Antarctica

Antarctica covers and surrounds the South Pole. It is colder than anywhere else on earth with the lowest temperatures of -128.6 degree Fahrenheit recorded in 1983.

Antarctica was not always cold; fossils of plants and animals have been found there, showing it was once a warm continent.
Ice and snow make up 98% of Antarctica but beneath that is solid land. 70% of the world’s fresh water is contained in its icecap.

Antarctica is the fifth largest continent on earth, bigger than Europe or Australia. Its tallest peak is Vinson Massif which is almost $17,000 ft.
There are no animals living there except for a few insects and other little creatures, but the coast and waters that surround it are home to abundant wildlife.  Many birds, a variety of penguins and seals and during the summer months various kinds of whales migrate there.

No one lives there permanently but there are about 4,000 scientists who work there, mostly in the summer, with a 1000 staying on in the winter.

No one owns Antarctica but in the Antarctic Treaty there are 45 member nations who declare that the continent should be used by its members for peaceful purposes only, such as exploration and scientific research.

Tourist can visit Antarctica by ship and there is a limited flight service to one of the island.  The ship size has just been reduced to 500 passenger ships and most leave from Ushuaia in Southern Argentina.

The itinerary usually covers The South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsular 11 days start from USD4, 690, up to 20 days taking in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia 20days from USD11, 340.
There are a fewer operators doing this trip now for me it was on my wish list and it did not disappoint. If you are interested for the 2011/12 season then you need to call us sooner than later.

Contact us today for more information.