When you’ve traveled to over 100 countries, is there anything that will really surprise you? For savi and vidThe pair behind the hugely popular travel page damaged passportThe answer was one word: Antarctica,

Penguins, ice sheets and water as far as the eye can see – Antarctica conjures up the image 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 to life in bits and pieces on social media. But for Savi and Vidit, the trip to the White Continent was the culmination of years of longing, careful planning and a shared love for exploring remote and extraordinary places. The duo, who started blogging even before the term ‘influencer’ was coined, are equally real about their experiences as they are about their advice. But don’t be fooled by the stunning photos on her Instagram; While Antarctica is certainly the stuff of dreams, the journey is certainly as difficult as it is rewarding.

If you’re (like me) planning a trip to this continent, read what well-known bloggers had to say about travel, 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 has been on ours for years since we started traveling! We both love remote places and I’m a keen photographer – the beautiful landscapes and promise of penguin colonies attracted us to Antarctica. And after being there, we can safely say that it is a once in a lifetime experience! They say you should only see Antarctica after seeing everything else because nothing else can ever compare – it really is that beautiful!

What were your expectations from the trip and how did they compare to reality?

Since it is an expensive trip that also requires a lot of planning and preparation, we had very high expectations from this trip! But the trip exceeded all our expectations. We saw icebergs and ice sculptures, hiked on glaciers, saw seals, polar birds and killer whales in their natural habitat. And the main attractions – rare colonies of Adélie, Chinstrap and Emperor penguins. We came back with memories we will never forget.

Antarctica 101

The trip to Antarctica takes 2 weeks and starts at around Rs 8 lakh per person if you are flying from India. However, we would suggest setting aside 3 weeks and combining it with a short road trip or city break in Chile or Argentina.

Keeping in mind Antarctica’s delicate ecosystem, make sure you choose a cruise that focuses on responsible tourism. We chose Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot, a hybrid electric ship, the first of its kind in the world, for the trip to Antarctica. It is designed to reduce the environmental impact of travel to remote latitudes. It is also an ice-class ship, meaning it has the ability to visit many remote polar regions, meaning guests will see parts of Antarctica that are inaccessible to most visitors. This is why we never recommend going to Antarctica on large cruise ships – choose a smaller ship so you can see more of the sights.

And once you get there make sure to listen to your naturalist guides as you interact with the wildlife and most importantly, don’t forget to go out of your comfort zone and try new activities like ice climbing. Go kayaking or polar mountaineering together!

What challenges did you face during your trip that you would advise travelers to be aware of?

The beauty of Antarctica truly poses challenges! However there are two challenges that one can expect! Extreme temperatures – this is why we suggest choosing a ship that offers heated cabins and creature comforts. Luxury is really comfortable when the temperature outside is extreme! Another thing we recommend is to pack protective clothing like full-body thermals, insulated gloves, and a protective jacket.

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 some of the fastest waters in the world. It takes about 2 days to cross the Drake Passage and the turbulence can make even the best of sailors sick. Having said that, the incredible panoramas on the other side outweigh any inconvenience you may face during those 2 days!

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