The Southern Hemisphere’s polar cap is truly a mythical place. An isolated continent twice the size of Australia and the largest single mass of ice on earth, Antarctica wasn’t officially discovered until 1820. Nearly 1000 kilometers by boat from South America across the Drake Passage, the roughest stretch of water in the world, reaching the continent is an adventure in itself.

Many travelers opt for the famous sea journey, but today you can also reach Antarctica by air. Once there, embark on a sea expedition, sailing through icy fjords and past mountainous icebergs. Visit penguin and seal colonies and follow migrating whale pods. Explore the natural landscape led by expert polar guides. And retrace the historic routes of the world’s most intrepid explorers..

Antarctica’s History of Exploration:
1773 – British Captain James Cook crosses the Antarctic Circle but never finds land.
1820 – Russian Captain Thaddeus Bellingshausen makes the first sighting of the continent.
1911 – Norwegian Roald Amundsen is the first explorer to reach the South Pole.
1915 – British Ernest Shackleton attempts to complete the first crossing of the continent.
1958 – British Vivian Fuchs leads the first successful land crossing via the South Pole.
1997 – Norwegian Boerge Ousland becomes the first person to cross Antarctica unsupported.

Insider Tip: Plan to visit during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, summertime in Antarctica.

Fun fact: The South Pole is one of the world’s best places for astronomical observation: the moments that followed the Big Bang were recorded there in 2014.