Camping In Antarctica A True Expedition Experience - Nexta Expeditions
Camping in Antarctica: a True Expedition Experience

Camping in Antarctica: a True Expedition Experience

We often think of camping as a summer activity, filled with warm nights, campfire dinners, and serene mountain lakes. However, there's a whole other world of camping to explore.

In fact, it’s just the tip of the iceberg – quite literally.

Imagine an adventurous experience that lets you fully immerse yourself in the Antarctic wilderness. After spending a night in this breathtaking environment, your perspective on camping will be forever changed.

blog-image

What you can expect from Antarctic camping

In Antarctica, camping takes on a whole new meaning. You have the unique opportunity to camp in open-air snow dugouts.

How’s that for a true Antarctic expedition?

blog-image

If you decide to embark on an Antarctic camping trip, all the necessary gear to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable will be provided. This includes sleeping pads, bivouac bags, and windproof and waterproof sleeping bags. For more details on the camping gear and setup, you can refer to the video by one of our expedition camping guides.

And unlike the historic explorers, you won’t go hungry: Fine dinners and breakfasts are served right on board the vessel.

We do this for your comfort and to prevent the spread of foreign plants and contaminants. But don’t worry, you will not be left without outside supplies. Emergency rations, water, survival gear, and medical equipment are always handy.

After dinner, guides will take you to shore with your camping group for an epic overnight adventure.

Depending on the Antarctic location in which you camp (often based on weather), you just might fall asleep to the sound of nearby penguins. The following morning, you’ll awake to scenery you’ll think you’ve pulled out of a dream.

blog-image

No polar camping experience required (in Antarctica or otherwise)

Since an experienced guide will be with you, there’s no need to be a pro camper.

Everyone can participate, as there are no physical requirements. You will, however, be expected to help prepare camp. This is, after all, part of the experience.

If the weather gets rough, which happens in Antarctica, just remember that the vessel is never far away. We’ll actually only camp if the vessel can stay close to shore. And depending on conditions, you’ll never camp for more than 10 consecutive hours.

Lastly, our guides will stay in contact with the vessel the whole time you’re camping.

blog-image

These supervising guides will assist you in all things, also helping clean up camp the next day so as not to disturb the amazing Antarctic wildlife you traveled so far to see.

So are you ready to indulge your inner explorer yet?

If you are, Antarctic camping cruises are offered on both Ortelius and Plancius. Book today and join us for a genuinely once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

PLEASE NOTE: The expedition leader will do their best to ensure the camping activity takes place, but this depends entirely on safe weather and ice conditions. If local circumstances prevent us from camping on shore, we may attempt to camp on the open decks of the ship.

Best Deals

Related Trips

Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop

calendar10 Jan 2025 - 22 Jan 2025
clock13 Days / 12 Nights
From $ 9.900 per person
% Save up to $ 9.050
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

calendar16 Jan 2025 - 03 Feb 2025
clock19 Days / 18 Nights
From $ 9.450 per person
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage + navigational workshop - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage + navigational workshop

calendar22 Jan 2025 - 01 Feb 2025
clock11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 8.650 per person
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage

calendar22 Jan 2025 - 01 Feb 2025
clock11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 8.650 per person
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage

calendar01 Feb 2025 - 11 Feb 2025
clock11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 8.650 per person
% Save up to $ 10.500
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

calendar01 Feb 2025 - 20 Feb 2025
clock20 Days / 19 Nights
From $ 9.450 per person
% Save up to $ 3.800
Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Antarctica - Discovery and learning voyage

calendar03 Feb 2025 - 13 Feb 2025
clock11 Days / 10 Nights
From $ 6.050 per person
Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop

calendar13 Feb 2025 - 25 Feb 2025
clock13 Days / 12 Nights
From $ 9.900 per person
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Elephant Island - Antarctica - Polar Circle - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Elephant Island - Antarctica - Polar Circle

calendar20 Feb 2025 - 14 Mar 2025
clock23 Days / 22 Nights
From $ 10.000 per person
Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop

calendar25 Feb 2025 - 09 Mar 2025
clock13 Days / 12 Nights
From $ 9.900 per person
Antarctica - Elephant Island - Weddell Sea - Polar Circle - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Antarctica - Elephant Island - Weddell Sea - Polar Circle

calendar09 Mar 2025 - 23 Mar 2025
clock15 Days / 14 Nights
From $ 10.500 per person
Antarctica - Polar Circle - Deep South Discovery voyage - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Antarctica - Polar Circle - Deep South Discovery voyage

calendar10 Mar 2025 - 21 Mar 2025
clock12 Days / 11 Nights
From $ 7.700 per person

Blog
go-leftgo-right

Amphibian, reptiles and herbivore mammals in the Arctic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Amphibian, reptiles and herbivore mammals in the Arctic

Arctic ecosystems are relatively young in geological terms, having primarily developed over the past three million years. Generally, species richness is lower in the Arctic compared to more southerly regions, aligning with scientific observations that biodiversity decreases from the Equator to the poles.
Visiting the Nearly Unknown: New Zealand’s Campbell Island - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Visiting the Nearly Unknown: New Zealand’s Campbell Island

New Zealand is a renowned destination globally, and for good reason: It’s absolutely stunning. Almost every corner is filled with unparalleled beauty. But did you know that New Zealand includes several sub-Antarctic Islands that are almost completely unknown?
Top 10 Antarctic Attractions - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Top 10 Antarctic Attractions

There’s a reason people go to such lengths to visit Antarctica, and its abundance of whales, seals, penguins, and seabirds are only part of the polar story.
Baleen Whales – The Gentle Giants of the Ocean - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Baleen Whales – The Gentle Giants of the Ocean

