intrepid travel win a trip to antarctica

Intrepid Travel Is Giving Away A Free Trip For Two to Antarctica—Here’s How to Enter

Winners will get to ring in 2022 with penguins

It’s fair to say that 2020 didn’t turn out the way that any of us could have planned. We were locked down, masked up, and travel meant venturing outside from the kitchen to the backyard for many of us. While travel may have opened up, all in all, the first half of 2021 hasn’t really been the cathartic change we were hoping to see.

What if you could end this year with the ultimate adventure and ring in the new year in Antarctica?

In celebration of the inaugural season for their newest polar expedition ship, Ocean Endeavour , adventure and eco-friendly tour company, Intrepid Travel, is giving away a free trip for two to Antarctica. In case you didn’t know, that’s worth about $25,000 (the White Continent ain’t cheap!). Head’s up; you’ll have to pay taxes on this amount come filing season.

Guests aboard the Ocean Endeavour will be led by guides with experience in marine biology, glaciology, and Antarctic history. They can participate in Citizen Science programs and outdoor activities such as kayaking and snowshoeing. On the ship, they’ll find amenities like a gym, spa, pool, and jacuzzi.

One winner and their guest will join a select Best of Antarctica voyage during the 2021/2022 season for an 11-day trip designed for first-time and seasoned adventurers alike. Excursions will include super cool explorations of ice-filled bays and channels, wildlife expeditions, and plenty of time to snap the perfect shot of the unique and stunning polar landscape.

All you’ve got to do to enter is fill out a simple form , hit submit, and then check back in late August to see if you’ve won. The last day to enter is Aug. 23, 2021.

And real talk—several of the sweepstakes we’ve seen over the last year or more have been less about winning a prize and more about thinly-veiled attempts for brands to award winners with a temporary social media gig. With this sweeps, you aren’t required to do any posting, any photoshoots, any updates. You win, show up, go on the trip, enjoy yourself, and talk about that one time you went on the trip of a lifetime, and you only had to pay for your flights.

A word to the wise, if you win, you’ll need to book your travel by Sept. 30, 2021, and depart for your trip by Dec. 29, 2021.

To read the fine print and enter the sweepstakes, head on over to the official contest website .

Where to Go in 2023: The Most Exciting Destinations to Explore This Year

The Different Types of Adventure Travel

Where to Go in 2021: 10 Future Trips You Can Start Planning Now

The Best Alaska Cruises

The Arctic Circle

Best Tour Companies for Singles

These National Parks Are Requiring Reservations in 2022

13 New Ocean Cruise Ships in 2018

The 11 Best Men’s Water Shoes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The Best Sunglasses for Men of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

20 Solo Trips in 2020: I Traveled Solo During COVID-19

The Complete Guide to Disney's Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

The Best Oregon Coast Hotels

14 Amazing Private Travel Experiences

6 Historical Journeys You Can Still Take Today

12 Best Places to Visit in December

Intrepid Travel Is Giving Away an 11-Day Cruise to Antarctica for Two

Are you up for the adventure?

The lucky winner and their guest will spend one night in Ushuaia, Argentina (airfare to and from Argentina is not included in the giveaway) before embarking through the icy waters of the infamous Drake Passage, which is known to be one of the world's choppiest passages. Despite the rough waters, if conditions are right, you might be able to spot dolphins, orcas, and albatross.

From there, the bulk of the journey will be spent in the Antarctic Peninsula, where you'll participate in an array of adventures. Explore the rawness of glaciers, mountains, and wildlife, go on Zodiac excursions and experience the calving of icebergs while in the midst of total silence. For additional fees, you can participate in a kayaking trip or take a photography master class (you can't come home without photos for the 'gram, after all!).

After a few days of once-in-a-lifetime adventures, you'll have even more to enjoy onboard the Ocean Endeavour before disembarking in Ushuaia . The ship itself boasts health and wellness facilities comparable to any hotel. Relax in one of the saunas, book a massage, dive into the saltwater pool, or take a yoga class on board.

If this sounds like your dream adventure, be sure to enter here between now and August 23rd. If you're lucky enough to win, you'll need to book your trip by September 30th for your expedition, which will leave on December 29th. Read the official contest rules here .

Love knowing all the latest design trends? We’ve got you covered.

The Best Art Deco Hotels in the World

Get a First Look at HGTV's 2022 Smart Home

Win a Trip to This Unbelievable Dutch Tulip Garden

Get Paid $700 as a "Mansion Tester"

Get Paid $10,000 to Vacation in Luxury Homes

Here's How to Win $1,000 for a DIY Home Project

You Could Win a Month-Long Vegas Vacation

Travelocity Is Giving Away a Vacation Worth $10K

Win a Backyard Makeover By Mina Starsiak Hawk

Win a $500 Shopping Spree to the Container Store

This Brand Will Pay You to Build a Garden

• Travel Agents

Home » News » Agents’ chance to score free spot on Intrepid trip to Antarctica

Agents’ chance to score free spot on Intrepid trip to Antarctica

Fancy a free spot on an Intrepid Travel trip to Antarctica with key partnerships manager Leigh Reynolds? That extraordinary opportunity is up for grabs for any agent who books an Intrepid Travel Ocean Endeavour Antarctica 2024/2025 season departure during the incentive period.

The lucky winners of the ‘Earn a Free Spot to Antarctica Incentive’ will receive the coveted prize that will include a spot on the epic journey and a flight voucher.

Thet will then set sail on the 11-day Best of Antarctica: Pristine Wilderness expedition on November 27. Stepping aboard the Ocean Endeavour , the adventure promises to be an unforgettable experience into one of the planet’s last pristine frontiers.

This could be you! Win and head to Antarctica with Intrepid Travel.

“Embarking on a journey to Antarctica is a dream for many, and we are thrilled to offer agents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience this wonderfully unique expedition,” Yvette Thompson, general manager sales & marketing ANZ said.

“Antarctica is a destination, offering a rare opportunity to connect with nature in its purest form. Our commitment to responsible travel ensures that every journey to this remarkable continent is unforgettable and leaves a positive impact on the environment and local communities.”

All agents need to do is book a trip, watch Intrepid’s Antarctica Modules, which are available on the Agent Hub and c omplete the Module quiz questions and email Intrepid at [email protected] to let the team know you have entered.

The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2024. Alternatively, agents can secure their spot on this exclusive Antarctic voyage by taking advantage of Intrepid’s special agent rate – 25 per cent discount for both agent and travel companion.

Email the Travel Weekly team at [email protected]

Latest news, kamalaya koh samui clinches clutch of wellness awards.

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]

• Attractions

Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary

Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.

Amora Hotels & Resorts set to double APAC portfolio, announces new Sydney office

Staff in the new Sydney office have been welcomed by a week of rain on the forecast.

RIU opens Chicago hotel and rooftop bar a few steps from the world-famous Magnificent Mile

Rooftop cocktails hold a dear place in your heart? Look no further than RIU Chicago.

by Travel Weekly

• Travel Weekly TV

How can travel agents best sell cruises? Uniworld’s Alice Ager tells all: Travel Weekly TV

Agents, you don't want to miss this. Yes, that's the case with everything in the newsletter, but we really mean it here!

South Africa bookings are back in action

It's a wrap! South Africa in the news with resumed flights, film fest and booking tech.

Bonza nosediving amid mass cancellations and reports of repossessed planes

Bonza's days appear to be numbered as the low-cost carrier today announced mass cancellations around the country.

Amy Poehler joins Vivid Sydney event

Oh Joy! Hit comedian Amy Poehler will make an emotional appearance at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid.

Pullman Sydney Penrith ties up with Trilogy Hotels, announces new GM

The crew from Trilogy hotels doing their best impression of the Penrith front row here.

Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles

Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.

Celebrity Ascent makes its European debut

Choosing to cruise this northern summer? Celebrity Ascent promises to raise the bar.

NCL opens sales for Norwegian Sun’s APAC debut, announces 14 new voyages

It was to be 13 new voyages we heard, but given the numbers unlucky nature, an extra had to be thought up.

• Tour Operators

Inside Travel Group appoints Tom Welland Global Trade Marketing Manager

Heidi's Tom Welland heads to Inside Travel Group as its new Global Trade Marketing Manager.

Federal Government rolls out $1.4m program to promote careers in tourism across regional NSW

The Government taking a break from some of its pointier issues with some work in our incredible industry!

• Destinations

Australian visitors to South Korea surge

Japanned out? Aussies are adding South Korea to their bucket list.

G Adventures celebrates Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th with new wildlife-focused trips

Fancy yourself as a bit of a conservationist? Put your skills to the test on the Jane Goodall collection.

Virgin Australia says suspended flights to Bali result of Boeing MAX delays

If only we had a company like Boeing to blame our mistakes on. Any takers? Get in touch!

Airline Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800

The iconic Singapore Airlines' A380-800 is in a class of its own - business class that is.

South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen

Bringing two of the world's most distinctive accents closer together, for good or for bad is yet to be determined.

• Partner Content

My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse 

Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse?  ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]

Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport

We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.

Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers

Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist

As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.

• Conferences
• Travel DAZE

Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE

From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.

HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic

Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.

Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation

I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.

Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite

We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.

Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season

Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.

“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip

There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?

Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26

A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.

Collette special offers across peak northern summer season

If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.

Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries

Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.

A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave

Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.

NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas

Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.

Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories 

These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.

You are using an outdated browser

Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

Signing in with LinkedIn

Please wait while we sign you in with LinkedIn.

This may take some time.

Please be patient and do not refresh the page.

