers.
Flights to the southern continent are made by:
- airline DAP (from Pointe Arenas, Chile)
- ALCI airline (from Cape Town, South Africa)
- Croydon Travel's Antarctica airline (non-stop sightseeing flights over Antarctica; duration 12-13 hours)
Passengers are delivered by sea:
- Argentina, port of Ushuaia
- Island Tasmania (Australia), port of Hobart
- South Africa, Cape Town
- Chile, Punta Arenas
- New Zealand, Lyttelton port (many flights to Antarctica, including Macquarie Island, depart from here)
Departure point – Argentina
From Argentina to the Antarctic coast, tourists can only get by sea. The main Argentine port that receives ships in this direction is located in the very south of the country, in the city of Ushuaia. For tourists this is the most economical and shortest route. Various vessels moor here: luxury class, expeditionary and economy class.
When choosing a tour, pay attention to the class of the vessel. This is an important factor that must meet your needs. Remember that comfort on a sea voyage is directly proportional to the cost. From the port of Ushuaia to Antarctica it takes about 2 days. A significant, frightening for many, disadvantage of this route is the Drake Passage or the “Roaring Forties”. It is known as a place of strong winds, and ship captains call a storm of 4 points a real calm for these places.
Of course, tour operators and ship owners take the safety of tourists on routes very seriously. By the way, purchasing insurance, which includes the possibility of evacuating a victim from a sea vessel by helicopter, is mandatory for every tourist. Safety and the possibility of timely medical care come first. This is facilitated by both weather reports and passenger instructions. On ships, a drill drill must be carried out in full equipment with a trial placement of passengers in lifeboats.
Exquisite 19-day voyage on Silver Explorer
Dates: from 01/16/2020 – 02/03/2020
Price: from 19,440 €
The starting point is the Argentine port of Ushuaia, surrounded by virgin forests and a picturesque chain of mountains, whose name translates as “bay at the edge of the earth.” Sailing from the quiet Beagle Channel on a luxury liner, you will enter the Drake Passage, called by sailors the “window” of the westerly winds. Entering Antarctic Sound you will be treated to an impressive sight of futuristic designs of shining icebergs.
After passing through deep bays and past ornate fjords, the ship will approach the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, where tourists will meet polar explorers working at scientific stations. From here, on inflatable boats, you will be lucky enough to observe penguins, seals and cormorant nests up close. The cruise will continue to the South Shetland Islands, the impressive whale graveyard on Aitcho Island and the smoking craters of the volcanoes heating the thermal lakes on Deception Island.
Having enjoyed the lunar exoticism of the islands of Antarctica, the liner heads to the Falkland Islands, favored by families of the most devoted Magellanic penguins, populations of elephant seals and rare birds. Once docked at Port Stanley, make a courtesy visit to the Governor's House by signing the visitors' book.
Moving north, accompanied by black and white dolphins, dock at Puerto Deseado, where you will be captivated by the close-up observations of the habits of sea lions and the lives of thousands of penguin families, imposingly strolling along the coast, arguing over nests and preening feathers. Continuing along the route outlined by Magellan, you will arrive in Buenos Aires - the final destination of the cruise.
Exquisite voyage for 19 days
Liner: Silver Explorer
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A magical voyage for 19 days on the Silver Explorer ship
Price: from 18,630 €
The port on the Argentine island of Tierra del Fuego serves as the beginning of the journey to the mysterious snow-capped continent of Antarctica. Sailing through the ever-stormy Drake Passage past rocky shores inhabited by penguins, seals and populations of rare birds, you will land on the land of the Falkland Islands archipelago. They will impress with huge herds of sheep grazing on pastures, the most common habitat of Magellanic penguins and elephant seals.
Arriving at the port of Stanley, charming with brightly painted houses built from old ships, explore its sights, relaxing after excursions in cozy pubs. The South Georgia archipelago, which was previously the center of whaling, will amaze with snow-capped mountain landscapes, grand glaciers and colorful fjords. You will admire the king penguins and Gintu penguins, and observe the habits of the fur seals that live on the coasts.
The picturesque landscapes of Mordvinov Island and breathtaking views of huge icebergs will certainly remain in the photo album of an Antarctic cruise. As you approach the Antarctic Peninsula with its many scientific stations, meet polar explorers. From here, take boats to nearby islands to get an up-close look at the gushing whales and penguin life.
