Should I depart from Ushuaia or Punta Arenas for Antarctica?
It mostly follows from whether you’re sailing or flying, since sailings go from Ushuaia and fly cruises from Punta Arenas. The factor people miss is the passport. If a Chilean visa is difficult for your nationality, that pushes you toward sailing from Argentina. If an Argentinian visa is the hard on
Does a worldwide travel insurance policy cover Antarctica?
Not necessarily, and this catches out a lot of experienced travellers. A policy described as worldwide can still carry geographic exclusions, cruise restrictions, expedition exclusions, altitude limits or activity exclusions. UK government guidance on Antarctic travel warns about exactly this. Ask y
What should Antarctica travel insurance cover?
Check the policy against emergency medical treatment, evacuation from a remote location, ship-to-shore transfer, transport to the nearest suitable facility, medical care in transit, repatriation, and whatever minimum your operator requires in writing. Then look at trip cancellation, interruption, mi
What insurance does the South Georgia entry permit require?
The permit process requires confirmation of adequate health insurance covering three specific things: emergency evacuation for a condition or injury that can’t be treated in the territory, transport and medical care in transit to the nearest country with suitable treatment, and repatriation of morta
Is travel insurance required for an Antarctica cruise?
Usually yes, and the specifics vary more than people expect. Many expedition operators require medical evacuation and repatriation cover as a condition of travel, while others publish a strong recommendation or include a limited assistance arrangement. Never assume the requirement is the same across
How much medical evacuation cover do I need for Antarctica?
There isn’t a universal number, and anyone who gives you one is guessing. Published requirements differ substantially. HX currently requires evacuation and repatriation cover for Antarctica and recommends at least US$200,000. The Falkland Islands visitor permit page specifies aero-medical evacuation
Will medical evacuation take me home or only to the nearest hospital?
Those are two different benefits and a policy can cover one without fully covering the other. Emergency evacuation generally means transport to the nearest adequate medical facility. Repatriation means the arranged return to your home country or another agreed location, usually after initial treatme
Does Antarctica insurance cover kayaking, camping and the polar plunge?
Not automatically. Policies commonly exclude adventure activities, cold-water immersion, overnight camping, kayaking, mountaineering, skiing, or anything above a stated altitude. List every optional activity you’re considering when you speak to the insurer, before you pay for the activity rather tha
What is the best month for a calm Drake Passage crossing?
There isn’t one, and you shouldn’t pick your departure date on this basis. We looked at 643 crossings by month and the differences between them aren’t statistically meaningful. November came out rougher and December calmer, but the confidence intervals overlap, so we can’t call that a real pattern r
What wildlife can you see crossing the Drake Passage?
More than people expect, and it starts before you’re properly at sea. Dolphins and penguins turn up as you leave the Beagle Channel. Out in the Drake it’s seabirds: wandering and black-browed albatross following the ship, and petrels working the wake. On good days fin and humpback whales appear. The