The Polar Routes Blog
Congratulations! If you are reading this, it’s because you are about to make a great decision: travelling to Antarctica! We can guarantee that you will enjoy your time in this land of desolate beauty. The landscape of the Antarctic is extreme, mostly made up of white icy peaks and crisp blue glaciers. The clear waters are inhabited by an array of penguin species, seals and whales. This vast freezing desert is the coldest, driest and wildest place on earth, making a trip here, so much more exciting than any other travel adventure. Are you ready to have the most otherworldly trip of your life and share our lifelong infatuation with the Polar regions? Then without further ado, let us take you through the 10 things you need to know before embarking on your once-in-a-lifetime expedition cruise: Best Time To Visit Antarctic cruises only operate in the Antarctic summer months, between November and early…
While the polar regions of the planet are more accessible than ever, the harsh landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctica still have many secrets to divulge. Countless brave men and women led the way, forging a path of discovery amidst danger, that has made it possible for average adventurous travellers to follow in their footsteps today. From the trailblazers who made their way to the poles a century ago, to the modern-day explorers who still prove the planet has much to discover, these are the nine greatest polar explorers in history. Ernest Shackleton Sir Ernest Shackleton is one of the most inspirational polar explorers in history, yet never actually reached his goal – the South Pole. Shackleton led three separate expeditions to Antarctica, the most famous being the Imperial Trans-Antarctic (Endurance) Mission in 1914 in which he attempted to be the first to cross Antarctica from one side to the other, via…
That moment when you see the Northern Lights in the Arctic for the first time is one you never forget. The swirling, dancing, racing colours paint the night sky in reds, blues, yellows, and greens – a phenomenal show courtesy of Mother Nature herself. The chance to see this spectacle is almost never guaranteed, but if you’re lucky enough to spend an evening gazing at the Northern Lights, you’ll want to capture the moment. You’ve probably seen some of the amazing photographs that are possible (like the ones in this article), but taking photos of the Northern Lights is an art – not a point-and-shoot exercise. We’ve put together five tips for photographing the Northern Lights that should get you one step closer to capturing the magic on film. Bring A Tripod We know, tripods are not known for being light and easy to carry around – but this is…
If you’ve been dreaming of taking that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica, but worry that travelling to Antarctica as a single traveller will be prohibitively expensive – we’ve got great news. Read on to find out how you can make the most of a solo trip to Antarctica. Avoiding Single Supplements Although many companies charge a single supplement to solo travellers to make up for a loss on double-occupancy cabins – several of our operators don’t charge single supplements if you’re prepared to share your room with another passenger. In fact, we even offer expeditions on ships which have dedicated single cabins with no single supplement, which means you can make the most of a solo trip to Antarctica and avoid paying 50% more with additional single supplement charges. Tips for Solo Travel to Antarctica You may feel uneasy about embarking on an expedition to Antarctica by yourself, but you definitely won’t…
Let’s be honest. A once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica isn’t about the bragging rights or quenching the thirst of your inner explorer – it’s all about the penguins. Whether or not these amazing two-legged, flightless creatures are the only reason you want to visit the frozen continent, we have no doubt you’ll be excited when you spot one for the first time. These are the six types of penguins in Antarctica that you should watch out for. Adélie Penguin You’ll only find the Adélie penguin down South, as the Antarctic coast is their primary (and only) residence. Almost four million Adélie penguins live in Antarctica, making them a common sighting for visitors. If you are lucky enough to visit Cape Adare in East Antarctica, you could see their largest colony made up of around a quarter of a million pairs. Fun fact: The Adélie penguin’s plumage provides fantastic camouflage in the water….
Whether you are trying to decide which polar region to visit first, or you aren’t quite sure what exactly the differences are between Arctic and Antarctic expedition cruises – we’ve put together some of the most important things you should know about each. The Arctic Floating along glistening icebergs, humpback whales peeking through the frozen waters, and experiencing the magic of the Arctic tundra is a dream for many. Only a short flight from the UK, the Arctic is surprisingly accessible. Focusing on the Arctic Circle, the expedition cruises countries including Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, and Norway. Ships vary by expedition type, but you can view the operators we work with and see what options are available. Wildlife One of the biggest reasons to visit the Arctic is undoubtedly the wildlife. The polar bear is the main attraction, and spotting one of these beautiful creatures is a highlight of any cruise holiday. Whales, walruses, and seals…
