Antarctica Escorted

The Polar Regions have long inspired fascination and wonder. For the intrepid early explorers it was the desire to conquer unknown frontiers, while the adventurous travellers of today go to experience the rugged beauty of the most remote regions on the planet.

The Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration (1895-1917) is widely recognised as the time when brave men set out to face the unknown frozen wilderness. The world watched in trepidation at the race for the South Pole, considered by many to be a quest for national honour. The endeavours of Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen and Mawson, amongst others, are a source of constant fascination and their legacy has undoubtedly enriched the history of these regions.

Prompting both admiration and incredulity at not only what they endured, but why and how, their epic stories become even more compelling once you too have visited these unforgiving yet beautiful environments. Certain voyages taking in the Ross Sea will look to visit Scott and Shackleton’s historic huts at Cape Evans and Cape Royds, whilst others will pass through into the hostile Weddell Sea area, where Shackleton’s trusty ship The Endurance folded under the sea ice.

“Why do I do these things? I go exploring because I like it... one goes once, and then one gets the fever and can’t stop going. So I return to the wild again and again“
Sir Ernest Shackleton, 1911

SCOTT POLAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE 
SPRI was formed in 1920 as a memorial to Captain Scott and his colleagues and is now a well-known centre for polar research investigating environmental and social issues relating to the Arctic and Antarctic. Part of the University of Cambridge, the institute holds the most comprehensive polar library in the world and supports scientists and present-day explorers alike.

The Friends of the Scott Polar Research Institute was established in 1946 as a way for individuals to offer support, both, financial in terms of subscriptions and donations, and practical, primarily relating to the library, museum and picture library. News and information about the Institute is distributed to members through a newsletter and social events are regularly held allowing Friends to meet each other. We are proud to be an Executive Friend of the Scott Polar Research Institute.

For further information or to find out how to become a Friend please see www.spri.cam.ac.uk.

ANTARCTIC HERITAGE TRUST 
Preserving the heritage of human endeavour in the Antarctic is the purpose of the AHT, which is a coalition between trusts in the UK and New Zealand. The UK branch of the Antarctica Heritage Trust is a registered charity and was set up in 1993 with HRH The Princess Royal as the Patron. Their principle aim is to conserve Britain’s history of exploration and scientific research in the region and support the New Zealand trust in conservation of the historic huts in the Ross Sea region. That this is a heritage that needs preserving is paramount.

To this end, the UKAHT runs a continuous campaign to restore the huts used by Scott and Shackleton’s teams at the start of last century for which donations are always gratefully received. The Trust also operates the historic base at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island in the Peninsula. Maintained as a living museum and helped by the proceeds of the small, yet well stocked gift shop, the UKAHT also runs the post-office there – it’s an absolutely captivating legacy thanks to the British Antarctic Survey’s renovations of Bransfield House/‘British Base A’ in 1996.

For further information please see www.ukaht.org

Discover the World is committed to working with leading travel partners in the conservation of the delicate polar regions – therefore we only work with IAATO or AECO accredited voyage operators.