Antarctica is a land of extremes: it is the coldest and driest continent on Earth and has the highest average elevation of any continent. The landscape remains mostly untouched by humans, with only a handful of scientific bases and a "permanent" population of scientists numbering only a few thousand. Visitors to Antarctica generally must brave rough sea crossings aboard ice-strengthened vessels, but those who do are rewarded with amazing scenery and tremendous wildlife.

Visitors to Antarctica often speak of its pristine beauty and serenity. Animal lovers, birdwatchers, and photographers are also in for a treat in Antarctica with its various species of penguins, seals, and birds that are native to the frozen continent.

Antarctica, with temperatures far below zero, it hardly seems like an inviting tourist destination. Indeed, you are unlikely to find anything like sun, sea, and sandy beaches on Antarctica. But you'll find a unique and exciting environment, full of unique wildlife and breathtaking scenery.

It is a unique experience to visit Antarctica, not only because of what you will witness, but also because so few people even think to visit.  It can, however, be a rewarding trip, provided you pack a whole lot of warm clothes.

Things to see and do in Antarctica 

 Look for a "Chocolate Iceberg"

"Chocolate Icebergs" are maybe a little less rare than jade icebergs, but still are relatively uncommon. And, like jade icebergs, they are well worth seeking out with a camera. They result from glaciers picking up mud and pulverised rock from the underlying ground, and entraining it into what becomes chocolate colored ice. One day, the glacier reaches the ocean and pieces break away to form icebergs. Sometimes when they form, icebergs turn over - exposing the previous underside, possibly carrying the now chocolate coloured ice. Then it's camera time!

Cruise around icebergs in a zodiac

Icebergs are fascinating, especially up close. Closer proximity seems to help bring out the incredible range of colours, from the palest of blue to deep greens, indigo, and even mauve. It's hard to believe that they consist of only frozen water, with maybe a little entrained air and occasional glacial detritus. It's even more difficult to believe that the bulk of them is hidden beneath the ocean. Zodiacs are the ideal way to see icebergs, because of their maneuverability, and their resistance to damage should they bump into the ice. What's more, zipping among the icebergs is a complete adrenaline buzz.

Meet an Emperor

Emperor Penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) are the largest of the penguin family (though millions of years ago, a now-extinct giant species was as large as humans). They live south of the Antarctic Circle and have a particularly tough life cycle, being the only animals on the surface around the coasts of Antarctica during the bitter winters. Should you have the opportunity, see the new (end 2005) film "March of the Penguins" for a good documentary on them.

In the summer months, adult emperor penguins are found only among the pack ice. But, if you are fortunate, you will see young ones moulting and preparing to go to sea. Even as immature chicks, they already are noticeably larger than Adelie penguins.

The South Pole

The Holy Grail of Polar Explorers now anyone can go. Dates start in mid November and end in Mid January. One of the greatest stories in Antarctic Exploration is that of the race to the Geographic South Pole. Still the names of explorers like Scott, Amundsen and Shackleton fascinate us as we learn of their heroic journeys in search of the Pole. More than 80 years have past since the first explorers reached the South Pole. A journey as significant today as it was for those early explorers so many years ago. Embark in city of Punta Arenas, Chile fly via private aircraft over tabular icebergs and ice shelves into the heart of Antarctica, fly across the polar plateau reroute to the South Pole. Become one of the few to stand at the southernmost point on earth – the Geographical South Pole.

Antarctic Wildlife

Antarctica is notable for being the only continent with no native land mammals, reptiles, or amphibians. There are no polar bears: wrong pole. However its shoreline serves as nesting ground for many species of migratory birds and penguins, and the Southern Ocean surrounding it is home to many fish and marine mammals, including whales.

Land fauna is nearly completely invertebrate. Invertebrate life includes microscopic mites, lice, nematodes, tardigrades, rotifers, krill, and springtails. The flightless midge Belgica antarctica, just 12 millimeters (0.5 in) in size, is the smallest land animal in Antarctica. The Snow Petrel is one of only three birds that breed exclusively in Antarctica. They have been seen at the South Pole.

Due to the extreme cold, the body fluids of tiny mites and midges in Antarctica contain glycerol, an antifreeze liquid that protects them from solidifying when temperatures plummet as low as -30F (-34C).

A variety of marine animals exist and rely, directly or indirectly, on the phytoplankton. Antarctic sea life includes penguins, blue whales, orcas, and fur seals. The Emperor penguin is the only penguin that breeds during the winter in Antarctica, while the Adélie Penguin breeds farther south than any other penguin. The Rockhopper penguin has distinctive feathers around the eyes, giving the appearance of elaborate eyelashes. King penguins, Chinstrap penguins, and Gentoo Penguins also breed in the Antarctic.

