WELCOME TO THE ANTARCTIC CIRCLE EXPEDITION BLOG

The Antarctic Circle Expedition has been carefully designed by OAT in collaboration with your Trip Experience Leader for you to have the most unique and unforgettable Travel Experience. 

This is not just another trip, this is an "expedition" and there will be an abundance of natural and human challenges - from airline delays to totally unpredictable weather. Flexibility and a positive attitude are crucial requirements for anyone embarking on this spectacular journey.

In order to accomplish our goals we need your commitment to our OAT philosophy:

Be prepared to travel overseas. 

You will fly south for many hours, half across the world where the crowded and crazy Buenos Aires City will be waiting for you. 

Then we will fly south for four hours to arrive to Ushuaia, known as the southernmost city in the world, and the starting point of our Antarctic Adventure! 

After a brief visit to Ushuaia, we continue further south to go to the most isolated place in our planet: ANTARCTICA!

If Ushuaia is famous for being "the End of the World", getting to explore Antarctica Circle Expedition involves entering a whole different world ruled by the mighty ice and the furious winds.

Be ready in body and mind for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Every trip to Antarctica is different, as the Captain and our Expedition Leader, adjust the experience according to the weather and ice conditions. Our plan will surely suffer on-the-spot changes on a daily basis. Being 100% flexible and ready to turn each minus into a plus is essential.

Become part of a real team is also part of the deal!

Getting to know and take care of each other will be key to our success since we will be visiting one the most challenging places on Earth. 

We have the advantage of using M/S Roald Amundsen for exploring this remote area of the world, with a maximum of 500 travelers. 

There will be two groups per sailing and each team will have an experienced OAT Trip Leader. You will meet your Trip Experience Leader from the moment you arrive in Buenos Aires, until your departure back to the USA. 

Getting Ready to go

IS THIS ADVENTURE FOR YOU?

This trip will reward you with very intense LEARNING experiences as well as the opportunity to DISCOVER a whole new world of natural wonders. To make it happen, it is important to be set on "expedition mode" and to expect the unexpected! 

Since it is an expedition it requires a higher level of fitness than that of other OAT trips. 

• This adventure is not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs, walking canes or other mobility aids. 
• You’ll spend 3-4 days sailing the Drake Passage, which is known for its strong winds and rough seas. It is imperative that you have a good sense of balance and strong “sea legs” in order to move unassisted and safely aboard a steadily rocking ship. 
• We travel to remote areas more than 2 days away from major medical facilities; travelers with medical conditions that might require immediate attention or evacuation may be denied boarding the ship in Ushuaia.
• You must be able to hike 3 miles unassisted over the course of each day, exploring uneven, snowy, and icy terrain on foot and standing for up to an hour at a time.
• Good balance and agility are required for climbing in and out of inflatable Zodiac boats from a gangway during “wet” landings on shore excursions.

• Visit your doctor

• Make sure you bring any Prescription Medications you may need, especially your regular antibiotic medication for gastrointestinal illness and pain medication. 

• Have a dental check-up. There are no dentists in Antarctica.

• Consult with your doctor about Motion Sickness and bring your own Motion Sickness Patches (they are not sold in Argentina) or any other prescribed Motion Sickness Pills. 

Do not forget to consult your doctor about wearing Motion Sickness Patches as they can have side effects. 

CAMERA GEAR

• Binoculars are a must, especially if you are a bird or wildlife watcher.

• You should bring enough memory cards for your cameras, as they are quite expensive in Argentina. Be sure your batteries are working properly and, if possible, bring rechargeable ones. The cold weather shortens battery charge (even cell phones). And, if you have a new camera that you plan to use in this trip, please train yourself in advance on how to use it.

• UV filters to protect your lenses.

AIRLINES

• All domestic flights within Argentina are operated by government-owned Aerolineas Argentinas. 

• Frequency of flights is low as it is the only airline flying there, and we will be travelling at the peak of the high season. 

Aerolineas Argentinas (domestic flights):

• Check in bag: free of charge up to two pieces of up to 15kg (33lbs) per person. 

• OAT will cover the difference from 33 lbs to 50 lbs.  This will be paid on site by your Trip Experience Leader.

• Carry on luggage: One piece of up to 8 kgs (17lbs) plus one personal item such as a purse or laptop

This is the right place for your camera gear, binoculars, sunglasses, reading glasses, credit cards, cash, mobile device, chargers, extra batteries for hearing aids, prescribed medication (make sure to bring the generic name of it), medical emergency network (1-800 numbers do not  work outside US, so you should ask for a number that will work overseas), store photocopies separated from the originals or give this information to a trust friend or relative to whom you may phone if necessary. 

CLOTHING

Comfortable and practical clothes are the rule. We will experience a wide range of temperatures during the expedition and as you probably know, weather is unpredictable in Patagonia and Polar regions.

KEEP IN MIND: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS BAD WEATHER, ONLY INAPPROPRIATE CLOTHING!

Antarctica Bag:

• Pack all the heavy stuff for both Ushuaia and Antarctica: insulated underwear, cotton shirt or t-shirt, sweater or fleece, windbreaker or extra fleece, waterproof parka and waterproof pants (GoreTex, eVent, or similar quality), warm socks, warm hat. This will make a total of 5 layers although you don't need to wear them all at the same time...

• M/S Roald Amundsen is centrally heated and has an average temperature of around 70F.

