The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE TRANSITING THROUGH THE USA

You will require an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), and you must get this before boarding any US-bound aircraft or ship, or entering on a land border. The fee is USD$21 and you should apply for it at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/. With the ESTA complete, the majority of British Citizen passport holders can enter the US under the Visa Waiver Programme, VWP. You will be required to have a passport with an integrated chip. Note that if you have travelled to Cuba, Iran, Syria or North Korea since March 2011* you will have to apply for a visa rather than the Visa Waiver Programme (* a full and up to date list of countries can be found on the US government website here.)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE TRANSITING THROUGH CANADA

All citizens (except for USA citizens) will require an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), and you must get this before boarding any Canada-bound aircraft or ship, or entering on a land border. The fee is CAD$7 and you should apply for it at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-start.asp

Visa Argentina

UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa for short stays.

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

VACCINATIONS

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

When on the ship everything is priced is US$.  If you are paying in cash you will need US$, if you are paying by card your bank will use their exchange rate.

The unit of currency in Argentina is the Peso. 

It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on an active holiday getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. Although this is principally a cruise holiday you will have the opportunity for walks on the peninsula and a basic level of fitness is required to get in and out of the Zodiacs.

Along the Antarctic Peninsula, temperatures as high as 15°C have been recorded, though during the Antarctic summer temperatures are typically between 0 and 2°C . The wind will be a significant moderating factor and you must come prepared for ‘real feel’ temperatures as low as -20°C. The Antarctic is technically classed as a desert averaging 166 mm of precipitation per year. Although you are unlikely to experience any precipitation storms can and do occur.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

• South: The Endurance Expedition. Ernest Shackleton

• Natural History of the Antarctic Peninsula. Sanford Moss

• The Heart of the Great Alone - Scott, Shackleton 

• David Hempleman-Adams Polar Exploration

South Shetland Islands. British Antarctic Survey

The South Shetland Islands at 1:200,000 from British Atlantic Survey is a visually impressive topographic and bathymetric overview map of the South Shetland Isles, based on satellite imagery. Double-sided and split into three smaller maps - Livingston Island on one side, around Elephant Island and King George Island on the other.

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

This holiday is part of our Explore International range. Participants on these trips can book through KE or through one of our international partners. This helps us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get your holiday up and running quickly. Led by an English-speaking guide, the cosmopolitan nature of these groups can be an important part of the experience!

The following checklist should help you with your packing. Dress on board is informal. Beware of tight clothing that leaves no room for trapped air, which is an excellent insulator. Wool, silk and some of the new synthetic fibers, like polar fleece, retain heat better than cotton.

You must bring the following items:

• Casual shoes / Trainers  or similar for onboard

• Rubber boots (Wellington boots)*

• Walking shoes*

• Socks (Warm, high wool or similar socks worn over a thin pair of silk, polypropylene socks should provide enough warmth and insulation for your feet. Bring several pairs of socks, since you will inevitably get your feet wet)

• Waterproof jacket

• Trekking trousers
  

• Waterproof trousers

• Thermal baselayer - leggings

• Underwear

• Baselayer shirts / fleece

• Casual shirt and/or T-shirts

• Fleece jacket or warm jumper

• Sunhat

• Warm hat

• Scarf and/or buff

• Sunglasses

• Gloves or mittens (Thin polypropylene gloves under warm and waterproof gloves is a good combination)

• Headtorch and spare batteries

• Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)

• Water bottles 1 Litre x2 (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
  

• Washbag and toiletries

• Antibacterial handwash

• Small towel

• Selection of dry bags (to keep rucksack contents dry)

• Small daypack

• Warm jacket (down)

• Plug adapter - On the ship you will need a plug / adaptor with European 2 pin round holes.  There are also 110-volt shaving sockets in the bathroom for electric razors only.

• Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, and plasters. Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are also a good idea.

The following items are optional:

• Warm Ski pants

• Shorts

• Spare gloves

• Travel clothes

• Camera (in a dry bag)

• Binoculars

• Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)

• Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)

• Seasickness remedy

• Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes

Rubber boots / Wellington boots: Complimentary waterproof boots are supplied for the following sizes:

• Men’s USA size 8-14 / UK size 7 to 13½ / Europe 41 to 48½
• Women’s USA size 3 to 9 / UK size 1 to 6 ½ / Europe 33 to 40

If you have different feet sizes to these you should bring your own rubber boots. These should be rubber, waterproof boots that are just below your knee with a strong, ridged non-skid sole.

Although this is not a trekking trip, there is the opportunity to sightsee around Ushuaia. If you intend to make the most of these opportunities, you should make sure that you take suitable footwear.

Kayak Excursion (pre-booking essential) -If you choose the optional Kayak Excursion please ensure you have enough layers with you to keep you warm. You will need thermal underwear and vest (note that cotton is not acceptable), polypropylene/ pile (polar fleece) trousers and non bulky jacket, a fleece or tight knit wool cap (X2), a neck tube or balaclava, mid weight fleece gloves. You should also take dry bags for personal gear/camera. You will be supplied with: Kokatat Supernova Paddling suits, paddles, floatation vest, spray skirt, neoprene pogies (paddling mittens) and neoprene booties. You will be required to have with you thermal layers suitable for temperatures ranging between -5ºC (23ºF to +7ºC (45ºF)

Camping Excursion (pre-booking essential, over 18yrs only) - If you choose the optional camping excursion you should pack an extra fleece or 2 (plus a down jacket) for the chilly evening on the snow. You will be provided with: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat & emergency supplies.

Many of the equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive a 12.5% discount with Cotswold Outdoor, Snow+Rock and Runners Need. The discount code can be downloaded from your MyKE account and you can use this code at the checkout, either in store or online.