(A new window from LinkedIn should open for you to authorize the Travel Weekly login. If you don't see this please check behind this window, and if it is still not there check your browser settings and turn off the pop-up blocker.)

SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR FREE

Never miss a story again. Sign up for daily newsletter now.

Matador Original Series

Win a $25,000 Trip to Antarctica for You and a Friend

I f you’ve been dreaming of traveling to Antarctica but the price tag of such a trip is way too high for your budget, now is your chance. The adventure travel company Intrepid Travel is celebrating the inaugural season of its new polar expedition vessel with a giveaway you can’t pass on: a free trip for two to Antarctica, valued at $25,000.

The 11-day trip will take place on the Ocean Endeavour , a cruise ship equipped with a gym, spa, library, heated saltwater pool, and jacuzzi. Besides those amazing amenities, Intrepid Travel wants you to have a more personal experience, so for every eight passengers, there is one crew member ready to make this experience as memorable as possible.

On board, several guides with expert knowledge in marine biology, glaciology, and Antarctic history will be able to answer your questions and make this trip to Antarctica as educational as possible. And guests will not just stay on the ship and admire the seventh continent from afar — they’ll be able to kayak, snowshoe, and take in all of Antarctica’s beauty up close.

While cruises are far from being environmentally friendly, the Ocean Endeavour’s trips to Antarctica, like all the cruises available through Intrepid Travel, 100 percent offset their carbon emissions. There are no single-use plastics onboard, and the company only uses biodegradable and phosphate-free cleaning products.

More like this

Trending now, the 25 dreamiest airbnbs in italy, everything you need to know about going wild camping — legally, the 10 best nudist resorts around the world, 21 zion national park cabins to make your desert dreams come true, this road trip expert’s free map of 429 national park sites will vastly improve your us travels, discover matador, adventure travel, train travel, national parks, beaches and islands, ski and snow.

Win a Trip to Antarctica with Intrepid Travel!

Intrepid Travel has launched its Race to the Pole incentive, giving one lucky agent the chance to win a trip of a lifetime to Antarctica

Intrepid Travel has launched its Race to the Pole incentive, giving one lucky agent the chance to win a trip of a lifetime to Antarctica .

There are lots of ways to enter the prize draw, including sharing Intrepid offers, selling an Intrepid trip or joining one of our inspirational webinars. Agents who make an Antarctica booking with Intrepid will receive five entries to the competition.

The incentive runs from now until February 28 2021 and the prize includes flights, transfers, pre/post departure accommodation and a single berth in a twin window cabin on the Ocean Endeavour in the 2022/23 season.

Intrepid has also launched an Agent Polar Hub, where agents can read the latest news and offers, learn about Intrepid’s Polar trips and extras, or order a brochure. Agents can join a live webinar on November 25 at 10am to learn how to sell this ultimate bucket-list destination and have a sneak peak at Intrepid’s expedition ship, the Ocean Endeavour. Every agent that joins live will gain an entry in the draw to win this amazing prize.

Intrepid is chartering the Ocean Endeavor for the first time for the 2021/22 season, which carries 199 passengers and is one of the few polar expedition ships with a focus on health and wellbeing on board. The 2022/23 season has just gone on sale with an up to 25% off early bird offer.

Joanna Reeve, Intrepid’s head of business development, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to give one lucky agent the chance to visit Antarctica. After months of restrictions, travellers are thinking big for their next holiday and Antarctica really is the ultimate wilderness experience.  Polar holidays are a huge opportunity for travel agents and we’re giving them all the tools they need to sell this once in a lifetime destination.”

Sign up here and join the Intrepid Loves Agents Facebook group for more details and to be in with a chance of winning the prize.

29 April 2024

26 April 2024

25 April 2024

24 April 2024

Digital library

View complete editions online

Sign Up To Our FREE Weekly Online Newsletter

• Advertise with us

• Headline News
• Business News
• Coronavirus (Covid-19)
• Global Travel Connoisseur
• Airfare Deals
• Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sales
• Competition
• Cruise Deals
• Hotel Deals
• Industry Deals
• Travel Deals
• NORTHERN TERRITORY
• SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• OTHER States
• COOK ISLANDS
• NEW ZEALAND
• Destination Global
• Middle East
• South Pacific
• North Asia News
• Oceania News
• Dining | Restaurants
• Food & Beverage
• Hotel Features
• Lifestyle Features
• Travel Feature
• Destination Feature
• Hotel Developments
• Hotel Openings
• Hotel Trends
• Resort News
• Luxury Hotels
• Serviced Apartments
• Health and Wellness
• Lifestyle News
• Travel Goods
• Conferences
• Exhibitions
• Events Calendar
• Trade Events
• Movers & Shakers
• Cultural Tourism
• Agents Incentives
• Eco-Tourism
• Golf Tourism
• Medical Tourism
• Travel Advisors
• Responsible Tourism
• Rural & Agri
• Sustainable Tourism
• Theme Parks
• Tourist Boards
• Tour Operator
• Travel Warnings
• CRUISE NEWS
• Adventure Cruises
• Car Rentals
• Cargo & Freight
• Cruise News
• Expedition Cruises
• Motor Cycles
• Recreation Vehicles
• River Cruising
• Association
• Social Media
• Statistics & Trends

Select Page

Intrepid Travel Offers Two Agents The Chance To Win Antarctica Trip

Posted by Chisa Boonmee | Feb 21, 2023 | Agents Incentives | 0 |

The winners will receive a space in a shared cabin on board the Best of Antarctica: Pristine Wilderness (Ocean Endeavour) departing 2 November 2023. On board the 11-day expedition, the recipients will experience the raw and pristine beauty of Antarctica’s wilderness from glacier mountains to polar wildlife.

Each agent will also receive a $3,000 voucher to be put towards flights booked by Intrepid. The total prize pool is AUD $32,980.

Yvette Thompson, General Manager of Sales and Partnerships ANZ, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be giving two lucky agents the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica! The training webinar on our Agent Hub prepares agents to become polar experts, but nothing compares to an Antarctica experience up close!”

The Intrepid Agent Hub was launched late last year as Intrepid saw an important opportunity to deliver a better agent experience that would also be better for the planet. The new platform is designed to engage and educate agents by providing a digital one-stop-shop of Intrepid brand and training tools, including the Antarctica training webinar.

The Antarctica Incentive is open to all Australian and New Zealand agents and closes 31 March 2023. Prize winners will be contacted on 4 April 2023.

• Aircalin’s “New Caledonia on Sale” From $549 return – Flying Aircalin
• Forget jocks and socks. Five getaway ideas for a Father’s Day he won’t forget.
• Women on the Watch at the FOC
• MTN Bushfre launch Digital Series
• Aussie travellers can experience a white Christmas this festive season, as Changi Airport becomes a Frozen Wonderland
• Plan your next getaway in The Natural State
• Celebrity Alaska Industry Rates 2021
• STR: Caribbean/Mexico hotel construction up 26.9% in January
• Celebrate Togetherness and Reunion this Mid-Autumn at Feng Shui Inn, Resorts World Sentosa
• Summer Bliss: Cora Cora Maldives’ 35% Off Deal!

Share this:

Leave a reply cancel reply, subscribe to our newsletter.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

• Australian Capital Territory
• Breaking News
• Cook Islands
• Faith Tourism
• New Caledonia
• New South Wales
• New Zealand
• Northern Territory
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands
• South America
• South Australia
• Space Tourism
• Western Australia

Sponsor/Partners

Advertisement

Popular Posts

• February 2024
• January 2024
• December 2023
• November 2023
• October 2023
• September 2023
• August 2023
• February 2023
• January 2023
• December 2022
• November 2022
• October 2022
• September 2022
• August 2022
• February 2022
• January 2022
• December 2021
• November 2021
• October 2021
• September 2021
• August 2021
• February 2021
• January 2021
• December 2020
• November 2020
• October 2020
• September 2020
• August 2020
• February 2020
• January 2020
• December 2019
• November 2019
• October 2019
• September 2019
• August 2019
• February 2019
• January 2019
• December 2018
• November 2018
• October 2018
• September 2018
• August 2018

Win your way to Antarctica with Intrepid

Intrepid Travel’s new Antarctica Incentive will give two agents the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica by watching the Antarctica training webinar on Intrepid’s Agent Hub and emailing the Learn and Earn answers at the end of the video to [email protected] .

The grand prize for two winners is a space in a shared cabin on board the Best of Antarctica: Pristine Wilderness (Ocean Endeavour) departing 2 November 2023, along with a $3,000 voucher to be put towards flights booked by Intrepid. The total prize pool is AUD $32,980.

In addition to the training, every passenger booked on an Intrepid Antarctica Expedition entitles the agent to one entry in the draw. For every 21-day itinerary, the agent will receive an extra entry per passenger. 

Yvette Thompson, General Manager of Sales and Partnerships ANZ, said, ‘We’re thrilled to be giving two lucky agents the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica! The training webinar on our Agent Hub prepares agents to become polar experts, but nothing compares to an Antarctica experience up close!”

The Intrepid Agent Hub was launched late last year as Intrepid saw an important opportunity to deliver a better agent experience that would also be better for the planet. The new platform is designed to engage and educate agents by providing a digital one-stop-shop of Intrepid brand and training tools, including the Antarctica training webinar.   

The Antarctica Incentive is open to all Australian and New Zealand agents and closes 31 March 2023. Prize winners will be contacted on 4 April 2023. 

