Travel Tips

Travel Tip: Antarctic Adventures Without Roughing It

It’s hard to get more off the beaten path than Antarctica, but you don’t have to be a hardened adventurer to go there.

Although it may sound harsh and inhospitable, Antarctica’s summer season takes place during our winter, between November and March. It’s not as cold as you might think, and best of all, you’ll get about 23 hours of daylight this time of year.

If you need creature comforts, there are specialized nature cruises of the South Pole, with companies like Lindblad and Abercrombie and Kent. They’re not cheap, but you’ll see plenty of glacial landscape, along with incredible wildlife like blue whales and emperor penguin, without having to rough it.

Or you can try an adventure cruise from Quark Expeditions that combines sightseeing with activities like mountain climbing and canoeing…with an expert guide.

And most people never think of island-hopping in the South Pole, but you can do that on the Falkland Islands. This archipelago is known for its easy access to wildlife, including the largest albatross colony in the world.

For more information, visit our Polar regions category.

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Feature image credit Rick Sammon.