Earth’s fifth largest and southernmost continent is Antarctica. The continent lies over the South Pole, and is covered 98% with ice, with an average thickness of 1.6 kilometers. Antarctica is a cold, dry and windy continent, devoid of any permanent human habitation, and its central area is technically the largest desert in the world. Only a few cold- adapted living beings survive there, including a number of algae, lichens and mosses, and of course the fur seals and the penguins. The continent’s ecozone is protected by the Antarctic Treaty signed in 1959, which prohibits military and mining activities in the continent. Around 5000 scientists from different parts of the world are stationed in Antarctica for various research activities.
The immediate inaccessibility has led to a growing interest in the cold continent, resulting in increasing number of cruise tours each year. It is not possible to visit Antarctica on a personal basis, and you will have to be part of one or the other expeditionary cruise, under the guidance of experienced ice and wildlife experts and seafarers.
Antarctica has no indigenous inhabitants. The scientists and tourists make up a flexible number of temporary inhabitants throughout the year. The closes continent to Antarctica is South America. Antarctica has no indigenous government or economic activity of its own.
Around 20 vessels, all ice strengthened cruise ships, conduct the tours in Antarctica. They can carry 45 to 280 passengers. In many cases, the sightseeing is conducted without landing. Smaller yacht tours are also available for those who wish to have the extra thrill.
One must remember that the tour depends on the mood and condition of the continent. Weather and ice controls the time and date of the tours. Most trips take from ten days to three weeks. Approximate amount of expenditure is around $8000-$10,000 for a fortnight’s trip.
Antarctica visits are scheduled in the five month period of Antarctic Summer, from November to March, when the daylight may be available for more than twenty hours. The rest of the year, the continent is not very accommodating for occasional tourists, being very cold [ temperatures can be -90°C ] and almost always dark. There is the danger of being stuck in the sea ice for a prolonged period of time.
Trips generally starts from Ushuaia in Argentina. Other ports which might be used for departure are Hobart in Australia, Christchurch in New Zealand and Port Elizabeth in South Africa. A trip to Antarctica demands no documents or visas, unless your ship stops at some other country whereby you may need the papers.
The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) is a voluntary organization, which has laid certain rules about the size of the cruise ship and codes of conduct. One such rule is that only 100 passengers may land at any one time in any one place in Antarctica. If you travel on a small ship, you get the chance to get ashore every time. Your days on the ship will be enriched with lectures from experienced guides about Antarctic history and natural history.