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Kate Webster

Kate Webster is a travel journalist who is passionate about conservation, Africa and the ocean. Born out of a life-long love of travel and fascination with the world around her, is Kate’s inspiration behind her writing and photography. When she’s not bouncing around the world on ramshackle buses, overcrowded trains, or on the back of a rickshaw, you can find her based in the Gold Coast, Australia eagerly planning her next adventure. www.travellerkate.com

You may also like

News in brief 23 april 2024, news in brief 19 april 2024, news in brief 18 april 2024.

• Latest News

Industry HQ

• Travel Inspiration
• Sustainability
• All Latest News
• Experiences
• Corporate And Mice
• Destinations
• Accommodation
• All Industry HQ
• Movers & Shakers
• Travel Leaders
• Travel Influencers
• Travel Advisors
• Competitions & Incentives
• Latest Jobs
• All Travel Inspiration
• Travel Deals
• Accessories
• Travel Hacks
• Apps & Gadgets
• Hotels & Resorts
• Luxury Summit
• Advisory Board
• All Sustainability
• Accreditation
• All Level up
• New For You
• Masterclasses
• Road Trip New Zealand
• Road Trip Usa
• If You Seek
• Spotlight On The Usa
• Destination Canada
• Qatar Stopover
• Training Centre
• Event Calendar
• Open Mindset
• All About Us
• Join The Team
• Partner With Us
• Creative Services
• Join The Karryon Collective

Advisors! Win an Intrepid Travel Antarctica trip worth over $16K

Interested in antarctica intrepid travel’s latest antarctica incentive is offering two agents the opportunity to hop aboard an 11-day antarctica expedition in november 2023 plus an aud$3,000 voucher for flights to get you there..

Most viewed

Yee-haw utah win a $26k rocky mountaineer trip flying hawaiian to the us, movers + shakers: explora journeys names chris austin as president north america, agents show off your atas accreditation seal on socials to win a singapore trip.

The Intrepid Antarctica Incentive prize will see two travel advisors win a shared cabin on board the Best of Antarctica: Pristine Wilderness (Ocean Endeavour) expedition, departing on 2 November 2023.

Each agent will also receive a $3,000 voucher for flights booked by Intrepid with the total prize pool valued at AUD$32,980.

The Antarctica Incentive is open now until 31 March 2023 and is open to Australian and New Zealand travel advisors to enter.

Agents can enter the incentive by watching the Antarctica training webinar on Intrepid’s Agent Hub and emailing the Learn and Earn answers at the end of the video to [email protected]

Every passenger booked on an Intrepid Antarctica Expedition gives you one entry in the draw.

For every 21-day itinerary booked, advisors will receive an extra entry per passenger. The winning agents will be announced on 4 April 2023.

Intrepid’s General Manager of Sales and Partnerships ANZ Yvette Thompson said: “We’re thrilled to be giving two lucky agents a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica.”

“The training webinar on our Agent Hub prepares agents to become polar experts, but nothing compares to an Antarctica experience up close.”

Intrepid Travel launched its first Citizen Science program in Antarctica aboard its new expedition ship, Ocean Endeavour , late last year.

Register for the Intrepid Agent Hub here .

Related stories

Yee-haw utah win a $26k rocky mountaineer trip flying hawaiian to the us, movers + shakers: explora journeys names chris austin as president north america, agents show off your atas accreditation seal on socials to win a singapore trip, movers + shakers: inside travel group adds tom welland as global trade marketing manager .

Check in and sign up!

Get all the latest travel news, deals, comps and inspiration.

A lot of us say we're open to new experiences  – t o putting the map aside, tasting the strange, diving into the deep end – but how open are we really?

A lot of us say we’re open to new experiences – to putting the map aside, tasting the strange, diving into the deep end. But how open are we really? 

If you’re the type of person who’s constantly chasing the thrill of the unknown, Intrepid's new one-off Uncharted Expedition might be just the adventure you’re looking for. Why? Because on this departure, you won’t know where you’re going. We’ll give you start and finish points, but everything in between will remain a mystery until you get there. 

One day you could be exploring a 3000-year-old volcanic village; the next, fossicking for post-Soviet memorabilia at an open-air flea market, then learning an ancient language that doesn’t involve speech. 

You’ll need to embrace your inner explorer, trust your own adventurous traits, and join us on a journey that is undefined, unmapped, and uncharted. You’ll need to be Intrepid. In fact, you’ll need to be the most Intrepid. 

Join us aboard the Ocean Endeavour for an extraordinary voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula in search of humpback and minke whales, seals and penguins. Meet WWF-Australia’s team of scientists and explorers and spend your days learning about their mission to protect Antarctica’s whale populations. Explore the ice-filled waters by Zodiac then set foot on the rock and ice that makes up this mysterious continent. With a scientific focus on preserving Antarctic wildlife, this is a journey you’ll carry with you for a lifetime.

Spots are limited.

A unique expedition in partnership with WWF-Australia

On the surface, Antarctica’s pristine landscapes may appear untouched but look beneath the waves and you’ll find this beautiful wilderness is under threat. As climate change and krill fishing increase in the Antarctic, local whale populations face growing challenges to their food chain and survival.

Most of the world’s large whale species are found in the Antarctic, among a diverse marine ecosystem of over 9,000 species, more than half of which are seen nowhere else in the world. Now, more than ever, learning more about Antarctica’s whale population is key to their survival. New technologies are helping scientists better understand and map the most important areas where whales feed, so we can protect them before it’s too late.

WWF-Australia, with the support of Intrepid Travel, is collaborating with a team of ecologists to carry out a non-invasive whale research project aboard the Ocean Endeavour designed to grow our understanding of these fascinating creatures.

Protecting the giants of Antarctica

DAYS 1-4 Cross the infamous Drake Passage

Named after the famous English explorer, Sir Francis Drake, this passage of water between Ushuaia and the Antarctic Peninsula is an adventure in its own right. Meet the team of scientists onboard and learn about their conservation mission with insightful seminars. They’ll be joined by our regular team of geologists, biologists and historians. If conditions are calm, enjoy time out on deck spotting dolphins, orcas and albatross.

DAYS 5-8 Explore the Antarctic Peninsula

Spend four incredible days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula with a team of experts. Accompanied by WWF-Australia's researchers, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about non-invasive whale tracking and get incredible insight into the mysteries of whale migrations, feedings and lives beneath the water’s surface. Explore landing sites, bays and channels on Zodiac excursions, keeping a keen eye out for penguin rookeries and whales who greet the surface. Make the most of optional activities, including kayaking and snowshoeing, or choose a slower pace and relax at the onboard spa.  

DAYS 9-11 Return to Ushuaia

Say goodbye to the Antarctic Peninsula as we set off for Ushuaia. Take the opportunity to share photographs with fellow travellers, scout for wildlife once again from on deck and enjoy final lectures from WWF-Australia's onboard team.

WWF-Australia's Giants of Antarctica Expedition was created to support scientific researchers, providing them with safe passage to Antarctica and a base from which to conduct their research on the Ocean Endeavour. The data obtained from these expeditions will directly contribute to our understanding of Antarctica’s whale populations and to developing a conservation strategy.

This is part of Intrepid Travel’s larger commitment to giving back to the planet. In addition to supporting WWF-Australia, we’ve carbon offset every passenger’s journey on the Ocean Endeavour in 2021 and 2022, and we’re investing in sustainable initiatives across the Antarctic region.

Travel with a purpose

With the support of The Intrepid Foundation

Intrepid Travel and WWF-Australia share a commitment to protecting the planet’s natural environments and the wildlife who live in them. That’s why we’ve joined forces to help facilitate whale research in Antarctica – with our not-for-profit  The Intrepid Foundation  supporting WWF-Australia’s  Protecting Antarctic Giants project  over the next two years with  AUD $150,000  in funding. The data collected during the project  will directly contribute to our understanding of Antarctica’s whale populations and to developing  a  conservation strategy.

The itinerary

Giants of Antarctica Expedition

Intrepid Travel and WWF-Australia present

Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest small group adventure tour company.  We believe in travelling in a responsible and sustainable way, while giving back to the destinations we visit by partnering with local communities, employers and staff. In 2018 we became the world’s first travel B Corp, reinforcing our commitment to using travel as a force for good.

In partnership with  WWF-Australia. With the support of The Intrepid Foundation.

Intrepid offers agents the chance to win Antarctica trip

Intrepid Travel has launched an incentive giving agents the chance to win a trip to Antarctica.

Agents can enter the Race to the Pole incentive by selling an Intrepid trip or joining one of the company’s webinars. Those who make an Antarctica booking will receive five entries into the competition.

The competition runs until February 28. 2021. The prize includes flights, transfers, pre/post departure accommodation and a single berth in a twin window cabin on the Ocean Endeavour in the 2022/23 season.

Joanna Reeve, Intrepid’s head of business development, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to give one lucky agent the chance to visit Antarctica. After months of restrictions, travellers are thinking big for their next holiday and Antarctica really is the ultimate wilderness experience.  Polar holidays are a huge opportunity for travel agents and we’re giving them all the tools they need to sell this once in a lifetime destination.”

Intrepid has also launched an Agent Polar Hub, where agents can read the latest news and offers, learn about Intrepid’s Polar trips and extras, or order a brochure.

Intrepid is chartering the Ocean Endeavor for the first time for the 2021/22 season, which carries 199 passengers and is one of the few polar expedition ships with a focus on health and wellbeing on board. The 2022/23 season has just gone on sale with an up to 25 per cent off early bird offer.

Sign up  here  and join the  Intrepid Loves Agents Facebook  group for more details and to be in with a chance of winning the prize.

