Emma’s Voyage on the Ortelius I was lucky enough to sail to Antarctica in March aboard the M/V Ortelius, on her final voyage of the season to cross the Polar Circle. Carrying just 116 passengers, it is one of the smallest, most expedition-focused ships currently operating in Antarctica, and I couldn’t wait to get on board and familiarise myself with my surroundings for the next 12 days. Embarking from Ushuaia From the initial bag-drop at Ushuaia pier to the final transfer back to the airport, the operation ran smoothly. Knowing that I would be spending the morning of embarkation on an excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park, Latin Routes arranged for my suitcase to be collected from the hotel and delivered to the pier, where the expedition staff were loading luggage onto the ship. When I embarked in the afternoon, my suitcase was ready and waiting in my cabin. Meeting the Passengers…
Thursday night the BBC aired its latest episode from the brilliant series Natural World and here at Latin Routes it did a great job of reminding us why we love the Antarctic so much. The fascinating hour long programme, Penguin Post Office, was filmed over a 6 month period on the Island of Goudier in the Antarctic Peninsular. The show follows a colony of over 4000 Gentoo Penguins that live just outside the island’s only Post Office in Port Lockroy. The Gentoo is one of 17 species of penguins that breed in the Antarctic and sub Antarctic islands… that’s a lot of penguins! The film crew documented the colony’s story throughout the 6 month stay, showing us how comical, mischievous and resilient the little Gentoos can be. I wanted to know more about the filming of the show so I started reading the Penguin Post Office blog (https://penguinpostoffice.blogspot.co.uk/), which I found…
After exploring some of the fantastic wildlife-spotting opportunities available in this incredible continent, today we’re looking at a specific cruise that Latin Routes can offer you. With the 2014/15 season starting in November, now is certainly the time to book. Latin Routes can also offer some great discounts – contact us here to find out more. Antarctic Fly and Cruise This 8 day cruise is perfect for those looking to avoid sailing across the notorious Drake’s passage, or if you’re just looking for a slightly shorter trip, as you fly straight from Chile to Antarctica Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas, on the North bank of the Strait of Magellan. Transfer to a local hotel for an informative briefing about your trip. Stay for your welcome dinner, offering an opportunity to meet your travelling companions. Day 2: Board your plane and relax – the flight is just 2 hours to King George…
One of the last true wildernesses left on the face of the Earth, Antarctica is truly a destination like no other. Unique wildlife, vast tundras and some of the most spectacular sights you’ll ever see – you are sure not to be disappointed! Today we’ll be having a look at what will be one of the standout features of your Antarctic cruise – the native wildlife. The Emperor Pengiun Famed for its harsh conditions, sprawling tundra and inhospitable landscape, the Antarctic is the home of a wide range of species, each of which is as interesting as the next. Remembering that polar bears only exist at the North Pole, the Antarctic’s most well-known resident is probably the Emperor Penguin. This beautiful animal resides exclusively in the Antarctic and has some very specialist adaptions – such as the ability to hold its breath for up to 18 minutes and the ability not only to slow its metabolism down to…
Earlier this week we had a look at why booking your Antarctic Cruise with Latin Routes is the best decision you’ll ever make! While our Cruise Operators are certainly fantastic, today we’ll be going into more depth about what to expect from your Antarctic Cruise. We’ll give you a clue – you certainly won’t be disappointed. The Antarctic Classic If you’re looking for the real Antarctic Experience, then the Antarctic Classic is the way forward. One of our best-selling Antarctic Cruises, this package gives you the opportunity to take in the highlights of the area (and there are many) in just 11 days. Choose the Cruise Operator that suits you and get ready to meet your fellow passengers for the experience of a lifetime! The Itinerary So how will your 11 days in the icy water of Antarctica pan out? Expect snowy mountains, clear waters and some beautiful and unique wildlife! Day 1: Ushuaia,…
With the 2014/15 Season starting in November, now is most certainly the time to take the opportunity of a lifetime and book your Antarctic Cruise with Latin Routes. Latin Routes works with the best operators in the business when it comes to Antarctic Cruises and what’s more, you can choose exactly which one is right for you. Each company is slightly different – some offering an emphasis on exploration and adventure, and other leaning towards travelling in style and comfort. We’ve taken the time to give you a bit of detail on each below so you can get a sense of what your ideal trip would look like. Exodus The largest and most diverse of our cruise operators, Exodus have the widest range of ships to choose from, along with a greater variety in their itineraries, meaning you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that doesn’t appeal to you. Their Polar Expedition Ships offer all the excitement…
Last Monday marked the start of Antarctic Cruise season – great deals on a number of different cruises and some discounts of up to 20%! Today we’ll be having a look at some of our other cruise operators, so you can decide which the perfect one for you is. G Adventures is one of our more popular cruise operators – fun, friendly and open to a wide range of people, this company has a strong focus on being ecologically conservative. Passengers often share this ethos, looking to minimise their impact on this beautiful continent whilst still being able to enjoy its astonishing beauty. Furthermore, the ship employs a diverse range of experts who are on hand to answer your questions about the ecology and wildlife of the area. In addition to this, there are regular talks and lectures about the Antarctic to really enrich your experience. With just one ship, many would…
With the temperature dropping and Christmas closing in, the team at Latin Routes are reminded of the wonders of the Antarctic. Snowy peaks, icy waters and some of the best wildlife on Earth – these are just a few of things you might imagine a cruise to the Antarctic would entail. However, with the Antarctic season just starting, the dream can now become a reality. With reductions as low as 15% off early bookings with selected cruise companies, Latin Routes can take you to the magic of the Antarctic without it costing the earth. Choose from one of our 5 trusted cruise companies – each offering something different to suit your needs exactly. If you’re looking for a luxury, 5* experience then Silversea is certainly the option for you. Offering an exclusive, all-inclusive experience, Silversea is one of the only Antarctic operators to offer a nearly 1:1 crew to passenger ratio. Staff are always on hand to help out, whatever your needs may…
We’ll be at the Conde Naste Luxury Travel show between the 7th and the 10th of November – why not come along and find out more about our destinations! As we’re focusing on luxury travel experiences this week, what better place to investigate the beautiful continent of Antarctica? Among many reasons to visit this spectacular place is its exclusivity – certainly, a trip to Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Whilst you’re out there drifting between icebergs, you can almost be certain that you are the only people within hundreds and hundreds of miles. This sense of peace and serenity is something that you can’t get anywhere else in the world. Furthermore, Antarctica affords you opportunities to do things that very few people on Earth have done before – such as camping on the ice itself, investigating penguin colonies and exploring the fields of icebergs in a zodiac boat. For those travel fanatics for whom 6…
This week at Latin Routes, we’ll be focusing on the best value hotels, tours and experiences that South America and Antarctica have to offer – whether you’re on a tight budget or just trying to fit as many things into your holiday as possible, Latin Routes’ tailormade holidays can help you find the ideal solution. Our first value hotel is the Alto Andito Urban Lodge, located in the beautiful port town of Ushuaia. Featuring a spectacular 360 degree panoramic breakfast room which affords you unrivalled views of the coast and the city itself, this hotel starts from just £138 a night. This is fantastic value considering it is one of the most luxurious 4* hotels in the area – certainly a wise choice if you’re looking to relax in style without breaking the bank. If you happen to be staying in the wonderful, vibrant city of Buenos Aires in Argentina, why not treat yourself…
