Prepare for the trip of a lifetime.
Walking Softer is pleased to host this adventure of a lifetime and will cover the cost of the charter and all domestic travel and accommodations once you arrive in South America. All you need to do is get yourself to Buenos Aires. Let’s go!
Confirm your return route - we will follow up shortly to verify availability on the route you selected on your RSVP form. Please note: the Standard Route is the full trip length. The Express Route is for those whose schedules don't allow for the full 14 nights.
14 Nights, Feb 15 - March 1
Round trip through Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE Airport)
12 Nights, Feb 15 - Feb 27
Round trip through Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE Airport)
Leave the U.S. on the night of the 15
Morning arrival in Buenos Aires. Spend the night at the Palladio Hotel and explore the city
8:40am Flight to Ushuaia
Ship embarkation in Ushuaia 4pm. Orientation & welcome dinner - late evening, set sail
Drake Passage
Drake Passage - 1st night in Antarctica, possible evening excursion
Five days exploring Antarctica
Drop off fellow passengers with charter plane on King George Island
Drake Passage crossing
8am disembark ship in Ushuaia
Group charter flight Ushuaia to Buenos Aires (EZE) - landing 1:46pm
Evening flights to U.S. (departing no earlier than 8 p.m. to account for possible delays)
Morning arrival in U.S.
Late afternoon flight from King George Island to Buenos Aires via Punta Arenas; overnight hotel stay in Buenos Aires
Flight to the U.S.
In case the flight out of Antarctica cannot operate onthe 25th due to poor weather, everyone will continue on the Standard Route to Buenos Aires. International return flights will need to be rearranged or purchased for the evening of the 28th.
Arrive early or stay longer and enjoy more time exploring Ushuaia, Buenos Aires or other destinations in South America. We can help you book additional nights in Buenos Aires.
Book your flight
Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina no later than February 16
We recommend arriving on February 14 or 15 in case of flight delays. More time to explore Buenos Aires! Let us know if you’d like us to book you additional nights.
Depart Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) no earlier than 8 p.m. on February 28. If you prefer a more relaxed return home, we can assist with booking you an additional night in Buenos Aires.
Depart Buenos Aires (EZE) anytime on February 26 (or late on the 25th*)
*We advise you to fly on the 26th to account for possible delays departing Antarctica - however we may land in time for an overnight flight out of Buenos Aires on February 25
Citizens of most countries, including the U.S., do not need a visa to enter Argentina for a tourist visit of fewer than 90 days. Please note, any country may choose to deny entry if your passport is not valid for up to six months beyond your expected departure date.
Once you have booked your flights, please enter your flight information into your Polar Latitudes portal so we can arrange your airport shuttles. You’ll receive your unique portal link via email.
On arrival in Buenos Aires, Argentina, shuttle from the airport to Palladio Hotel
February 16 – Pre-voyage hotel stay and kick-off happy hour with drinks and appetizers
February 17 – Breakfast, group flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, and lunch
February 17 - 28 – Lodging (double occupancy; solo guests will be paired together in hotels and ship cabins), meals, daily excursions and crew gratuity for Island Sky charter
Onboard house wine, beer and liquor during dinner (premium alcoholic available for purchase)
February 28 – Charter flight from Ushuaia to Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires
Carbon offsetting contribution
February 25 – Charter flights from King George Island, Antarctica* to Buenos Aires, changing planes in Punta Arenas, Chile and hotel stay in Buenos Aires
February 26 – Shuttle from hotel to Buenos Aires International (EZE) for your international flight
*This flight is weather dependent. If flying out of Antarctica is not possible on the scheduled day, you will sail back to Ushuaia and fly to Buenos Aires with the rest of the group. International flights will need to be rearranged to depart Buenos Aires the evening of the 28th.
International flights to and from Buenos Aires
Pre and post-voyage expenses other than those specified above
Laundry and other personal expenses incurred on board
Remember the motto “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear”!
Want our suggestions for the items below? Check out Our Picks.
Be prepared for the Antarctic elements, but be mindful of weight limits:
Your checked luggage (1 piece) can not exceed 33 lbs, your carry-on can not exceed 17.5 lbs, and your personal item can not exceed 6.5 lbs.
For Express Route guests, your total luggage can not exceed 44 lbs (strict rule, no exceptions), and your carry-on must be soft, not rigid.
For the private charter flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen, the maximum luggage capacity for each person is 1 checked luggage of max 25kg (55lbs) and 1 carry-on luggage of 8kg (17 lbs).
