5 Reasons to Visit Antarctica

A trip to Antarctica is the ultimate travel goal. These ends-of-the-Earth lands are tough to access and offer constant changes in scenery. Here are five reasons to set off on an Antarctic cruise.

1) Treat Yourself to a Unique Adventure

Far from major tourist routes, Antarctica remains one of the few preserved areas on the planet. Tourism is regulated. Vessels departing for the White Continent do not carry more than 200 passengers at a time. It’s an opportunity for everyone to enjoy an extraordinary experience and to create unforgettable memories.

2) Witness Exceptional Wildlife

A true sanctuary for wildlife, Antarctica is home to a diversity of marine mammals and birds that have come ashore to breed. In the water, Weddell seals, Minke whales, humpback whales, sea leopards, and sub-antarctic fur seals put on an enchanting show for travelers. Both on the ground and in the air, king penguins, gentoos, southern rockhoppers, and chinstraps, along with albatrosses and petrels, jump and frolic to complete the show.

3) Move Through Incredible Scenery

Blue icebergs, sparkling towers of ice, an immaculate ice floe, imposing mountain ranges and thousand-year-old glaciers serve as backdrops to these dreamy views. Here, you’ll be dazzled by shades of white, blue, grey, and sometimes purple. Sunsets give the ice a fiery glow. The sheer vastness of the setting and the ‘noise’ of the elements evoke moments of pure emotion.

4) Follow in the Footsteps of the Greatest Explorers!

Even if Antarctica remains very enigmatic today, think about what it must have been like more than a century ago. British explorer James Cook ventured there as early as 1773. Adventurers followed in their droves. From Captain Charcot to Sir Ernest Shackleton, or Roald Amundsen, who was the first to reach the South Pole, or, more recently, Paul-Émile Victor, these men have tried to unravel the mysteries of the ice floe.

5) Visit Historical Sites and Scientific Bases

Even today, the White Continent keeps some of its secrets for itself. Scientific bases have been set up there to carry out research, particularly relating to climate. Former whaling stations, veritable open-air museums, bear witness to the ravages of the seal and whale hunting that took place at the beginning of the 20th century. Port Lockroy is home to the southernmost post office in the world, from which you can send your loved ones a postcard featuring the Antarctic stamp.

As you can see, there are so many reasons to embark on this unique adventure to a continent that’s like no other.

BONUS: 3 Reasons to Discover the Arctic

It is said to be mythical, or at least as much as its opposite, the Antarctic. Only rarely do we get to know its most isolated regions. That is what makes it so appealing. Yet, the Arctic includes eight countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the United States, Canada, Denmark and Iceland) have many more marvels to discover. Here are three reasons to go to the Arctic.

1) To Meet the Local Communities

Spread over Greenland, Alaska and Canada, the Inuit have been perpetuating their traditions for more than 4,000 years. In the frozen vastness of the Far North, their ancestral way of life deserves our greatest respect. Their lives are organised around the level of the tides and the condition of the ice floe while their activities are focused on hunting and fishing. They are skilled craftsmen producing veritable works of art by sculpting walrus or narwhal tusks and working the furs and skins of marine mammals. Mindful of passing on their heritage, the Inuit welcome travellers with kindness, happily sharing their customs, traditional dancing and music.

2) To Discover Grandiose Nature

In the heart of the ice of the Far North and the primary forests of Alaska, the Arctic unveils its majestic landscapes. Colossal icebergs drift in deafening silence, glaciers alternate with the ice floe, impressive geysers and volcanos reach towards the sky, and the lakes, rivers and conifer forests stretch as far as the eye can see… All are home to exceptional fauna. In the waters of Spitsbergen or Baffin Bay, humpback whales, finbacks, narwhals, orcas and seals put on a breathtaking show. On land, we observe polar bears, walruses, musk oxen, Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer with emotion. In the air, countless bird species, including Arctic terns, puffins, sea eagles, gannets and bald eagles share the horizon.

3) To Follow in the Footsteps of the Great Explorers

Historically, the Arctic has attracted intrepid explorers in search of adventure. From the territory of Ultima Thule, the mythical kingdom of the Vikings, to the North Pole, men have surpassed themselves. They defied the elements and pushed all the boundaries. We still talk today of the exploits of James Cook, who sailed the coasts of Alaska in 1778, Roald Amundsen, the first man to traverse the Northwest Passage in 1905, and Paul-Emile Victor. The latter set off for the first time in 1934 with the famous Jean-Baptiste Charcot, heading for Greenland. In 1936, he crossed it from the west to the east, on dog sleds! He then spent 14 months alone with an Inuit family in Kangerlussuaq. His account served to bring to light these populations and their traditions, little-known in Europe until then.

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Thank you to our trusted travel partner Ponant Cruises for providing this great information that we can share with our clients. Make sure to reach out to Anywhere But Here Travel for more information about how we can help you plan your trip to the Arctic or Antarctic!