What should you pay attention to when traveling to Antarctica alone?

To travel to Antarctica alone, you need to understand the general conditions of Antarctica. Choosing the time to go is also very important. It is more suitable to book tickets in advance and choose a cruise ship.

1. Understand the general situation of Antarctica. "Antarctica" in the general sense refers to the area south of 60° latitude, including Antarctica and the surrounding seas, with a total area of ??52 million square kilometers. Antarctica, including the Antarctic continent and surrounding islands, covers an area of ??14 million square kilometers, ranking fifth among the seven continents. It accounts for one-tenth of the earth's land area and is equivalent to 1.45 times the land area of ??China.

2. When to go is very important. There are no four seasons in Antarctica, only warm and cold seasons. The warm season is from November to March; the cold season is from April to October. In the warm season, the average temperature in the coastal zone rarely exceeds 0°C. The average temperature in the warm season is between +5 and -5 degrees Celsius, and in extreme weather conditions the temperature can be -10 degrees Celsius. The Antarctic travel season lasts about 5 months, the warm season of the year, and each month has unique highlights.

In November the ice breaks and penguins court. The daytime at this time in December and January is the warmest time on the Antarctic continent. You can enjoy up to 20 hours of sunshine every day, and the most important wave of tourists to Antarctica arrives during this time of the year. February to March is the best time to watch whales, when the penguin chicks start to grow their feathers.

3. Time to book ferry tickets. At least half a year in advance! January to May is the best booking period. Tickets for better times sell out quickly, so the earlier you book, the more options you have and the more discounts you can enjoy. Choose the appropriate flight according to your vacation; choose different cabin classes according to your preferences and capabilities. Choose from different routes depending on your time and taste.

4. Travel methods. Cruise tourism is the way 90% of tourists choose to go to Antarctica, and most of them depart from Ushuaia. The cruise ship you choose must be a member of IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators). This organization promotes environmentally friendly tourism in Antarctica. It has strict requirements for ship operators and can also ensure the safety of your trip. The general price is between 7W and 20W, depending on the route chosen, the class of travel, and the departure time.

Ships going to Antarctica are divided into two categories according to size: small ships, carrying about 100 passengers. The shore trip takes much longer, and you can sail closer to the islands near the North and South Pole. You can also sail in some famous fjords and enjoy the magnificent polar natural scenery more closely on the boat.

You can more flexibly arrange sailing routes and activity schedules based on weather, ice floes and other conditions to make full use of every day in the North and South Pole. Large ships, more than 200 people. Generally speaking, this kind of cruise ship is more comfortable, more stable in rough seas, and can cross the Drake Passage faster, but larger ships have a greater impact on the environment.