June 12, 2008

WORLD | ANTARCTICA

Under an Antarctic Sun

By Mark Jolly

Be the first to kayak to the edge of the world.

Not so long ago, a trip to Antarctica was considered the ultimate journey to the end of the world. Intrepid were the travelers who came, who saw, and gawked some more at the vast expanse of ice. But these days, the planet’s most southerly odyssey yields a veritable rainbow of niche vacations. We’ve already told you about Silversea’s luxury expedition voyage, the annual Antarctic Ice Marathon and White Desert’s wilderness camp (kite skiing, anyone?). But this coming season brings two new types of adventures to the coldest, driest and windiest continent on earth.

Just around the time the ice pack begins to break, Abercrombie & Kent leads a photo safari to South Georgia Island, the Falklands and Antarctica. Expect one-on-one sessions with professional shutterbug Richard Harker, (you’ll learn how best to battle the changeable light and weather), as well as lectures on the region’s unique birding, geology and marine life. Your vessel for the 19-day voyage (departures from December 17 through February 16, 2009) is the MV Minerva, which Conde Nast Traveler named the world’s best expedition ship.

If you prefer more extreme polar adventures, though, might we suggest the first and only guided commercial-kayaking trip to the Antarctic Peninsula? That, at least, is what Explorers’ Corner claim their month-long jaunt to be. The outfitters, who specialize in one-of-a-kind journeys to the fringes of the earth, certainly don’t do things by halves. Their trip (November 20 - December 18 and December 4 - January 1, 2009), combines days of paddling (including the famously treacherous waters of Good Horn) with tented camps on Antarctic beaches and a cruise experience for small groups (of six) aboard a small expedition sail boat. No engines, no noise, no commotion: just the undisturbed habitat of the world’s last great wilderness.