A journey to the peninsula of Antarctica is a trip of a lifetime – and to tack on additional time to visit visits to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands made for a really educational and rewarding 23 day journey to the white continent.
Now technically South Georgia and the Falkland Islands are SubAntarctic Islands – not the easiest places in the world to get to but oh so worthy!
My trip was done onboard the Greg Mortimer; a perfect sized ship with 70 cabins and in the Antarctic allows for ALL passengers to disembark at one time – more on that later.
Yes one can fly over the Drake Passage – or sail it – and this journey I went back and forth over the Drake Passage and loved every minute. When you have the time at sea the Antarctic sort of creeps up on you; the temperature slowly changes and the feeling in the air is markedly different. As you get further south you never forget the moment you see your first ice burg – when you cross the Antarctic convergence and see for yourself the difference in the color and consistency of water. When you have time on the Drake there is time for lectures and contemplation – and the anticipation of arrival to the Peninsula is heightened at every nautical mile
What made our itinerary so special and inclusive is that we covered three (very) significant things
- Landings on the Peninsula & Continent (but not the South Shetlands – this time)
- Dropped south to 66.33°, the Antarctic Circle (!) which can only be done in later spring months
- Sailed 52 hours from Elephant Island to spend several days on South Georgia Island & the Falkland Islands
The season for Antarctic is November to late March; there is no better time of the season to go here; just different. The only error you can make is not going at all. In December it is spring on the White Continent; ice is thicker and fresher; light is longer with the sun barely touching the horizon on December 21st. November & December you can ski and snowshoe here; and yes, you can even camp on the ice. The wildlife here is appropriately called ‘extremophiles’ meaning these critters have an awful lot of adverse weather conditions to deal with. And they do it brilliantly
In late January and into February/ March travelers can opt to fly over the Drake Passage – this means getting a charter flight to/from Punta Arenas Chile (think Chile charter) and flying to/from King George Island in the South Shetland Islands where there is a landing strip on one of the bases. No, there is no commercial service. Choices, choices, choices – that is why the more you know, the better your experience will be
Stick with me here to learn more about this place I am so passionate about; a place I am an ambassador for. Watch for ‘nuggets of knowledge’ that will help you be successful in talking Antarctica – and soon, the Arctic. It is a VERY special place that demands a special level of understanding – and once you are a member of the Penguin & Ice Fan Club – be warned. There is no going back!!!
