Antarctica fly cruise

Planet

On this fascinating itinerary you will get to experience the remarkable scenery of the wildlife-rich Antarctic Peninsula, and we place utmost importance on ensuring that your expedition causes as little negative effect on this stunning part of the world as possible. As part of our commitment to protecting the environments we visit we solely use operators that are active members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). The operator of this tour adheres to stringent guidelines designed to ensure the Polar Regions remain pristine for generations to come.

Their sustainability practices include conforming to all international regulations and policies governing disposal of waste at sea and serving only sustainable seafood. All vessels used on this itinerary use clean burning fuel which has a low emission factor and eco-friendly laundry chemicals & cabin amenities are used throughout the ships. On top of this they use only recycled, acid-free paper onboard and limit paper use as well as using recycled paper and acid free inks in the manufacture of their brochures.

Throughout your tour you will receive advice on how to travel in an environmentally responsible way, including appropriate recycling and waste disposal. The ultimate necessity is to leave Antarctica as untouched as it was before you set foot on it and your guides will ensure that this is the case. You will also be provided with a reusable water bottle that you can use throughout your tour to limit the use of plastic.

As a company we firmly believe that environmental responsibility starts at home. We encourage recycling of waste as a company and as individuals. Where possible for business use we use public transport. We are also heavily involved with a project to recycle used or damaged binoculars, which are then sent to conservation projects across the world.

As well as protecting the landscapes we also place huge emphasis on safeguarding the abundance of animal species that reside here. You will be given firm guidance on how to act around the wildlife that call Antarctica home, including keeping safe distances so as not encroach upon their habitats and ensuring that absolutely nothing is done which could affect penguin breeding seasons or wildlife safety. As part of our operator’s commitments to ensuring the ongoing survival of the wildlife in Antarctica they support Penguin Lifelines, a project run by Dr. Tom Hart, which researches the threats to Antarctic penguins. Guests will be encouraged to participate in this project by helping to monitor and annotate penguin populations through Penguin Watch, and by contributing to the onboard fundraising initiatives.

On this tour we will be taking some internal flights in order to avoid the often rough seas of the Drake Passage. Although there may be commentators who may be against this due to issues with aircraft pollution, we as conservationists ourselves defend the conflict between ecotourism and carbon emissions. We believe that the biodiversity crisis is every bit as bad as the carbon environmental crisis and that we can’t possibly promote wildlife conservation efforts if we don’t open the world up to tourists witnessing these remarkable animals up close in their own natural habitat. We find that our clients generally come back from wildlife expeditions with a higher degree of environmental awareness which naturally results in a better understanding and usually a more effective call to action with their own general environmental habits at home and away, often becoming advocates and becoming much more supportive of wildlife and environmental issues. As a company we support many wildlife organisations worldwide including Save the Albatross, Wader Quest and the South Georgia Habitat Restoration Project and in an effort to further enhance the positive effects of our tours on the wildlife of Antarctica we actively encourage our customers upon return to donate to charities such as these.

People

The areas of Antarctica that you will be visiting have no permanent residents and as such there will be little human interaction apart form that with your fellow passengers, guides and crew. However, there are researchers who seasonally reside here at research bases and during your tour there may be opportunities to visit these bases and experience what they experience living amongst these often harsh environments. Not only will your visit offer the researchers a friendly new face to chat to but it will also provide a deeper insight into the exceptionally important work being carried out here to improve the conservation efforts in place. The operators of this tour also offer help to the researchers with transfers to and from Antarctica.

This particular itinerary will involve 2 overnight stays in Punta Arenas and before departure you will be offered advice on local cultural etiquette. We offer first-hand advice on creating meaningful and respectful relationships between tourists and residents and suggest local areas and communities to visit gaining cultural insights along the way, along with advice on where to buy souvenirs (to ensure the proceeds are going directly to the vendors), where to eat & where to drink. We will also ensure that your accommodation provider has a proven track record of treating staff well and fairly.

As a company we are proud of our principle based values which our community can always depend on. We support several home and overseas charities, organisations and campaigns including the aforementioned, and sponsorship of individual and underprivileged children in many countries. We are committed to ethically working with overseas partners who employ and support local communities and local guides who know and love their region like no other, delighted to share knowledge and are dedicated to looking after our valued passengers.