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.

Back to top

Tour Itinerary

The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances

Back to top

Budgeting for your Tour

Budgeting for your tour

 

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

Back to top

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

Back to top

Here are the average costs of drinks, in USD, on board the Polar Pioneer - bear in mind, they may change:

Bottle of wine - from $12
Bottle of beer - from $3
Spirits (gin, whisky, vodka, port, rum) - from $5
Cocktails - from $5.50
Soft drinks (fizzy, fruit juice and water) - from $2.50

Back to top

Tipping

Tipping the crew

Tipping is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. It is an expression of satisfaction. The suggested amount is USD $10 - 15 per person per day spent on board. Of course, tipping is a personal choice and the suggested amount is set only as a guideline. The money is collected by the Hotel Manager at the end of the voyage and distributed among the crew and Expedition Staff. The Officers choose not to participate in the tipping pool.

Back to top

Tipping is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. It is an expression of satisfaction. The suggested amount is USD $10 - 12 per person per day spent on board. Of course, tipping is a personal choice and the suggested amount is set only as a guideline.

Back to top

Foreign Exchange

It is better to carry US dollars for tipping and payment of bar bills on board the ship. You can also pay with all major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

Back to top

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 deposits 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 by calling 0844 875 1895.

Back to top

Visa Requirements

Argentina: No visa is required for citizens of UK, CAN, USA, AUS and NZ. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

Back to top

Argentina Although a visa is not required by Australian, American and Canadian passengers to enter Argentina there is a reciprocal payment to be made. 

NB - if passengers arrive at EZE airport on/after Dec 29th 2012 the fee must be paid online. For passengers arriving (internationally) at AEP the fee must be paid online from now on. If passengers are arriving via a border crossing from the 7th January 2013 the fee must be paid online prior to entering the country. The receipt generated at the time of online payment must be printed and given to local migration authorities together with passport upon passengers arrival to Argentina.

These payments are as follows: Australian - US$100; Canadian - US$70; American US$131. The fee can be paid at http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesibleingles

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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

Back to top

Vaccinations & Protection

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

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

Back to top

Preparing for your tour

Fitness Requirements: Activity Holiday

All particpants in an expedition cruise, must complete a medical form before travel.

Back to top

Additional Information for your Boat Journey

There is no internet access on board our ships, however you can pay to send and receive emails (no attachments). On the Polar Pioneer, the prices start from approximately 20 US cents per one kilobyte. Wi-fi access is available for laptops, with an email account set up for US$5, with the same download/sending fees.

A satellite telephone is available for use, and prices start from US$10 for 5 min.

Please Note: Due to the remote location of your voyage, making contact with the ship via telephone can be difficult and expensive.

Back to top

Climate

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).

Back to top

Packing for your tour

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

Back to top

Luggage

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.

Back to top

One main piece of baggage and daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.

Back to top

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

Back to top

Clothing

Dress on board is informal.

Pack comfortable, casual clothing for all activities. Wind and waterproof outer layers are essential. Remember, also, to take good gloves and a woolly hat as it can be cold on the Zodiacs.

 

Back to top

Footwear

Complimentary waterproof boots will be supplied on-board. However, if you have extra small or large feet, you are advised to bring your own.

Also ensure you take good walking boots and trainers for relaxing.

Back to top

Equipment

• Sunglasses and sun cream
• Personal toiletries
• A refilllable water bottle
• Books/reading material
• Camera and memory cards (and something to protect the camera when out in the elements)
• Seasickness remedy
• Walking poles

Back to top

There are no hairdryers aboard the Polar Pioneer.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

General Information

General Information

Recommended Currency for Exchange: A combination of US dollars cash and cards is best. It’s advisable to bring US dollars in lower denominations and newer notes.

ATM availability: There are cash machines in Ushuaia.

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.

Back to top

Electric Supply & Plugs

The electrical supply on board the Polar Pioneer is 220 volts, 50 hertz. You will need a European round two-prong plug adapter.

Back to top

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/

Back to top