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Most remote wilderness in the world with Alyson Adventures

Voyage of a lifetime!

An active, outdoors vacation with Alyson Adventures.

It's easy to get to know the other travelers in our small, friendly, gay and lesbian groups.

This is just one of our many active gay vacations.

A trek to Antarctica is a unique journey and part of the adventure is its unpredictability. The best preparation is to be fit, flexible and open to the experience.

 


Antarctica Adventure: Most remote wilderness in the world

Most remote wilderness in the world: Frequently-Asked Questions about Antarctica Adventure

For ten days, we’ll sail along the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, to see some of the most stunning wilderness areas on earth. Rugged and savage, teeming with extensive wildlife, Antarctica is still an explorer’s dream. We’ll sail down the Beagle Channel accompanied by albatross, then head across the Drake Passage. Along the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands, we’ll see icebergs, massive mountains and ice shelves. Then, we step onto the continent, itself, exploring this vast and amazing land.

This FAQ page is intended to accompany other pages about this trip and about our company (see links at left). Some of the answers below may include links to other other sites; please use the BACK key of your browser to return to this page.

Contents:

What cabins are available for the January 1-10, 2012 Antarctica Cruise on the Plancius and what are the prices?
There are several cabins types on this ship. We are holding several TWIN PRIVATE WINDOW cabins for our group, with the Quad and Superior cabins available on request. These are current prices, which can be reduced by 5% for reservations received before March 15, 2011:

* Quad Private cabins with private bath (limited availability): $6590;
* Twin Private Window cabins with private bath and two twin beds (15 sq meters/ 161 sq feet): $8090;
* Superior Twin cabins with private bath and one double bed (21 Sq meters/226 sq feet): $9550.
* Single occupancy is available by paying 1.7 times the double occupancy per person rate.
* Single occupancy of Twin Private Window cabin: $13,753
* Single occupancy of Superior cabin: $16,235Back to Top

What is the "Camping on the Ice" option on this cruise?
Our cruise offers an exciting ‘open air’ camping option, providing an intensive experience of the Antarctic wilderness for up to 30 participants. The camping is on the Antarctic Peninsula or nearby islands. The camping group will be taken ashore after dinner, and returns to the ship just before breakfast. We’ll be ashore up to 10 hours, but it will never get dark during December-January cruises.

Polar sleeping bags and sleeping mattresses will keep campers dry, warm and comfortable during the night in the open air of Antarctica. Depending on the weather, you will have the option of sleeping in a 3-person tent or using individual waterproof, breathable bivouac bags (lightweight alternative to tents) to sleep under the open sky.

One night on the ice can be reserved in advance (subject to availability), but the expedition team will offer more camping occasions when the ship will remain close to shore overnight and weather conditions permit. On shore a camp will be made in a place where wildlife will not be disturbed.

According to international regulations we are not allowed to take stoves, fuel nor food ashore, in order to prevent the spreading of diseases and seeds of alien plant species. (The exception is that our guides are able to carry emergency rations and survival gear, drinking water and medical supplies.) Toilet facilities are extremely limited since everything must be taken back to the ship. Details will be sent to those who select this option. Upon departure everything that was carried ashore must be returned to the ship.

Please note that camping is always subject to weather, local site and environmental regulations.Back to Top

What have past travelers said about camping on the ice?
Our 2010 tour director for this cruise said: "Camping on the Antarctic Continent is a once in a lifetime experience. If you've never tried winter camping, this will definitely be a unique experience in many ways. There is daylight for about 20 hours with a dusk-like darkness for the other 4 hours. You have the choice of sleeping under the sky (no stars) or in tents. Most folks on a clear night choose to sleep out in the open providing it is not too windy. The ship provides all the necessary equipment to provide comfort - a warm sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. The excursion starts after dinner and you will be back on the ship in time for breakfast the next morning around 7:30. There is nothing quite like the stillness and sheer beauty of a night out on the Antarctic continent. It's a special experience and one you will remember forever."Back to Top

When and where does the Antarctica Adventure cruise start and end?
The cruise starts and ends in the southernmost city in the world, the Beagle Channel port of Ushuaia, Argentina. We strongly urge you to arrive in Ushuaia the day before the tour starts, since it is nearly impossible to catch up to the cruise if you miss the sailing.Back to Top

What is the cancellation policy for the cruise on the Plancius?
The following cancellation policy applies for cruises on the Plancius. This policy supercedes the standard Alyson Adventures cancellation schedule for tours operated by Alyson Adventures.

* Up to and including 90 days prior to departure: 10 % of the total cruise price;
* from 90 days up to and including 31 days prior to departure: 50 % of the total price for the cruise plus selected land options;
* from 30 days up to and including the day of departure : 100 % of the total price for the cruise and selected land options.

We strongly recommend purchasing cancellation and interruption insurance for this cruise to protect your financial investment.Back to Top

How can I get more information about our specific cruise?
Details are available on the cruise operator's website about our January 1-10, 2012 Antarctica CruiseBack to Top

What flights are required to get to and from the Antarctica cruise?
Most travelers will fly between their home airport and Buenos Aires (BA). Aerolineas Argentinas, American Airlines and LAN Argentina fly non-stop between Miami and BA several times a week, and various other North American and European carriers fly to BA from their hub airports. Most flights between North America and Argentina are overnight in both directions.

Within Argentina, all travelers will need to fly the four-hour flight between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, at the southern tip of the country. At this time, Aerolineas Argentinas is the main airline flying this route, but LanArgentina flies this route once or twice a day. The only other flights to Ushuaia are 2-stop flights on LAN Chile from Santiago, Chile, with connections from several North American cities to Santiago, but these only operate a few days a week.

Anyone visiting Iguazu Falls before the cruise will also need to reserve the two-hour flight between Buenos Aires and Iguazu.

Flights are not included in the tour package, because Aerolineas Argentinas generally charges MORE for groups than for individuals. However, we would be happy to assist with flights, and we can often obtain lower ticket prices than can be obtained elsewhere.Back to Top

What options do I have if I want to break up the trip between my home and Ushuaia?
Since nearly everyone will need to take a long flight to Buenos Aires, then a 4-hour flight to Ushuaia, we encourage you to consider spending at least a day or two in Argentina's vibrant capital while you are passing through. You may also want to take a few more days and take in the amazing waterfalls of Iguazu Falls. Please contact us if you'd like suggestions regarding any extra time in Argentina.Back to Top

 

 

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