A life changing Expedition
The 7th Continent - Antarctica
All travel is enjoyable. New food, new cities, new cultures. It fills you up in different ways. But some journeys are different. Some shift something inside you. An expedition to Antarctica falls into that rare, life altering category. For me, the trip just happened. I was at the right place at the right time and managed to secure an incredible package thanks to Fora’s partnership with Quark Expeditions. I did not overthink it. I said yes.
I had no idea how much that yes would change me.
This is one trip that made me smile, laugh, and unexpectedly cry. I welled up when I saw penguins standing protectively over their tiny chicks. I welled up again when I flew in a helicopter over glaciers that looked like frozen waves of time. I stopped breathing when a whale surfaced barely five feet from our zodiac. And when our ship sailed slowly past an iceberg as large as Manhattan, I just stood there in silence.
You can watch endless documentaries about Antarctica. I had. Hours of footage of icebergs, glaciers, wildlife. But nothing, absolutely nothing, prepares you for what happens when you are there in flesh and blood. It is surreal.
We did multiple zodiac cruises across icy waters and countless landings on the continent itself. Yes, setting foot on Antarctica is as powerful as it sounds. We watched penguins line up on cliffs before jumping into the sea. We saw nesting colonies with thousands upon thousands of birds. Just born chicks wobbling beside their parents. Scavenging skuas circling overhead. Antarctic terns chirping. Snow petrels and cape petrels gliding in the wind. Seals lounging lazily on ice floes like they owned the place.
And whales. So many whales.
The ice itself deserves its own chapter. Icebergs in every imaginable shape and size. Cathedral spires. Floating castles. Smooth sculptures. And the color. Shades of blue so spectacular that no combination of HEX codes could ever recreate them. Electric. Luminous. Alive.
And then came the ultimate moment - Flying Over the Edge of the World
Quark’s Ultramarine carries two helicopters. Not every expedition ship does. That fifteen minute helicopter ride over Antarctica will live in my soul forever. We lifted off from the ship and soared over glaciers and landscapes that likely no human has ever set foot on. Endless ridges of ice stretching into silence. No footprints. No buildings. No sound except the hum of the blades.
I welled up again on that flight.
I never knew beauty and nature could stir so much inside me. It was overwhelming in the best way. It made me think about resilience. Life thriving in the coldest, darkest places at the bottom of the earth. Penguins raising chicks in brutal wind. Seals resting on moving ice. Everything surviving. Everything beautiful.
Life is a miracle. Not just in Antarctica, but everywhere. The force is with us. The magic is us.
Let me drag myself back to this blog and tell you more about how the Expedition unfolds
My journey began in Buenos Aires.
Day 0: Buenos Aires
You land in Buenos Aires and are transferred to your hotel. Quark has a check in desk where you receive luggage tags and ask last minute questions. I stayed at the Emperador Hotel, which was included in the package. It felt surreal knowing that the next stop was the White Continent.
Day 1: Ushuaia, The End of the World
The next morning, we boarded a private charter flight to Ushuaia. Ushuaia is called the End of the World, the southernmost town. Snow capped Andes mountains, the Beagle Channel, charming streets filled with small shops. A perfect place to wander, grab lunch, and buy souvenirs before boarding the ship.
That afternoon, we stepped onto the Quark Ultramarine.
Days 2 and 3: The Drake Passage
You make friends quickly on a polar expedition. Shared anticipation does that. As we sailed across the Drake Passage, we attended expert lectures, learned about wildlife and history, explored the ship, and prepared for what lay ahead. If you are prone to seasickness, bring medication. The Drake can be unpredictable.
Days 4 to 8: Antarctica
Five full days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands. Every stop depends on weather and wildlife conditions. Your expedition leader makes real time decisions about where to land or cruise. No two voyages are ever the same.
Activities included:
• The infamous Polar Plunge.
• Zodiac cruising among icebergs, spotting whales and seals
• Landing on the continent to walk among penguin colonies
• Hiking snowy slopes for panoramic views
• A 15 minute helicopter flight over untouched terrain
• Optional sea kayaking and paddling excursions
Each day felt like a dream sequence.
Days 9 and 10: Sailing Back
The return across the Drake feels reflective. You are changed. Conversations shift. Everyone knows they have witnessed something rare.
Day 11: Disembark
Back to Ushuaia. Back to the world. But not quite the same.
A million nesting gentoo penguins!
The Ship: Quark Ultramarine
The Ultramarine is a state of the art polar expedition ship built for both adventure and comfort. Spacious cabins. A fleet of zodiacs. Two helicopters. A robust hull built for icy waters. It is expedition style cruising, but elevated.
When you are not out exploring, the crew offers fascinating lectures on Antarctic history and wildlife. There is a sauna and steam room. There is a spa. And yes, I used my onboard credit from Fora’s Virtuoso partnership toward a massage. Not a bad way to warm up after a an icy zodiac trip! I had a solo cabin with floor to ceiling windows - it was the perfect size - cozy yet plenty of space!
What to Pack
Even in Antarctica’s summer, temperatures hover around the low 30s Fahrenheit or around 0 Celsius. Most expedition companies provide a parka to keep and boots to borrow. You should bring:
• Waterproof pants
• Thermal layers
• Tech gloves
• Sunglasses
• A good camera
• A sense of awe
If you need a detailed packing list, I’m happy to share mine.
When to Go
You can only visit Antarctica between November and March. Every month offers something slightly different. Here’s a quick guide -
November: Dramatic ice and pristine landscapes
December and January: A beautiful balance of scenery and wildlife
February and March: Peak wildlife activity and whale sightings
Final Thoughts
I am deeply grateful to have been part of something so phenomenal, something so few people in this world will ever experience. Antarctica made me realize how small we are. How powerful nature is. How resilient life can be.
You live but once. If there is a trip you have been pushing to “someday,” let this be your sign.
