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Antarctica

Discover amazing tours and travel packages in Antarctica

Antarctica is the world's southernmost continent, a vast frozen wilderness of towering icebergs, calving glaciers and wildlife-rich coastlines that exists like nowhere else on the planet. Unlike traditional destinations, Antarctica has no permanent residents, no cities and no borders in the conventional sense; it is protected under the Antarctic Treaty System and visited only during the short austral summer, when the sea ice retreats enough for expedition ships to reach its shores. For UAE travelers seeking a genuine bucket-list journey beyond the familiar city breaks and beach holidays, Antarctica delivers something few destinations can: total wilderness, dramatic silence and close encounters with penguins, seals and migrating whales against a backdrop of ice cliffs and mountains. Most journeys begin with a flight to Buenos Aires or Santiago, followed by a short connection to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas, the gateway ports from which expedition vessels cross the Drake Passage into the Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctica holiday packages typically combine several days at sea with Zodiac landings, wildlife viewing and, for longer voyages, extensions to South Georgia or the Falkland Islands. Whether booked as a landmark honeymoon, a milestone celebration or a serious adventure travel goal, an Antarctica expedition from the UAE is less a holiday and more a once-in-a-lifetime expedition into the planet's last true wilderness.

Tours in Antarctica

Explore our handpicked selection of tours and vacation packages

No tours available for Antarctica at the moment.

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Why Visit Antarctica?

Highlights of a Antarctica holiday include:

  • The Last True Wilderness: Antarctica remains one of the few places on Earth untouched by permanent settlement, offering travelers vast, silent landscapes of ice and rock that feel genuinely remote from everyday life.
  • Close Encounters with Polar Wildlife: Zodiac landings and coastal cruising bring travelers within respectful viewing distance of penguin colonies, seals hauled out on ice floes, and whales feeding in nutrient-rich Antarctic waters.
  • Dramatic Ice Landscapes: Towering icebergs, calving glaciers and channels like the Lemaire pass by the ship in scenes of scale and color that few other destinations can match.
  • The Drake Passage Crossing: Sailing between South America and Antarctica across the legendary Drake Passage is itself part of the adventure, connecting travelers to the history of polar exploration.
  • Extended Daylight in Peak Season: During December and January, near-continuous daylight allows for extended excursions, photography sessions and more time exploring landing sites each day.
  • Small-Ship Expedition Experience: Most Antarctic voyages use purpose-built expedition vessels carrying fewer guests than typical cruise ships, allowing frequent landings and a more personal, immersive journey.
  • Optional Fly-Cruise Access: Travelers who prefer to avoid the open-ocean Drake Passage crossing can choose fly-cruise itineraries that reach the Peninsula by short charter flight before boarding ship.
  • Extension Options to South Georgia and the Falklands: Longer expeditions combine the Antarctic Peninsula with South Georgia's vast wildlife colonies and the Falkland Islands, rewarding travelers with a deeper subantarctic experience.

Top Tourist Destinations in Antarctica

Each destination offers its own unique attractions and unforgettable experiences.

Antarctic Peninsula

The most visited region of Antarctica, known for dramatic mountain scenery, glaciers reaching the sea and the highest concentration of wildlife landing sites.

Antarctic Peninsula Tours

South Shetland Islands

A cluster of islands off the tip of the Peninsula, home to penguin rookeries, seal colonies and volcanic landscapes such as Deception Island.

South Shetland Islands Tours

Lemaire Channel

A narrow, scenic passage flanked by steep ice cliffs, often described as one of the most photographed stretches of the entire Antarctic Peninsula.

Lemaire Channel Tours

Paradise Harbor

A sheltered bay popular for Zodiac cruising and landings, offering calm waters framed by glaciers and dramatic mountain backdrops.

Paradise Harbor Tours

Deception Island

An active volcanic caldera in the South Shetlands where ships sail directly into the flooded crater, revealing black volcanic beaches and steaming shores.

