Antarctica Adventure - Group Travel

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Antarctica Adventure

Antarctica Adventure

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Dates 13 Nov '11 to 24 Nov '11

Flexible? No, not really

Est. Cost 6,000 - 10,000 USD (USD United States Dollars)

Type Travel Partners Wanted

Name Antarctica Adventure

How many chances will you get to visit Antarctica in your lifetime before "climate change" kicks in and it disappears? Come explore this epic wilderness!

Looking for people who have a sense of adventure, who are prepared to be stuck on a ship with the same people for 3 weeks without going stir crazy! If there's anybody interested, and qualified, also considering the option of going on a boat that offers scuba diving.

Meet up in Buenos Aires and fly down to Ushuaia. Meet the ship in port in Ushuaia. My original plan was an itinerary for the cruise is: Ushuaia -> Falklands -> South Georgia Island -> Antarctica -> Ushuaia. However I couldn't get the time off work to do that itinerary, so I'm just doing Ushuaia -> Antarctica -> Ushuaia now. And since I have now booked and paid, the dates are no longer flexible. The trip departs Ushuaia on November 13th and returns November 24.

This slightly shorter itinerary runs anywhere between US$6000 and $10000 depending on the the cabin chosen. It's not cheap, but it's a true once in a lifetime type trip!!!

Antarctica Adventure

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Trooper Talk

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Mariann Hi tachyon, I just joined today and saw your post. I did Antarctica this past February. Saw you plan to stay in Ushuaia for a bit. I stayed there for 5 days which turned out to be 3 days too many. Also, I'm sure you know to layer, we had days were we walked around the deck in slacks and short sleeve tops and an hour later it was snowing.

Crossisng the Drake Passage is very very very rough so if you start to feel sea sick take something immediately. You could also bring some ginger tea with you and make that your beverage of choice. I never get sea sick and I got a little upset on the crossing.

As for diving there. We saw a lot of tiger seals which are vicious and have grabbed and drowned diver before including a research scientist just last year.

Having said all that, it was a trip of a lifetime and I loved every minute of it. HAVE A BALL!!!!

I'm now planning a trip for next year on the Trans-Siberian Railroad starting in Vladivostok, with a stop in Mongolia and ending in St Petersburg (not all of this is on the rail route but I'll make some side trips) and, of course, several stops enroute.

2 years ago

tachyon This is a go. I'm booked on the November 13th Departure of this trip: http://www.quarkexpeditions.com/antarctic-expeditions/antarctic-explorer/overview If anybody is interested in joining me, feel free to book and drop me a message and we can meetup! It all kind of happened in a rush. And ultimately I couldn't get the time off work to do the extended South Georgia itinerary. But hey, it's still a trip to Antarctica!

2 years ago

Todd Hey A, great to hear it's going ahead! I'll stick it on the home page. How's everything else going? We're currently living in India and Lauren is trekking the Gobi Desert. Moving to Thailand in a couple of weeks.

2 years ago

tachyon Things are good. Off to Bali next weekend for a week of diving and surfing. Thailand is awesome! I'll make it to India eventually. I have this plan in my head to do Nepal-Bhutan-India at some point. It'll probably be a few years off though. The Gobi is insane. I remember when I was working up there. Hope she doesn't run into any chaotic dust storms!

2 years ago

tachyon Ok, this trip is sadly something that can't be left until the last minute. Some of us need to book time off work and all that jazz. So I'm probably looking at going in November 2011. I can't clarify specific dates yet because we really need to agree on an itinerary and budget. I'd like to have this sorted out by March so I can sort out flights etc., so if anybody other than Cheeze wants in, let us know here WHEN you can go, and what your BUDGET is (roughly). Then we can look at ships and itineraries accordingly. I think the diving is probably off though. I can only find one boat that does it, and it requires all sorts of additional certifications and previous diving experience and for you to own all your own polar rated gear. And my gear isn't polar rated. So that's out, at least for me.

2 years ago

Alex Hey tachyon, sent you an email twice, dunno if you've received that or it went to your spam, pls check. take care.

2 years ago

Alina 95% im in. anytime this year works for me, is there a time when its better to go? Or is it always just cold and white? Sadly i didnt have any time to research it yet, im planning my trip to India this March at the moment. Btw im originally from Russia (dont know why it said UK in my profile before), living in Cyprus at the moment. You can find me on facebook - www.facebook.com/alina.berezovskaya

2 years ago

tachyon Realistically it's "better" to go in December/January. However I can't really go in December because that's annual reporting season at work. And I'm planning on moving overseas in January (if I've not already done so before hand). Additionally, all the cruises in January cost considerably more than either going really early or really late in the season. If November isn't going to work for people, I'd probably need to put it off until late Feb or March 2012.

2 years ago

Alina november works for me :)

2 years ago

Alina Hi. I d love to come along, winter 2011-12 is perfect :) Hope i still have my savings by then :) Would be great to dive as well. Keep in touch

3 years ago

Alex Hey tachyon, how was your diving trip? still in the mood to Antartica at the end of this year? Hey Alina, great that you will join! Update me!

2 years ago

tachyon Hey, sent you an email!

2 years ago

tachyon Diving was good. I sent you an email to the address you sent me.

2 years ago

whereswhitlow http://hurtigruten.com/Antarctica/Voyages/Cruises-in-Antarctica/15-days/ Me and a friend booked this trip today!!! 135 days and counting!!! I will let you all know how it goes...

3 years ago

Desiree I would be interested in going at the end of 2011 or beginning 2012. It's kind of difficult to find people who want to do this sort of trip. :) So, I was surprised when I saw this posted. Which company are you guys going with?

