9,450 miles away from my home in New York but worlds apart – Antarctica belongs to no country. This one place on earth is dedicated to nature and research. Even the waste accumulated in cruise ships are not dumped in the ocean but rather taken back to where they came from. Every day in Antarctica is a humbling adventure. One that tells you how majestic Mother Nature is with her gargantuan glaciers, mammoth mountains and stupendous serenity. Antarctica will make you feel insignificant yet remarkable. 

I had just turned 25 and it was my dream to go to Antarctica. I flew to Buenos Aires, Argentina and then to Ushuaia, Argentina. I even boarded the cruise ship ready for departure. As luck would have it, that year I couldn’t make a landing on the White Continent due to technical difficulties. But did I give up? The next year, at the age of 26 I flew again. And this time I braved the Drake Passage and when I opened my eyes, there it was, in all its glory – the 7th continent. This single experience taught me that when you have a dream big or small, the path to reach it might be difficult but you should never give up and it will come true. 

Antarctica is not just the 7th continent for me anymore, or the place where I took my first polar plunge. It is about those waddling penguins, somersaulting dolphins and playful whales. It is about those people I shared this experience with and bonded, even though I didn’t know them before. It is about the vast knowledge I received from the National Geographic experts on board. It is about those post cards I sent out from the southernmost post office in the world. It is about the Bangladeshi flag being held high on Antarctic soil (or snow?). It is and always will be a life changing experience. 

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Ushuaia, Argentina. 

Day 2: Board the Expedition Ship.

Day 3 & 4: Crossing the Drake Passage. 

Day 5 - 7: South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula.

(I highly recommend adding 8 more days here covering Falkland Islands, South Georgia & South Orkney). 

Day 8 & 9: Crossing the Drake Passage. 

Day 10: Disembarkation in Ushuaia. 

Day 11: Fly from Ushuaia, Argentina to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I would highly recommend spending much more time on the continent, including visiting the Falkland Islands. A 19 day trip is ideal. 

Tip

I would also recommend spending longer in Ushuaia. An amazing day trip from Ushuaia that I personally loved is to Martillo Island where you will encounter various species of penguins and wildlife. Horseback riding in the mountain ranges in Ushuaia is also epic! 

Clothing: Layering is best. If you are going in November or March (colder months) you will definitely need an expedition parka. Some cruises sell it but it might be more expensive.

Cruise: Oceanwide Expeditions, Quark Expeditions