Many of us dream of a polar adventure but few really understand the vastly different holiday opportunities each global region offers. Polar specialist Matt McMillan from Eclipse Travel explains why both Arctic and Antarctic holidays should be on everyone’s bucket list, and why you should look to book now.
“Both regions offer totally different experiences for polar expeditions. The Arctic isn’t a landmass but is an advancing (in winter) and retreating (in summer) polar ice cap and covers diverse locations in both European and North American continents. Antarctica, on the other hand is a continent, frozen all year round and surrounded by sea, generally accessible via Argentina or occasionally from New Zealand. Not only do you see vastly different wildlife in each area but the landscapes are quite different as well. Both offer large icy mountain peaks and glaciers, however the Arctic is more diverse as travellers can experience rolling plains, mountains, rivers and huge stretches of tundra. And only the Arctic offers indigenous cultures who inhabit the region. For most clients the differentiation is as simple as polar bears in the Arctic and penguins in the Antarctic,” explained McMillan.
To make the most of your polar adventure, Eclipse Travel have put together some planning tips and exclusive deals to book now, offering significant savings:
- The best time to visit the Arctic is June to August and Antarctica in January and February.
- Now is the time to book for 2017 tour groups with Eclipse Travel releasing exclusive deals offering great savings.
- Know what you want to see – Antarctica attracts creatures from the sea to feed with a vast variety of penguins, orca, seals, whales and birds including albatross and petrels. The Arctic on the other hand has no penguins but is home to polar bears, reindeer, Arctic foxes, hares, puffin and owls.
- During the cruising season temperatures aren’t as cold as most people think. Average summer temperatures vary from around -3 to +7 degrees Celsius in the Arctic Circle as opposed to between -2 and +5 degrees Celsius in Antarctica. You should however prepare for weather extremes as conditions can change rapidly and wind chill can quickly drop the temperatures at any moment.
- Choose your vessel carefully – with boutique and larger ships taking to both regions, there are vessels and itinerary options for every style and budget. Navigating the options can be confusing, so talk to your tour agent to find the best fit for you.
Whether it’s a dog sled adventure you crave or seeing the great glaciers of Antarctica from a Zodiac – Eclipse Travel has the right escape for every traveller.
JULY DEALS
Visit the home of Polar Bears – ARCTIC SEA
8-day Arctic cruise
From only $2,924* per person, all meals included (usually $3,899*)
Save up to 25% on selected departures
Flights not included, departures from Norway
Ready for an epic adventure? Follow the footsteps of the early explorers to discover the best the Arctic has to offer, minus the beef jerky and long lonely months at sea!
Fly to Longyearbyen and embark on a once-in-a-lifetime 8-day cruise in the comfort of a stylish and spacious expedition ship. Immerse yourself in the whimsical surrounds of the Arctic Circle whilst spotting phenomenal wildlife and the overwhelming beauty of Svalbard.
Sail across the calm Archipelago seas and visit fjords with breathtaking mountain views and glaciers flowing around you. Experience the midnight sun or spend some time on deck searching for polar bears, whales and musk ox, or learn about the Arctic history and ecology inside and out from the expert guides. Exploring the end of the world has never been so easy!
Tour the realm of polar bears from only $2,924* per adult. The price includes 7-nights accommodation with all meals included, Zodiac excursions with the cruise’s expert expedition team, lecture and educational programs, Longyearbyen airport transfers depending on your flight details, waterproof boots for the cruise duration, a high-performance parka designed specifically for adventuring in the polar regions for you to keep, and an arctic destination guide book.
Offer available until 7 Aug 2016 unless sold out prior. Valid for travel on 24 Jul 2017, 14 Jun 2017, 21 Jun 2017, and 8 Jul 2017. *Terms and conditions apply.
Phone: 1300 575 752 or visit http://eclipsetravel.com.au/arctic/
ANTARCTICA
A choice of Antarctic cruises including all flights and in some cases stopover land packages from only $9,990* per person with savings of up to $6,750 per person.