Celebrity Cruises welcomes guests to CocoCay

Cunard takes delivery of Queen Anne

P&O Cruises releases summer 2026 itineraries

Barbara Muckermann replaced as Silversea boss

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

Cruising Antarctica on Ocean Endeavour With Intrepid [In-depth Review]

Carissa Rawson

Senior Content Contributor

256 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 51 U.S. States Visited: 36

Senior Editor & Content Contributor

90 Published Articles 664 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 41 U.S. States Visited: 28

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

34 Published Articles 3142 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Why Book a Cruise?

Getting to argentina, intrepid ocean endeavour review, category 5, room 7006, afternoon tea, pool and hot tub, staff and crew, housekeeping, the drake passage, zodiac cruises, optional programs, clothes packing list, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Exploring the seventh continent is on everyone’s bucket list, right? That’s what I told myself as I perused Antarctic cruises for the hundredth time in February 2022, anxiously refreshing to try and find an option that was reasonably priced. Fortunately for me — and now for all of you — I managed to snag a booking while it was on sale.

In December 2022 I boarded a 10-night cruise headed down to the frigid Antarctic peninsula. Let’s talk about how it went.

I’ve been on a handful of cruises in my life, but I knew from the outset that heading down to Antarctica was going to be unlike anything I’d ever experienced. And although I’m more than comfortable traveling on my own as I do a majority of the time, tackling an adventure as extreme as Antarctica wasn’t something I wanted to do solo.

I’d spent a few years eyeing various travel offerings from a group dedicated to solo female travelers, cunningly named The Solo Female Traveler Network (SoFe). The network promises to group like-minded women together on adventures. So when I saw that the program was offering 25% discounts on bookings to Antarctica , I jumped on it.

It turns out that wasn’t actually necessary. Although I originally booked with SoFe, they ended up booking our actual cruises with Intrepid Travel , a much larger tour company with offerings around the globe.

One of the best benefits of booking with SoFe (and also Intrepid) is that there is no single traveler supplement fee. Rather than having a room to yourself, you end up with a roommate who has also booked alone.

Since I was scoring that 25% discount and owed no single traveler supplement fee , I went big when it came to booking my room, opting for a deluxe oceanview twin room. With the discount, my total booking came out to $9,593 . Would this have been the same had I booked directly with Intrepid? I’m not sure, but it’s likely.

I know, that’s an exorbitant cost for someone to pay, especially when they’re used to traveling with points and miles. But short of booking a Lindblad Expedition , there was pretty much no other way for me to get down to the White Continent. So I sucked it up and paid using my Chase Sapphire Reserve ® , which earned me 3x Ultimate Rewards on the entire purchase.

We value Chase points at 2.0 cents each, which means that the 28,779 points I earned came out to a value of ~ $576 . Is that a huge discount versus what I paid? No, but it certainly helps take out the sting.

If I’d wanted to redeem points, I could have instead opted to pay with my Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . This would have allowed me to redeem my Capital One miles at a rate of 1 cent per point against travel purchases from the previous 90 days — though this wouldn’t really be the best use of my miles.

Bottom Line: I earned nearly 30,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points when booking my cruise, which helped me feel better about the $9,500 price tag. 

There are a few different ways to visit Antarctica. Your options are flying down and camping, flying down and cruising, or just cruising from start to finish.

Of these options, cruising the entire length of the journey is generally the cheapest . This is because you’ll spend 2 nights on either side of your trip transiting the Drake Passage. It’s not for the faint of heart due to its massive swells, but it can certainly save you some money on an already expensive trip.

That being said, once you’re actually down in Antarctica, nearly every option for exploring involves cruising. This is due to a variety of reasons, but mostly because responsible tour operators have committed to leaving no trace — and cruising is the easiest way to do so. It’s also much simpler to get around in Antarctica’s mercurial weather if you’ve got a big boat to do it with.

Hot Tip: Looking for ways to book your cruise? Check out our guide to the best websites for booking cheap cruises .

I wish I could say that heading from my home in California down to Ushuaia, Argentina was simple, but it wasn’t. Due to a series of mishaps, I missed my original flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Santiago (SCL) and onward to Ushuaia (USH).

Instead, I was forced to rebook a last-minute ticket on United from San Diego (SAN) to Houston (IAH) and down to Buenos Aires (EZE). I then spent a night at the Park Hyatt Buenos Aires before heading down to Ushuaia (USH).

It was certainly an adventure, and the only reason I didn’t miss my cruise down to Antarctica was that I’d planned to arrive several days early . I’d recommend the same, especially since flights down to southern South America from the U.S. are generally only once per day.

Note that in order to board my cruise to Antarctica, I had to provide proof of my COVID-19 vaccination status as well as complete an antigen test shortly before departure. Check out Intrepid’s Safe Travels page for current requirements.

Although the cruise was billed as an 11-day adventure, I spent just 9 nights aboard Ocean Endeavour . This is because my first night was spent in a hotel (thanks to all those pre-departure briefings) and on my last day I was off the boat by 9 in the morning.

Here’s how my itinerary shook out:

• Day 1 : Arrive in Ushuaia (spend the night in a hotel)
• Day 2 : Board the ship (at 3 p.m., port departure at 6 p.m.)
• Days 3 and 4 : Cross Drake Passage
• Days 5 through 8 : Explore Antarctica
• Days 9 and 10 : Cross Drake Passage
• Day 11 : Disembark (at 9 a.m.)

I booked with SoFe because I was looking for a group of women to travel with. While that didn’t really happen (since we ended up as a very small group traveling with Intrepid and there were no activities together), I still had a great time aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Antarctica is a highly-protected continent, and Intrepid is one of the best when it comes to ecologically-responsible tours. As an Australian company, it goes way above and beyond to ensure that all of us tourists don’t leave a lasting impact on the land. Among its many commitments, it only carries up to 199 passengers per trip . This is thanks to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which limits the activity allowed in Antarctica. A limited number of passengers per day are allowed to visit a specific site. So while you’ll see big cruise ships heading down to Antarctica, most of them simply sail on by. That, or they’ll hold a lottery to see who’s allowed to depart.

By limiting its passenger count to 199, Intrepid ensured that everyone who paid to cruise down to Antarctica was able to actually set foot on Antarctica .

Although the Ocean Endeavour was originally built to hold upwards of 300 passengers, thanks to the Antarctic Treaty there were less than 200 of us on board (a total of 133 guests). This meant that a number of cabins sailed empty, though I did find myself with a roommate thanks to my booking with SoFe.

There are 9 decks aboard the Ocean Endeavour. Our cabin was on Deck 7 , which was extremely convenient as we were next to the dining room, spa, gym, and main lounge.

The cabin itself was more spacious than I’d hoped for , with 2 twin beds, a closet, several shelves, hooks to hang our gear, and a desk.

We also enjoyed a desk with a few drawers , though we didn’t realize at first that the drawers had latches to keep them shut. We spent a wide-eyed night hearing them slam to and fro with the waves.

I told myself the desk was necessary to sit down and work during my off-time, but we all know that never happened.

Note that while we did use the safe, at one point it errored out and a wallet was stuck inside. Housekeeping was able to unlock it.

All in all, I was pleased with the size of my room and the ability to store all my stuff . There were cheaper options available, including a triple room with 3 twin beds, but I would have felt claustrophobic without a window .

The bathroom was small but no smaller than I’d normally expect when sailing on a cruise ship. It included a sink, toilet, and shower, as well as a hair dryer.

Probably the worst part about this bathroom was attempting to stay upright while sailing the Drake Passage. There are grab bars for a reason — so plan to shower one-handed while rolling around in the waves.

Note that I brought my own toiletries, including shampoo and conditioner. I’m glad I did since the options provided by the cruise ship were absolutely awful. My roommate ended up with staticky hair after just a couple of nights.

Bottom Line: My room was more than big enough for the pair of us, with storage for all our belongings and a great view out of the window. 

Food and Beverage

I don’t consider myself a food snob, but even if I did, I think I still would have stuffed myself on this boat. There’s simply no other way to tell you that the food onboard was delicious .

Depending on the day, we generally had a breakfast buffet, plated lunch, and plated dinner. Everything but alcohol was included and the range of meals was generous.

Each day there was an omelet station , as well as a large selection of fresh bread and other dishes, including corned beef hash and eggs Benedict.

Among the buffet offerings were fresh fruit and vegetables, boiled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and French toast.

Breakfast hours varied slightly, but you could generally expect to be served from 5:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Depending on the day, we either had a plated lunch or a buffet option. The menu changed daily and offered a variety of options.

Although I preferred it when we had plated meals (which was the majority of the time), the buffet during lunch or dinner was also tasty and fresh.

Lunch times also varied based on what we were doing, but generally spanned from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The dinner menu also changed on a daily basis. Because it was unlimited, I was able to order as much — or as little — as I wanted.

Among my many choices was a rotating selection of desserts and side dishes.

Dinner was served in a rotation based on groups (which were assigned after boarding). Each night, half the guests went for dinner first, followed 30 minutes later by the other half. Dinner hours were typically between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Although I partook just once, on sea days there was an afternoon tea offering between lunch and dinner. It had all the goodies you’d expect, including scones and finger sandwiches.

No cruise ship would be complete without the alcohol, right? The Ocean Endeavour had its own fair share of lounging spaces, but the most popular was the Nautilus Lounge , where the staffed bar served drinks. There was a nightly happy hour and drinks were reasonably priced — think $4.50 for a happy hour cocktail and $6.50 for full price .