In the South Shetland Islands, you'll be amazed by the fantastic lunar landscape of Deception Island, with a coastline shrouded in steam from thermal lakes in which you can safely swim. An Antarctic cruise leaves in your memory a sea of vivid impressions from the most mysterious continent of the planet.
Magic voyage for 19 days
Ushuaia/ West Point/ Saunders/ Stanley/ South Georgia/ Fr. Mordvinova/ Antarctic Sound/ Antarctic Peninsula/ South Shetland Islands/ Drake Passage/ Ushuaia
Liner: Silver Explorer
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A magnificent 17-day voyage on the Silver Cloud Expedition
Price: from 13,230 €
Dates: 11/24/2019 - 12/10/2019
The expedition ship will cruise to the snowy landscapes of Antarctica from the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Sailing along the route discovered by the famous navigator Ferdinand Magellan, the ship will make its first stop in the port of Puerto Madryn for an excursion to the habitat of the world's largest colony of Magellanic penguins. The island of New Island in the Falkland Archipelago will surprise you with the diversity of penguins and marine animals not found in other parts of the planet.
The area is filled with the polyphony of slender-billed whalebirds, Magellanic gulls, black-browed albatrosses, and brown skuas. From Port Stanley, explore the town's sights and relax in one of the cozy pubs. After passing the exotic island of Mordvinov, similar in outline to the head of an elephant, in the Antarctic Sound, you will admire the beauty of shining ice and icebergs. In the most populated area of Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula, there are many scientific stations, adjacent to rookeries of crabeater seals and leopard seals, and noisy bird colonies.
On the coastal islands, tourists visit colonies of 3 species of penguins. There is plenty to surprise travelers in the rocky South Shetland Islands. Maneuvering between the small islands of the archipelago, the liner will practically enter the bosom of a volcanic crater - Deception Island. A picture of a deserted shore shrouded in steam will appear before your eyes. This is how an unextinguished volcano heats up the coastal pool, inviting daredevils to swim in Antarctica. From here the ship, entering the Drake Passage, moves north to Ushuaia, meeting sea giants - whales - along the way.
A magnificent voyage for 17 days
Buenos Aires/ Puerto Madryn/ New Island/ West Point/ Stanley/ Fr. Mordvinova/ Antarctic Sound/ Antarctic Peninsula/ South Shetland Islands/ Drake Passage/ Ushuaia
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Exquisite voyage for 19 days on the ship Silver Explorer
Price: from 19,440 €
Dates:01/16/2020 — 02/03/2020
Departing from the port - “a bay at the end of the earth” with amazing sea, forest and mountain landscapes, the liner heads for the Falkland Islands, cutting through the raging waves of the Drake Passage. The picturesque landscapes of New Island have become a habitat for rare animals and numerous bird colonies. Tourists are indescribably delighted by handsome penguins, fur seals and sea lions, who are not at all afraid of people.
A tour of the capital of the Falklands - the port city of Stanley - will remain in your memory and wonderful photographs.
When approaching Mordvinov Island, tourists can expect a solid dose of adrenaline from maneuvering the ship between numerous icebergs, striking in their shape and beauty. Entering the Antarctic Sound, which stretches 50 kilometers to the Antarctic Peninsula, you will be amazed not only by the beauty of the huge icebergs.
Landing on the Antarctic Peninsula, reminiscent of tundra landscapes, your head will spin from the diversity of the animal world with rare Gentoo and Adelie penguins, unique Antarctic birds. The discovery will be the existence of predatory leopard seals that live only here, with heads similar to tyrannosaurs and crabeater seals.
Antarctica will greet you with the fantastic landscapes of the Southern Scottish Islands with a whale cemetery and the volcanic warm lakes of Deception Island, where brave tourists love to swim. From here the liner turns north, once again battling the raging waves of the Drake Passage, and arrives at the port of Ushuaia, completing the cruise circle.
