Group Size Notes
Max 134 aboard the G Expedition.
Meals Included
12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners
Meals
Onboard our expedition ships you’ll find a diversity of gourmet international cuisines prepared and catered by professional chefs; all meals are included in the price of your expedition. Dining is casual, tables are unassigned and the dining room is capable of seating the entire passenger compliment at one time. There is always a selection of different meals available, and vegetarians will find plenty of options. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice, please advise us at time of confirmation. Coffee, tea and water are all provided free of charge. All other beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic are not included and can be purchased in the dining room, pub or the lounge.
Transport
G Expedition, Zodiac, private bus, walking.
Local Flights
Local flights are not included in the price of this trip. Please make sure that you arrive into Ushuaia on Day 1. If you require assistance booking local flights please contact your G Adventures representative. From our experience we have found that there are regular delays in flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
Please note that internal flights in Argentina generally allow less luggage than international flights.
Solo Travellers
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Finishing Point Instructions
Upon completion of the 8:00 am disembarkation in Ushuaia, passengers will receive a complimentary transfer to either the airport or a central location where luggage can be stored.
For those on morning flights, the 8:00 am transfer will bring them directly to Ushuaia airport (USH). The rest of the passengers will be transferred to the luggage storage point and given time to explore the city. These passengers should then return to retrieve their luggage and board a second transfer to Ushuaia airport at 12:30 pm or 4:30 pm, depending on their flight times. Please note that the transfer times are subject to change according to flight schedules.
With the understanding that most will be needing to connect to their International flights in Buenos Aires, you can arrange departure flights from Ushuaia starting from 9:00 am onward. Although if possible, we suggest you consider booking flights after 11:00 am.
What to Take
Most airlines allow one checked bag and two carry-on per person. To avoid any problems at check-in and with possible excess baggage charges, please consult the airline for specific restrictions. For storage on board the expedition ship soft compactible luggage makes storage much easier.
Dress on board is informal. Plan to bring comfortable, casual clothing for all activities. Bring wind and waterproof outer layers. Beware of tight clothing that leaves no room for trapped air, which is an excellent insulator. Wool, silk and some of the new synthetic fibers, like polar fleece, retain heat better than cotton. When packing, we suggest that you do not weigh yourself down with too many clothes or too much gear. Select informal, practical attire that can be worn in layers.
One of the important items that you will need to bring on your voyage is a a pair of waterproof pants. It is possible to rent gear in Ushuaia for the expedition, but the quantity and quality of gear varies greatly depending on the demand. For the location of a rental shop consult with the front desk of the hotel where you are staying. If arriving on embarkation day you will NOT have time to rent the gear. You will also not have time to return the rental gear if you have a morning flight departing Ushuaia.
In the worlds most remote destinations that the G Expedition travels to we cannot offload our plastics, glass or tin waste for recycling. Therefore, we try to reduce what single use items that we use. You will see on the ship that every effort is being used to stop the use of single use plastic containers, bags and other items. In an effort to prevent plastic waste from entering the waste stream, we are asking for your help. We offer exceptional drinking water on the ship with refilling stations for your re-useable water containers. You will be provided a complimentary water bottle to fill up as needed. Plastic Items such as single use shampoo/conditioner plastic containers cannot be recycled, so please plan to bring any plastics back to your home countries for recycling. Please do not bring single use items that you intend to leave behind such plastic bags and throw away razors. Your participating in helping to prevent pollution and promote recycling is greatly appreciated.
Packing List
Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Required visas or vaccination certificates (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
Expedition:
• Binoculars (highly recommended)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Drybag (To protect your camera and belongings on Zodiac landings)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece jacket or warm layer
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear (good gripping) (Please note that open toed shoes are not allowed in public spaces on the Expedition.)
• Hair dryer (If needed; one hair dryer is already provided in each cabin on board the Expedition.)
• Hat
• Long pants/jeans
• Moisturizer/lip balm
• Moneybelt
• Motion sickness tablets
• Outlet adapter (Electricity onboard is 220AC electrical outlets, with European 2 pin round holes, as well as 110-volt shaving sockets in the bathroom for electric razors only.)
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Scarf
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Thermal base layer
• Thermal underwear
• Toiletries (Shampoo and shower gel are included aboard the Expedition.)
• Walking poles (if desired)
• Warm hat
• Warm waterproof gloves
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Waterproof pants (Mandatory for all Zodiac landings)
• Wool/Heavy socks
Health & Safety:
• Face masks (required)
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
• Rubber gloves
Note: Please note shampoo, conditioner and shower gel are provided on board.
Suggested Reading
ANTARCTICA
Suggested Reading List
There are several dozen books on Antarctica that could be recommended, books dealing with various explorers and expeditions, scientific studies, etc.
________________________________________
Amundsen, Roald. The South Pole. John Murray, 1912.
Antarctica: Great Stories from the Frozen North. Reader’s Digest, 1985. Natural history, explorers, atlas and other miscellaneous information.
Asimov, Isaac. The Ends of the Earth. Weybright and Talley, 1975. General narrative of the polar regions of the world.