You’d hope that a ship such as ours would contain a lot of amenities, especially since you spend so much time onboard. Happily, the answer is that: yes, there’s a ton to do. Although we had just over 100 passengers on the ship, there was a wide range of amenities from which to choose.

I enjoyed spending time at the spa, especially after hiking around in my heavy gear for many days. I found prices to be similar to what I’d pay in California , though San Diego certainly doesn’t include the rolling waves I experienced on the ship.

During the course of the cruise, I enjoyed 3 massages.

Did I optimistically bring workout gear? Yes. Did I ever actually work out? Obviously not.

However, for those who were extra enough to work out in addition to tramping around the White Continent, there was a decently-furnished gym with some resistance machines and aerobic equipment .

There was also a pool and hot tub on the ship, though neither was like any I had ever experienced. I brought a bathing suit but didn’t end up jumping into either. There was a multitude of reasons for this, but mainly because the pool and hot tub were only filled while we weren’t moving , and only then with seawater that had been warmed.

The ship also featured 2 saunas on the upper decks. While one of them could be reserved for personal use, the other was always open.

I never saw anyone actually using the sauna, but I did find plenty of wet hats, gloves, and scarves hung out to dry after expeditions.

There were lockers and showers available for the sauna as well.

I brought my e-reader with me on the ship, which was a good thing since there was so much downtime while traveling. For those who weren’t well-equipped, the ship also offered a small library at the Compass Club.

Although I packed my snow boots, I needn’t have bothered. Intrepid provided all travelers with a waterproof jacket, muck boots, and an inner liner . These were kept downstairs with the rest of your gear in the mud room.

Do you need Wi-Fi to survive? If so, don’t go to Antarctica. While the ship ostensibly had Wi-Fi, access was highly dependent on weather and disappeared entirely once we actually reached the continent.

Wi-Fi onboard was charged by the minute rather than the amount of data you consumed. I am a weak person and spent $200 for roughly 6 hours of connection , though much of that was spent cursing frantically as the log-out screen errored out while still charging me.

To make my point clear: it took me 2 hours to download a single white noise soundtrack I had forgotten to add to my phone before departure.

Long story short, the internet is expensive and costs a lot of money. Don’t buy it.

Apparently, our stateroom TVs showed Antarctic-themed shows and movies. I didn’t realize this until the last day, as our TV was broken. However, I’ve heard the selection was fairly limited.

Was this ship full of perky bingo games and karaoke parties? No, it wasn’t. But I was happier for it, and there were still a lot of different things to do. We spent 4 of our days at sea, which meant there were a lot of hours to fill. The crew did a great job with this.

One of the coolest things about a trip to Antarctica is that basically all the crew onboard are wildly fascinating. Want to hear a talk from someone who’s lived on the science station? Check. Interested in knowing the details of every fish below the Antarctic Circle? Check.

There was more to know than there was time to fill, and although I didn’t manage to make it to every lecture — there were a ton — I enjoyed the ones I attended.

I can’t say enough great things about the staff and crew aboard the Ocean Endeavour. Perhaps because there are so few passengers, it was a really personalized experience. We got to know plenty of folks by name and enjoyed spending time with all of them.

Since the ship was fairly small and there were so few passengers it really felt like a personalized experience. This was especially true for housekeeping, which visited our room twice per day. However, this wasn’t some “we come in the morning and hope you’re not there” deal — rather, they watched out to see when we left (for breakfast, workouts, or whatever) and took the opportunity to clean the room without interrupting our day. This was true whether I left the room at 7 or noon.

While gratuities weren’t mandatory, we did have the opportunity to add them to our onboard accounts. We were provided with a sheet recommending tip quantities for the staff. I opted to pay $10.50 per day plus an additional cash tip for housekeeping .

Exploring Antarctica

Is this the part you’ve all been waiting for? It’s the whole reason I booked, after all. Although it took us 2 and a half days to get down to Antarctica, the journey was worth it. Here’s a breakdown of all the locations we explored — and although the weather was cold (at around 25 degrees Fahrenheit), we were able to successfully make 100% of our landings.

Note that Z means we had a zodiac cruise and  L means we actually stepped foot on the ground.

Have you guys heard of the Drake Passage? Probably. Thanks to a relatively narrow distance between the Antarctic Peninsula and the outcropping of Argentina, the water through here is rapid and unpredictable. This meant that nearly all of our time at sea was spent staggering around , clinging to the walls, or not sleeping while the boat rocked relentlessly.

For what it’s worth, the crew assured us that we were experiencing extremely good weather, with waves at around 20 feet high. While I don’t get seasick , nearly everyone else on board did, and the ship doctor spent a great deal of time passing out anti-nausea medication . You’ve been warned.

Why waste all your time heading to Antarctica if you don’t actually go to Antarctica?

Perhaps the most exciting part of my journey was when I first set foot on land.

Was it as good as I’d hoped? No, it was better. I wish I had the words to describe to you the overwhelming awe that permeates these moments. You feel so large and so small and just so utterly, utterly grateful.

In order to make landings, we had to first disembark the Ocean Endeavour and climb onto a zodiac .

These zodiacs held 10 people and were able to land directly onshore, though it meant that every landing was a water landing . Fortunately, the company provided us with waterproof muck boots.

We made a total of 6 landings during the cruise, including Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Damoy Point, Joule Point, Port Lockroy, and Mikkelson Harbour.

While most of these included visits to local penguin rookeries , at some of them we also explored preserved ruins of past expeditions.

We also made a stop at Port Lockroy , which is maintained by the United Kingdom.

Along with a stop at the gift shop, we were able to mail out postcards from Port Lockroy. Apparently, it takes about 3 months to receive anything you send — I’m still waiting on the one I sent myself.

Hot Tip: Travelzoo  occasionally sells discounted cruises to Antarctica, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled. 

If you, like me, thought that Antarctica was relatively empty of wildlife, I’m here to tell you otherwise. Is it mostly birds? Yes. But it’s a lot of birds and they’re really cool.

There are also a ton of seals and more whales than you can shake a stick at.

No, seriously, we spotted thousands of animals during the journey.

I’m a writer, not a zoologist, so the best I can tell you is that we saw birds , whales , and seals .

However, along with our other departure information, Intrepid also sent along a record of all the wildlife we saw and when.

Although we did end up on land 6 different times, we also conducted a few different zodiac cruises .

There were multiple reasons for this: sometimes there was no good location to land, if we were last off the ship we might have needed to wait for others to leave, or the weather didn’t always allow for an immediate landing.

But cruising around was nearly as fun as walking around, and significantly easier since we didn’t have to tromp around in our gear. Plus the views were still pretty amazing .

Although all our landings and zodiac cruises were included with the price of the booking, there were optional add-ons.

Photography

Those who booked the photography course enjoyed dedicated zodiacs and time away from the other guests. You didn’t need to bring your own camera or have any experience; everything was taught on board . The total cost for the photography program was an additional $1,230 .

Sea Kayaking

If kayaking was more your thing, you could also sign up for the sea kayaking program. Again, this took place as an alternative to regularly scheduled activities, and kayakers were meant to go out a total of 6 times at a cost of $1,230 . However, windy weather meant they only made it out once — but prorated refunds were automatically given to guests.

Day Paddling

I’m not great at kayaking, but my roommate, Diana, convinced me to try out the day paddling. Day paddling differs from kayaking in that you’re on top of an inflatable kayak rather than inside a rigid-form one. It’s also only offered in the most serene of circumstances, which can mean that day paddling isn’t always available.

Diana and I joined up together in an inflatable kayak for an additional $150.  Although I was very nervous at first, I’m so glad that I did it.

Day paddling only took place once and lasted about an hour , though we spent the last twenty minutes or so hanging out with the whales nearby.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing was also an option for those who were interested. I didn’t partake since it involved an extra 5 miles of hiking in my already overwhelming gear, but it looked like fun. This was the least expensive add-on and charged just $100 .

Hey, we know you already paid for a bed and a toilet, but what if you decided to sleep on the ice in a bag instead? Just kidding — the sun doesn’t go down so there’s no sleeping involved!

Anyway, if you wanted to camp overnight you could pay an extra $449 and snag the opportunity to pee in a bucket in front of everyone.

Polar Plunge

One of the final activities available before returning to Argentina, the Polar Plunge was something about half of the guests participated in. I wasn’t one of them, but everyone who joined in looked like they had a fun (albeit cold) experience . The Polar Plunge was totally free, though it didn’t take place until our very last day in Antarctica.

Bottom Line: Although I only participated in 1 of the optional add-ons, I found it to be a worthwhile cost — especially since there were so many whales!

Before taking this trip I meandered the halls of the internet trying desperately to find accurate information as to what I should bring. While most of the products were winners, quite a few weren’t. So, here are some of the items I found most useful during my trip:

• Merino Wool Base Layer : There was laundry but it was very expensive. Merino wool stays good for a long time.
• Ski Goggles : Far superior to sunglasses and didn’t fog.
• Balaclava : My nose was the coldest part of my body, so I covered it up.
• 2 Pairs of Gloves : I only brought 1 and I desperately regretted it.
• Waterproof Pants : No, really, waterproof. Not just extra water resistant.
• Windproof Hat : For the same reason as the balaclava.
• Merino Wool Socks : These are thinner than regular wool socks and mean you can size down your enormous mud boots.
• Hand Warmers : These and toe warmers kept me toasty during those cold zodiac cruises.
• Swimsuit : In case you’re insane enough to do the polar plunge.
• Lounging Clothes : For non-expedition days.