Exquisite voyage for 19 days
Ushuaia/ New Island/ West Point/ Stanley/ South Georgia/ Fr. Mordvinova/ Antarctic Sound/ Antarctic Peninsula/ South Shetland Islands/ Drake Passage/ Ushuaia
Liner: Silver Explorer
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A unique 16 day cruise with Silversea
Dates: 12/20/2019 - 01/04/2020
Price: from 14,940 €
Departing from the southern gates of the world, the liner, overcoming the raging waters of the Drake Passage, which serves as a viaduct from the Tierra del Fuego archipelago to the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica, will make its first stops off the coast of the Falkland Islands. West Point will enchant you with the beauty of its wildlife, Saunders Island will surprise you with the population size of penguin species: crested rockhopper, king, magellanic and a family of rare elephant seals.
Port Stanley will delight you with its colorful houses built from shipwrecked ships, the ancient governor's residence and the cozy atmosphere of pubs. On the way to the Antarctic Peninsula, tourists will experience a sea of emotions from passing through narrow corridors formed by enormous ice icebergs and stone fjords.
Maneuvering between passing icebergs, you will get closer to the Antarctic Peninsula, in the vastness of which you will get acquainted with natural oases, scientific stations and a wealth of wildlife with bird colonies, Gentoo and Adelie penguins and seal rookeries. The South Shetland Islands in Antarctica will surprise you with the futuristic landscapes of Deception Island, shrouded in vapors emanating from volcanic lakes. From here the ship will return through the Drake Passage.
A unique cruise for 16 days
Ushuaia/ West Point/ Saunders/ Stanley/ Fr. Mordvinova/ Antarctic Sound/ Antarctic Peninsula/ South Shetland Islands/ Drake Passage/ Ushuaia
Liner: Silver Cloud Expedition
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Scenic trip for 16 days
Date: 11/16/2020 - 12/01/2020
Cost: 13,590 €
The Argentine port - the southernmost city in the world - serves as the beginning and end of a fascinating journey to the icy desert - Antarctica, comparable to an alien civilization. Moving through the turbulent Drake Passage, travelers land on the Falkland Islands, inhabited by only 3 thousand inhabitants, more than 200 thousand of 5 varieties of penguins, 500 thousand sheep, hordes of Comorans and huge pigeons. On Sea Lion Island, the sand and pebble beaches are occupied by hundreds of elephant seals.
Advancement to the Antarctic Peninsula, passing picturesque straits and ice tunnels, will live up to your expectations. Enthusiastic emotions caused by huge ice icebergs shimmering blue in the sun, bizarre fjords, populations of penguins, fur seals and seals settled on rocky islands will be captured in photographs.
Landing on the Antarctic Peninsula will provide memorable meetings with employees of research stations, boat trips to nearby islands to visit penguins and other Antarctic inhabitants. Sailing to the South Shetland Islands, visit the island that has become a whale graveyard. An unforgettable adventure in Antarctica will be swimming in the lakes of Deception Island, heated by unextinguished volcanoes. Whale sightings are common in the Drake Passage, making for an unforgettable end-of-cruise experience.
Scenic trip for 16 days
Ushuaia/ New Island/ West Point/ Stanley/ o. Bleecker/ o. Sea Lion/ Drake Passage/ o. Mordvinova/ Antarctic Sound/ Antarctic Peninsula/ South Shetland Islands/ Drake Passage/ Ushuaia
Liner: Silver Cloud Expedition
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Bright voyage for 13 days
Cost: from 11,250 €
The Argentine port of Ushuaia, nestled on the edge of the earth, opens the gates to a snowy land of penguins and icebergs. The voyage on a cruise ship passes through the adrenaline-charged Drake Passage, paved in ancient times by Magellan. Cutting through violent waves, breaking through thick fogs, tourists will be rewarded with skies colored with fantastic rainbows, the spectacle of the sound of breaking ice floes and endless admiration of penguins, the flights of proud petrels and albatrosses.
In the Antarctic Sound, stand on the deck and enjoy the impressive sight of shimmering icebergs and pass through a narrow corridor formed by fjords and glaciers. On the Antarctic Peninsula, stay for a few days to meet with scientists at polar stations and observe leopard seals - spotted-skinned seals. You will experience an indescribable feeling when you take in the futuristic snowy landscape and climb to the top of one of the mountains that stretch in a chain near the coast.
