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H I S TO R Y & A R C H I T E C T U R E I S S U E 2 2
ANTARCTICA
SEEING ANTARCTICA FOR
THE FIRST TIME will steal your
breath away. Few places on
Earth are this vast and
otherworldly, with raw,
sculpted landscapes awash in
blue and white. This is nature
at its most flawless—an
experience sure to transform
you.
THE IDEAL TIME TO EXPLORE
IS THE ANTARCTIC SUMMER
which starts in November,
when the cold, windy weather
turns to 24-hour sunlight and
temperatures rise to a
comfortable 0˚ Celsius. In this
season the ice melts,
unlocking seaways that were
frozen in winter. This is the
optimal time to visit, often
with relatively open water,
clear weather and endless
views.
ANIMALS BUSTLE AND
THRIVE under the midnight
sun, as native penguin and
seal species compress the cycle
of life into a short season, and
migratory birds and whales
take advantage of the ocean's
rich bounty. Each day affords a
new opportunity to witness
nature at work.
AS MEMBERS OF IAATO, we
abide by all their regulations
to ensure safe, responsible
visits to Antarctica.
THE "WHITE
CONTINENT"
It is a profound experience to
set eyes upon Antarctica for the
first time. Breathtaking views,
otherworldly wildlife and the
journey itself leave an indelible
mark on visitors. Here is a land
of paradoxes: the world's
biggest desert that is also the
world's largest ice sheet, nearly
two miles thick. Virtually
unexplored just 150 years ago,
this continent belongs to no
nation, and is protected by an
international treaty for peaceful
scientific pursuit.
ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS
It took until the 18th century for two
different parties of explorers, those of
British naval officer Robert F. Scott and
Norwegian Roald Amundsen, to reach the
South Pole within five weeks of each other.
The teams went head to head, setting off
in 1911, in a dramatic journey that resulted
in victory for Amundsen and tragedy for
Scott.
The story of the stranding and subsequent
rescue of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his
crew while attempting to traverse the
continent is one of history's great triumphs
of survival. In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton
set out with 27 men on Endurance, the
ship that later became trapped in ice for
10 months, on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic
Expedition to transverse Antarctica via the
South Pole. While his mission failed,
Shackleton brought all 27 of his men back
alive, a feat that entrenched his leadership
qualities in international Polar Exploration
lore forever.
Top 10 incredible experiences to enjoy in Antarctica
What to pack
Clockwise: Viking Expedition Ship Nordic Spa Hydrotherapy
Pool; Weather Balloon; Viking Expedition Ship Nordic Junior
Suite; Roald Amundsen Norwegian Explorer
