Unforgettable  Antarctica holidays and tours

Our Cruise & Tour holiday to Antarctica includes your expedition cruise, plus stays in Buenos Aires, Rio and Iguazu Falls - it's a great way to experience a little of South America on top of your incredible Antarctica trip. Your tour manager will be on hand in Argentina and Brazil, while on board your Antarctica cruise you’ll be expertly looked after by Hurtigruten’s expedition team. They’ll ensure everything runs smoothly and safely, and that you have everything you need to get the most out of your Antarctic experience.

As with all of our holidays, you’ll enjoy our VIP door-to-door travel service to take you from home to the airport. Your driver will be waiting at the airport on your return too - so you can sit back and relax as you’re whisked home in comfort.

Short answer - very cold! Antarctica is the coldest place (indeed the coldest continent) on Earth with average temperatures ranging from -10C to -60C in the highest and innermost regions. It has two seasons - summer and winter - but even in summer (November to March) the temperature in the warmest part of Antarctica (the Antarctic Peninsula) doesn’t get much above 10C. Our Antarctic tours and holidays operate in the milder summer months and stay close to the Peninsula (not the much colder Antarctic Plateau), making for more comfortable cruising temperatures.

It might sound unlikely, but the climate in Antarctica is described as ‘desert’. That’s nothing to do with the temperature, it’s because Antarctica has almost no rain which means next to nothing grows there. And because of the extreme cold in Antarctica, snow rarely melts. Instead it builds up to form glaciers and ice caps. Something to remember though: snow reflects almost all the sun’s ultra-violet rays, so you can sunburn in Antarctica even on the chilliest days.

There’s no official language in Antarctica, as there is no native population. So the languages spoken are generally those of the people who live and work there. English is the most common language used by scientists who are doing research in Antarctica. Spanish is dominant in the countries where most Antarctic cruises set off from, so that’s often spoken too. English and Norwegian are spoken aboard the Hurtigruten Expedition ship.

Warm layers and a good winter jacket are must-have clothing for your Antarctica tour. Waterproof trousers are also essential for Antarctic landings. Pack a mix of base, mid and outer layers, plus thermal underwear, warm gloves, a warm hat which covers your ears and thick socks. Remember, Titan includes a wind and water-resistant expedition jacket in the price of your holiday which you’ll receive on the ship, so that’s one less thing to pack! You can borrow boots and trekking poles. You’ll receive more tips about essential items and what to pack for your Antarctica tour with the Useful Information we send after customers book.

You need a good level of health and fitness to get the most out of a trip to Antarctica. Although landings don’t usually include walking too far, the terrain can be uneven and sometimes slippery, and you will need to get in and out of the small expedition boats which are used to get to and from shore. Some optional activities like kayaking and snowshoeing also require a reasonable level of fitness. Please note all customers need to complete a Medical Screening Form 90-28 days before departure. If you have any doubts or concerns about whether you are fit enough to take an Antarctica tour, please talk to your doctor or contact us.

It’s essential you have travel insurance for an Antarctica holiday or tour. Because it’s so remote, with unpredictable weather and sea conditions, you must have comprehensive travel insurance including cover for cancellation, trip delays and any planned winter sports activities like snowshoeing. If you’re taking valuable items like an expensive camera or powerful binoculars, you might want to get cover for those too.

There’s no official currency for Antarctica. However you might like to take home a souvenir Antarctic Dollar, which looks like a fake banknote complete with a picture of a famous local resident like an Emperor Penguin or seal. There are precious few places to spend money in Antarctica, but on Titan’s Antarctica Cruise & Tour holiday you’ll need local currency for your stays in Brazil and Argentina, and Euros to spend on the Hurtigruten Expedition ship.

Staple foods for people living in Antarctica are meat, fish and vegetables. However there are some particular food items which have found their way onto the Antarctic menu: Pemmican is a high-calory mix of dried meat (traditionally bison), animal fat and berries. Bannock is a simple flatbread made with flour, baking powder, salt and milk. And Hoosh - considered one of the most traditional Antarctica recipes - mixes pemmican with sledging biscuits and melted snow. Not tempted? Don’t worry, the Antarctica expedition part of our Cruise & Tour holiday is full board, with wine, beer and spirits included at mealtimes and free tea, coffee and soft drinks available all day.