There are many islands scattered around the peninsula. Tourists go there by boat to get up close and personal with the habits of the Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins and visit places favored by blue-eyed cormorants. The final highlight of the cruise will be a visit to the islands of the Shetland archipelago. The most spectacular of them, Deception Island, took on the shape of a horseshoe due to a volcanic eruption. According to tourist legend, visiting the island brings good luck. Having rounded the archipelago through the Drake Passage, the ship returns to Ushuaia.
Bright voyage for 13 days
Liner: Silver Explorer
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Radiant voyage for 16 days on Silver Cloud Expedition
Dates: 01/04/2020 – 01/19/2020
Price: 19,890 €
Departing from the southern tip of Argentina, tourists begin sailing through the restless Drake Passage, heading towards the rocky shores of South Georgia. Entering the waters of the cozy Neko Bay, tourists are amazed by the beauty of the blue icebergs, then get charged with adrenaline, passing through the narrow ice tunnel of the Lemera Canal.
South Georgia captivates with fantastic landscapes with powerful glaciers and picturesque fjords. On the islands, the behavior of funny little Adélie penguins and large king penguins amuses you. It is interesting to see fur seals and elephant seals dozing on the rocky beaches. Tourists will see the only settlement in the archipelago, Grytviken, which was previously a whaling base, where only 30 people live, and there are empty soldiers' barracks left over from the Falklands War.
Sailing through the Antarctic Sound with populations of penguins and unique northern birds on the rocky shores, you will encounter a series of drifting icebergs and pieces of ice floes sliding cracklingly from the glaciers. The Antarctic Peninsula will be remembered for meetings with scientists at polar stations, the diversity of seal species, the beauty of the mountains and sailing to the islands where 3 species of funny penguins live.
In the waters of the peninsula there are whales - humpback whales, minke whales and killer whales. Unexpected surprises will be presented by the South Shetland Islands, formed by volcanic eruptions and landing on Deception Island, shrouded in steam emanating from hot volcanic lakes. From here the voyage will continue through the Drake Passage to the port of Ushuaia.
Radiant voyage for 16 days
Ushuaia/South Georgia/O. Mordvinova/ Antarctic Sound/ Antarctic Peninsula/ South Shetland Islands/ Drake Passage/ Ushuaia
Liner: Silver Cloud Expedition
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Radiant journey for 11 days
Cost: 10,620 €
A ten-day journey through the breathtaking corners of Antarctica is a unique chance to feel the mysterious atmosphere of a snow-capped continent with eternal ice. Departing from the port of Ushuaia, sheltered from the winds in the quiet harbor of Beagle, the ship will sail through the turbulent Drake Passage, blown by westerly winds. The mesmerizing beauty of rocky cliffs with snow-capped peaks and icebergs shimmering in the sun appears before the eyes of tourists.
From the deck of the ship it is fascinating to watch crowds of penguins, populations of fur seals, sea lions, cormorants and albatross, inhabited shores and small islands. The first landing on the land of the Antarctic Peninsula will result in a sea of emotions from meetings with polar scientists, from the breathtaking landscapes opening from the mountain peak and observations of the leopard seals inhabiting this land. An exciting adventure will be sailing on boats to the islands where 3 species of penguins live.
Tourists are warned that they can approach penguins at a distance of at least 5 meters, but curious birds often approach people themselves. The further journey will be remembered for the meeting with humpback whales and killer whales, filling the space with their voices. Deception Island in the South Shetland Islands will remain in photographs as unrealistic cosmic landscapes formed by volcanic eruptions and steaming lakes. Riding the raging waves of the Drake Passage, the liner will complete the cruise with an arrival in Ushuaia.
Radiant journey for 11 days
Ushuaia/ Drake Passage/ Antarctic Sound/ Antarctic Peninsula/ South Shetland Islands/ Drake Passage/ Ushuaia
Liner: Silver Cloud Expedition
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An unparalleled 16-day voyage Silver Cloud Expedition
Dates: 01/05/2021 - 01/20/2021
Cost: 15,570 €
Maneuvering between floating icebergs along the stormy Drake Passage, she will moor off the coast of the South Georgia archipelago. Tourists will visit the village of Grytviken, seeing the remains of a former whaling base, the grave of the explorer Shackleton, the conqueror of Antarctica, and will enjoy the landscapes of grandiose glaciers and fjords polished by waves. Further, tourists will feel solid ground under their feet on the island of Mordvinova (Elephant), whose outline resembles the head of an elephant.