Note that you may have a tough time redeeming points for your cruise, but that doesn’t mean you can’t earn a little extra when doing your clothes shopping. Consider checking out the best credit cards for clothes shopping for ideas on maximizing your points.

Traveling down to Antarctica has long been on my bucket list. While it was a costly experience, especially for someone who is used to traveling with points and miles, I’m so glad I did. It’ll probably be a few years before I can afford to make it down to Antarctica again, but trust me — I’m already looking.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a cruise to the antarctic.

Although prices can vary, expect to pay somewhere between $7,500 and $13,000. However, be aware that booking last minute or waiting for a sale can get you a better deal than this.

Are Antarctica cruises rough?

Antarctic cruises can be rough, especially if you encounter the Drake Passage on a bad day. If you’re prone to seasickness, consider flying down and meeting your cruise ship in Antarctica rather than making the crossing.

What is the best month to go to Antarctica?

The summer season in Antarctica is relatively short. You’ll want to visit between November and February for the best opportunities to spot wildlife and have good weather.

Which cruises go to Antarctica?

There are many different cruise lines that make their way down to Antarctica. However, in order to have the best chance of stepping on land, you’ll want to aim for a ship carrying fewer than 200 passengers.

Was this page helpful?

About Carissa Rawson

Carissa served in the U.S. Air Force where she developed her love for travel and new cultures. She started her own blog and eventually joined The Points Guy. Since then, she’s contributed to Business Insider, Forbes, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

• Travel News
• Cruise News
• Business Travel News
• Movers & Shakers
• Industry Jobs
• Competitions
• ITTN Photographer of the Year
• ITTN Awards 2023
• ITTN and VisitMalta
• The Travel Directory
• Marketing Opportunities
• Privacy Policy
• Travel2Ireland
• Travel Times

Win a Trip to Antarctica with Intrepid Travel

• Agent Incentive Offers
• Intrepid Travel

RELATED ARTICLES

Win a trip for 2 to malta enter before 30 april, final few days to win a place on irish agent fam to dubai, expedition cruising takes centre stage at inaugural ecn dublin event, brittany ferries confirms extension of rosslare-cherbourg service to third weekly sailing, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Limerick Ranked in Top 10 Most Eco-Friendly City Break Destinations

Planning approval granted for loop head lighthouse tourism development, finnair launches more than 100 employee-driven sustainability initiatives for centennial celebrations.

• ITTN: Ireland’s Travel Trade Network

© ITTN.ie

An 11-Day $25000 Cruise Trip to Antarctica for Free? Here's How You Can Win It!

If you’ve always dreamt of sailing through the icy cold waters teeming with penguins and making your way to the seventh continent, then here’s your chance. The adventure-focused and sustainable travel company, Intrepid Travel , is giving away two free tickets worth $25000 to one lucky winner, for an 11-day cruise ride through the Antarctic Peninsula!

The winner will board the Ocean Endeavour ship for the “Best of Antarctica” tour and will travel to Antarctica from Ushuaia, Argentina. The cruise, which is scheduled to depart by the 29th of December this year, will take you through the Drake Passage, which is undeniably the world’s most unforgettable sea crossing experience. 

Don't believe me? Take a look at it yourself:

As per media reports , the giveaway closes on 23rd August 2021. And if you’re lucky, you need to book your trip by the 30th of September to set sail on the Antarctic waters by the end of December.

Imagine being just a few clicks away from getting a chance to explore the frosty homes of the Antarctic penguins, spotting majestic humpback whales, and witnessing some of the world’s most beautiful icebergs and glaciers!

The 11-day paid trip to Antarctica comes with an array of adventures

- Guided snowshoeing activities that will allow you to explore the pristine snowfields on foot.

- A photography masterclass that will help you capture breathtaking pictures of stunning ice statues, unique marine mammals and the untouched, rugged landscape.

- Massage retreats and yoga classes to make your on-board experience even more memorable.

- Kayaking experience for additional fees if you would like to go off-the-beaten-track and immerse yourself in the crystal polar blues.

- Some wonderful sessions dedicated to spotting dolphins , orcas and albatross on the rough waters if the conditions are favourable.

- Educative sessions around the Antarctic history , glaciology, and marine biology.

Here’s how you can participate

Fill out the entry form here and check back at the end of August to see if you got lucky.

Imagine, sprawling ices-capes, towering icebergs and unique wildlife are all around the corner. But why imagine when you can make it a reality? Fill in your details, because we can’t wait to see those stunning icebergs on your Instagram feed!

If you have an exciting travel news to share with us, feel free to drop your inputs in the comments below. Or write about it here on Tripoto and earn Tripoto Credits! You can also follow me on instagram to stay on top of my updates.

Contests Hub

Intrepid Travel Trip To Antarctica Sweepstakes

Intrepid Travel Trip To Antarctica Sweepstakes is giving to chance to Win A Trip To Antarctica. to enter the sweepstakes. Participants need to visit www.intrepidtravel.com and filled up all details like Name, Phone No, Email ID, City, State and Zip Code then after filled up all details click on Submit (Submitted on before last date)

Intrepid Travel Trip To Antarctica Sweepstakes – Intrepidtravel.com

Intrepid travel sweepstakes rules.

Before enter the online contest make sure you have enough eligibility to participate. You will win amazing prizes. Don’t waste your time and start. Hurry up now.

Eligibility:- 18 years or older (District of Columbia).

Time Period:-  Started on June 19, 2021 ,  and ends on August 23, 2021

Prize:-   

One (1) Grand-Prize winner will awarded a trip for two to Antarctica.

You Can Enter Intrepid Travel Trip To Antarctica Sweepstakes By follow This Steps

• Click on the official page given below.
• Read Rules, Terms and Conditions.
• Fill your Details Correctly, and submit
• Don’t forget to verify the mail confirmation.

This sweepstake is officially presented by www.intrepidtravel.com you can enter in Intrepid Travel Trip To Antarctica Sweepstakes before the last day, and Don’t miss the chance to  Win A Trip To Antarctica. If you want to know regarding Intrepid Travel Sweepstakes ..

If this Article is Helpful for You then Please Subscribe for the latest updates and Share these Details With your Friends!!

Also, Check Near Endings Sweepstakes:-

• Cesar Wholesome Bowls BestieBowls Giveaway
• Kelloggs Nutri Grain Getaway From Negotiation Sweepstakes
• Great Pet Care Beat the Summer Heat Giveaway
• Wendys Ditch The Donut Sweepstakes
• St Huberts the Stag Gear Up for Summer Giveaway

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

She Won a Trip to Antarctica

• Classic Antarctica
• Polar Circle
• Antarctica Express
• Antarctica & South Georgia
• Patagonia & Chilean Fjords
• Falklands (Malvinas) & South Georgia
• Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica
• The Falklands
• South Georgia
• Magellan Explorer
• Magellan Discoverer
• Explorers House
• Download Your Brochure
• Our Flights to Antarctica
• Promotions & Adventure Activities
• Antarctica21 Travel App
• Essential Travel Tips
• Travel Requirements
• The A21 Journal
• A21 In the News
• Sustainability

Inside Barbara Ostwalt’s Journey to the Seventh Continent

Monday, April 29, 2024

Recent Antarctica21 traveler Barbara Ostwalt was thrilled and surprised when she was notified that she won our Chief Flying Penguin Officer contest in early 2023, granting her a single cabin spot on an eight-day, seven-night Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise in December aboard Ocean Nova . To her surprise, her friend entered the contest for her! To do so, they had to answer questions about one of the cutest wildlife in the Antarctic realm: penguins! The winner of the contest was randomly drawn from the list of participants who entered the correct answers.

Photo provided by Barbara

After hearing the exciting news, Barbara began preparing for her journey to Chile. When she finally landed in the country’s southern bounds in Punta Arenas, she boarded our private flight to King George Island to begin her expedition aboard our small ship, Ocean Nova. From there, she set sail between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. While she enjoyed seeing the Antarctic landscape’s ice-filled fjords and majestic icebergs, one of her favorite experiences during her expedition was witnessing a lone Weddell seal relaxing on an ice block. “Seeing it sleeping was surreal; I felt so relaxed, I could take a nap myself!” She also witnessed even more fascinating species, from chinstrap and gentoo penguins to Antarctic shags and snow petrels.

  Barbara also loved snowshoeing through the Antarctic landscape and spending time aboard Ocean Nova to learn from the Antarctica21 expedition team. “The whole team was enthusiastic about Antarctica and teaching us more about the landscape and how we can be more conscious about our impact on the environment,” says Barbara. This way of communicating openly created a relaxed atmosphere of learning and sharing.”

Before heading home, Barbara even had the chance to experience the new Explorers House , Antarctica21’s new expedition center in Punta Arenas. “It was very beautifully built,” says Barbara. “It truly was the perfect way to end my adventure!”

  Are you ready to embark on a Classic Antarctic Air-Cruise like Barbara? 

Learn more here !

Photos from the Expedition

Share this on social media!

Download the Ultimate Guide

This essential guide includes:

• Insider information on flights to Antarctica
• The pros and cons of sailing and flying to Antarctica
• Weather information and detailed flight statistics
• Expert tips to consider before booking

Doing research for your trip? You can’t miss this guide!

Ready to Start Planning?

Antarctica is like no other place on Earth and we invite you to explore it with us. Complete this short form to receive a customized quote from our team and start planning your Antarctic air-cruise today!

Want to be the first to know about new departures and exclusive promotions?

We're here to help plan your trip of a lifetime and customize your journey.

Calgary teacher selected for National Geographic trip to Antarctica

Tyler dixon is one of 4 canadian educators selected for the fellowship.