Ocean Nova Explorer
11-day 4-star boutique Antarctica discovery journey
From $9,990* per person
Save up to $2,500* per person
Embrace your wanderlust aboard the cozy Ocean Nova as this amazing boutique expedition vessel takes you to experience the extraordinary land of Antarctica. Witness jaw dropping scenery, glaciers, and colonies of penguins as well as various species of whales, seals and sea birds all from only AU$9,990* per adult.
The price includes 1 night hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast and 9-nights accommodation on Ocean Nova, comprehensive pre-expedition information material, all guided excursions and expeditions along the Antarctic Peninsula, loan of waterproof boots, lectures and presentations given by the tour’s Antarctic specialist, daily buffet breakfast and lunch with a wide choice of dishes, daily dinner offering a choice of three main courses, a selection of wine, beers and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, coffee and tea throughout the expedition, and post-expedition information file including a gallery of images from the trip.
Offer available until 7 Aug 2016 unless sold out prior. Valid for travel on 2 Mar 2017. *Terms and conditions apply.
Phone: 1300 575 752 or visit http://eclipsetravel.com.au/antarctica/
Antarctic Cruise South Fly North: Sea Adventurer
10-day Antarctic Cruise
From $17,990* per person, twin share with all meals included
Save up to $6,750* per person
Departures from Sydney
Take advantage of this Early Bird Booking Special and fly free to explore the final frozen frontier with a massive saving of up to $6,750* per person, twin share, including free international flights from Sydney (small supplement from other cities), all internal flights and a 2-night stopover package in Santiago and Buenos Aires.
Experience the best of Antarctica on this 10-day cruise south, fly north package. Price also includes 9-nights accommodation with all meals included, all shore landings per the daily program, presentations on geology and animal life delivered by lecturers and specialists, all Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program, photographic journal on DVD, comprehensive pre-departure materials, waterproof boots for the cruise duration, a high-performance parka designed specifically for adventuring in the polar regions for you to keep, group transfers between the airport and hotel in conjunction with the charter flight, group transfers in Ushuaia from the airport to any local hotel, group transfer from a designated location in Ushuaia to ship on embarkation day.
Offer available until 30 Jul 2016 unless sold out prior. Valid for travel on 13 Jan 2017. *Term and conditions apply.
Phone: 1300 575 752 or visit http://eclipsetravel.com.au/antarctica/
Antarctic Fly South Cruise North: Sea Adventurer
10-day Antarctic Cruise
From $17,290* per person, twin share with all meals included
Save up to $6,750* per person
Departures from Sydney
Pack your bags and fly free to Punta Arenas in Chile and explore this port city at the Southern tip of Chile for a day. Then mingle with your fellow Antarctic adventurers over a lovely dinner before boarding a free-chartered flight to Antarctica where the spacious Sea Adventurer awaits to cross the infamous Drake Passage.After a memorable 8-day voyage, bid farewells to the unforgettable wildlife and picturesque glaciers and spend time at Ushuaia to sample some local cuisine before flying home the next day.
Venture south for a once-in-a-lifetime Antarctic adventure from only $17,290* per person, twin share. The price includes free international flights from Sydney (small supplement from other cities), all internal flights and a 2-night stopover package in Santiago and Buenos Aires, 9-nights accommodation with all meals included, on-board lecturers and educational presentations from polar specialists, all shore landings per the daily program, all Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program, photographic journal on DVD, comprehensive pre-departure materials, waterproof boots for the cruise duration, a high-performance parka designed specifically for adventuring in the polar regions for you to keep, group transfers between the airport and hotel in conjunction with the charter flight, group transfers in Ushuaia from the airport to any local hotel, group transfer from a designated location in Ushuaia to ship on embarkation day.
Offer available until 30 Jul 2016 unless sold out prior. Valid for travel on 5 Feb 2017. *Term and conditions apply.
Phone: 1300 575 752 or visit http://eclipsetravel.com.au/antarctica/
SOURCE: Eclipse Travel