The classic way to see Antarctica is on an 11-12 day voyage from Ushuaia to the Antarctic Peninsula. You will have plenty of time to explore the channels and icebergs as well as boarding small Zodiac boats to visit penguin colonies.
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Taking a ship from Ushuaia is by far the most popular way to visit Antarctica. Flying from Punta Arenas avoids the infamous Drake Passage and is a great option for people with less time.
The cheapest way to visit Antarctica is by cruising on a larger ship that sails by the continent but doesn't let passengers go ashore. Instead, you will sail to the Antarctic Peninsula and into some of the surrounding bays where you will see wildlife, mountains, icebergs, and more. It is truly a magical experience.
For people who are particularly sensitive to motion, flying there really is the only viable option for a trip to Antarctica, unless you want to risk being miserable for up to four days (don't forget you'll have to cross the Drake twice on an all-cruise trip).
The best time to visit Antarctica is during the summer period from November to March. Wildlife is most active during these months and the days are at their longest. The most popular period to visit during the summer is from December to February when temperatures are regularly above zero.
2 days is enough to explore central Ushuaia but I recommend allowing yourself at least 5 if you plan on hiking in Parque Nacional Tierra Del Fuego or taking a boat trip to explore the islands of the Beagle Channel.
You should plan to spend around AR$9,875 ($28) per day on your vacation in Ushuaia, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, AR$1,886 ($5.41) on meals for one day. Also, the average hotel price in Ushuaia for a couple is AR$9,741 ($28).
The Antarctic Treaty does not prevent tourists, military personnel or scientific researchers from being present in Antarctica, but they do require an appropriate permit from a Treaty Party.
If you want to be able to say you visited Antarctica and take some beautiful pictures to prove your conquest, you can choose a charter flight to the White Continent. Some operators offer to fly directly to the Antarctic Peninsula and then just board a short cruise around the area.
The most common expeditions last approximately nine to ten days, including five full days of exploration in Antarctica. Rather than fly from South America, these voyages embrace the power and the beauty of the Drake Passage (and its rich and abundant bird life), sailing from Ushuaia.
There are myriad reasons to visit Antarctica. First, the epic landscapes: vast stretches of pack ice, hulking icebergs, mirror-like bays and colossal mountains and glaciers. Second, the wildlife. You will see hundreds of penguins: Gentoo, Chinstrap and, if you're lucky, some penguin chicks too.
For children age 12 and up, Antarctica can be a fantastic experience. The landscapes, the adventure, and the wildlife are especially magical to young eyes. During navigations, many Antarctic cruises include presentations by ornithologists, photography coaches, geologists, adventurers, marine biologists, and historians.
Ushuaia is known for its cool, wet climate, with average temperatures ranging from about 32 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 10 degrees Celsius) throughout the year.
Why does an Antarctic cruise cost so much? There's no way around it, any trip to Antarctica is expensive and this is simply down to the remoteness of the destination and the costly logistics to get there.
As no commercial flights operate to Antarctica itself, you would have to book with a private charter operator and prices for a flight expedition can reach in excess of $30,000. Budget at least $1000 – $1500 for flights, slightly more for European travellers.