• Take into account that we start in Buenos Aires where it is summer (80-100F) and then we fly to Ushuaia and onto Antarctica where temperatures drop to 50s and 40s F, and, if windy, it can drop even to the low 30s F, so please read the handbook Guidelines (pages 21-23) 

• Please remember that we are going on a real Expedition so all the Staff / Crew and travelers on board will dress casual at all times.

• You might want to bring one slightly dressier outfit for the Captain Reception on bard.

• Expensive jewelery (especially gold and diamonds) is not recommended at all.

BOOTS

• OAT will provide Wellington style rubber boots up to the knee for your use during voyage.

Note: In case you have special request size (6 women or smaller, over 13 for men, wide calves) we strongly suggest you to bring your own. Please make sure you try them on first with the socks you will be wearing for the landings in Antarctica so that you know for sure that they will be comfortable.

• With your Medical Form you will be requested to provide your boot size that you must return to OAT in Boston immediately. 

• The boots will be delivered on board the ship.

• After the last landing in Antarctica your Expedition Staff will collect your boots. 

PARKAS

• OAT will provide parkas for this expedition that will be sent to your house before your departure. This parka will be yours to keep. 

• We have no replacement parkas so make sure you have it with you and that it fits properly before your leave.

On the M/S Roald Amundsen you will be provided with a Windstopper that we should use every time we desembark.

This video shows you how to fold the parka:

Buenos Aires / Pre and Post bag:

• Pack all the lighter, mostly cotton, clothes such as jeans or light pants / t-shirts or shirts / shorts / light walking shoes. 

• Our Pre trip is in northern Patagonia where sometimes temperatures may be in the 50s/60s F so some heavier clothing for the evenings are necessary. Also, for the included activities, hiking gear (boots, pants and fleece) is necessary! 

• Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and mosquito repellent

• Bathing suit, hotels have swimming pools you may enjoy.

PERSONAL ITEMS

• Two photocopies of your passport (one for you to keep with you instead of your original passport and one to give to your Trip Leader at the Welcome Briefing so he or she can to do all paperwork)

• A copy of your vaccination card to be shown when requested.

• Two copies of your Travel Protection Plan if other than Allianz (one for you and one to give your Trip Leader at the Welcome Briefing)

• TIP: keep a photo of these documents under favorites in your cellphone photo album.

OTHERS

Bring a Reusable water bottle

• You'll need it to take advantage of any refills we offer as we are working to eliminate single-use plastic bottles on all of our trips this year.

• Travel mug: is really useful if you want to take advantage of the coffee/tea station 24/7 on board so as to take your doing to your cabin or wherever you wander around. Also for the coffee service on the plane and avoid disposable glasses and cups.

• Walking poles: very handy for hikes in your PRE extension in Bariloche. During our landings in Antarctica we will have available standard walking poles by size (S, M & L) provided by M/S Roald Amundsen expedition staff.

If you prefer your own, adjustable walking poles, bring them. Folded in your checked in suitcase since they are not allowed on carry ons. 

• Hand and foot warmers must be packed in your checked luggage. They'll be confiscated at the airport if you carry them in carry on or hand luggage.    

• Do not forget some family/pets/house/city pictures to share and a list of your best jokes since humor and funny travel anecdotes to share with fellow passengers. 

ELECTRICITY, CONVERTERS AND PLUG ADAPTORS

• Electricity is 220V in Argentina so check if your electrical devices are for both 110v - 220v, if not, you need a Converter. 

• Electricity on board M/S Roald Amundsen is 110 V and plugs are two-round European as shown. 

• Plug Adaptors are necessary in Buenos Aires, Ushuaia and hotels in Pre and Post extensions. Please make sure you bring your own adaptor. Front desks run out of them quickly.

• In Argentina we mostly use (see picture below)

Hairdryer

• In most hotels and on-board M/S Roald Amundsen you will have a hairdryer available in your room/cabin.

INTERNET AND MOBILE PHONES 

• Most hotels have free Wi-Fi available.

• If you have a Tri-band cell phone you can use it in Argentina.

• Please be aware that overseas cell phone roaming charges can be very high.

• There is free Wi-Fi on-board the ship, but due to remote location and no satellites is very poor, just for messages - no streaming.

• Satellite phone is also available, please ask for prices on board.

CREDIT CARDS 

• Call your bank and Credit Card and let them know about your trip to Argentina as most banks in the USA will block your transactions abroad unless notified well in-advance.

• You must have the details of your credit card number and emergency phone numbers handy to report any stolen or lost Credit Cards.

• Keep them somewhere other than your wallet to make sure you can call them immediately if needed.

• It is OAT policy worldwide that we cannot accept cash,  American Express or traveler checks for our Optional Tours.

• VISA, Master Card, and Discovery card are the only ones we can accept. 

• Keep in mind that a 24 hour cancellation policy for all Optional Tours still applies. 

NOTE: • In Argentina, U.S. dollars might be accepted for payment at tourist-related businesses or in a large city like Buenos Aires. Bills must be in perfect conditions.


TIPPING

Shipboard Crew: Gratuities are already built into our pricing upfront and therefore are not added to an onboard bill or expected.

Expedition Staff: Tips for Expedition Team on board M/S Roald Amundsen are included.

Trip Experience Leader: We recommend a flat tip of $10-$14 U.S. per traveler, per day.

PASSPORT 

US Passport should be valid for at least six months following your scheduled return to the United States.

Argentina does not require reciprocity tax or Visa, and Brazil postponed the Visa requirement until April 2024.

Us, Your Trip Experience Leaders

Sebastian Lescano (left) & Nelson Torres (Right)