So you’ve booked your trip to Antarctica ~ bravo! Now you face the age-old conundrum; what the dickens does one pack for such an adventure?? This can be especially challenging if you’re preceding the Antarctica trip with a jaunt around South America and don’t want to haul heavy winter clothing with you. Here’s a quick guide to keeping things easy and manageable, with a few tips on things you might not have thought of.
Outer wear
If there’s one word you need to keep top of mind here, it’s layers! Antarctica is a cold place, so you’re best advised to bring layers made of wool, silk or synthetic fabrics, (rather than cotton) as well as sweatshirts, turtlenecks, and fleece pullovers to use as insulators.
A roomy, lightweight parka or winter jacket that’s wind and water-resistant is a must, and the brighter the colour, the better for safety reasons as you’ll be in a mostly monochromatic polar environment. Winter pants made of the same or similar wind and water-resistant material are ideal. These should be roomy in order for you to layer long underwear and sweatpants underneath them. Think comfortable, durable & loose. If you don’t have such items, you can arrange to rent them ahead of departure in Ushuaia from a local shop. Please note you won’t have time to organize a rental if you arrive in Ushuaia on the same day your ship departs!
You won’t likely get fully soaked, however sea spray is common onboard the Zodiacs. Keeping your hands warm and dry can be a challenge, so you’ll want to bring thin polypropylene gloves to wear under warm outer, more heavy-duty water-resistant gloves. This will make things easier when you need to remove your outer gloves to operate your camera but still keep your hands warm. Best to bring more than one pair of gloves in case your main pair gets soaked as you clamber in and out of the Zodiacs!
You’ll also need a warm hat that covers your ears, and a scarf or neck cowl that can provide neck and face protection in the event of inclement weather.
A requirement for Antarctic expeditions are high rubber boots, or Wellingtons, as you’ll be stepping into water up to 10” deep on wet landings as you explore the region. Many ships provide complimentary boots, so be sure to check ahead of time with the company you book your trip with. If you are required to provide your own, they must have non-skid rubber soles and come up to just below your knees. Boots with metal cleats are not allowed on landings. It’s also important that your boots are loose fitting so that you can wear 2-3 layers of socks in them for warmth on longer excursions.
Indoor clothing
Despite being in a very cold region, on board the ship it’s comfy and cozy so you’ll want to bring comfortable and casual clothing. Ideal footwear are lightweight, comfortable rubber-soled shoes that can be easily worn indoors or on deck during wildlife or iceberg sightings.
Key miscellaneous items
- a small day pack or camera bag if your camera doesn’t fit in your jacket’s pockets, plus a cover or plastic bag for the pack (protection from Zodiac spray)
- sunscreen and lip protection (Minimum SPF 15). This is VERY important as your skin will burn quickly due to the reflective nature of the snow.
- camera, extra memory cards, and extra batteries. Because of the cold temperatures, your camera will chew through your batteries in record time. Be sure to always have your extra battery in your room charging at all times.
- binoculars (definitely!)
- sunglasses (Polarized lenses highly recommended)
- toiletries
- water bottle (though eating snow on hikes is also a fine way to hydrate)
- small flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries
- a seasickness remedy if you’re prone to get wobbly
- an international electricity adaptor
Important papers
- your passport (and photocopies). A passport with at least 6 months validity is required for entry to Argentina.
- any required entry visas, or vaccination certificates. (Do check all visa requirements at least one month in advance of travel)
- documentation of travel insurance
- airline tickets
- a credit card
- all travel vouchers, and pre-departure information
And finally....
Flight restrictions
The domestic flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia is 15-23 kg (33 to 50 lbs) per person. Passengers who bought their international ticket with Aerolinas Argentinas are allowed the higher international luggage allowance. However be aware that the airline will charge for excess baggage. If you’re flying with LAN, be sure to research their baggage restrictions ahead of time.
That just about does it for the essentials. Do you have any recommendations that aren’t already here on the list? Do share via Twitter! @WanderingEds & @antarctravels
Got a burning question about travel to Antarctica? Let me know and I’ll try to answer it in this monthly series.
Heather Thorkelson has been an adventurer for as long as anyone can remember, having visited 18 countries by the time she was 18, lived in 5 different ones by the time she was 23, and had reached all seven continents by 32. She is an avid outdoors-person, devoted mom to a Portuguese water dog, and lives with her partner Sean in Toronto when they are not out traipsing the far reaches of the globe. By day, she's a life coach who works with people to create the life they dream of, and she moonlights as Antarctica Travels’ Social Media Ninja. She can be reached at heather @ antarcticatravels.com
Feature photo via malias on Flickr, used courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons