Detailed Trip Notes

Suitability

Suitability

We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.

Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour.  For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.

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Tour Itinerary

Budgeting for your Tour

Budgeting for your tour

 

Airport Departure Tax - USD $5.00 from Ushuaia, USD $18.00 from Buenos Aires

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Aboard the expedition ship, laundry facilities are provided at a nominal charge.

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Tipping

Tipping the crew

Discretionary gratuities are made by travellers in a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage, and is divided amongst the crew. The Expedition Leader will give you more details onboard. The generally accepted guideline is $10 to $15 per passenger per day. You may offer your gratuity in cash or travellers’ cheques.

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Important Information

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.

If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.

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Visa Requirements

All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

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Please note: Please note that flights on the tour may transit through the USA. According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.

Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain both a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.

All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home. In addition to passport information, you must also supply the full address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA. This information can be obtained from your joining instructions which are sent out approximately 3 weeks before travel.

Anyone applying for ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).  

For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).

For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk

Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

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Please note: All countries visited on this tour require a passport valid for a duration of at least 6 months after the tour.

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Vaccinations & Protection

The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.

Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

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Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A.

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Note: all travellers must fill in a medical questionnaire and return to Explore as soon as possible.

Sea Sickness: It is recommended that you take medication/wristbands to help combat seasickness.

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Know before you go

We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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Preparing for your tour

Climate

Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.

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Ushuaia, in Argentinean Patagonia has a cool, windy and very changeable temperate climate. It can be cold, particularly at night, and wet at times. Travelling south towards Antarctica, the weather becomes colder.

Polar temperatures during the Antarctic season are usually a minimum of -15°C, maximum of 12°C and average of 0°C.

Wind chill can make the temperatures feel a lot colder, so it's important to take cold weather clothing with you (see below).

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Packing for your tour

To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you. 

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Luggage

Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company

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Please note that a 15kgs luggage weight limit is sporadically enforced on the internal flight to Ushuaia, occasionally charges may be levied against passengers taking luggage in excess of 15kgs. Remember not to overload yourself.

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Clothing

Parkas

You should look for a lightweight, roomy, wind and water-resistant parka with some insulation. Bright colors are more visible - and thus safer - in polar environments.

Gloves

Keeping your hands warm and dry can be a challenge. Thin polypropylene gloves can be worn underneath warm outergloves. This allows you some protection from the cold when removing your gloves to operate your camera etc. We strongly recommend that you bring more than one pair of gloves, in case one gets wet (or lost).

Hat/Cap

Warm, woollen hat/cap to protect your ears, as well as a scarf, neck gaiter or other face protection, such as a balaclava.

Trousers

Water-resistant trousers of coated nylon or, even better, Gore-Tex® are essential for your comfort. They can be worn over your regular clothes to keep you warm and dry. We suggest that you purchase trousers a few sizes larger than you normally wear as you will be wearing them over other clothing. Gore-Tex® or similar fabrics are excellent for keeping out wind and water without trapping excess heat. Rain gear and Gore-Tex® products can be found in any outdoor sport clothing store. In addition to your waterproof trousers, warm ski pants are suggested if you have them. Warm trousers such as jeans, corduroys etc are also good.

Socks

Warm wool socks worn over a thin pair of silk, polypropylene socks should provide enough warmth and insulation for your feet. Bring several pairs of socks, since you will inevitably get your feet wet.

Outer Clothing

Woollen, knit or cotton sweaters/tops, polar fleece tops (medium weight), several cotton turtlenecks and T-shirts for layering on and off the ship.

Underclothing

Thermal underwear is highly recommended as it will keep you warm without adding bulk. Most polar travellers prefer a lightweight version.

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Parkas

You should look for a lightweight, roomy, wind and water-resistant parka with some insulation. Bright colors are more visible - and thus - safer in polar environments.

Gloves

Keeping your hands warm and dry can be a challenge. Thin polypropylene gloves can be worn underneath warm outergloves. Thus, allowing you some protection from the cold when removing your gloves to operate your camera, etc. We strongly recommend that you bring more than one pair of gloves, in case one gets wet (or lost).

Hat/Cap

Warm, woolen hat/cap to protect your ears, as well as a scarf, neck gaiter or other face protection.

Pants/Trousers

Water-resistant pants/trousers of coated nylon or, even better, Gore-Tex® are essential for your comfort. They can beworn over your regular clothes to keep you warm and dry. We suggest that you purchase pants a few sizes larger than you normally wear as you will be wearing them over other clothing. Gore-Tex® or similar fabrics are excellent for keepingout wind and water without trapping excess heat. Rain gear and Gore-Tex® products can be found in any outdoor sport clothing store. In addition to your waterproof pants/trousers, warm ski pants are suggested if you have them, otherwise,bring any sturdy, warm pants/trousers that can be layered between your long underwear, such as jeans, sweatpants, corduroys, etc.

Socks

Warm wool socks worn over a thin pair of silk, polypropylene socks should provide enough warmth and insulation for yourfeet. Bring several pairs of socks, since you will inevitably get your feet wet.

Outer Clothing

Woolen, knit or cotton sweaters/tops, polar fleece tops (medium weight), several cotton turtlenecks and T-shirts forlayering on and off the ship.

Underclothing

Silk or polypropylene underwear is highly recommended since it will keep you warm without adding bulk. Most polar travellers prefer a lightweight version - but this depends on your own personal thermostat.

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Footwear

Complimentary, used waterproof boots will be supplied onboard. However, guests might want to bring their own if they are the following sizes due to the limited quantities onboard:

- men's UK size 12 & 13 1/2

- women's UK size below three & seven and above

Guests must bring their own if they are:

- men's UK size six 1/2 or smaller

- men's UK size 13 1/2 or larger

- women's UK size two or smaller

- women's UK size nine 1/2 or larger

These are rubber, waterproof boots that are just below your knees with a strong, ridged non-skid sole.

You usually have to step from the Zodiac into icy water up to 30 cm high on most landings. Do not bring heavy, cumbersome boots that make it difficult to walk or boots with metal cleats as they cannot be used for landings. For maximum warmth, wear loose-fitting boots and two pairs of socks. Try out your boots before the voyage.

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Equipment

A hat, a pair of sunglasses (Polarized highly recommended), Sun block (PABA-free), a money belt Basic, an alarm clock, Women’s sanitary products, biodegradable toiletries, a water bottle to be refilled during the trip, books/reading and writing material to enjoy during your free time, a camera and film/memory cards, something to protect the camera when out in the elements, a flashlight with spare batteries and bulbs, hand sanitizers/antibacterial wipes, and a seasickness remedy.

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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?

Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.

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General Information

General Information

Recommended Currency for Exchange: A combination of US dollars cash and cards is best. It is also advisable to take some NOK for your time in Norway pre-cruise.

ATM availability: There are cash machines in Longyearbyen.

Credit Card Acceptance: Credit cards are useful and can be used in many places, but may be subject to a service charge. The ship accepts Visa and Mastercard.

Additional information: There is a chit system on board the ship, with bills settled on the final night of the voyage. Please note that only US Dollars and credit cards are accepted on board.

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Electric Supply & Plugs

For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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The electricity onboard is 220AC electrical outlets, with European 2 pin round holes, as well as 110-volt shaving sockets in the bathroom for electric razors only. You may wish to bring an international adapter.

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