Category: Information

With the increasing accessibility of the Antarctic region to ‘ordinary’ travellers is coming an attendant rise in the number of companies offering holidays to this previously largely unchartered corner of the world. With many of these businesses claiming to offer it all in an Antarctic break, why should you specifically target the services and packages of specialists in polar travel like WILDFOOT?

Some of the reasons to do so are less obvious than others. Perhaps the most obvious is our in-depth knowledge and first-hand experience of this most specialised of regions. Quite simply, we feel that a remarkable continent demands remarkable treatment, which is precisely what we have sought to provide here at WILDFOOT – with spectacular results in the form of our consistently glowing customer feedback.

Such customers realise that choosing a great Antarctic holiday provider is about more than opting for the lowest price, or even the company that can boast the broadest range of expedition packages. What is arguably most important of all, is choosing a provider that truly understands Antarctica and has tailored its offerings to suit – the kind of company that allows you to experience almost everything that one of the planet’s remotest regions could conceivably serve up.

Where other providers may focus on slashing the price to the lowest level possible, we channel our energies into giving our customers a genuinely ground-up Antarctic holiday experience. People booking with us can climb aboard the best well-equipped expedition ships and learn about every detail of this most special of regions, via lectures given by seasoned experts in geology, oceanography, glaciology and history, all upon a stunning polar backdrop.

Alternatively, those embarking on such an incredible journey with us may throw themselves into such enthralling optional activities as kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling, hiking, skiing or snowshoeing – or they may prefer the slightly sedater activity of wildlife spotting, discovering many more new and wonderful species in a few hours than they would encounter in many years at home.

Some travellers on board our cruises are even lucky enough to be able to board a helicopter for ice landings inside the continent – the perfect opportunity to keep their eyes peeled for the elusive Emperor Penguin. Add to all of these experiences the option of an especially luxurious Antarctic cruise encompassing 5* service and on-board cuisine, as well as our memberships of such organisations as ABTA, ATOL, IAATO and ATTA, and in WILDFOOT, you really do have the complete reputable polar travel provider.

Could now be the time for you to embark on the Antarctic journey of a lifetime? If the answer to that question is “yes”, make sure that it really is memorable for all of the right reasons by keeping our leading specialists in polar travel firmly by your side.

If you are considering exploring some of the Earth’s most beautiful, yet remote places, it is important to understand just what is in store for you once you get there. One of the most vital elements to consider is the climate and for those wanting to explore the stunning continent of Antarctica, the weather really does play an important part.

Antarctic holidays are becoming increasingly popular with those looking to try something different on their next break. As the coldest of the Earth’s continents, the area has witnessed the lowest natural temperature ever recorded, -89.2°C. If you are currently planning a trip to Antarctica, here are the key points that you need to know about the often extreme climate.

The continent itself is basically a frozen desert, offering very little precipitation, with less than 10cm of rain recorded at the South Pole per year. Once you reach Antarctica, the atmosphere can be a little daunting to first time visitors, with prolonged periods of constant darkness contrasted with similar length periods of constant sunshine. It is no surprise that visitors to the area claim that they are often confused as to what time it actually is!

One important thing to consider for your trip is the risk of sunburn. This may seem unlikely in Antarctica of all places, but the snow surface is prone to reflecting all of the ultraviolet light that falls upon it, something that you should bear in mind when packing your essentials. Temperatures in Antarctica tend to reach a minimum of −80 °C during the winter and a maximum of 15 °C in the coastal areas during the summer months.

The exact time of year when you are on the continent will dictate the conditions that you experience, the eastern side of Antarctica typically being colder than the west due to the higher elevations. The centre of the continent is cold and dry, due to the main extreme weather fronts not spreading into this area. By contrast, the outer edges of Antarctica are prone to strong winds that often blow at storm force.

If you are planning a trip to Antarctica, we highly recommend that you choose an experienced tour company to help guide you around these often unpredictable landscapes. Here at WILDFOOT, we work with the leading operators to create for you the true holiday of a lifetime in this most extreme and remote corner of the globe.

Antarctica is the world’s least explored frontier and is an ideal destination for anyone wishing to take a break in an unspoiled region that offers breathtaking scenery and fascinating wildlife. The White Continent is synonymous with icebergs, whales, penguins and rare birds, meaning that photo opportunities are almost limitless. Better yet, the sunsets are among the most stunning on the planet.

You will struggle to find a better setting for an adventure than Antarctica. The continent is totally unlike any other and gives you the chance to walk in the footsteps of some of the most iconic explorers in history. Life in this frozen landscape is completely different from what you may have come to expect from your day-to-day life, which means you really will be able to take a break from the norm when you spend time in this most exceptional and isolated part of the world.

Here at WILDFOOT, we offer cruises to a number of fascinating destinations, including the Falklands, the Antarctic Peninsula, Ross Sea and the South-Atlantic islands. We can bring you the Antarctica trip that you’ve always wanted, offering guides that know the region inside out, whilst keeping you completely safe and introducing you to some of the most interesting species in the world. These include the Rockhopper, Adelie and maybe even Emperor penguins.

During your expedition, you’re most likely to come across the Adelie, Macaroni, Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, and all have their own unique appearance and personalities. If you want some certainty of spotting these amusing birds, the best time to visit will be the warmer months between spring and autumn. During this time you’re guaranteed to spot the Adelies, who prefer to swim out to sea in winter. However, if your heart is set on a renowned Emperor Penguin sighting, you’ll have to book a special expedition during October and November, as these are the best months for observing the chicks.

We have a number of itineraries to choose from, but whichever route you’re taking, winged wildlife will be a highlight. As well as the others already mentioned, there are a total of 46 different bird species, including (but in no way limited to) albatrosses, herons, ducks, swans and many more.

