By: Ding
Antarctica, with a total area of about 65 million square kilometers, is the world’s last discovered “white continent,” covered in thick ice and snow year-round. For any travel enthusiast, there are always a few ultimate bucket-list destinations—and Antarctica is definitely one of them. In February this year, our travel section editor Daneil had the privilege of joining Jetour’s South America and Antarctica tour, exploring both Bolivia and Antarctica in one trip and unveiling the mysteries of this enigmatic land.
This Antarctica itinerary is available in 22-, 25-, and 37-day versions. The journey begins in South America, allowing travelers to acclimate to the environment and adjust to the time difference, making the Antarctic cruise experience much more comfortable.
Itinerary Recommendation –Jetour — 22 / 25 / 37-Day Antarctic Exploration Tour
Many people ask: is it very cold in Antarctica? The Antarctic climate from November to February of the following year is considered spring and summer on the continent, with average daily temperatures around 0°C to -5°C—not extremely cold, and not overly physically demanding. The most important things are to wear a windproof jacket and bring a face mask, as while it’s not extremely freezing, the wind can be quite strong.
Others wonder: is taking a ship tiring or prone to seasickness? The answer depends on whether you choose to disembark by ship or take an Antarctic charter flight. On my trip with Jetour, we landed by plane, departing from Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in Chile. The flight takes about two hours, avoiding the bumpy ship ride and saving time—it’s arguably the most premium way to visit Antarctica.
All three of the aforementioned itineraries use the Ocean Nova, known as the “compact king” of Antarctic cruise ships. The Ocean Nova accommodates about 68 passengers but has seven dedicated landing boats that can transport all guests at once, enabling quick disembarkation. With roughly 38 crew members on board, the service quality is highly reliable.
The Ocean Nova may be compact in size, but it’s well-designed
The crew-to-passenger ratio is nearly 2:1, making it easy to bond with them and learn a lot about Antarctica, ecology, and geography from their insights
Before every landing, the crew makes thorough preparations
One advantage of traveling on the Ocean Nova is that every passenger gets to go on landings. During this Antarctic trip, I was able to land and explore every single day!
Now, getting to the main highlight—when in Antarctica, you must meet its friendly ambassadors—the penguins. Beyond their adorable appearance, penguins have a fascinating “marriage system.” They practice monogamy, with the penguin fathers incubating the eggs while the mothers head to the sea to forage. Each plays their role, supporting one another. Don’t underestimate their work—foraging penguin moms put in tremendous effort, while penguin dads incubating the eggs must endure two months without eating or drinking. It’s truly no small feat!
Newborn penguin chicks have grayish feathers that help keep them warm
To protect Antarctica’s ecosystem, there are strict regulations on shore visits. Tourists must not get too close to the penguins, which is where a telephoto lens comes in handy
For this Antarctic trip, I brought along a Nikon D810 paired with an AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G lens, capturing richer elements in my photos
Besides penguins, you’ll also encounter sea lions, walruses, whales, and even soaring birds—absolutely breathtaking. I never imagined having the chance to get so up-close with these animals. Additionally, each night back on the cruise, experts provide insights on the day’s discoveries and analyze the wildlife we observed, almost like taking a live biology and geography lesson.
Standing before the perpetually frozen glaciers, we felt especially small. Opening our hearts and minds, we grasped the lessons of nature. This Antarctic journey made me feel the vastness of the world and witness the beauty of nature.
With its expansive skies and snowy landscapes, doesn’t Antarctica stir your heart? To chase this ultimate dream, all you need to do is give yourself the chance.
Itinerary Recommendation
Don’t just think about it—act now. To chase this ultimate dream, all you need is to give yourself the chance—you can do it too!
Enquiry website: http://www.jetour.com.hk/