Scientists live here at polar stations and penguins waddle around, not paying attention to people. An unforgettable experience will be landing on the Antarctic Peninsula with colonies of amazing crabeater seals and leopard seals, sailing on boats to a scattering of islands - the habitats of crested, golden-haired and gentoo penguins, to bird nesting places of cormorants, petrels and other Antarctic birds.
On the way to the South Shetland Islands, tourists will admire the seemingly alien landscapes and will be amazed by the elephants falling into the ocean with an ominous crash and the sounds of songs floating not far from the ship. The horseshoe-shaped volcanic island of Deception will surprise you with thermal lakes, from where a ship with tourists, impressed by what they saw, will return back through the Drake Passage.
An incredible voyage for 16 days
Ushuaia/ South Georgia/ Drake Passage/ o. Mordvinova/ Antarctic Sound/ Antarctic Peninsula/ South Shetland Islands/ Drake Passage/ Ushuaia
Liner: Silver Cloud Expedition
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Expedition to Antarctica from Argentina on L’Austral
Dates: 11/15/2019 – 11/30/2019
Price: from 12,310 €
In the city of Ushuaia, located on the southern tip of the Tierra del Fuego island, after a walk through the Cerro Alarken nature reserve, tourists set off on a ship on an expedition to the kingdom of eternal ice and penguins. The first landing on land - the capital of the Falkland Islands, the port city of Stanley will surprise you with the absence of stone buildings and the local fauna with large colonies of penguins - rockhoppers and magellanic penguins living in burrows, sea lions and nesting places of rare birds - black albatrosses.
Passing the gloomy cliffs in the strait, the liner will stop near the island of South Georgia with the only settlement of Grytviken. Travelers will take stunning photos against the backdrop of formidable fjords, snowy peaks and smoking volcanoes. You will remember the excursions to the former whaling station, the habitat of albatrosses and king penguins with yellow-orange feathers on their chests and heads.
In the South Shetland Islands, you will be captivated by the volcanic landscape of Deception Island, with its sheltered harbor and warm lakes inviting you to swim in Antarctica. From an emotional boat voyage to the penguin abodes of the Antarctic Peninsula, passing through the valley of icebergs - the Lemaire channel with ice walls hanging over the ship, tourists catch their breath in the quiet harbor of Neko.
They will take amazing photos against a gorgeous backdrop of wildlife and see the stunning spectacle of whales feeding. The Antarctic expedition ends with sailing through the constantly stormy Drake Passage, observing penguins and seabirds, and arriving at the port of Ushuaia.
An incredible voyage for 16 days
Ushuaia/ Falkland Islands/ South Georgia/ Grytviken/ South Georgia/ South Shetland Islands/ Antarctic Peninsula/ Drake Passage/ Ushuaia
Liner: L "Austral
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Departure point – Chile
Both ships and commercial flights depart from the capital of Patagonia, the city of Punta Arenas, to Antarctica. For these flights, air carriers have aircraft designed to accommodate from 7 to 70 passengers on board. Air travel from the Chilean coast lasts one or two days.
When departing from Punta Arenas to Antarctica, you can bypass the Drake Passage, which is intimidating for tourists. Such routes transit through King George Island, which you will reach after a 2-hour flight from the northern coast of the Strait of Magellan. You can see the storm strait from the airplane window, however, if you are lucky with the weather. After visiting the Russian Bellingshausen Research Station, located on the island, on an excursion, you will be placed on a ship sailing towards Antarctica. This route significantly saves sea travel time.
Departure point: New Zealand
Two major transport hubs, Lyttelton and Christchurch, located in New Zealand, offer connections to Antarctica by both sea and air. New Zealand air carriers operate both non-stop flights (sightseeing tours) and flights with landing on the ice strip named after. Wilkins. Australian aircraft also land in Antarctica, but they are intended only for scientific expeditions.
Expeditionary sea vessels - amenities
Expeditionary sea vessels sailing towards the South Pole have both their advantages and disadvantages. As a rule, these are ships that have lost their relevance for scientific work and have been converted to transport passengers.
