Planning a Trip to Antarctica

There are over seventy thousand pairs of penguins in Antarctica, and they walk around looking like they're dressed for dinner and they own this entire land you are about to check out.

Obsessed with caring for their feathers, the penguins also care very attentively to their nests made of pebbles. They must defend their chicks from seals and skuas, and they must protect their area from encroaching neighbors. The fluffy down-covered brown babies chatter constantly, bumping their heads into their parents in a constant demand for food. Penguins are designed to be feeding machines. After a penguin comes back from the ocean with food, they will peck and bow ritualistically before their mate goes off into the waters.

Though they have been portrayed as being so, penguins are not cute animals. Not only are they aggressive and argumentative, but they also have a very foul smell. Nonetheless, the human race continues to be fascinated by them. The chance to enter the penguins' world calls more and more tourists to Antarctica each year.

Penguins are not the only animals you can see in Antarctica. A gorgeous background of sea and landscapes hosts animals like whales, dolphins and seals, as well as seabirds like albatross. Some of the glaciers you will see boast spires that are so tall, they can be compared to the ones on cathedrals in Europe. There is adventure in traveling to a spot where all the people who have previously been there number less than fit into a football stadium. The continent of Antarctic can be considered Earth's last, pure frontier.

As expected, traveling there is exploit. Your trip will be fascinating, rare and costly. To reach Ushuaia, Argentina's southernmost port, you'll fly for twenty hours from the United States. You could also choose to fly into Punta Arenas, Chile or Cape Town, South Africa. Christchurch, New Zealand is another point at which you could then catch an ice-rated expedition cruise ship. As soon as you make it to one of these cities, you are going to have another several days of traveling by cruise to make it to Antarctica.

Bigger than continental USA and Mexico put together. The continent of Antarctica has ice shelves on all sides, which measure out to an area which is larger than Greenland, Europe and all of North America combined. This comprises about 70% of all of the fresh water on Earth, and the area is so massive that it deforms the surface of the Earth. You can choose from cruises that last from ten to twenty-eight days. You can also choose from ships that host between 75 and 200 passengers. Prepare for a different type of ship than those that cruise the Caribbean or Mediterranean. You'll be regaled by lectures and slideshows of Antarctica instead of lured to the casino.

These ships will put their passengers onto rafts so that they can approach the rookeries of penguins and colonies of seals, or to get them to research stations. At these stations, scientists investigate a wide variety of things, from the nature of the ozone layer to how life can sustain in Antarctic climates.

The original five signors of the international agreement on Antarctica maintain science research facilities on the continent. These countries agreed that Antarctica must be border-free, commerce-free and nuclear-free. They created an area of protection for science learning.

Some think this eco-tourism is dangerous. When a DC-10 plane crashed in 1979, flyover tourism halted. There is concern by scientists and environmentalists that Antarctica is going to become a tourist hotspot, which will harm the ecosystem that is in place. The limitation of Antarctic tourism is debated by scientists, environmentalists, and politicians alike. Each wants to have a pristine Antarctica. Returning travelers can also help with conservation efforts in Antarctica.

Right now tourists are not regulated. That said, you must follow the basic ideas of ecotourism if you do go. Don't bother any native elements, only take photos, and don't leave anything behind but footprints. If you find yourself packing for a trip to the Antarctic, you should bring clothing that you can layer. Although most of the ships will give you down filled parka jackets, you are going to have to bring your own waterproof boots and plenty of socks. Take along sunglasses, a powerful sunblock, and a camera. Prices onboard your ship will usually be very high, and you're not likely to find a shop in the Antarctic.

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