Ushuaia is the nearest town to the White Continent, located at just 1.000 kilometres from the Antarctic Peninsula. Each summer cruise ships from all over the world set sail from the local port, in journeys that last between 10 to 20 days.
When
January
February
March
October
November
December
Antarctic trips may vary according to the number of days, places to visit, type of ships and services offered. Overall, the trips offered by most of the Antarctic tourism operators include the following sites:
Antarctica Classic: length of travel up to 12 days. After crossing the Drake Passage, the ships visit the South Shetland Islands (including Deception Island and 25 de Mayo Island) and then disembark in the Peninsula and visit places such as Gerlache Strait, Danco Island, Neko Port, Paradise Bay, Pléneau and Petermann Islands and Port Lockroy, a former British base with a museum and a post office.
Malvinas Islands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: This is the second most popular itinerary after Antarctica Classic. In addition to visiting the Antarctic Peninsula, it offers the opportunity to explore the landscapes and fauna of the Malvinas Islands and South Georgia, home of the King Penguin. The length of this trip is longer, ranging between 20 and 22 days.
Crossing the Circle: this route allows the traveler to explore the territories beyond the Antarctic Peninsula. With an average duration of 14 to 15 days, the ships sail along the west coast of Antarctica, until crossing the Antarctic Polar Circle, parallel to latitude 66° 33′ South. This area offers magnificent scenery of icebergs, whale watching and penguin colonies. Depending on weather conditions, you might be able to visit places such as Vernadsky Station, which belongs to Ukraine, the former British Faraday Base, the Yalour Islands and Detaille Island.
Weddell Sea Quest: this trip is a real adventure. The Weddell Sea is linked to the memory of the unfortunate expedition of Sir Ernest Shackleton in 1915, when his ship the Endurance was trapped in the ice and sank in these freezing waters.
After departing from Ushuaia and crossing the Drake Passage, the ships travel the usual route on the Antarctic Peninsula and then sail towards the eastern coast, a less explored area. This area, which has magnificent landscapes of glaciers and icebergs, is the habitat of sea lions, penguins, traveling albatrosses and Weddell seals.
This trip offers the passenger the opportunity to fly by helicopter to the territories that make up the natural habitat of the famous Emperor Penguin, although the sighting of these birds is quite rare.
Argentina has had a constant presence in Antarctica since 1904, when a meteorological observatory and an Argentinian post office were inaugurated on Laurie Island, South Orcadas, which would later become the Orcadas Base . The country is also a consultative member of the Antarctic Treaty signed in 1959, whose objective is the peaceful use of this territory, through the development of scientific research and environmental conservation projects.
Guidelines for Antarctic tourism
In the context of the Treaty, tourism to Antarctica is regulated at international level, in order to prevent damage to the continent's unique ecosystem. Therefore, only small contingents of visitors are allowed to disembark at certain authorized points.
The main rules and procedures regulating the activities of tourists and organizers of tourist expeditions are compiled in the
"Manual of regulations and guidelines relevant to tourism and non-governmental activities in Antarctica”
, the content of which was approved by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting XLIII through Decision 6 (2021).
The ATCM also establishes specific guidelines for the sites most frequently visited by tourists. These guidelines include practical guidance for tour operators and guides on how to visit these sites taking into account their environmental values.
Most tour operators active in Antarctica belong to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). IAATO participates in the ATTC as an invited expert organization.
The Regulations Manual and Visitor Guidelines are available for download in English on the official Antarctic Treaty website.
Travel to Antarctica
Ushuaia is the nearest town to the White Continent, located at just 1.000 kilometres from the Antarctic Peninsula. Each summer cruise ships from all over the world set sail from the local port, in journeys that last between 10 to 20 days.
When
January
February
March
October
November
December
Antarctic trips may vary according to the number of days, places to visit, type of ships and services offered. Overall, the trips offered by most of the Antarctic tourism operators include the following sites:
Antarctica Classic: length of travel up to 12 days. After crossing the Drake Passage, the ships visit the South Shetland Islands (including Deception Island and 25 de Mayo Island) and then disembark in the Peninsula and visit places such as Gerlache Strait, Danco Island, Neko Port, Paradise Bay, Pléneau and Petermann Islands and Port Lockroy, a former British base with a museum and a post office.
Malvinas Islands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: This is the second most popular itinerary after Antarctica Classic. In addition to visiting the Antarctic Peninsula, it offers the opportunity to explore the landscapes and fauna of the Malvinas Islands and South Georgia, home of the King Penguin. The length of this trip is longer, ranging between 20 and 22 days.
Crossing the Circle: this route allows the traveler to explore the territories beyond the Antarctic Peninsula. With an average duration of 14 to 15 days, the ships sail along the west coast of Antarctica, until crossing the Antarctic Polar Circle, parallel to latitude 66° 33′ South. This area offers magnificent scenery of icebergs, whale watching and penguin colonies. Depending on weather conditions, you might be able to visit places such as Vernadsky Station, which belongs to Ukraine, the former British Faraday Base, the Yalour Islands and Detaille Island.
Weddell Sea Quest: this trip is a real adventure. The Weddell Sea is linked to the memory of the unfortunate expedition of Sir Ernest Shackleton in 1915, when his ship the Endurance was trapped in the ice and sank in these freezing waters.
After departing from Ushuaia and crossing the Drake Passage, the ships travel the usual route on the Antarctic Peninsula and then sail towards the eastern coast, a less explored area. This area, which has magnificent landscapes of glaciers and icebergs, is the habitat of sea lions, penguins, traveling albatrosses and Weddell seals.
This trip offers the passenger the opportunity to fly by helicopter to the territories that make up the natural habitat of the famous Emperor Penguin, although the sighting of these birds is quite rare.
Argentina has had a constant presence in Antarctica since 1904, when a meteorological observatory and an Argentinian post office were inaugurated on Laurie Island, South Orcadas, which would later become the Orcadas Base . The country is also a consultative member of the Antarctic Treaty signed in 1959, whose objective is the peaceful use of this territory, through the development of scientific research and environmental conservation projects.
Guidelines for Antarctic tourism
In the context of the Treaty, tourism to Antarctica is regulated at international level, in order to prevent damage to the continent's unique ecosystem. Therefore, only small contingents of visitors are allowed to disembark at certain authorized points.
The main rules and procedures regulating the activities of tourists and organizers of tourist expeditions are compiled in the
"Manual of regulations and guidelines relevant to tourism and non-governmental activities in Antarctica”
, the content of which was approved by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting XLIII through Decision 6 (2021).
The ATCM also establishes specific guidelines for the sites most frequently visited by tourists. These guidelines include practical guidance for tour operators and guides on how to visit these sites taking into account their environmental values.
Most tour operators active in Antarctica belong to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). IAATO participates in the ATTC as an invited expert organization.
The Regulations Manual and Visitor Guidelines are available for download in English on the official Antarctic Treaty website.