The advantages of these icebreakers (Plancius, Akademik Sergei Vavilov, Clipper Adventurer) include maneuverability. It allows the ship to get through the ice to hard-to-reach places, and tourists to land ashore more often. Their capacity ranges from 100 to 130 people, not including crew members.
The cabins can be either with or without amenities; free access to the restaurant, lecture hall and relaxation room is provided. Communication with the outside world via the Internet or satellite phone. For filming equipment you will definitely need: additional batteries (the cold quickly “eats” the charge), a UV filter or light filter.
On board the ship, depending on the class, there may be: a gym, a sauna with a swimming pool, and a massage room.
Nuclear icebreakers (“Captain Khlebnikov”, “Captain Dranitsyn”, “50 Years of Victory”) have their own characteristics. In addition to rescue boats, such icebreakers also have helicopters on board, designed to disembark passengers ashore. They have a “green light” in all weather conditions and navigation is possible for them to the most inaccessible places on the coast of Antarctica.
Sailing ships also sail in the direction of the southern continent. There are about two dozen of them, and the main task that is assigned to them is the work of expeditions. In this case, tourist passengers are taken on board, but their number is extremely limited, from 5 to 20 people. There is no need to talk about comfort. As a rule, these are berths in a shared cabin. Full compensation for the inconvenience on such yachts will be absolute freedom of movement along the coast of Antarctica, depending only on weather conditions.
The most “massive” option for Antarctic travel includes cruise ships. But here all the advantages of comfort will be fraught with limitations. A cruise ship carries from 200 to 1000 passengers. You need to know that landings on the shore are allowed only from those ships whose number of passengers does not exceed 500 people. In general, all cruise ships are subject to restrictions. And even liners that carry from 200 to 500 tourists have the right to anchor only in certain places and for a limited time.
Such restrictions are primarily related to the protection of the ecosystem as prescribed in the Antarctic Treaty. The conditions for tourists to stay on cruise ships are very comfortable. The main thing is that on such a ship it is easier to cope with seasickness during a storm. The rest of the advantages are the standard set of “stardom”: recreation areas with observation decks, swimming pools, gyms and beauty salons, restaurants, lounges for entertaining evenings. For a comfortable stay, everything is provided in the cabins.
When to go
When thinking about Antarctica, you should always remember that this is the opposite hemisphere of the Earth from us, and, therefore, everything is the other way around: when it is winter in our latitudes, it is summer there. The mainland is the coldest, air humidity is low, precipitation is mainly in the form of snow, and the temperature in January, the warmest month, rises no higher than 10°. For tourists, the season opens in November and lasts until March inclusive.
October November
The time of the beginning of the Antarctic spring. Ice shackles do not yet allow ships to enter small bays, the navigation situation is unstable, the weather presents many surprises, but the feeling of spring awakening is present in many ways. Low clouds are carried away by the winds, allowing the bright sun to illuminate the harsh coastline with spotlights. At this time, the owners of the continent, the penguins, choose a mate. First, they give stones to their chosen ones as a sign of love, and then they begin to build their nests from the same stones, not hesitating to steal a couple of stones from a neighbor. A funny sight!
December - January
Time of spring blossom. At this time, the sun is already very active, and icebergs shine dazzlingly in its rays. The activity of penguins is purposeful: they are looking for food for the already hatched chicks. The peak of the season is found by participants of New Year's cruises. At this time, tour operators organize special family trips, where a program for children with Christmas gifts and a festive menu is thought out.
February March
End of the Antarctic season. The weather is less and less happy with sunny days, the sky is becoming heavier, but this does not yet stop the vibrant life of the coast. Walruses and seals boldly pose for the cameras, grown penguin chicks show their character, and in the dark waters of the ocean you can watch a real whale safari. At this time, by the end of the day the sun is already going below the horizon, and frosts begin at night.
Landings on the Antarctic coast
It became clear that not only nature lovers, but also adventure seekers, extreme sports enthusiasts and photo hunters go to Antarctica for vivid impressions and thrills. In addition to all the “delights” of a sea voyage, tourists can expect the most important thing – access to the coast.
