top of page

Antarctica | COVID Hurdles & Itinerary

Writer's picture: Travelograph PartsunknownTravelograph Partsunknown

Last year we were scheduled to make this trip. Of course it was cancelled due to COVID. We are now on schedule to visit the white and last continent. But the hurdles and laundry list to be on board is bit scary. Here is the list of things to get on board expedition ship, COVID and Layers of Prep


1. First, it was Argentina (Ushuaia) then cruise to Antarctica embarkation moved to Chile (Punta Arena). For longest period of time, Argentina locked its door for all foreigners. Chile recently opened with layers of restrictions in place.

2. 45 Days before traveling to Chile, apply for “Mobility Pass” and vaccine approval by government.

3. 3-day before air travel, PCR COVID test

4. 48 hours prior to travel submit health declaration to Chilean Govt website

5. Purchase 3rd party health insurance for Chile

6. On arrival, RT-PCR test by Chilean authority at the airport

7. Escorted to hotel by cruise representative, can’t leave the hotel

8. Next morning, leave luggage outside hotel room. They will be picked up for sanitation before getting to final destination

9. Transfer from hotel to a private terminal in Santiago Airport. Cruise Chartered plane to final destination, Punta Arena.

10. Pre-Embarkation health screening

11. Physical distancing, musk mandatory on board indoor areas

12. Daily temperature check

13. Periodically on board COVID rapid test


Sail date December 21, 2021 for 15 days cruise to the last continent. This is a scheduled itinerary and excursions from SilverSea. 8 Ports, 3 countries, one last continent.


Punta Arena | Chile

Day 00 - Santiago

Arrive Santiago. After immigration and COVID test at the airport, SilverSea representative will escort us to hotel in Santiago for overnight stay.


Day 01 - Punta Arenas

SilverSea sea chartered flight between Santiago - Punta Arena. We have been there before. Windy and temperature hovers in single digit. The city is near the tip of Chile’s southernmost, it’s the gateway to Antarctica.


Photo Courtesy: SilverSea

Day 02/03 - Drake Passage

The most powerful convergence of seas, the roughest of all. Sea currents at this location has no resistance from any landmass. Crossing the drake passage would be one of the most exciting part before we reach the last continent. It is the body of water between the tip of South America and Antarctic.



Photo Courtesy: SilverSea

Day 03 - South Shetland Islands

480 miles away from the tip of South America, this ice-coated islands are the first accessible region of mainland Antarctica. Under Antarctic treaty some counties maintain research bases here.

King George Island is the largest and most hospitable island host majority of research centers.


Day 04 - Antarctic Sound

30 nautical miles body o water between Trinity Peninsula, at the Northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, and Joinville Island. Extraordinary wildlife and islands of ice all around.


Photo Courtesy: SilverSea

Day 05/06/07/08/09 - Antarctic Peninsula

This is where we will be spending most of our days cruising and exploring.

Northernmost part of the Antarctic continent, about 800 miles land and ice towards the tip of South America. It is feeding ground for whales, penguins and seals. Fact to know, if all the ice including Antarctica, north pole and glaciers would melt, sea level would rise more than 200 ft. Just to visualize how much ice planet has.


Day 10 - Antarctic Sound

30 nautical miles body o water between Trinity Peninsula, at the Northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, and Joinville Island. Extraordinary wildlife and islands of ice all around.


Photo Courtesy: SilverSea

Day 11 - Elephant Island

Ice covered mountainous island of the coast of Antarctica near South Shetland Islands. No one lives here, except few researchers camps here during Antarctic summer. It named after elephant seals. It often called the most beautiful place in Antarctica.


Day 12 - Day at sea

Relax, catch-up, enjoy on board activities. Will be starting counting days to return to the main land.


Photo Courtesy: SilverSea

Day 13 - Port Stanley

It’s the capital of Falkland Islands. It will be considered as a new country to our list. It’s a self-governing British overseas territory. Followed by World War II, Argentina looked for opportunity to gain control over Falkland Islands. Falkland war between Argentina and UK took about 10 weeks in 1982.


Day 14 - Saunders Island, Carcass Islands | Falklands

Part of Falkland Islands, one of the best location to view wildlife. Its a breeding ground for albatrosses. Its a heaven for penguins and other birds. I wonder, am I going to get tired seeing so many penguins by then. For day, we will roaming through penguins kingdom and we know will not return here again. Touching the last continent for once in my lifetime. Carcass Islands name may misled to think killing whales in the past. But the Carcass was named after the ship HMS, British Ship that sunk during Falkland War in 1982.


Photo Courtesy: SilverSea

Day 15 - at sea

Relax, catch-up, enjoy on board activities. Will be starting counting days to return to the main land.


Day 16 - Punta Arenas

Return to S. America. From here, SilverSea chartered flight to Santiago, Chile. Day Hotel, and depart Chile on same night.









Comentarios


bottom of page