Exploring Antarctica

EXCITING DESTINATIONS TO VISIT

CONTENTS Polartours | Exploring Antarctica

Table of Contents
Interesting Facts....................................................................................................01
Antarctica...............................................................................................................02
Destinations To Visit..............................................................................................04
Our Passion............................................................................................................14

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INTERESTING FACTS Exploring Antarctica

Antarctic
Continent surrounded by ocean, located in the South

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WEATHER 0 Temperature varies from −10 °C on the coast

-25
to −60 °C at the highest parts of the interior.
-6 0 oC

ICE Ice sheet has increased 1% every decade

since 1979. 14 million km2 (5.4 million square
miles)

No terrestrial vertebrates. Only seabirds and

ANIMALS marine mammals. Penguins nest on land.
Microscopic invertebrates live amongst the
moss

No tundra or tree lines. Only two higher plants,

PLANTS plus many mosses, lichens and liverworts

No groups of native people. The population

PEOPLE south of 60oS is sparse and occurs at
scattered scientific stations, either seasonally
or annually

Winter Solstice - June 21 Summer Solstice -

SEASONS Dec 21 Best Time To Visit: October-April

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ANTARCTICA Polartours | Exploring Antarctica

Antarctica
Voyage to the White Continent

No place on Earth compares to the extreme environment of wind, ice, and rock that forms the
vast white wilderness of Antarctica. With its breathtaking remoteness, extreme climate,
enormous ice shelves, and a myriad of extraordinary life forms, Antarctica makes for a soul-
stirring experience.

Enjoy a front seat to the incredible history of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration that
marks Antarctica’s shores. Follow in the footsteps of the greatest explorers from
Shackleton, to Scott and Amundsen. Allow your imagination to lead you back in time and
experience the thrill of cross country skiing across the polar plateau and visit historic huts
preserved by ice that tell epic tales of survival and bravery. Journey to McMurdo Station
and Hut Point, a hut filled with provisions and locked in time by the Antarctic’s harsh
climate from Robert F. Scott’s expedition in 1904.

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ANTARCTICA Polartours | Exploring Antarctica

Those who brave the windiest, driest place on Earth are greeted with a fascinating
landscape, where the plateaus of Eastern Antarctica and the icy mountain archipelago of
Western Antarctica are divided by Transatlantic Mountain range. Among these vast,
untamed areas one can find many things of wonder, from the many species of penguins,
seals, Antarctic birds, and the massive whales that make the water surrounding this white
continent their home, to Blood Falls in Taylor Glacier, the volcanic Mt. Erebus, and the
southernmost bar in the world at Vernadsky Research Base.

Unlike any other travel destination, it is ice and weather, not clocks and calendars, that
determine the itinerary and timetable of all exploration in this icy landscape. From the South
Shetland Islands to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, the Falklands and the Drake
Passage are among the most popular and beautiful spots that make up the seventh
continent. Visitors can kayak across tranquil, icy waters, enjoy panoramic views from
Antarctic peaks and witness prominent penguin and seal colonies.

Antarctica is a place of wild beauty where icebergs larger than cathedrals serenely float
across calm bays, and chattering Emperor and Adelie penguins tend to their young against
a backdrop of glaciers bluer than a summer sky. Are you ready to explore Earth’s last great
wilderness?

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ANTARCTICA Polartours | Exploring Antarctica

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Destinations
To Visit

1. Antarctic Peninsula – NW Side

2. Antarctic Peninsula – SW Side
3. Antarctic Sound
4. The Falkland Islands
5. King George Island
6. South Georgia
7. South Orkney Islands
8. South Shetland Islands

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ANTARCTICA Polartours | Exploring Antarctica

Antarctic Peninsula – NW Side

A popular expedition cruise destination

The North-West portion of the Antarctic Peninsula is the most frequently visited and is
home to many of the most popular landing sites for expedition cruises.

Being the most northerly part of the whole continent, the Peninsula enjoys the mildest Antarctic
condition, with temperatures in winter averaging a balmy -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F)! In the
summer, things warm up to an average of just above freezing. Large areas of this part of the
peninsula are therefore ice-free, and important breeding and feeding grounds for many iconic
Antarctic species.

It’s here that many of the historic Antarctic expeditions began, and where early military and scientific
bases were first established, some of which you will be able to visit if conditions allow. These
remarkable artefacts have been left as time capsules, their contents showing remarkable levels of
preservation thanks to the dry and cold climate.

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ANTARCTICA Polartours | Exploring Antarctica

Antarctic Peninsula – SW Side

Rugged beauty, huge mountains, spectacular glaciers

For the hardiest of adventurers only, this is the “deep south”!

The South West side of the Antarctic Peninsula is only accessible to a select few cruises, and
only then subject to the conditions. Frequently impassable due to ice build-up, if you are lucky
to visit you will enjoy remarkable frozen vistas and invigorating Zodiac cruises bringing you up
close and personal with the wonderful ice landscapes.

If conditions are right, you may be able to cross the Antarctic Circle and even get to Marguerite
Bay - and be able to describe yourself as a true Antarctic explorer.

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ANTARCTICA Polartours | Exploring Antarctica

Antarctic Peninsula- NE
Home to the Antarctic Sound & the Weddell Sea

A spectacular destination, the Antarctic Sound is the gateway to the Weddell Sea and is
always home to many beautiful icebergs.

This 30-mile stretch of water cutting through the base of the Antarctic Peninsula offers remarkable
vistas as you sail past Joinville Island.

Only visited by expedition cruises since 2005, the Sound is often nicknamed “iceberg alley” and can
sometimes be blocked to cruises in years where the surrounding ice shelves calve in large numbers.

With towering, imposing icebergs and stunning glaciated mountains, the Antarctic Sound is a
photographer’s delight and offers some of the most breathtaking sights in the Peninsula.

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ANTARCTICA Polartours | Exploring Antarctica

The Falkland Islands

Home to the famous King penguins

Lying 300 miles off the Patagonian coast, and 750 miles from the Antarctic Peninsula, the
Falkland Islands (also known as Islas Malvinas in Spanish) is a far-flung British overseas
territory.

Consisting of two major islands and over 770 smaller islands and islets, they are home to a hardy
resident population of about 3,400 islanders. With a chequered history of disputed sovereignty, the
islands were uninhabited until the 1700s.

With an economy that was traditionally driven by whaling, then fishing and farming, the islands have
more recently diversified into sustainable tourism. With an abundance of wildlife, particularly birds
- including some species found nowhere else - the islanders have been restoring natural habitats
previously lost to grazing, as well as farming in ways that are more environmentally friendly.

There are a variety of sites to visit where you can see endemic and migrant birds, as well as several
colonies of penguins and seals. Whales and dolphins are frequently spotted in the Sound and off the
shoreline around the islands.

You will also see the historic capital, Stanley, which visitors often remark reminds them of how
England used to be 50 years or more ago…

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ANTARCTICA Polartours | Exploring Antarctica

King George Island

An old military base in the South Shetland Islands

The largest of the South Shetland Islands, King George Island lies only 75 miles from the coast
of the Antarctic continent. With historical claims made by Britain, Chile and Argentina, the island
is also known as Isla Rey Jorge and Isla 25 de Mayo.

The importance of King George Island to many Antarctic bases is the 1,300m long airstrip
maintained by the permanently occupied Chilean Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva. This
provides a lifeline as an airbridge for personnel and supplies for many other Antarctic bases and
research stations.

The presence of the airstrip allows King George Island to be used as a “fly-cruise” destination.
Flying from Chile across the Drake Passage saves up to 3 days at sea, allowing Antarctic exploration
for those with less time to take a full cruise.

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ANTARCTICA Polartours | Exploring Antarctica

South Georgia
A remote Antarctic location filled with wildlife

This remote and mountainous island might seem to be barren at first, given that it has no trees
and is snow-covered for much of the year. However, appearances can be deceptive, and South
Georgia is teeming with life!

Not only is it home to important breeding grounds for fur seals, elephant seals, and king penguins, it
is also the only known habitat of the South Georgia Pipit - the Antarctic’s only songbird - and the
South Georgia Pintail duck.

High, rugged mountains and stunning coastal fjords make cruising the coast of South Georgia a
spectacle you will remember.

Used as a base for early-20th century sealers, there are relics of this industry at various places
around the island - a reminder of the human history of exploitation of Antarctica and its natural
resources.

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ANTARCTICA Polartours | Exploring Antarctica

South Orkney Islands

A remote Antarctic archipelago

The South Orkney islands are located in the Scotia Sea at the North-Eastern tip of the
Antarctic Peninsula. They consist of 4 main islands that are mountainous and sometimes
have a rich green color. However, the South Orkney Islands are rarely visited on Antarctic
cruises because of their remote location.

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ANTARCTICA Polartours | Exploring Antarctica

South Shetland Islands

Home to beautiful landscapes and gentoo penguins

Sometimes overlooked as a destination by people keen to set foot on the Antarctic Peninsula, the
South Shetland Islands are a must-see destination in their own right.

Often the first and last landfall on an Antarctic cruise, many people are taken aback by the stunning
beauty of these islands. What better way to make contact with the Antarctic than by making your
first beach landing here surrounded by gentoo penguins?

Apart from some of the most southerly species of penguin, the South Shetlands are home to a
huge range of Antarctic wildlife, and they make a superb introduction to the wildlife of the whole
region, including key species like elephant seals, humpback whales, and more.

With active volcanoes, the relics and remains of its history as a centre for whaling, and some of the
most beautiful Antarctic mountain scenery, the South Shetland Islands are a fitting first destination
for any Antarctic cruise.

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ABOUT Polartours | Exploring Antarctica

Our Passion
Polartours is an Expedition Cruise Specialist for trips to Antarctica and the Arctic. We partner
with over 20 operators to bring you a huge range of expedition cruises, ranging from Greenland
to the Falkland Islands, from Svalbard to the Antarctica. We take great pride in our unrivalled
knowledge of the ships, itineraries and their philosophy of sustainable traveling.

We have no preferred operators, which means that we will gladly advise against one ship and for
another, if we feel that this will enhance your experience and match your interest, budget or level
of fitness better.

A cruise to the Arctic or Antarctica is not something you book without having done extensive
research. We understand the importance of your investment and that, for many of our clients,
it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This is why we give a best-price guarantee: Should you find a better price for the same route
anywhere else, let us know, and we will outmatch it. This way, you will never pay more than if
you booked with the operator directly. In addition, we also have excellent rates for any
arrangements you’d like to make around your cruise including flights, accommodation and land
tours.

And the best thing: Your trip is an investment into sustainable tourism. All our ships follow strict
ecological guidelines and, out of our own pocket, we chose to compensate 100% of the CO2-
Emissions created by your voyage.

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