Before you arrive, there are the clues. The electric blue “growlers” (miniature icebergs) floating in the water. A raft of penguins, dipping and diving alongside your ship. And then, finally, after two days at sea, you get a first glimpse of Earth’s last great wilderness: Antarctica.
More than 50 cruise operators run trips to the Antarctic Peninsula, ranging from luxurious vessels with helicopters and on-deck pools to smaller expedition yachts. However you sail, the same epic Antarctica awaits. This is a land of ornamental icebergs. It is a world where avalanches boom around sheltered bays, where leopard seals lull in the summer sun, while penguins – gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap – pinch stones from each other’s rock nests.
Some say travel to Antarctica is an indulgence too far. In the modern era, however, Antarctic ships are cleaner than ever, including a growing fleet of hybrid vessels, and excursions are well managed thanks to closely guarded IAATO regulations.
Eleven of Telegraph Travel’s 50 judges have travelled to Antarctica. Eight gave the experience 10 out of 10, while three gave it a nine. With an average score of 9.7 it is, without dispute, the world’s ultimate travel experience. A pleasure, a privilege, and the closest you can get to an interplanetary experience without leaving Earth’s orbit.
How to do it
HX Expeditions offers a range of Antarctica itineraries. The 12-day Highlights of Antarctica trip starts from £7,238pp, on an all-inclusive basis.
Greg Dickinson