The onboard dress code is casual. For landings, we recommend dressing in layers - like an onion! Make sure to bring sturdy walking shoes or sneakers with a good grip sole for walking around the slippery deck. Insulated boots and outer shells will be provided on loan for outside excursions.
Daytime temperatures range 28º to 39º F with an average high of 33ºF. Antarctica's late summer brings the warm temperatures and sunny, blue skies; however, strong winds can make it feel considerably colder (as low 0ºF).
In Svalbard, above the Arctic Circle, the temperature can range from around -3°C (26.6°F) to 7°C (44.6°F). The cold sea current from Siberia influences the east coast of Spitsbergen and the resulting lower temperatures. In contrast, the west coast is warmed by the Gulf Stream and can be reached by sea throughout summer.
Walking Softer is providing each guest with a Patriot Lite Travel Medical insurance plan. It covers emergency medical expenses, repatriation and evacuation, and acute onset of pre-existing conditions, with a $0 deductible and $100,000 medical expense maximum. Please see this website for more details, and note that COVID-19 is considered the same as any other illness, so it is covered under this policy. If you'd like to change your deductible/medical expense max amount, email summits@walkingsofter.org. Please review the plan and if you'd like additional coverage, feel free to purchase another plan.
Yes! 200 MB of data on your personal device is complimentary. Additional data packages can be purchased; rates begin at about USD $50 for 200MB. Please note, due to weather and location, there may be times when internet service is very slow or disrupted.
An emergency medical team including a doctor and a nurse with current training in public health protocols, outbreak prevention, and management protocols will be aboard our voyage, as well as a fully equipped medical center with facilities for emergency care. Learn more about the medical staff here.
Polar Latitudes is our renowned ship operator and has the most experienced and skilled team in Antarctica. They will provide all services aboard the Island Sky: expedition team, hotel and restaurant crew, and ship crew.
While aboard the Greg Mortimer, seasickness shouldn’t be a problem for anyone except the most extremely sensitive people. However, it is best to be prepared for motion sickness. Medication is preventative, not curative; start taking it as soon as the ship leaves port – don’t wait until you feel sick! Patch-style medication and suppositories work best.
Polar Latitudes will have precautionary measures in place to prevent a positive test. However, if someone does test positive, they will be isolated into cabins reserved for Covid-19 cases immediately. The ship will then follow the current policies and procedures in place.
The electrical supply on board our vessels is 220 volts, 60 hertz. Please bring a converter if your devices use 110 volts. International electrical sockets are available in your cabin and throughout the ship.
Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and hand soap are included in each cabin and refilled throughout the voyage. Hair dryers are provided as well.
Smoking is permitted in designated areas on the ship’s outer decks only. Smoking inside the ship including on your cabin balcony is strictly prohibited. Smoking when off the ship is strictly forbidden – not in Zodiacs, kayaks, nor on shore. Please do not throw cigarette butts overboard, but dispose of them in the ashtrays provided.
Walking Softer is providing each guest with a Patriot Lite Travel Medical insurance plan. It covers emergency medical expenses, repatriation and evacuation, and acute onset of pre-existing conditions, with a $0 deductible and $100,000 medical expense maximum. Please see this website for more details, and note that COVID-19 is considered the same as any other illness, so it is covered under this policy. If you'd like to change your deductible/medical expense max amount, email antarctica@walkingsofter.org. Please review the plan and if you'd like additional coverage, feel free to purchase another plan.
While in the Antarctic Peninsula area, seasickness shouldn’t be a problem for anyone except the most extremely sensitive people. However, it is best to be prepared for the Drake Passage crossing. Motion sickness medication is preventative, not curative; start taking it as soon as the ship leaves port – don’t wait until you feel sick! Patch-style medication and suppositories work best.
Smoking, vaping and medical marijuana use are allowed in designated smoking areas only. For medical marijuana, Polar Latitudes requires a doctor’s confirmation that you have been prescribed marijuana for medical use. Recreational use is not allowed on board. Non-compliance will result in a penalty of $1,000.
There will be a licensed English-speaking physician on board, though the vessel’s medical facility is a basic infirmary and full medical facilities may be days away. It is therefore imperative for your own safety that you are in good health and have taken all appropriate precautions.
Polar Latitudes’ ships are far from barrier-free. Doors leading to the decks are heavy and narrow with high sills. Decks are often slippery with hazards such as pipes, drains, and equipment. If you have mobility issues or walk with assistance devices, carefully consider your participation in the voyage. Walking around the ship, getting in and out of zodiac boats and walking on rocky and icy terrain can be challenging.
Below are some recommended resources for those of you interested in studying up before we depart. Feel free to consume as much or as little as you want.