Deception Island Tours

Drake Passage

The legendary stretch of ocean between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula, crossed by most expedition ships and considered part of the Antarctic rite of passage.

Drake Passage Tours

South Georgia Island

A remote subantarctic island renowned for enormous king penguin colonies, elephant seals and dramatic mountain scenery, typically visited on longer expeditions.

South Georgia Island Tours

Falkland Islands

Often combined with longer Antarctic voyages, these windswept islands offer rich birdlife, penguin colonies and a distinct South Atlantic character.

Falkland Islands Tours

Ushuaia (Gateway City)

The southernmost city in the world and the primary departure port for Antarctic expedition cruises, set against the backdrop of Tierra del Fuego.

Ushuaia (Gateway City) Tours

Weddell Sea

A more remote and ice-heavy region visited on select expeditions, known for pack ice, emperor penguin possibilities and dramatic tabular icebergs.

Weddell Sea Tours

Best Time to Visit Antarctica

The Antarctic tourism season runs only from November to March, during the austral summer when sea ice breaks up enough for ships to land. December and January are considered peak months, offering near-continuous daylight, stable weather and the height of penguin and whale activity, while November suits travelers wanting pristine snow and courting wildlife, and February to March is favored for whale sightings and quieter landings at more affordable rates.

Antarctica Holiday Experiences

Travel Choice Tourism offers a wide range of Antarctica holiday packages.

Zodiac Wildlife Cruising: Small inflatable boats take travelers close to icebergs, seal haul-outs and penguin colonies along the coastline, offering an intimate way to explore areas larger ships cannot reach.
Polar Plunge: A tradition on many expedition ships where willing travelers take a brief, exhilarating dip into the freezing Antarctic waters, fully supported by the crew.
Sea Kayaking Among Icebergs: Guided kayaking excursions offer a quieter, closer perspective on Antarctica's glaciers and wildlife, paddling through calm bays framed by towering ice.
Luxury Small-Ship Expedition: Premium expedition vessels combine comfortable cabins and fine dining with daily excursions ashore, balancing exploration with refined onboard comfort.
Antarctic Honeymoon Voyage: Select expedition cruises cater to couples seeking a dramatic and unconventional honeymoon setting, pairing intimate cabins with shared wildlife and ice excursions.
Fly-Cruise Peninsula Expedition: Travelers fly directly over the Drake Passage to board a smaller ship already positioned near the Peninsula, maximizing time spent exploring rather than at sea.
Extended South Georgia & Falklands Voyage: Longer expeditions add days at South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, exploring vast king penguin colonies and remote subantarctic landscapes beyond the Peninsula.
Patagonia & Antarctica Combined Journey: Travelers extend their trip with days in Ushuaia or Patagonia before or after the expedition, combining glacier trekking and Andean scenery with the Antarctic voyage.

Why Book Your Antarctica Holiday with Travel Choice Tourism?

  • Tailored Itinerary Planning: TravelChoice works with you to select the right expedition length, ship style and departure window based on your travel goals, budget and comfort preferences.
  • Seamless UAE-Origin Logistics: We coordinate international flight connections from the UAE through gateway cities such as Buenos Aires or Santiago, simplifying a complex multi-leg journey.
  • Access to Trusted Polar Operators: We work with established expedition cruise partners offering small-ship voyages, fly-cruise options and luxury polar itineraries suited to different traveler types.
  • Pre-Departure Guidance: Our team provides practical preparation advice, from packing lists to entry requirements for gateway countries, so you arrive fully ready for the expedition.
  • Flexible Add-On Experiences: We can build in stopovers in Buenos Aires, Santiago or Patagonia, or extensions to South Georgia and the Falklands, creating a fuller South American and polar journey.
  • Dedicated Personal Support: From initial enquiry through to your return home, our travel consultants remain your single point of contact for questions, changes and on-trip assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Antarctica can only be visited between November and March, during the austral summer. December and January offer peak wildlife activity and near-continuous daylight, while November and March offer quieter landings and, in some cases, more favorable pricing.