Hurtigruten

Sailing on Hurtigruten and experiencing some of the most scenic and picturesque destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway’s coast and Europe in the spring and fall can be considered the world’s most beautiful sea voyage.

But now Hurtigruten has found another exciting and adventurous way to experience its exploration sailings … the latest being overnight camping in tents on the ice-covered landscape of the Antarctica. Full of nature and wildlife, it is home to millions of penguins, thousands of seals and is a rich feeding area for large numbers of whales that visit during the summer. Listen to the silence of nature and experience endless white landscapes … a powerful experience like nothing else on Earth.

Guests can opt for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure and live through what it may have been like for explorers such as Roald Amundsen and Earnest Shackleton, with one slight modification, guests will have the perks of modern equipment and safeguards. Mona Ringstrand, Explorer Product Manager at Hurtigruten ASA states: “The idea is to offer our guests an authentic experience in the spirit of the great explorer, Amundsen.” This “bragging rights” adventure is priced at roughly $500 per person.

Hurtigruten

Also, special pricing, upwards of 25% off regular fares, is being offered by the company for their January 20 Weddell Sea sailing and four Classic Expedition ventures … a savings of $4,000 to $9,000 per couple. Experienced guides will be provided for every 15 participants and activities contingent on the situations will include … short walks, talks, listening to the polar sounds, offering hot drinks and a cold drink toast, wake-up calls for the White Continent sunrise, and more. Guests will take part in the setup of the two-person tents and all cold-weather needs will be supplied, except pajamas.

The company abides by IAATO guidelines in alliance with the Norwegian Polar Institute – all meals still on board the expedition ship MS Fram. Hurtigruten gives you the option of choosing from five different Antarctica itineraries with starting prices from $5,327 to $10,321.

10-day “Classic Expedition” focuses solely on Antarctica, sailing through the Drake Passage to landings that immerse guests in the remote landscape and exotic wildlife of The White Continent;
13-day “Polar Circle Expedition,” similar to the 10-day experience, spends its extra days traveling as far south as the Antarctic Circle;
13-day “Weddell Sea Expedition” follows the path forged by British Captain James Weddell, who reached 74º latitude in 1823 – a first for explorations;
17-day “Christmas Expedition” celebrates the season with traditional carols, festive meals, Santa Claus visits and a New Year’s gala and includes the Falklands and South Georgia;
19-day “In the Realm of the Great Explorers” explores the areas visited by Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, and takes in the sub-Arctic eco-system of the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia.

Relax and enjoy the scenery and culture of your destination aboard one of the company’s fleet of twelve ships designed to bring guests closer to nature, wildlife and extraordinary experiences while sailing in polar waters. Each ship carries 100 to 646 guests to share magnificent sights and a lifetime of memories.

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your travel request or receive additional information and brochures. We will promptly get back to you.

Courtesy of: Kensington Tours

If you are looking for the ultimate trip experience to the edge of the globe, then consider Kensington Tours to Antarctica.

Kensington Tours is proud to have been named one of the world’s best adventure travel companies by National Geographic Adventurer and when it comes to the ultimate luxury adventure travel, it doesn’t get any more exclusive than this trip!

Kensington Tours’ exclusive luxury eco-friendly camp offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences into the untouched heart of Antarctica’s interior.

Tour guests at Kensington Antarctica are given the rare opportunity to experience the beauty of this awe-inspiring landscape, without harming these gorgeous surroundings due to the camp’s ZERO impact policy, while being guided by accomplished polar explorers and enjoying the amenities of this refined camp.

Kensington Antarctica is the only camp of its kind.   “When it comes to once-in-a-lifetime travel,” says Jeff Willner, founder of Kensington Tours, “this is the real McCoy.”

Kensington Antarctica is only accessible via a private jet from Cape Town, South Africa. The sustainable camp is perched on top of a 200 foot icefall and is the very first of its kind.

The camp has a ZERO IMPACT POLICY, meaning there is carbon offsetting for flights, it is solar & wind powered, serves locally sourced food (from South Africa), and all waste is removed and dismantled every season.

The camp is furnished in the old world opulence of African safaris, the tents are heated and spacious and include all modern conveniences. The main living area is comprised of two large, dome tents (fusing traditional materials with cutting-edge technology) which house a dining room, library, kitchen and communications area.

The camp has only six sleeping tents, each one shared by two clients, to ensure an intimate experience for every guest as well as personalized service from our five accomplished polar explorers/guides. Gourmet meals are served by an acclaimed chef.

Rarely offered experiences at the camp range from the astonishing to the adrenalin inducing, setting this trip apart from the ordinary.

Bespoke adventures include: kite skiing, rock and ice climbing, abseiling into crevasses, 4×4 adventures to the coastal ice barrier or to one of the science bases, a flight to the South Pole as well as access to a 12,000-strong colony of fearless Emperor Penguins and their hatchlings – one of the most rarely seen wildlife events on the planet.

The Antarctica season runs from late November through January when temperatures average a mild 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

Departures for the 2010-2011 Season include:

• 1 Day Trip from US $9,635: 1 departure Nov 29, 2010
• 5 Day Antarctica Explorer from US $ 24,900: 1 departure Dec 17, 2010
• 5 Day Antarctica & South Pole from US $ 48,990: 1 departure Dec 17, 2010
• 8 Day Antarctica and Emperor Penguins from US $ 45,050: 1 departure Dec 8, 2010
• 11 day Antarctica and Emperor Penguins from US $ 48,075): 2 departures Nov 19 & 29, 2010
• Private and custom departures can also be arranged through Kensington Tours

For additional information and reservations, please visit Kensington Tours