Bond, Creina and Roy Siegfried. Antarctica: No Single Country, No Single Sea. Mayflower Books, 1979. Photos by Peter Johnson.
Byrd, Richard E. Alone. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1938.
Campbell, David. Crystal Desert. Houghton Mifflin, 1992.
Cherry-Garrard, Apsley. The Worst Journey in the World. Constable, 1922.
Chester, Jonathan. Antarctica: Beauty in the Extreme. Michael Friedman Publishing, 1991. Limited copies available from Mountain Travel-Sobek.
Fiennes, Ranulph. To the Ends of the Earth: the Transglobe Expedition. Arbor House, 1983.
Fuchs, Vivian and Edmund Hillary. The Crossing of Antarctica. Little, Brown, 1958. The Common wealth Trans-Antarctica Expedition 1955-1958.
Halle, Louis J. The Sea and the Ice: A Naturalist in Antarctica. Houghton Mifflin, 1973. Account of a journey on an icebreaker to Antarctica with an emphasis on bird observations.
Harrington, Richard. Richard Harrington’s Antarctic. Alaska Northwest Publishing Co., 1976.
Harrison, Peter. Seabirds. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1885.
Huntford, Roland. Scott and Amundsen. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1980. Story of the two great rival explorers.
Huntford, Roland. Shackleton. Fawcett Columbine, 1985.
Huxley, Elspeth. Scott of the Antarctic. Atheneum, 1978.
King, Judith E. Seals of the World. Cornell University Press, 1983.
Lansing, Alfred. Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage. McGraw-Hill, 1959.
May, John. The Greenpeace Book of Antarctica. Doubleday, 1988.
Mear, Roger and Robert Swan. A Walk to the Pole: To the Heart of Antarctica in the Footsteps of Scott. Crown, 1987.
Moss, Sanford. Natural History of the Antarctic Peninsula. Columbia University Press, 1988.
Peterson, Roger Tory. Penguins. Houghton Mifflin, 1979.
Porter, Elliot. Antarctica. Dutton, 1978. Narration of his experiences on an NSF expedition to Antarctica; wonderful photographs.
Pyne, Stephen J. The Ice: A Journey to Antarctica. Ballantine, 1988. Geophysical examination of Antarctica and essays on the history and landscape of this continent.
Ralling, Christopher, ed. Shackleton. British Broadcasting Corp., 1983.
Ray, G. Carleton and M.G. McCormick-Ray. Wildlife of the Polar Regions. Harry N. Abrams, 1981.
Riedman, Marianne. The Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses. University California Press.
Scott, Robert F. Scott’s Last Expedition. Dodd, Mead 1913. The personal journals of Captain R.F. Scott on his journey to the South Pole.
Shackleton, Ernest. South: The Story of Shackleton’s 1914-1917 Expedition. Heinemann, 1970.
Siple, Paul. 90 South. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1959.
Stonehouse, Bernard. Animals of the Antarctic: The Ecology of the Far South. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1972.
Watson, George. Birds of the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic. American Geophysical Union, 1975.
Watson, Lyall and Tom Ritchie. Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Hutchinson, 1981.
Worsley, F.A. Shackleton’s Boat Journey. W.W. Norton, 1977.
Others:
Safina, Carl. Eye of the Albatross / Song for the Blue Ocean
Herzel, David. Sailor on Ice: Tom Crean with Scott in the Antarctic 1910-1913
Also available in: Kindle and Nook
http://www.amazon.com/Sailor-Ice-Antarctic-1910-1913-ebook/dp/B00AEU1K6Y
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/245578
Visas and Entry Requirements
All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.
Detailed Trip Notes
Experience Counts
Accompanying the voyage is our dedicated and experienced expedition staff, naturalists and lecturers who share with us their knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment to the environment. Our ship is manned by officers and crew, all highly experienced in ice navigation.
Environmental Policy
We are dedicated to minimizing the impact of our expedition on wildlife and sensitive natural habitats. We operate environmentally responsible cruise and expeditions and follow all internationally agreed regulations of conduct ashore. We are all privileged visitors – and committed to the future of these extraordinary, icy realms.
Safety First
Although expedition cruising is adventurous by nature, the safety of our passengers and staff is paramount. Our ship is equipped and maintained to cope with the most challenging conditions and is manned by experienced and conscientious officers, crew and expedition staff. The Zodiac landing craft used for shore landings are rugged and versatile and are operated by experienced drivers in a responsible manner. Onboard you will be fully briefed on safety issues and our environmental policy and you will receive appropriate and detailed briefings before every landing.
Expedition Staff and Lecturers
A carefully chosen team will lead our voyage. They are chosen not only for their local knowledge and wealth of experience but also for their great love of the Antarctic. With formal lectures, as well as informal briefings and discussions, your lecturers and Expedition Leader will cover all aspects of the voyage including ornithology, marine biology, geography, geology, history and the environment, as well as practical things like photography.
Tips for Travellers
We are all privileged visitors to these extraordinary, icy realms. As a traveller, it is your responsibility to help ensure your impact on Antarctica’s flora and fauna is minimal.
