Antarctica’s residents are usually seen frolicking, chilling and relaxing around their splendid front yards, revelling in the fact that their home and surrounds are possibly the most beautiful in the world. Pay a visit, as you should, to Falkland Islands and South Georgia, and there you will see them in all shapes and sizes, colossal or petite, prancing around their playgrounds. And yes, we are talking about the likes of whales, seals, albatrosses and the colonies of impossibly cute penguins. Amid the planet’s most unspoiled landscapes, you can search the horizon for rare seabirds, meet humpback and southern right whales, and hang out at black-sand beaches with elephant seals and king penguins as your next-door neighbours. Falkland Islands and South Georgia, with its cliff-lined coasts and abundant wildlife are quintessential stops where one can cosy up with these natives and have the best kind of introduction to Antarctica proper.


Journey into Antarctica
Many wise quotes often urge globetrotters to take the road less travelled for unexpected surprises and assure the same that the journey could be more fulfilling than the destination. When you step aboard the National Geographic expedition ships, you will be embarking on a pact that promises to satisfy every form of wanderlust on all the above accounts. Glide around enormous icebergs on a Zodiac boat, kayak in protected waters and paddle amid abundant marine life on icy blue bays, walk on snow and conquer the slopes for panoramic vistas of untouched nature, and simply enjoy the ship’s amenities while charting through the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Traversing across demanding and untouched terrains, taking on Zodiac landings, stepping on wilderness with your own feet and be greeted with a splendid reward of stunning landscapes and extraordinary experiences. Tick, tick and tick. Your Antarctica adventure begins the moment you embark on your journey and that is only the beginning. 


South Shetland Islands, gateway to Antarctica
Permanently glaciated with sharp peninsulas, rocky mountains, icy snow and a mist of enveloping clouds, South Shetland Islands poses like a formidable fortress in defence of Antarctica from the very first impression. But the surprises within its more than 150 islets defy its imposing skin-deep exterior. Stretching 540 kilometres right above Antarctica, every voyage from South America to the Antarctic Peninsula stops in this region, making it usually the first and last point of every expedition. With numerous hidden bays offering ideal breeding grounds for wildlife, and the devilishly named Deception Island, an enormous volcano surrounded by stark volcanic landscapes and natural springs, South Shetland Islands is truly the gateway to the southernmost continent offering plenty of its own wonders on the way.

For more icy adventures around the world, try:

• Arctic tour package
• Banff tour package
• Finland tour package
• Iceland tour package
• Norway tour package

Conquer the last wilderness and snag ultimate bragging rights with a customised Antarctica tour package from Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours today. Call 6212 9935 or email privatetours@chanbrothers.com.sg to find out more.