The number of tourists walking along the Antarctic coast directly depends on the capabilities of the ship (the smaller the number of passengers, the more often you can disembark) and on the weather (depending on your luck). Therefore, the more time you want to spend among penguins and walruses, the more preferable an expedition ship will be. Having anchored, the Zodiac rubber motor boats, which have high cross-country ability in difficult weather conditions, are launched into the water. In addition to expeditionary and rescue purposes, they can be used for sightseeing trips and disembarking tourists. On these mobile boats, tourists are taken in small groups to the rookeries of seals and walruses, to bird colonies on the rocks, and simply ride among the accumulation of icebergs.
Some excursion landings include in the route a visit to a research base and an acquaintance with the life of scientists working in Antarctica for months. At the request of tourists, a trip to the dilapidated whaling haven can be organized, where the imagination will help to imagine the conditions under which whale hunters once worked.
Antarctic tourism often includes tests for extreme sports enthusiasts in its program. These include skiing and snowmobiling among the icy slopes of the coast, kayaking for the more experienced, spending the night on the ground in small tents and sleeping bags, snowshoe hiking routes, and even diving under ice shelves.
Given the risk level of such tourist activities, each cruise participant must first fill out and have an IAATO medical questionnaire certified by their doctor. This procedure must be completed before processing documents for the tour. The questionnaire must be in the hands of the tourist to be presented to the ship's doctor.
What to take on a trip
It is clear that for traveling to a cold continent you will prefer to pack warm clothes. But take your time, the wardrobe must be thought out. On a trip to snow, cold winds and storms, you will definitely need: thermal underwear, a waterproof insulated jacket and trousers, a warm hat and gloves. It is advisable that all outerwear have a waterproof coating. The main rule for keeping warm is to wear layers of clothing. Remember how in childhood our grandmothers dressed us as “cabbage”. This is exactly the case.
When selecting a tour, be sure to clarify the issue of equipment, since many companies have all or part of the overalls already included in the price. For disembarking, the ship's crew provides all tourists with special insulated rubber boots. It is likely that you will return from your cruise with a gift - a warm polar jacket.
By the way, if your travel route includes the port of Lockroy, then do not forget to take your passport with you. Here, branded stamps with a picture of a penguin are affixed, indicating your official stay in Antarctica.
How much does a ride cost
Before seeing the ice shelves and Antarctic fauna with their own eyes, everyone wonders about the budget for the trip. Independent calculations, even those based on prices set by tour operators, are not enough here. A cruise to Antarctica is almost always individually tailored.
Of course, the information on the websites of tour operators will give you an idea of the cost of the package and indicate what is included in this package of services. Almost all agencies do not include the cost of flights and the cost of insurance, and Russian-speaking groups, as a rule, gather at the point of departure of the ship or aircraft. Don’t forget, the smaller the group size, the more expensive the tour.
The cost of the tour depends on:
- group size
- duration of the tour (weekly, 10-12 days, two weeks, even up to 30 days)
- class of vessel (sea, air)
- service level
- departure dates
- program intensity
The average price for 10 days will be approximately from $5,000 to $10,000, and the budget for a long trip can reach up to $20,000.
Currently, it is already practiced to form Russian tourist groups in Russia with departure from Moscow or St. Petersburg. But even in this case, additional payment for flights and transfers to the cruise ship is provided.
Unforgettable impressions
Fortunately, in recent years, Russian tourists have increasingly set foot on the cold shore of Antarctica and bring back a lot of impressions, resulting in reviews on the Internet. They infect with their stories those who have not yet decided to take such a trip, and with the sensations they receive as pioneers. Every year, the possibilities of Antarctic tourism are only expanding and opening up new horizons for adventure lovers. Even if you have to save money for such an outing for some time. Believe me, it's worth it.
The first people who are attracted to Antarctica are people interested in the ecosystem of our planet. The uniqueness and pristine nature of this continent is difficult to describe in words. It must be seen and felt. Of particular interest in Antarctic travel are extreme sports enthusiasts who want to test their own capabilities, photographers for whom the icy coast becomes a real film set, and divers who realize their desire to see the world from under the ice.
- Talk to your doctor about permission to travel to Antarctica.
- Before your trip, check the type of insurance and pay for it.