The following are excerpts from the GUIDANCE FOR VISITORS TO THE ANTARCTIC:
Respect wildlife
Do not feed, touch, or handle birds or seals, or approach or photograph them in ways that cause them to alter their behavior. Special care is needed when animals are breeding or molting. Keep a minimum distance of 5 meters (15 feet) from all wildlife.
Respect vegetation
Do not damage plants, by walking or landing on extensive moss beds or lichen-covered scree slopes. They are fragile and take generations to grow.
Respect the environment
Do not collect or take away biological or geological specimens or artifacts as souvenirs, and do not dispose of litter or garbage on land.
Take photos with care
Keep low as you will appear less threatening to animals and it will also yield better photographs. Do not try to make an animal react for a photograph. If an animal’s behavior changes you are too close.
Stay Safe
Take note of, and act on, the advice and instructions from your leaders, and do not stray from your group.
Optional Activities
Ushuaia
- Tierra del Fuego National Park Visit
South Shetland Islands
- Polar Plunge
Trip Specific Responsible Travel
OUR COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL IN ANTARCTICA
As a leader in Sustainable Tourism, we are committed to ensuring that all of our marine expeditions operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. All expeditions aboard the expedition ship meet and exceed all environmental regulations and protocols in the regions that we visit.
The International Association of Antarctic Operators (IAATO)
G Adventures holds Full Membership Status with IAATO, an organization that advocates, promotes and ensures safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic. All operations aboard our ship adhere to IAATO’s strict rules, regulations and guidelines for operating in Antarctica. For more information visit www.iaato.org
Staff & Crew:
Our crew and expedition team act as stewards of the environment and are well versed in the strict environmental protocols on board and on land. All of our travellers are thoroughly briefed in these protocols before being allowed to participate in excursions and are always supervised by our team when on shore.
4-Stroke Outboard Engines:
In an effort to drastically reduce environmental pollutants 4-stroke outboard engines have been installed on all of our zodiacs. Our 4-stroke outboard motors use less fuel and produce less noise pollution than 2-stroke engines. Since there is no mixing of oil and gas the exhaust is intrinsically much cleaner and friendlier to the environment.
Planeterra Foundation
Through our commitment to responsible tourism we have developed the Planeterra Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports local community projects and international charities around the world.
Sea Chart Auction:
At the end of each Antarctica departure, the Captain’s Sea Chart is auctioned and all proceeds are donated to international organizations through Planeterra.
Our end goal is to minimize the potential negative impact of tourism in the areas we operate while maximizing the positive impact of instilling a widened understanding and appreciation of these regions. During our voyages, we ask all our passengers that they see their visit to these areas as a privilege and that they share their newfound knowledge and experiences with others when they return home. We also hope that by bringing people to these regions that they continue to act as ambassadors and stewards of these areas.
Planeterra Foundation - the non-profit partner of G Adventures
Every G Expedition cruise raises thousands of dollars for G Adventures' non-profit partner, Planeterra, supporting both the Ocean Health Fund and Planeterra's community social enterprise programs. The Ocean Health Fund helps combat waste which threatens ocean health, conducts scientific research on ocean animals and climate change, as well as investing in programs that work with local communities to promote ocean conservation and stewardship. Onboard the G Expedition, there are many opportunities to learn about these initiatives, to participate in Citizen Science programs, or purchase items in the gift shop from Planeterra-supported communities around the world.
The Planeterra Foundation planeterra.org is a Canadian non-profit organization that helps empower local people to develop their communities, conserve their cultures, and create humane and supportive systems for their endeavours. Planeterra provides capacity building and catalyst grants to get community social enterprises off the ground. These businesses address local challenges by providing benefits for indigenous people, empowering marginalized women, and granting disadvantaged youth access to education, employment, and brighter futures. Planeterra also works to ensure these businesses have a thriving customer base by integrating programs into G Adventures’ itineraries globally.
G Adventures is Planeterra’s largest corporate donor, covering all operating costs so 100% of your donation will bring opportunity to people in need.
Dollar-a-Day Program
G Adventures’ Dollar-a-Day Program provides travellers with the opportunity to give back to the people and places visited on our tours by donating one dollar for every day you are on trip. 100% of these donations go directly to support community development projects worldwide that are implemented by Planeterra.
Minimum Age
Minimum age of 10 years for this trip.
Keeping in Touch on the G Expedition
While you are on board the G Expedition, we know that keeping in touch with your family and friends is important to you. We want to ensure you have the tools available to keep you connected in some of the most remote regions of the world. We have a satellite system, which allows our travellers to connect to the internet or make phone calls with the purchase of personal data credit. Travellers may use our computer room or use any Wi-Fi enabled device to connect to our network, which is available in public areas on Decks 4 and 5. Satellite phone service is available and private calls can be made from our phone booth. Due to using a satellite connection and travelling in remote regions, internet can be slow and sometimes unavailable. The connection in the high Arctic is particularly challenging and no connection is available while in and around South Georgia Island.
International Flights
Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.
Group Leader
One Expedition team member per 10 guests.