Physical Requirements
What to expect:
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Moderately Strenuous
Group Size
- This adventure has a maximum group size of 25 travelers with a local Trip Experience Leader exclusive to O.A.T. There will be five other O.A.T. groups on board, each of them with their own Trip Leader.
Pacing
- 15 days, with 11 nights aboard a privately chartered expedition ship and one 2-night hotel stay
- This is not a regular cruise but an expedition
- International flights from U.S. to Buenos Aires depart around midnight; 2 internal flights of 4 hours each, 1 with pre-dawn wake up
- Air travel time will be 11-17 hours and will likely have at least one connection
- All shore landings and Zodiac cruises will be staggered; travelers will rotate between activities.
Physical Requirements
- Walk 3 miles unassisted on uneven terrain and participate in 6-8 hours of physical activities each day
- Good agility, balance, and strength are needed when boarding Zodiac boats daily, as well as during your round-trip four-day Drake Passage crossing, when rough seas and constant ship motion are common. All landings in Antarctica are “wet landings”, and you will be disembarking in the wild
- Travelers using mobility aids or with medical conditions that might require immediate attention or evacuation will not be able to board the expedition ship
- We require medical forms be signed and stamped by a doctor, as well as and medical coverage and emergency evacuation coverage of at least $50,000 each. (While the minimum requirement for emergency medical evacuation is $50,000, the cost is typically much higher, so we recommend purchasing close to $500,000 per person.)
- The ship’s physician reserves the right to deny boarding to any traveler deemed unfit for this expedition
- We reserve the right for Trip Experience Leaders to restrict participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home, if their limitations impact the group's experience
You may encounter animals on this trip. We make every effort to keep these encounters safe, however animals may behave unpredictably. Please use caution when interacting with animals on this trip: Keep a safe distance, stay alert, and respect the animals
Terrain & Transportation
- Uneven surfaces, including ice, slippery rocks, sand, and snow
- Travel by 172-passenger expedition ship, 45-seat coach, and Zodiac. There will be 6 O.A.T. groups on board, each with their own Trip Experience Leader.
- All landings in Antarctica are wet landings, so waterproof clothing is mandatory; a parka will be provided to all travelers prior to departure, and rubber boots will be provided onsite. Travelers are responsible for supplying their own waterproof pants
- You will need to embark on board Zodiac crafts for your Antarctic excursions. Your landings will be “wet,” and you will need to step into water up to ten inches deep and wade ashore. Good agility, balance, and strength are mandatory for this expedition.
- Your itinerary is very likely to change to ensure your safety; all activities are highly dependent on weather, ice conditions, and tides
- Your Captain and Expedition Leader will assess weather conditions and wildlife-viewing opportunities, as well as coordinate with other ships, in order to take you out into the Antarctic environment as often as possible. Flexibility is key for this expedition.
Climate
- Daytime temperatures range from 30-45°F during cruising season
- Expect high winds and rain in Ushuaia