Antarctica Trips & Tours

Antarctica

To embark on an Antarctica trip is to plunge into a world of silence, vastness and beauty of the staggering kind.

Travel and Leisure Worlds Best Awards for number 1 tour operator in the world 2024 and number 2 tour operator in the world 2025

We're one of the World's Best Tour Operators!

Named three years running in Travel+Leisure World's Best, including No.1 in 2024

Antarctica

An incomparable frontier of silence, solitude and elemental forces that will challenge you to embrace life.

If ever there was name to inspire awe amongst bucket-list travellers, it would be Antarctica. Seemingly the preserve of nature documentaries and historical literature, the surreal 7th continent of the world is an enormous land mass of smooth, flat ice at the end of the Earth – or the very bottom of the globe if we’re being geographically correct. A place of engulfing whiteness, it’s the world’s largest ‘desert’ and (somewhat unfathomably) home to a myriad of extraordinary species and sights so magnificent they are almost unnameable. Protected by the Antarctic Treaty, the ocean teams with humpback whales and hourglass dolphins leaping in the wake of vessels, whilst on the ice, penguins teeter and seals loll in complete symbiosis with the white wilderness. Then, there’s the sparkling ice castles surrounded by miles upon miles of pancake-flat ice; the monolithic icebergs rising from the mists; and the meandering fjords, flanked by ice walls and hulking cliffs. Nothing will prepare you, yet everything will leave a profound impact on your life.

Our Experts

Want to chat?

Get advice and suggestions to make this your perfect trip.

or call us on: +1 (646) 542 0667

Jonty Medcalf

Antarctica Travel Specialist

Meg Yash

Antarctica Travel Specialist

Carola Fresno

Antarctica Travel Specialist

Things to do

What to do in Antarctica

Open Map

Adventure

Why you'll love it

The way Antarctica makes you feel is, quite simply, indescribable. Perhaps it’s being the smallest speck in the most enormous of spaces, or maybe it’s realising that where you are is pretty much free of any human touch. Whatever it is, enjoy the best feeling in the world.

Off the beaten track

Preparing for a trip is always tricky, but when it’s Antarctica it can become overwhelming. Pack sensibly, but don’t be intimidated by fancy polar gear and equipment. Thermals, more sunscreen than you know what to do with, and seasickness tablets are essential.

Something to think about

There is no individual government in Antarctica to set out the rules of travel. The IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) has been established to promote responsible tourism, and it definitely pays to be aware of what you can do to help preserve the region too.

When to go

Best time to visit Antarctica

Excellent

Good

Mixed

january

Open summer Season — one of the best times to visit

Articles

Antarctica in the blog

Planning Guides

Escape To The Most Far-flung Destinations On Earth

Let the adventures begin…

Planning Guides

Global Safari Alternatives

Explore the best safari-style wildlife destinations outside Africa

Planning Guides

Where to go whale watching in South Africa

Finding the gentle giants of the sea

Planning Guides

Sensational Wildlife & Where To Find It

Wildlife encounters to amaze

Planning Guides

Where To Escape To This Winter

Follow the sunshine

Planning Guides

Anniversaries for Adventurers

Make your next anniversary a memorable one

Reviews

Based on 1007 Feefo Reviews

Matt

An Incredible Safari Experience Thanks to Timbuktu Travel

October 2026

11 nights in Kenya and Tanzania

We recently returned from an incredible safari through Kenya and Tanzania, and we couldn't be happier with our experience working with Timbuktu Travel. Joanna and her team were wonderful from start to finish. They listened to what we wanted from our safari and designed an itinerary that exceeded our expectations. They helped us prepare for every aspect of the trip, answered our questions along the way, and made sure everything ran seamlessly once we arrived in Africa. From the accommodations and guides to the transfers and overall coordination, everything was exceptionally well organized. We were also celebrating a milestone anniversary, and Joanna and her team went above and beyond to make it special. They arranged anniversary surprises at every stop, including cakes, traditional celebration songs, and even a private dinner. These thoughtful touches made an already amazing trip even more memorable. We also want to recognize Joachim, our private guide for the final four days of our safari. He was friendly, patient, incredibly knowledgeable, and an absolute pleasure to spend time with. He made the final part of our journey particularly enjoyable. The entire experience exceeded our expectations. We saw incredible wildlife, stayed at wonderful camps, and never had to worry about the logistics. Timbuktu took care of everything, allowing us to simply enjoy the adventure. We can't thank Joanna, Joachim, and the entire Timbuktu team enough for creating such an unforgettable experience. We would highly recommend Timbuktu Travel to anyone planning an African safari.

Guest

Unforgettable experience in Egypt and Morocco

October 2026

18 nights in Egypt and Jordan

Overall the experience was good. Some difficulty in changing arrangements and responsiveness at times prior to leaving and itinerary documents were not updated and had inaccuracies but the arrangements were all made when we arrived.

26 nights in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Seychelles

The best!

Guest

Great Company to Work With

October 2026

11 nights in South Africa and Zimbabwe

I have dealt with many, many travel companies and Timbuktu is one of the best. Annie could not have been more helpful, patient and knowledgeable. The attention to detail was amazing - everyone was where they needed to be at the right time. We were met at the airports as planned; the drivers were on time; the hotels were wonderful, the guides made the trip so very memorable. Annie went well above and beyond in working everything out for us. She even made reservations at a local restaurant for us to get a true taste of South African cooking and culture. In Zimbabwe, she booked us a private boat for a sunset cruise with drinks and light refreshments - spectacular! I really can't say enough good things about working with Timbuktu and Annie, in particular. Even though we made many changes along the way and there were ten of us to please, she was able to pull of a great itinerary for us and keep us within range of our original budget. I highly recommend Timbuktu.

Don McGuirt

Absolute perfection on every detail !!!

October 2026

17 nights in Kenya and Ethiopia

I cannot recommend this travel agency highly enough!!!!! Use them for sure!! They handled all my travel in both Kenya and Ethiopia for 3 weeks and could not have done a better job. All of my GUIDES were absolutely the BEST possible. Every detail was handled to perfection. Not one detail was missed or overlooked. Anyone is welcome to call me as I will give my name and ph # below. I just cannot give them a high enough rating. Will be glad to go into as much detail as you would like. Don McGuirt Houston, TX 713-502-5131 mcguirtdon@hotmail.com

Why travel with Timbuktu?

We design tailor-made journeys for travellers who want more than a holiday, from first-time safaris, gorilla treks and multi-generational family adventures to once-in-a-lifetime honeymoons - and everything in between. And here's why so many choose us to plan them.

Tailor-Made Since 2014

We've been crafting one-of-a-kind journeys since 2014 — over 2,500 trips across 40+ countries, each one built from scratch around your interests and dreams.

Specialists Who've Been There

Our team only recommends places they've slept in, eaten in, and happily keep going back to. Condé Nast Traveler named 11 of them Top Travel Specialists in 2026, and Travel+Leisure made three A-List Advisors.

The World's No 1 Tour Operator

Travel+Leisure's readers voted us the World's No.1 Tour Operator in 2024 and No.2 in 2025 — the travel industry's biggest readers' award, judged by people who actually travel.

Every Trip Makes A Difference

$50 from every booking goes to female empowerment, tech education, and conservation projects across the countries we love. We have donated $78,000 so far – and it's going up!

Collaboration Is Key

Your travel specialist is with you the whole way, dreaming up the trip, building the itinerary, checking you in, and answering the 2am question from the other side of the world..