- Remember, it's cold there. Clothes should be appropriate for the season.
- It is necessary to carefully study the Antarctic Agreement. Don't be formal about it.
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 also improve their physical fitness.
Read more about the nuances of a holiday on the icy continent and its cost below.
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-studied 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.
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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 with their own eyes representatives of the Antarctic fauna and ice shelves.
The price of the trip is calculated for each tourist individually, 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 € | Ocean Nova liner |
| "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 moving. 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.
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The Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) is engaged in research and scientific work within the southernmost continent. Participants are required to be able to clearly and responsibly approach the performance of their duties, since the safety of all polar explorers depends on this. Work in Antarctica involves activities in extremely harsh climatic conditions, far from families and usual household amenities.
Why Antarctica
Specialists applying for participation in the work of the station must clarify in advance all the requirements and specifics of employment, since it is quite difficult for an unprepared person to get to Antarctica.
It is worth noting that most workers go on expeditions not for high salaries, but for new sensations and the desire to test themselves in harsh conditions. After the watch, many strive to return to the pole again and consolidate the experience gained.
You can learn about how employees live in Antarctica in the corresponding groups on the VK social network, where participants publish photos and videos and stories about everyday work.
Professions in demand
The operation of stations in Antarctica requires different specialists:
- drivers of various equipment (snowmobiles);
- mechanics;
- doctors;
- welders;
- cooks;
- system administrators;
- satellite communications experts.
But most of the participants are various scientists involved in environmental research.
If you want to participate in work at a polar station, it is recommended to check the current vacancies by visiting the official website of the Antarctic Expedition (http://raexp.ru).
Features of work
Work in Antarctica is carried out on a rotational basis, all vacancies include free transportation to the station and back.
Registration is carried out under an employment contract, hired workers are provided with food and special clothing at the expense of the state.
Activities begin in November-February, transportation of participants is carried out either by plane or by ship. It depends on the location of the station where the expedition must arrive.
The duration of the trip is 12-18 months.
Requirements for candidates
Applicants are selected quite strictly according to the following criteria:
- Health;
- Professional skills and abilities;
- Psychological qualities (stress resistance);
- Age: from 30 to 45 years (for doctors - up to 60).
You will also need documents confirming your qualifications in the profession, experience, and a foreign passport.
To go through the doctors you will have to take extracts:
- From the medical unit at your place of residence about diseases over the past three years.
- From the tuberculosis dispensary (that the applicant is not registered).
- From the mental hospital.
- From a drug treatment clinic.
- orthopantogram (with attached description and conclusion).
- If the applicant is over 50 years old, an ultrasound scan of the abdominal organs, bladder and prostate gland must be done.
Important: work experience in the specialty must be at least 2 years. For doctors – from 5 years.
How to get to the winter quarters, step by step:
- Fill out a form at the OK AARI (some in-demand specialists are invited by the research leaders themselves).
- Get approval to undergo a medical examination.
- Be examined by doctors, including psychological tests and examinations.
The easiest way to learn more about how you can get on an expedition to Antarctica is on the RAE website.
average salary
People often ask how much money polar explorers receive for their work when they sign up for an expedition. This depends on the length of service; the calculation of the normal salary begins after crossing the 60th parallel.
The average salary in Antarctica in 2019 is 60,000 rubles, you need to take into account that this is official income (before 13% tax). Every 6 months of stay at the station there is an increase - 10% of the salary, but in total - no more than 100%. This means that after three expeditions the maximum salary will be reached.
But it is impossible to get a job for several winters in a row: doctors forbid it, because the body is greatly weakened due to the climate.
Benefits and allowances
In 2013, the Russian government introduced changes to the legislation on the calculation of compensation and benefits for workers in the far south.
List of preferences:
- Regional coefficient 3 – added during the period of activity on the expedition;
- Percentage increase and increasing coefficient to the salary (the amount depends on the starting salary);
- The total length of service includes periods of previous expeditions, including length of service at the North Pole.
More detailed information can be found in the Decree of the Russian Federation of 2013 No. 832.
Conclusion
Getting a job on an Antarctic expedition is quite difficult. There are a lot of people who want to do this; the degree of motivation and perseverance are important here. Some citizens got to the pole the third or fourth time.
