Antarctica travel for cheap, middle and top of the range budgets
The increased demand of travellers rushing to the planet’s last true wilderness is matched by a rise in supply, so it’s time to chart a course to Antarctica.
Antarctica
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Following in Shackleton’s footsteps is high on the bucket list of many an intrepid traveller and 2019 will be an exciting year for Antarctic expeditions.
Margot Knispel from Main Beach Travel, Gold Coast, says there’s more demand than ever for Antarctica as travellers rush to experience the planet’s last true wilderness but also more supply.
And there is good news for those who dread the infamous Drake Passage crossing.
“There are now packages where you can fly and land there and cruise and then fly back,” Margot says.
“But if you can do the Drake Passage, I think everyone should do it at least once in their lives … it’s part of the expedition experience.
“You’re going somewhere difficult to get to, what adventure is all about.”
When Scenic Eclipse sails in Antarctica in November 2019, guests can dive in the six-guest submarine and take to the skies in helicopters to see wildlife trekking across the ice floes.
In January 2020, Abercrombie & Kent will launch a voyage to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica, including a behind-the-scenes visit to Palmer Station.
AFFORDABLE
Fly: Antarctica in a day
Antarctica Flights
From $1199pp
Leave the passport at home and take off in a Qantas 747 for the Antarctic experience of a lifetime. Departing Australia each summer for the past 25 years, Antarctica Flights offers the only “flightseeing” tour in the world to explore the region.
Icebergs and ice floes come into focus about three hours into this full-day flight, with up to four hours spent over the white mountainous landscape while expert Antarctic expeditioners provide commentary on the polar environment.
You’ll dip as low as 10,000 feet for a bird’s-eye view of the world’s fifth largest continent. Meal service and drinks will keep you satiated throughout the day and you’ll be back in your own bed by same night.
There is still availability departing Melbourne on New Year’s Eve, with flights ex Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide in 2019.
THE BIG SURPRISE ABOUT ANTARCTICA
MID RANGE
Cruise: 12-day Spirit of Antarctica voyage
Aurora Expeditions
US$9900 a person (about $13,750) (Aurora Stateroom)
Well-known Australian explorer Greg Mortimer OAM will be the expedition leader aboard the maiden voyage of Aurora Expeditions’ much anticipated new ship, the Greg Mortimer. Having travelled to Antarctica almost every season for 25 years — and being one of the Aussie duo to first summit Mt Everest in 1984 — Mortimer lives for adventure like this.
Departing on October 31, 2019 from Ushuaia, Argentina, Greg will escort the maiden voyage taking guests through pristine Antarctic landscapes where penguins are breeding and fur seal pups are being born.
The hype surrounding the ship is due to the patented, futuristic-looking Ulstein X-BOW®, which allows for more gentle sea crossings, faster transits and lower emissions. Photographic workshops and camping on the ice are free inclusions while you can opt to go kayaking, skiing and mountaineering for a cost.
IS TRAVELLING TO ANTARCTICA A LITTLE TOO COMFY?
TOP END
Fly and Sail: 11-day Antarctic Express — Crossing the Circle
Chimu Adventures
From $23,885 a person
Leave the ginger tablets at home and fly across the Drake Passage to meet your ship, the Ocean Adventurer, saving precious time so you can spend more days exploring the White Continent.
On board, polar experts will provide in-depth explanations of the geology, history and wildlife before your first exhibilerating Zodiac landing. As you journey along the Antarctic Peninsula you might be searching for whales and icebergs in Pleneau Island, hiking to a penguin rookery, witnessing the boom of calving glaciers and the complete silence of night while camping on the ice.
Then boldly go where only few have ventured, crossing the Antarctic Circle into a raw landscape of majestic ice formations where the sun never sleeps.
Discounted rate valid for select departures for 2019-20 season when booked by January 31, 2019.
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