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Travel in Antarctica
Antartica Vacation
Each year, an average of about 20 vessels carrying 50 to 300 passengers
go on an Antarctica tour. The ships for these Antarctica
cruises are strengthened for ice and sail primarily to
the Antarctic Peninsula region. Occasionally, there are voyages to Antarctica
by larger passenger ships (up to around 950 tourists), some of which conduct
sightseeing-only cruises (without passengers leaving the ship). Another
popular way to explore is yacht travel, which gives visitors a more intimate
way to experience Antarctica.
Outside the Peninsula region, several
expeditions take place each season. Adventurists and sighseers
seek out the remote areas of Antarctica for the Dry Valleys, historical
locations, Antartic seals and the colonies of Emperor Penguins (which
were featured in the documentary "March of the Penguins", shot in Antarctica).
Voyages have been made to the Weddell and Ross Sea region and, on occasion,
islands of the Indian Ocean of East Antarctica.
Antarctic seasons offers different sightseeing possibilities during
an Antarctica vacation. November - Early December (the late
Spring and early summer) brings the melting of the ice packs of the
winter season. Mammoth Antarctica icebergs and pack ice dot the cool,
clean landscape. The Spring brings wildflowers blooming in South Georgia
and the Falkland islands. It also brings out the animal inhabitants
of Antartica, with the beginning of courting season for the penguins,
flocks of seabirds, and fur and elephant seals setting their territory.
Mid-December into January (the Mid-Summer) are usually the warmest months
in Antarctica, with plentiful light (with the midnight sun) offering
chances for spectacular photos. The warmer weather also causes the ice
to melt back, offering more chances for Antarctic exploration.
In the Late Summer (February and March) of Antarctica, the still receding
ice allows even more exploration. Whale watching is also at its peak.
An Antarctica trip is mainly concentrated in the Antarctic summer (November
to March) at ice-free coastal zones. Tourist ships generally won't travel
outside of these months, due to the near permanent darkness and winter
pack ice covering over 620 miles around the continent. During this time,
temperatures in Antarctica can drop to as low as -90°C (-130°F).
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