Social Sharing

This fall, while his peers are focusing on getting students through the last part of the semester and onto Christmas break, Tyler Dixon will be far from the classroom, standing on the shores of Antarctica. 

That's because Dixon, a middle school physical education teacher at West Ridge School in Calgary's southwest, was recently selected for the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship, a joint initiative by Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society.

And as part of that two-year fellowship, Dixon will embark on a two-week-long expedition to Antarctica, accompanied by naturalists, oceanographers, and other industry experts. 

"It doesn't feel real yet, I know what's happening, but it really hasn't set in," said Dixon, who's been a teacher for the past 17 years.

On Nov. 19 this year, Dixon will board a National Geographic ship called the Resolution. 

Once the team has reached Antarctica, they'll take part in daily excursions, including Zodiac rides, sea kayaking, hiking and cross-country skiing.

"They told us that most of the ships that go there with tourists can't actually access the places that Lindblad does," said Dixon. 

"So we get to set foot on the Antarctic continent, we get to walk around, we get to view all this incredible wildlife up close and personal. It's unbelievable." 

Dixon, who loves the outdoors, is also a member of the Global Environmental and Outdoor Education Council, a specialist council with the Alberta Teachers Association. He said the application process for the fellowship was quite comprehensive, but that he leaned on his past experiences of nature-oriented teaching projects to highlight what he could bring to the table if chosen. 

He already travelled to Washington D.C. to take part in a pre-expedition workshop and meet the rest of the 2024 cohort — a total of 35 educators from across Canada and the U.S. who will all take part in different expeditions. 

Dixon is one of just four Canadian teachers to be selected. 

After the expedition to Antarctica, Dixon said he and the other educators are tasked with bringing what they've learned abroad back into the classroom.

"Being able to learn from experts in the field and then having an opportunity to bring it back and share that with the next generation of learners and the people that are going to be taking care of this place in the future, it's pretty special." 

• Rare bear helps Alberta photographer win international contest

In a release, Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic society said this is the 16th cohort of educators who have been selected for the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship. 

"This extraordinary expedition experience will provide these exceptional educators with invaluable insights into the intricacies of the world's most diverse ecosystems," said Amy Berquist with Lindblad Expeditions.

"Through their respective explorations, we hope they gain an even more enriched understanding of the world around them to ignite a passion for environmental stewardship in countless students for years to come, shaping the future of our planet."

Related Stories

• Top stories from CBC Calgary
• WHEN IN DROUGHT Alberta announces what it says are the largest water-sharing agreements in its history
• Analysis Danielle Smith wants ideology 'balance' at universities. Alberta academics wonder what she's tilting at

California climbers train for Mt. Everest from the comfort of their own beds

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

Graham Cooper sleeps with his head in a bag.

Not just any bag. This one has a hose attached to a motor that slowly lowers the oxygen level to mimic, as faithfully as possible, the agonies of fitful sleep at extreme altitude: headaches, dry mouth, cerebral malaise.

“It’s not all bad,” Cooper insisted, nodding to the humming motor. “That’s like white noise.”

Cooper, 54, an Oakland biotech executive who has handled finance for a number of companies, including one that sold for $7 billion, isn’t a masochist, exactly. He’s acclimatizing, in the bedroom of his second home near Lake Tahoe, for an attempt to climb Mt. Everest in May.

He has signed up with an Olympic Valley-based guide service whose founder, Adrian Ballinger, is breaking with decades of tradition to create what he believes are better and more ethical ways to climb the world’s tallest mountain.

Ballinger said he was appalled by the risks, filth and ballooning crowds on the traditional southern trek up the mountain in Nepal. That’s the route familiar from countless documentaries and books, including the 1997 classic “Into Thin Air.”

So he decided to take clients up on the north side, a journey that starts in Tibet.

“It’s colder, the route is more difficult, and the bureaucracy of dealing with China and getting the permits is a complete nightmare,” Ballinger said. “But despite those things, the Chinese are attempting to regulate, so once you get on the mountain, it’s safer, it’s cleaner, and it’s much less busy.”

Ballinger is also pioneering a technique he calls “rapid ascent,” which cuts the duration of the expedition roughly in half: from about two months to about one. That suits his clients, who usually have more spare money than time. And it buys Ballinger more time to spend at home with his wife and newborn son.

The catch? You have to spend a few months before the trip with your head in the bag.

“It’s not great, I’m not gonna lie,” Ballinger said with a laugh, but the technology is improving.

“Hypoxic tents,” as they’re called, have been used by other endurance athletes for years. In their original form, they would cover a client’s entire bed. That led to difficult conversations with spouses and partners about the necessity of sleeping at progressively higher simulated altitudes until they reached the height of Everest’s base camp, roughly 18,000 feet, where there’s about half the oxygen available at sea level.

As you can imagine, some clients wound up relegated to a couch with their bizarre-looking contraptions.

Cooper, who used one of the enormous old tents preparing for a 2015 trip to climb the highest peaks in Antarctica and South America, confessed he had no luck sweet-talking Hilary, his wife of 28 years, into sharing the adventure. He got bounced to a guest room.

“It was a lonely boy-in-the-bubble experience,” he said. But he has fond memories of the looks on his kids’ faces as they trooped into his little dungeon to kiss him good night.

This time around, “the bag,” as he calls it, covers just his head and upper torso and takes up about a quarter of the bed. Hilary sleeps next to him, Cooper said, and she finds the hum of the motor surprisingly soothing.

It goes without saying that the luxury of acclimatizing at home, in bed, with your partner curled up beside you, represents a profound break from the usual manner of preparing to ascend what is still one of the world’s deadliest mountains .

The traditional method starts in Kathmandu, at nearly 5,000 feet, where climbers spend a few days getting over jet lag. That’s usually followed by a quick flight to the small mountain town of Lukla, at just over 9,300 feet. The airport there — perched on a narrow Himalayan shelf surrounded by towering peaks, with a steep drop-off at the end of the runway — is regarded as one of the trickiest places in the world to land an airplane.

From there, climbers begin a long, deliberately slow 10-ish-day hike to base camp. The point is to give the body time to gradually adjust to the lack of oxygen.

Ballinger cuts nearly two weeks from his trips by driving his bedroom-acclimatized clients from the airport in Lhasa, Tibet, straight up to the northern route’s base camp, which is also at about 18,000 feet.

For some old-school purists, eliminating the long walk borders on sacrilege, said Will Cockrell, a journalist whose recent book, “Everest, Inc.,” explores the evolution of commercial guiding on the mountain. “They’ll say, ‘You’re not a real climber; you’re not a real nature lover,’” Cockrell said.

But since the arrival of big commercial expeditions on Everest in the mid-1990s — complete with Sherpas to install climbing ropes, chefs to cook meals in camp, team doctors to monitor health, and guides to accompany clients every step of the way — Mt. Everest has ceased to be a classic off-the-grid mountaineering challenge.

“It has come to represent something completely different,” Cockrell said, “something crazy to do to shake up your life, like running an Ironman.”

Ballinger makes no apologies. “We’re not old school, we don’t spend a lot of time sitting around drinking whiskey and playing cards,” he said.

That suits his clients, who “tend to be pretty type A, pretty high performing in everything they do,” Ballinger said.

They’d better be. His company, Alpenglow Expeditions , charges $165,000 (before tip) for a private climb, meaning one professionally certified guide per client, and $98,000 for a group climb with three clients per guide.

“We’re proudly expensive,” Ballinger said. “I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what it takes to run a trip safely and ethically, and this is what it takes.”

Climbing from the north side, as Ballinger does, avoids the huge crowds who flock to the southern base camp from all over the world every May, the prime climbing season on Everest, to wait for a brief window of good weather to try to make it to the summit.

Anyone who has even loosely followed events on Mt. Everest in recent years is probably familiar with the terrifying “conga line” photos of climbers stuck in the world’s highest traffic jam.

It forms just below the summit on the southern route, at the last technical obstacle, a nearly vertical 40-foot rock wall called the Hillary Step. It’s on a ridge with a 10,000-foot drop to the climber’s right and an 8,000-foot drop to the left. So, when exhausted and inexperienced climbers inevitably struggle there, everybody else waits in a single file, hanging onto a fixed rope, while the bottled oxygen they need to survive at that altitude slowly drains away.

Worse is the Khumbu Icefall, a glacier just above the southern base camp. It’s best known for wide spine-tingling crevasses spanned by flimsy-looking aluminum ladders lashed together with rope. Climbers have to walk across those ladders, wearing big boots and crampons, as they make multiple trips back and forth to advanced camps to acclimatize before finally heading for the summit.

As dangerous as it is for the mostly foreign climbers and guides, the odds are even worse for the local Sherpas, who regularly traverse the Khumbu ferrying equipment — tents, food, oxygen canisters — for the climbing teams. Last year, the deadliest climbing season in Everest history, three Sherpas were killed in the Khumbu when a towering block of ice collapsed and buried them.

In six seasons climbing the southern route, from 2009 to 2014, Ballinger said he passed through the Khumbu 38 times and had two close calls. While nobody on his teams lost their lives there, he helped recover the bodies of other climbers who had not been so lucky.

Finally, he did the math and concluded there was no way he could get through a whole career — 20 or 30 years — without losing someone he was responsible for in the Khumbu.

“I just couldn’t do it anymore,” Ballinger said. “I just couldn’t justify the risk.”

Ballinger’s data-driven approach and stellar track record were enough to win over Cooper.

And he has been willing to wait.

