Holidays in Antarctica: between ice fields, glaciers and flights from 6 thousand US dollars

The more than 1,200 kilometers that separate mainland Chile from Antarctica do not constitute an obstacle to access to remote places on the white continent. For more than 30 years, selected flights and excursions have been offered on the large ice fields.

Although Antarctic sovereignty is divided between seven countries, 90% of the tourism that takes place there takes place in the Chilean zone. Especially on King George Island, gateway to the South Pole and which offers a series of attractions to those who visit it. How can you get there and how much does it cost?

“Antarctica, a white treasure in the far south of the planet, is not only an impressive landscape of ice and glaciers, but also a key element for Chile. It is not only a unique nature reserve, but also a living laboratory that provides us with valuable knowledge about climate change and biodiversity. “, comments the Undersecretary of Tourism, Verónica Pardo.

The undersecretary also adds that this type of tourism “This allows us to generate care and economic development work for the local communities of Magallanes, always respecting nature and its biodiversity.”

According to data from International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) more than 100 companies offer guided tours in Antarctica . In Chile, two stand out: the first is an airline Magellan which offers plane trips and hikes across the soils of Antarctica; and the other is an air cruise that covers the main points of the icy place.

THE companies” Antarctica21 ” And “ DAP Airlines » are those who are respectively responsible for taking tourists to King George Island. The latter airline has been flying from Punta Arenas to Antarctica since 1989. The duration of a plane trip is approximately 2.5 hours.

Tania Pivcevic, marketing manager of DAP, says that what they offer is “a unique experience, which few people will be able to recount, where much of the earth’s history must be preserved beneath its layers of snow . A pristine place, for peace and science.

The trip consists of a King Air 300 aircraft, for 6 passengers, which departs from Punta Arenas and flies at 35,000 feet over the Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego, the Darwin mountain range, Cape Horn and crosses the tumultuous Drake Sea, reaching the island of King George. This is where the largest number of Antarctic scientific bases are concentrated. The Chilean town “Villa Las Estrellas” is also located. where several families live throughout the year.

On King George Island, it is possible to visit the impressive landscapes of Antarctica. Additionally, the tour includes sailing to the area around Collins Glacier and to Ardley Island to visit the penguin colonies. This also includes a visit to Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, belonging to the Russian base in Bellinghausen.

Additionally, there is an option where you can spend a night in Antarctica. With this it is possible to take a walk to the scientific bases of the place, and towards “La Elefantera” to see elephant seals and other species of the region.

“Our first flight to Antarctica took place in 1989, and Since then, our air bridge between Punta Arenas and King George Island has gradually been consolidated. “, they comment on the company.

The company offers a one-day tour program, departing from Punta Arenas. This is a walking tour of the main sites where Antarctic wildlife is present, as well as human settlements on the island. “ We also offer an option in which passengers can spend the night in an air-conditioned camp, giving them a little more time to visit other sites of interest before returning to Punta Arenas,” says Pivcevic.

In these programs it is possible to see colonies of penguins, sea lions and elephant seals, whales, among other animals. As well as the Collins glacier and the scientific bases of the region. Visits are made on foot and by Zodiac (motorized inflatable boat), always keeping an observer’s distance from the local fauna.

How much does everything cost? The package with a stay in Punta Arenas, before the trip, plane transfer, meal and guided tour amounts to 6,660 dollars ($6,427,099) per person. If you want to stay one night, the price goes up to $7,780 ($7,507,933). “We work with passengers from all over the world, with a strong presence from China, Europe and North America,” adds Pivcevic.

Travelers’ motivations vary, depending on what they say, But the phrase most repeated by visitors is “realizing the dream of a lifetime”. “These are generally experienced passengers, mostly older, looking for a completely different experience,” they explain.

According to information provided by the Undersecretariat of Tourism, The main season for tourist visits to Antarctica is between November and March. This activity is considered strategic for the development of Chile and must be promoted based on the principles that guide the Law No. 21,255 and the Antarctic Treaty System.

This implies that tourism in Antarctica must be achieved through environmentally friendly and non-invasive activities, fundamentally considering the protection of Antarctica and the associated ecosystem, subject to rigorous parameters and controls that guarantee the protection of the territory.

What are the main tourist attractions in Antarctica? Ice fields, icebergs, glaciers and mountains create a striking visual scenario. Straits like Gerlache are very attractive due to their combination of high mountains and fjords. In the cultural and heritage field, the vestiges of human activity in the region throughout history stand out. The bases and shelters of the first Antarctic expeditions of the early 20th century are preserved, signs of the feat of exploring this inhospitable territory. A notable example is the stone hut built by the 1901 Swedish Antarctic Expedition on Paulet Island.

Another relevant historical site is the Hektor whaling station in Caleta Balleneros, Decepción Island. Its abandoned installations bear witness to the intense whaling activity of the past. The Almirante Brown base, the current Argentine scientific station, is located on the same island.

The Frei base and The Antarctic Museum on King George Island, administered by Chile, is also an important historical and cultural attraction. It has a chapel, a library and exhibitions on life in Antarctica. There, the Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) manages and operates the Teniente Marsh Public Airfield, located on the “Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva” Antarctic Air Base, just 1.5 km northwest of Villa Las Estrellas. This is where the planes land which bring tourists to the site during the summer season.

The growing tourist presence in Antarctica has given rise to a diversified offer from national and international companies. There are luxury cruises, air cruises, adventure expeditions, scientific, cultural and historical tourism.

All operators, as is the case with the Chilean presence in general, work according to IAATO regulations, in a self-imposed manner. They obey Antarctic Treaty regulations and the guarantees taken to minimize the impact of human presence are strict.

For example, a person cannot arrive in Antarctica and walk wherever they want. The closest thing to this experience is given in the stipulated programs, which are done with a guided walk, and along a well-defined impact line, after having disinfected your boots before getting off the plane. Around 120 people arrive each season.

All other passengers, for example those on cruise ships, disembark to transfer between the plane and the ship. They cannot move across the territory of Antarctica. Although cruises last approximately 5 days, passengers can only stay overnight on the ships. The company Antarctica21 offers tour packages from Ushuaia (Argentina), and prices range from 6,000 ($5,808,420) to 20,000 dollars ($19,361,400) per person.