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Antarctica Expeditions

There are two major gateways to Antarctica, South America or New Zealand/Australia. The majority of visitors use the South American gateway, only a small number travel from New Zealand/Australia. The New Zealand/Australia gateway is often referred to as the Historic Gateway because it was from here the great polar explorers like Scott, Shackleton and Mawson departed for Antarctica.  It is also the more challenging of the two gateways. Distances are greater and access is limited to just three months of each year when the fast ice breaks out. The greater distances mean longer expeditions.

You will cross the Antarctic Circle before reaching the continent where there are opportunities to visit the historic huts of the early explorers, spend time in some of the largest Adelie penguin colonies, view emperor penguins on the fast ice, discuss Antarctic research with scientists at the research bases and just soak in the scenery of this amazing place. We have three expeditions departing New Zealand each austral summer, one to East Antarctica and the other two to the Ross Sea.

Our sister company in the Heritage Travel Group - Wild Earth Travel operates charters from Ushuaia in South America to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

Southern Ocean Map