3 years ago

tachyon Quark Expeditions. They've generally got the best "bang for your buck" reputation. Not dodgy, but not overpriced either. I am planning on the 3 week trip that goes to South Georgia, Falklands and Antarctica. There are shorter trips available, and they are of course cheaper (as the guy below posted, but I'm not interested in BTW)...This is the kind of trip you'll only do once, and I want to make the most of it and not do it half arsed, lest I regret it later.

3 years ago

Desiree Yes, three weeks would be ideal especially if one is traveling all that way. I think I looked at Quark's website before but that was awhile ago. I'll have to take a look again. Do you have any people who are going for sure? Males, females, both?

3 years ago

tachyon Well so far I'm the only one planning on going, and I'm female. The "for sure" bit is about 90% and assumes I can actually get the time off work :-)

3 years ago

Alex Hey tachyon & Desiree, I'm interested, too! End of 2011 or beginning 2012 (3wks) is fine with me. I just need your dates in advance to apply for leave. Looks like I need to start saving asap. ^_* Me -- female from Macau.

3 years ago

Alex The fact that Aurora departs from Santiago, Chile and returns to Ushuaia is good, but to be honest I didn't read much reviews on Aurora. I read a lot of positive comments on Quark and MS FRAM though. Nevertheless, I'm open to any suggestions. Again, the dates are totally fine for me, I just need advanced notice.

3 years ago

tachyon Yeah, I'm pretty open on dates at this point as well. I just wish Quark Expeditions would release their 2011/12 cruise dates. It would make planning a lot easier! I'd try to pick a date that had a cheaper price I think, because depending on date, the price can range between $8000 and $14000. The cheaper end of the scale would suit me better and I'd try to organise the time off work to fit around that. I've contacted them to see when they're likely to release dates. Will let you know when I hear back.

3 years ago

Alex Great. It looks like our priorities are pretty much the same. Yes, if could confirm the dates earlier, we could get ourselves ready for early bird promotions on flights and stuff. The hongkongese love MS Fram, what do you think? http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/antarctica/Antarctica-Offers/Antarctic-Polar-Circle-Quest/www.hurtigruten.co.uk/antarctica/Antarctica-Offers/Antarctic-Polar-Circle-Quest/

3 years ago

tachyon I'm certainly not opposed to MS Fram, however I'm not too keen on that itinerary. I really want to go to South Georgia Island, which as far as I can tell, basically fits this trip: http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/antarctica/Antarctica-Offers/19days-Shackletons-Antarctica/

3 years ago

Alex To be honest, I only have a general idea on the Antarctic cruise thing, I didnt really look into the details yet. I'm actually busy preparing for my short trip to Vietnam in August and my "possibly" Peru trip at the end of this year. Anyways, I'll look into the details when I have time. Just to let you know I am very probable to do this cruise with you and am willing to share the planning and work later on. Keep in touch.

3 years ago

tachyon lol, not to worry. I started researching this last year...And then blew my "Antarctica" money going to Africa, so put it off till next year. I'm in the midst of sorting out a dive trip at Christmas time at the moment. And while I'm definitely in for this trip, I won't be able to confirm dates till later in the year anyway, because we're only allowed to apply for leave from work 12 months in advance. So we've got some time to figure it all out!

3 years ago

Alex GREAT. Btw, your bunch of adventurous trips really made me envious. I just wish I wont chicken out for the Peru trip this year end. Let's concentrate on our own trips this year for the time being... Antarctic is distracting! LOL

3 years ago

tachyon Peru's awesome. I went last year and did the Inca Trail. Hard work, but good fun :-) If you get the chance (and budget permits) I also recommend heading up to Ecuador and going out to the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos among all my travels, has been my favorite ever trip.

3 years ago

Alex Thanx for da advice, I'll check it out. ^_*

3 years ago

whereswhitlow This is the Antarctica trip I am planning on doing... http://www.quarkexpeditions.com/ Dec 4-15 2010 Ship-Akademik Sergey Vavilov about $6000/ person

3 years ago

whereswhitlow hey guys i am planning a trip to antarctica for this december. I am looking at trips anywhere from mid november to early january. I was looking at a few different companies, and the price was looking like $4-7,500. I also would love to dive in antarctica but i dont think i have the drysuit experience to do it... I am planning on being in Ushuaia for a bit before the trip, so i wouldnt be flying in. But if anyone else is seriously planning a trip this year, let me know.

3 years ago

Mel Diving the Antarctic has been a long time dream :) I noticed your dates run from 2010-2012, when do you think you will be going?

3 years ago

tachyon I'd originally planned to go at the end of this year, but finances were shot when I decided to go to Africa for almost a month (just got home today). So probably end of 2011/early 2012 at this stage if all goes to plan. I'm pretty flexible with dates though.

3 years ago

tachyon Dates will be more limited by the cruise departures than anything else.

3 years ago

Mel Thanks for the heads up :) That timing is a lot better for myself as well, as I will be able to get a chance to start saving up ;) At this point, considering that this has been on my 'ultimate goal list' for years, I can say that I am all in...will just depend on the funds...but there couldn't be a better form of motivation :)

3 years ago

tachyon well as a starting off point, this is the cruise itinerary that i've been looking at most closely: http://www.quarkexpeditions.com/antarctic-expeditions/explorers-quest/overview dates for the 2011/12 cruise season aren't out yet, but apparently should be released in july sometime. these boats don't offer the diving option though...i'm still 50/50 as to whether to try for that or not.

3 years ago

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Antarctica Adventure - Group Travel