Recommendation for guides to Antarctica
Apr 4, 2023 12:50:13 #
Latsok wrote:
Check out the info about Ushuaia, Argentina (the S... (show quote)
Are you suggesting that one fly to Ushuaia and then look for a smaller ship to take you to Antarctica? I am sure that is possible, but at least for me, I would much prefer that I have such an arrangement in place before heading down to Ushuaia. Also, the Drake's Passage can be extremely rough, not sure I would want to be on a small ship going through the Passage. It is great that there are so many choices, we each have different desires and funds.
PS. Hiking on the Antarctica peninsula was one of the highlights for me, much better than just seeing it from a boat. And one of the criteria I would use to judge a trip is how many landings one has. But again, guess others may not feel the same way.
Apr 4, 2023 16:05:45 #
ricardo00 wrote:
Are you suggesting that one fly to Ushuaia and the... (show quote)
NO, I am suggesting to look at websites and other info available on what types off tours and excursions are available from Ushuaia and compare this to other sources of info to reach a decision. YES, Drake passage can be and often are extremely rough, and the tour organizers in Ushuaia can be very helpful in steering travelers in the right direction. And, you are right when you say "we each have different desires and funds." I was not looking for a "hike" on Antarctica; I just wanted to take in the whole surreal aura of the region, and my cruise ship provided this over and above all expectations. I did hike and saw a great deal in the Falklands. Weather precluded two other additional shore excursions (landings), so I did miss out on that, but overall - the trip was an other-worldly beautiful experience. This may not be enough for some adventuresome travelers, but that's what my budget could handle and I wouldn't trade it. I may go back next year if I decide to put up with the gruelingly long airline flights to and from!
Apr 4, 2023 22:52:35 #
JimGray
Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Knsh55a wrote:
# of passengers dictates how many landings per day can be made. Small ships can make 2 landings per day. Larger ships can make 1 landing per. Big cruise ships make zero landings with possible exceptions of Stanley in the Falklands. You want to make as many landings as possible - to see penguins, seals and associated bird life. /
Knsh55a makes very good points about the size of the ship or more importantly the number of passengers. If you really want to see and photograph Antarctica you need to get in the Zodiacs and get on land. You will often get much closer to the penguins on land and be able to get good penguin portraits. Other scenes of glaciers and snowy mountains are best viewed from land and a Zodiac. For me and my wife, this was not just about merely putting foot on the Antarctic continent and going for a hike on the continent. I have a mild disability and hiking is not easy for me. However, I am very glad for the opportunity to shoot wildlife, the scenery, and some details you can only shoot from land. I also want to emphasize the photographic opportunities from the Zodiacs. I got some of my best shots of Leopard seals and crabeater seals from a Zodiac. I also got some great shots of icebergs and glaciers from Zodiacs. We did also get some great shots from aboard the ship. I can only guess, but I think the smaller ship I was on was able to get in a better position to shoot glaciers, etc than the much larger cruise ships. I would recommend going on a ship that holds at most 200 passengers. I can understand that some people prefer larger ships for several reasons. Because of my chronic medications, I am much more susceptible to seasickness than I used to be. I easily got through the Drake passage with the help of seasick meds. It was worth it.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.