The Antarctic fur seal was very heavily hunted in the 18th and 19th centuries for its pelt by sealers from the United States and the United Kingdom. The Weddell Seal, a "true seal", is named after Sir James Weddell, commander of British sealing expeditions in the Weddell Sea. Antarctic krill, which congregates in large schools, is the keystone species of the ecosystem of the Southern Ocean, and is an important food organism for whales, seals, leopard seals, fur seals, squid, icefish, penguins, albatrosses, and many other birds.

Plantlife

More than 200 species of lichens are known in Antarctica.The climate of Antarctica does not allow extensive vegetation. A combination of freezing temperatures, poor soil quality, lack of moisture, and lack of sunlight inhibit the flourishing of plants. As a result, plant life is limited to mostly mosses and liverworts. The autotrophic community is made up of mostly protists. The flora of the continent largely consists of lichens, bryophytes, algae, and fungi. Growth generally occurs in the summer, and only for a few weeks at most.

Landscape, Geography, and the amazing Antarctic sky

Don't be fooled by all the ice: Antarctica is a desert, the interior of the continent is technically the largest desert in the world. The region's moisture is all tied up in frigid sea water and the huge sheets, shelves, and packs of ice which cover nearly all of the continent plus surrounding waters. There is little snowfall here, and even less rain.

Antarctica is divided in two by the Transantarctic Mountains close to the neck between the Ross Sea and the Weddell Sea. The portion west of the Weddell Sea and east of the Ross Sea is called Western Antarctica and the remainder Eastern Antarctica, because they roughly correspond to the Western and Eastern Hemispheres relative to the Greenwich meridian.

The continent has approximately 90% of the world's ice (and thereby approximately 70% of the world's fresh water). If all of this ice were melted, sea levels would rise about 200 feet (60 m).

Antarctica is colder than the Arctic for two reasons. First, much of the continent is more than 3 km above sea level, and temperature decreases with elevation. Second, the Arctic Ocean covers the north polar zone: the ocean's relative warmth is transferred through the icepack and prevents temperatures in the Arctic regions from reaching the extremes typical of the land surface of Antarctica.

Given the latitude, long periods of constant darkness or constant sunlight creates climates unfamiliar to human beings in much of the rest of the world. The aurora australis, commonly known as the southern lights, is a glow observed in the night sky near the South Pole. Another unique spectacle is diamond dust, a ground-level cloud composed of tiny ice crystals. It generally forms under otherwise clear or nearly clear skies, so people sometimes also refer to it as clear-sky precipitation. A sun dog, a frequent atmospheric optical phenomenon, is a bright "spot" beside the true sun.

Travel to Antarctica 

In the Antarctic summer, Latin Trails offers excursions on small expedition ships, ice strengthened vessels to Antarctica. Ice strengthened (not quite as tough as icebreakers) boats are preferred since icebreakers are round on the bottom -- a configuration that amplifies the already massive wave action in the Drake passage. The ships typically offer a couple of excursions to the continent (usually the Antarctic peninsula) or Antarctic islands (e.g., Deception Island, Aitcho Island) each day over the course of a week. The views are phenomenal, the penguins are friendly (well, some of them are), and the experience is one that is unparalleled!

When traveling by boat and choosing an expedition, be aware that smaller ships (typically carrying 50-100 passengers) can go where the big ships can't, getting you up closer to Antarctica's nature and wildlife. Larger vessels (carrying as many as 1200 people) are less prone to rough seas but have more limited landing options. Expedition vessels include naturalist guided hikes, zodiac excursions, and sea kayaking right from the ship, perfect for active, casual travellers.

You'll need warm clothing: boots, hoods, glove, water repellent pants, parka, and warm underwear. Most of these items can be bought or hired in Ushuaia, but sometimes - in the high season - it is not always easy to get the right sizes. So bring whatever you can from your own stock.

Our smaller ships will try to ensure 2 different locations per day around Antarctica, although this is of course dependent on the weather and you may expect a 60% success rate on landing people for any given visit.

Get around

Zodiac cruising, sledges and dogs, skis, tractors, snow cats (and similar tracked vehicles) and aircraft including helicopters and ski planes have all been used to get around Antarctica. Cruise ships use zodiac boats to ferry tourists from ship to shore in small groups. Expedition ships come fully prepared with landing transport, food, etc. Some (but not all) even provide cold-weather clothing.

Sleep

Antarctica has 24-hour sunshine during the southern hemisphere summer. Visitors should ensure that they take steps to keep regular sleeping hours as continuous daylight disturbs the body clock.