antarctic peninsula view from bow cruising through channel qe

Getting to Antarctica

Reaching Antarctica takes up to two days by ship from Ushuaia across the Drake Passage, or you can choose a fly in option. Either way, getting there is all part of the experience.

The most popular way to reach the Antarctic Peninsula is on cruise departing from the southern tip of South America – the main jumping off point for voyages being Ushuaia on the southern tip of Argentina in Tierra del Fuego. Alternatively Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia is the departure point for flights to the South Shetland Islands where you can join a voyage or head into the interior of Antarctica on a South Pole adventure.

East Antarctica and the Ross Sea region is harder to reach and longer voyages requiring more time at sea, depart from New Zealand’s South Island.

Getting to South America

With a number of options available, flights are not included in the prices shown for our Antarctic holidays. This allows you to choose your preferred route and airline, include a stopover on the way, or to extend your holiday in South America before or after the voyage. Having discussed your requirements with you, we’ll then quote flight and any additional arrangements on an individual basis, and will secure the best available fares for your own specific route and travel dates.

The Airlines

For our long-haul destinations a variety of routes and fares are often available. This not only provides scope for each of our clients to choose the best route to suit them, but also allows total flexibility to include stopovers along the way, or the most direct routings if time is limited. British Airways is the only airline to fly direct from the UK to Buenos Aires, which can also be reached with Iberia or with Air Europa via Madrid. Air Europa are the only airline to offer a departure from Gatwick into Iguazu Falls, also via Madrid. LAN Airlines and Aerolineas Argentinas operate flights within Argentina and Chile. For Australasian routes we largely use the services of Air New Zealand and British Airways/Qantas.

argentina buenos aires cabildo plaza de mayo istk

Getting to New Zealand

There is an extensive choice of routes, fares and stopover options available for travel to New Zealand. We prefer to quote for flights based on individual requirements so once you have an idea of your travel arrangements before and after your voyage, we’ll provide a quote for flights.

new zealand doubtful sound view from wilmot pass istk

Passport & Visa Information

No visas are required by British subjects (being “Citizen of the United Kingdom”) for the majority of destinations featured in our Antarctic programme. The exceptions are Australia and New Zealand – our team will be happy to offer advice accordingly.

Extend Your Stay

The ancient cultures and fascinating human history that reverberates throughout Latin America stand in stark contrast to the vast, uninhabited, icy landscapes of Antarctica.

The diversity and vibrancy of the South American continent, with its wonders both natural and manmade, provides the perfect footnote to an epic polar journey.

With the majority of our Antarctic voyages starting from southern Argentina, it makes perfect sense to extend your stay and explore a little of Latin America. Argentina and neighbouring Chile offer some of the most spell-binding and varied vistas on this continent, from the lush subtropical north to the glaciers of the south. Whether you’re craving total relaxation at a charming ranch in the Argentine Pampas, fancy feeling the spray on your face at Iguazu’s thundering waterfalls, or simply wish to continue your undoubted love affair with all things ice, Latin America awaits.

We offer a selection of sample itineraries intended to provide an indication of possible extensions. All arrangements will be made on a tailor-made basis.