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When you’ve travelled to over 100 countries, is there anything that would really surprise you? For Savi and Vid, the duo behind the wildly popular travel page Bruised Passports, the answer was one word: Antarctica.
Penguins, ice sheets and water as far as the eye can see – Antarctica conjures images of a wilderness untouched by time. For most of us, it’s the kind of destination that exists in daydreams and travel wish-lists, and comes alive in bits and pieces on social media. But for Savi and Vidit, a journey to the white continent was the culmination of years of yearning, meticulous planning, and a shared love for exploring remote and extraordinary places. The duo, who started blogging before ‘influencer’ was even a word, are as real about their experiences as they are with their advice. But don’t get fooled by the stunning pictures on their Instagram; while Antarctica is surely a thing of dreams, the journey is certainly as daunting as it is rewarding.
If you’re (like me) planning to embark on a trip to this continent, read what the ace bloggers had to say about the journey, the finances involved and a reality check about the destination for Instagram doomscrollers.
What inspired you to choose Antarctica as your travel destination?
I believe the mysterious white continent is on every travel lover’s wish-list and it had been ours for years, ever since we started travelling! Both of us love remote places and I am a keen photographer – the promise of beautiful landscapes and penguin colonies attracted us to Antarctica. And having been there, we can safely say it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! They say you should only see Antarctica after you’ve seen everything else because nothing else will ever compare – that’s truly how beautiful it is!
What were your expectations for the trip, and how did they compare to reality?
Since this is an expensive trip that also needs a lot of planning and preparation, we had very high expectations from the trip! But the voyage surpassed all our expectations. We witnessed icebergs and ice sculptures, hiked on glaciers, saw seals, Polar Birds, and Killer whales in their natural habitat. And the highlight – rare colonies of Adélie, Chinstrap, and Emperor penguins. We came back with memories we will never forget.
Antarctica 101
A trip to Antarctica takes 2 weeks if you are flying from India and starts approximately at 8 lacs per person. However we would suggest keeping aside 3 weeks and combining it with a short road trip or city break in Chile or Argentina.
Keeping Antarctica’s delicate ecosystem in mind, make sure you choose a cruise that focuses on responsible tourism. We chose to visit Antarctica on Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot which is a hybrid electric vessel, the first of its kind in the world. It has been designed to minimise the environmental impact of travel to the furthest latitudes. It is also an ice-class vessel, meaning it has the capability to visit many remote polar regions, which means guests end up seeing parts of Antarctica that are inaccessible to most visitors. This is why we don’t ever recommend visiting Antarctica on large cruise ships – choose a smaller vessel so you can see more sights.
And once you’re there make sure you listen to your naturalist guides when you interact with wildlife and most importantly, don’t forget to go out of your comfort zone and try new activities such as kayaking with icebergs or going on Polar hikes!
What challenges did you encounter during your trip that you would advise travellers to be careful of?
The beauty of Antarctica truly makes up for the challenges! However there are two challenges one can expect! Extreme temperatures – which is why we suggest choosing a vessel that offers heated cabins and creature comforts. Luxuries are truly comforting when temperatures are extreme outside! Another thing we recommend is packing protective clothing such as full-body thermals, insulated gloves, and protective jackets.
Also Read: Cold, Dry, Wild: Why Antarctica Has Become The Hottest Destination On The Map
The second challenge of course, is the turbulent Drake Passage, which boasts of some of the choppiest waters in the world. It takes approximately 2 days to cross Drake Passage and the turbulence can make even the most well-travelled people sea-sick. Having said that, the incredible panoramas on the other side make up for any discomfort you might face during those 2 days!