Of course, you’ll have the chance to see dolphins and porpoises, but the headliners of this remote location are the whales. Magnificent and enigmatic, they capture the imagination (and viewfinder) of most of us. The best time for spotting these incredible creatures is during February and March when they tend to travel in large pods in preparation for their big migration to the North. While the mighty Blue Whale is rare to see, you should spot a few Orcas and Humpbacks on your Antarctica trip. If whale watching is a must-do on your adventure list, then check that your itinerary includes a visit to Wilhemina Bay, a place renowned for the number of whales it attracts.

Unique experiences you can expect from camping in this white wilderness include some of the best stargazing you can imagine – there’s no light pollution in this part of the world! You’ll also be able to get close and personal with the local bird life, and even have the chance to listen to nearby polar bears. But perhaps the best part of your camping experience might be the deepest sleep of your life surrounded by the snowy silence.

You’ll be exploring the coastline, gliding past icebergs and even getting within spray distance of whales; it’s truly exhilarating. For those that want to dive deeper into the frozen habitat, scuba diving is also on offer. Experience the eerie sounds and sights of the underwater world as our experienced Master Divers guide you through corals and marine life. 

If you prefer to stay on land, there are a number of thrilling activities to participate in. From snowshoeing to extreme skiing, mountaineering to camping – whatever gets your heart racing!

Follow in the footsteps of the explorer hero Ernest Shackleton whose epic journey in 1916 carved the path for many future expeditions to this breathtaking continent. You can pay homage to the great man with a visit to his grave in the abandoned South Georgia whale station of Grytvitken.

While the general surroundings are breathtaking, there are a few natural phenomena that are not to be missed on your expedition. These include the Amery Ice Shelf, which is a huge mass of floating ice, and the notorious Blood Falls, a five-storey high blood-red waterfall pouring out of the Taylor Glacier. The list of breathtaking landscapes goes on but you can be sure that it’s a photographer’s dream.

Before setting off, it’s worth getting a little familiar with your destination; let’s face it, for many, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. You’re most likely to be travelling during the summer, which means endless sunlight and many opportunities to get the right shot. However, conditions aren’t easy and everything will be different to your usual surroundings. So when you arrive, play around with your kit a bit to find out what works best for you.

The Silver Explorer is one of these magnificent vessels that you might be travelling on. It’s been refurbished to convert it into a luxury ship, with comfort and service prioritised, as well as having an ice-strengthened hull. If you’re travelling with a scientific team, you might find yourself on the MV Ortelius, which is a scientific survey ship designed for polar sailing. As well as the usual comforts, it has a lecture room, observation lounge and even a helicopter pad for special excursions.

From vibrant Buenos Aires you can include a flight to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego. As well as incredible views, you’ll earn boasting rights of having travelled to the southernmost tip of South America. If you want to pack more wildlife spotting into your expedition, you must include a visit to the Falkland Islands, which is a birder’s paradise.

A Life-Changing Experience

For many people, an Antarctica trip means fulfilling the dream of a lifetime. These expeditions can be the answer if you’re interested in taking a holiday with a difference that you will never forget. The temperature may be testing, but it’s well worth braving the elements, given the truly magical experience that only a journey to this part of the world can provide.

Suggested Itineraries

All of our holidays include highlights such as wildlife sightings, options for extra excursions, and of course, incredible scenery. But we understand how important it is to ensure that this unique holiday is right for you, so we’ve created a variety of adventures for you to choose from.

Antarctica may have a reputation as something of a remote region – and indeed that is part of its fascinating appeal to many – but here at WILDFOOT we take great pride in making it accessible to a wide range of intrepid travellers. Antarctic holidays simply come no better than ours, thanks to our combination of unrivalled local expertise, competitively-priced packages and a commitment to fulfilling your most specific needs for an Antarctica break.

As the Antarctica region becomes progressively more reachable for more and more travellers, here at WILDFOOT, we do everything possible to give you the true trip of a lifetime to this endlessly stimulating part of the world. Nowhere else could you expect to encounter such intriguing and often thrilling wildlife, for example, searching for Emperor Penguins in and around the Weddell Sea, and walking amongst thousands of King Penguins in South Georgia along with Gentoo, Macaroni, Adelie and Chinstrap penguins around other parts of the peninsula.

Other wildlife must-sees on your Antarctic holidays include albatross, petrels, whales and dolphins – but it isn’t merely the ‘local residents’ that will take your breath away on a break to the polar region. That’s because the region also serves up the most spectacular scenery, composed of mammoth glaciers and towering mountains, as well as huge icebergs and even spring meadows and grassland, depending on whether you centre your trip on the Antarctic mainland or such nearby islands as South Georgia and the Falklands. You can even view wildlife and encounter icebergs from on board zodiacs – a truly up-close experience.

While the inhospitality of Antarctica has not lent itself to the development of a native culture, there is nonetheless much to be found on the Falklands and Tristan da Cunha, where the descendants of 19th and 20th century settlers work the land and exploit the sea to live. Our Antarctic holidays also present you with the opportunity to head pole-wards in the footsteps of legendary explorers like Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen – even making a poignant visit to Shackleton’s grave.

However, don’t forget that with WILDFOOT your Antarctic adventure will also be an exceptionally comfortable one, for as long as you are onboard one of our luxury ships with their spacious cabins, five-star service and on-board cuisine, your comfort and enjoyment is the priority. At the same time, we ensure the best possible value for money on your trip through our close work with the finest expedition operators. We offer expeditions on all standards of ship, which opens up our experience to those travelling on all budgets.

Our dedication to every aspect of your Antarctic holidays should make us your first choice when you seek to journey to this most remarkable end of the earth. Contact the friendly and professional team at WILDFOOT now for a more in-depth discussion of your options and to book your dream Antarctica break.