Trip packages & adventure activites

Participants join the program at the beginning of their expedition. They attend a briefing and training session to review the operating procedures and the equipment. Each excursion unfolds based on the local conditions and the skill level of the group. When possible and desirable, during the excursion some time is also spent exploring on land.

Guests should enquire with their agents or Antarctica21 prior to joining the vessel about booking onto the sea kayaking program. Participants will then join the program at the beginning of their expedition.

On a 5-point scale, the average difficulty level is usually between 2 and 3 depending on the excursion. The program offers multiple extended, non-strenuous excursions. It involves physical exercise, potentially on challenging sea conditions. Participants must have previous kayaking experience and must be able to swim.

The Antarctic and sub-Antarctic environments present special challenges. In the interest of safety, the Sea Kayaking Program operates only as a group activity guided by an experienced Kayak Master and supported by a safety Zodiac. Independent excursions are not possible.

Kayaking requires fitted equipment and special preparation. The group program offers progressive skill development that can only take place with participation in the full program. For these reasons, it is not possible to try kayaking only once or twice. Participants can opt-out of an excursion (to spend more time at a landing site, for example) if they wish.

Note: Sea Kayaking is offered as a full program of one or two excursions delivered throughout the expedition to the same group of participants. It is not possible to join individual, oneoff kayaking excursions or rotating participation among family members or groups of friends traveling together.

The sea kayaking program is an optional small-group experience limited to a maximum of 20 participants per expedition who will go on excursions in two separate groups of 10 guests each on an alternating basis. Each group of 10 guests enjoy one or two excursions throughout the voyage, under the guidance and leadership of an experienced Kayak Master.

Participants can book and join the excursion aboard the ship. Multiple excursion options are offered on each departure, based on interest and subject to weather conditions. Participants attend a briefing and training session to review the operating procedures and the equipment.

Depending on the time of the year and the conditions of the terrain, some excursions may require the use of snowshoes and/or trekking poles, which Antarctica21 provides. November, December, and January, generally offer good snowshoeing opportunities. Snowshoes are usually not needed in February and March. Participants can select the excursions they want to join, paying a per-excursion fee. The activity can be booked and paid for on board the ship.

The excursion involves physical exercise, potentially on challenging and uneven terrain. It can be strenuous at times.

To take part in the Hiking and Snowshoeing excursion you do not need previous experience. However, snowshoeing or hiking on snow-covered terrain can be a strenuous activity so your level of physical fitness should be good. For your safety, the Hiking and Snowshoeing Guide may ask you to perform a trial to test your fitness level.

Before starting your expedition, you must visit a doctor for a medical check-up to ensure that you are fit to participate in the Hiking and Snowshoeing excursion. We will assume that you have done so and that you will be advised against participation in the activity should there be any health concerns. You are required to have medical and travel insurance.

The Antarctic environment presents special challenges. In the interest of safety, the Hiking and Snowshoeing excursions operate only as group activities guided by an experienced Hiking and Snowshoeing Guide. Independent excursions are not possible. However, you can rent snowshoes and/or poles from the gift shop. In this case, you will be limited to exploring the landing site area defined as safe by the Expedition Team.

The minimum age forparticipation is 15 years.