He was ready to climb Everest four years ago, but when China shut down expeditions to its side of the mountain in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ballinger stuck to his principles and refused to resume climbing with the crowds in Nepal. This is the first year since the pandemic that the Chinese side has been open.

The Alpenglow team, which includes 26 clients, guides and Sherpas hoping to reach the summit, were originally scheduled to begin their expedition in late April. After a late permitting change from the Chinese government, that date has been pushed back to May 7.

Cooper has competed in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii 11 times and has won the legendary Western States Endurance Run, a 100-mile ultra-marathon. He is not a man accustomed to sitting around. “I’m feeling ready and anxious to get going,” he texted a reporter last week.

When not trying to sleep in his hypoxic tent, Cooper has spent his training days in Tahoe on back-country skis doing laps up and down a mountain, his 3-year-old dog, a Vizsla named “Busy,” at his heels. Indoors, he straps on a hypoxic mask hooked to the same motor he uses for the sleeping tent and rides a stationary bike an hour at a time. Or climbs a StairMaster. Or throws on his mountaineering boots and a heavy backpack and trudges up and down slopes.

“I’m addicted to doing this kind of stuff,” said Cooper, who ran his first marathon when he was 13. “I just feel like a fundamentally happier person when I’m training.”

After a trust fall left him paralyzed, climber scales 3,000-foot El Capitan using only his arms

In 2015, mountain guide Zuko Carrasco’s world collapsed in a trust fall gone awry. Eight years later, he looked to reclaim his independence with an audacious plan to scale El Capitan.

Jan. 11, 2024

Ballinger leads clients on bucket list climbs all around the globe. Many of the treks present more interesting technical challenges than Everest. Almost all of them feel like wild outposts compared with the circus vibe on Everest’s south side.

Still, he gets poetic when he describes why so many clients are drawn to the world’s tallest summit.

“Because it’s so hard,” he said. It takes incredible fitness, mental fortitude and a heavy dose of luck to make it to the top. And no matter how many precautions you take, there’s that uncontrollable element of risk.

“It’s not just a battle for success, it’s a battle for survival up there,” Ballinger said. “That’s something that many of us have not experienced otherwise. I think that really captures people.”

More to Read

Letters to the Editor: Permits won’t deter hikers who have no business on Mt. Baldy

March 14, 2024

Editorial: Winter permits for Mt. Baldy could save lives of hikers — and rescuers

March 11, 2024

‘Craziest thing you can do’: Why are so many adventure seekers warming up to ice climbing?

Jan. 23, 2024

Start your day right

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Jack Dolan is an investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times. A winner of numerous national awards, he has twice been named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

Brian van der Brug has been a staff photojournalist at the Los Angeles Times since 1997.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Climate & Environment

Chuckwalla National Monument would protect swath of California desert and preserve a sacred land

April 28, 2024

L.A. supervisors oppose plan to eradicate Catalina deer by shooting them from helicopters

April 27, 2024

Tell us: Is it ever OK to gather fruit from someone else’s tree?

April 24, 2024

Travel & Experiences

What to know about California’s new state park, a scenic green space where two rivers meet

April 23, 2024

How travelling on a Intrepid tour with my friend brought us closer together 

Good friends who make good travel buddies are keepers. Here’s the truth about what to expect when you take a group trip with your bestie.

I’ll admit it. I’m the annoying travel friend. That person who is always talking about my last trip, my next trip and trying to get everyone I know to come along on an adventure. Ever since my first Intrepid trip, I’m also the one talking up the benefits of small group trips. I don’t actually need anyone to come with me –that’s the beauty of joining an Intrepid trip. I just want the people I care about to have good times in their lives, and some of the best times I’ve had have been on these tours. 

Finally, after years of my proselytising, the timing was right. A girlfriend, Carolyn, and I were going to Jordan together.

We had both been dreaming of visiting Petra since seeing it in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade , had “floating in the Dead Sea” on our travel bucket lists and could take the same vacation days. She was also one of my favourite people to travel with but had moved across the country, so we’d not seen each other as much lately as I would like. Explore Jordan was the perfect trip with the perfect pal. 

As exciting as that was (and I can tell you that it was very exciting), a few things made me nervous. 

Would Carolyn enjoy the small group tour experience as much as I? I did feel responsible for hyping it up. Would I get to meet as many interesting people?

This would be my fourth trip with Intrepid, and I had become quite comfortable with throwing myself into the company of strangers from around the world. Having dinner conversations with doctors and photographers and retired archeologists and people who seen Antarctica doesn’t happen in my everyday life. I wanted to make sure I still had that experience even while travelling with a friend. I also worried a bit about time to myself, which is important for me while travelling. 

I didn’t need to worry at all. Here’s what I learned from joining an Intrepid tour with my friend and how it brought us closer to together.  

Our fun started on the first day. The group wouldn’t meet until dinner, so we had a free afternoon in Amman. In the past when I arrived early I would take a nap, jump in the hotel pool or maybe walk around the block to find snacks, but it was cool to have a buddy to safely explore the city with.

I wanted to do a DIY walking tour of street art while Carolyn wanted to meet up for high tea with a colleague who relocated to Amman. So we did both. I got to see two very different parts of this country before the trip even started, and practise one of my essential tips for travelling with friends: say yes to other people’s suggestions. 

The welcome meeting is always so interesting. You don’t know who will be in your group in advance, but you can be sure it’s a fascinating mix of like-minded travellers.  I have been one of several solo travellers in a group, and I have also been the only person not travelling with a partner or family member. It always worked out and I’ve never felt like a third wheel. But it’s human nature for duos to cleave off at times, and I’ve noticed people who arrive together tend to sit together, so my friend and I split up on opposite sides of the table, where we’d be less likely to just talk amongst ourselves.

I can’t imagine a single other person who would surprise me when I was wilting by pulling out a pan flute in the middle of the ancient ruins of Jerash and serenading me, accompanied by local musicians.

It was a great way to meet our tripmates right away. We would use this seating tactic often over the next eight days, at restaurants or on the drives in our private van. Which brings me to another fave travelling tip that worked out perfectly on a small group trip: don’t be afraid to split up. 

I’ve found that no matter how much you love your travel companion, everyone has their “moments” when you get tired, or hangry, and might need a break from one another. And even when you’re getting along great 24/7, there are times when you have different sleeping schedules, stamina or interests.

On a group tour there’s always someone else to hang out with, and I took advantage of that on the very first night. After the group dinner Carolyn headed back to our room while I joined a few of my new tripmates for drinks. If we were travelling alone, I would have gone back to my room too. Instead, I had the chance to check out the nightlife on Amman’s famed Rainbow Street, where we found a cool bar decked out in neon lights to enjoy non-alcoholic cocktails and tea and the first of many great conversations. 

No, I’m not going to write only about the ways in which my friend and I split up on our trip. Because the true joy of this tour was the moments we shared together. 

One of the highlights of our Explore Jordan itinerary was two nights’ camping in Wadi Rum. The landscape in this desert is out of this world, and one of the things I was most looking forward to on the trip was sleeping under the stars here. Except on the first night, it rained. Such is nature. And our Bedouin-style tents were very cosy. But on the second night, Carolyn was determined. No matter how cloudy or cold, as long as it wasn’t raining we would take advantage of the open-air sleeping area just outside our tents.

It was cloudy again, I was tired and I know that if she wasn’t there to literally drag my sleeping bag out for me, I would have wimped out. Instead, I had one of the best nights in my life, waking up to clear dark skies and a universe of stars above. We were the only ones from our group out there. We ooohed and aaahed and giggled like kids and I feel so lucky to have shared that moment with someone who will be in my life when I’m old so I can say “remember that time?” and relive it all over again. 

There are so many reasons why being on a group tour with a friend was a great way to travel. We could share different dishes to try more local food. Spread sunscreen or Dead Sea mud on each other’s backs. And we could cheer each other up with stupid jokes when the heat was zapping our energy. Okay, that was mostly her.

I can’t imagine a single other person who would surprise me when I was wilting by pulling out a pan flute in the middle of the ancient ruins of Jerash and serenading me, accompanied by local musicians. It makes me laugh out loud just to think of it now and I imagine it will forever. 

Could we do these things if we were just the two of us?  Maybe. But the benefits of an organised tour meant that we didn’t need to waste any time figuring out bus schedules or lining up for tickets or other things that can make you cranky on the road. Instead, we could use that time to truly be together, have deep conversations, enjoy the adventure and make more memories that will last a lifetime.  

I originally signed up for a small group tour when none of my friends had the same wish list, schedule or budget for travel. What I learned this time was that even when friends can join you on a trip, it’s still a great way to see the world. And I’m not sorry that I will now be hassling the rest of my friends to come on the next one. 

Find an adventure to take with your bestie and make memories that last a lifetime.

Feeling inspired?

Liisa Ladouceur

Liisa Ladouceur is a writer from Toronto, Canada who blogs her travels at LiisaWanders.com, where she aims to inspire others to take the trips of their dreams. Her favourite places are wherever the wild things are, and her essential packing list includes curiosity, patience and SPF.

You might also like

Time and place: kapan’s buddhist nunnery, kathmandu, time travel in malaysia: trekking into the distant..., intrepid’s new women’s expedition is exploring saudi arabia..., this is what it’s like to explore antarctica’s..., 12 hours in the shoes (or muck boots)..., when your day job is leading expeditions to..., to celebrate turning 50, kerryn took her 50th..., what it’s like to spend a day gorilla..., encounters in the mist: exploring uganda’s gorilla sanctuaries , following in sacred steps on a journey from..., a trip to southern africa helped this plus-size....