They are the largest animals on Earth, yet they thrive on some of the tiniest creatures. These giants can reach lengths of 30 meters (90 feet), but it is the microscopic zooplankton, krill, and small fish that sustain them. These are the baleen whales. Unlike toothed whales, baleen whales lack teeth. Instead, they use plates of baleen in their mouths to trap and consume their tiny prey.
Port Pastimes: 7 Fun Things to Do in Longyearbyen - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Port Pastimes: 7 Fun Things to Do in Longyearbyen

Waiting in port for an Arctic expedition cruise to begin might seem a little like waiting for water to boil or coffee to brew or a Seinfeld reunion to materialize: Time seems to defy its own laws, life slows to a crawl, and you begin to wonder if it’s really going to be worth it.
Scenes from St. Andrews Bay:  12 Pics of Penguins, Seals, and More - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Scenes from St. Andrews Bay: 12 Pics of Penguins, Seals, and More

If you ever find yourself exploring the breathtaking sub-Antarctic island chain of South Georgia, one of the most captivating spots you'll encounter is the picturesque shoreline of St. Andrews Bay.
Everything you need to know about Antarctic icebergs - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Everything you need to know about Antarctic icebergs

The ice in Antarctica might seem static, but it is constantly moving. Pieces of ice are continuously breaking off from ice shelves, glaciers, or other icebergs. They float freely along with the Antarctic currents, with about 90 percent of their mass below the surface of the water. This fact is actually what gave rise to the nowadays popular phrase “the tip of the iceberg”. Regardless, the sighting of the first iceberg is always a moment to celebrate in any and all Antarctic expeditions. So that you may appropriately ready yourself for that joyous moment, in this article you will find everything you need to know about Antarctic icebergs.
The Ancient Fossil Forests of Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Ancient Fossil Forests of Antarctica

Over a hundred years ago, Robert Falcon Scott’s expedition to Antarctica discovered fossils of plants on the Beardmore Glacier, less than 500 km (310 miles) from the South Pole. Edward Wilson, who was the expedition’s chief scientist, recorded the findings in his diary, stating that “most of the bigger leaves were like beech leaves in shape and venation.”
The Classic Polar Cruise: Antarctic Peninsula Facts, Pics, and More - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Classic Polar Cruise: Antarctic Peninsula Facts, Pics, and More

When it comes to experiencing the vast wonders of Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula stands out as an unparalleled destination.
Book Recommendations for Your Polar Cruise - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Book Recommendations for Your Polar Cruise

Though books can't replace the experience of visiting the polar regions, they make excellent companions for your journey. We reached out to our social media followers, many of whom are past or future travelers, to gather their recommendations for polar-related books. The results were impressive, and we've compiled them below in no particular order.
How and When Did Greenland Become Covered in Ice? - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

How and When Did Greenland Become Covered in Ice?

Although it may be hard to believe, there was a time when Greenland was more green than icy. Today, those who embark on a Greenland expedition are greeted with views of the Greenland ice sheet and the marine life that thrives in this region, including seals and whales. Polar bears are also prominent in the northern and eastern parts of Greenland. These animals have adapted to their environment, but a few million years ago, the massive island would not have been as welcoming to them.
The bio-richness of the Ross Sea - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The bio-richness of the Ross Sea

The Ross Sea is one of the most stunning and untouched marine areas globally. This sea, which remains frozen for most of the year, spans 3.6 million square kilometers (1.4 million square miles) along the Antarctic coast south of New Zealand. Its waters harbor a biologically diverse ecosystem of species that have flourished, unchanged, for millennia.
Seven Sublime Antarctic Bays - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Seven Sublime Antarctic Bays

Antarctica is renowned for its glaciers, icebergs, and panoramic colonies of penguins. However, less known are the stunning crystal-clear bays that dot the Great White Continent, many of which are explored on our Antarctica cruise routes.
12 photo tips to make better pictures on your Antarctica cruise - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

12 photo tips to make better pictures on your Antarctica cruise

During your trip in the Arctic or Antarctic cruise you and your camera equipment will be exposed to a variety of challenging conditions. Be careful with your equipment and protect it from the salty spray when in Zodiacs, on a beach, or on deck. Salt water and electronics is not a good mix!
Fierce and Feathered: the Skuas of Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Fierce and Feathered: the Skuas of Antarctica

At first glance, the skuas you encounter in Antarctica may appear to be merely darker-feathered seagulls. But looks can be deceiving.
South Georgia Whaling Stations - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

South Georgia Whaling Stations

South Georgia is a paradise for animal enthusiasts. It stands out as one of the most wildlife-abundant destinations in our polar expeditions, whether in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere.
The Wildlife of Antarctica’s Seas and Skies - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Wildlife of Antarctica’s Seas and Skies

Antarctica is one of the most pristine environments on Earth, home to whales, penguins, seals, and birds, providing nature lovers with a treasure trove of wildlife memories to take back home.
The Ways and Wildlife of the Weddell Sea - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Ways and Wildlife of the Weddell Sea

The Weddell Sea is situated off the coast of Antarctica, at the southernmost part of the Atlantic Ocean. Its coordinates are 75 degrees south and 47 degrees west, encompassing the Argentine, Chilean, and British territories of Antarctica. The severe weather and extensive pack ice have historically made the Weddell Sea challenging to access, but modern icebreaker ships are now enabling explorers to venture into this remote area.
Day and night in Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Day and night in Antarctica

At the Concordia station, a French-Italian research facility situated 3,233 meters above sea level at Dome C on the Antarctic Plateau, European Space Agency (ESA) scientists are investigating the effects of extended space missions. The station is more isolated than the International Space Station, with the nearest humans located 600 kilometers away.
Where the Polar Bears Roam - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Where the Polar Bears Roam

Going to the Arctic without clapping eyes on a wild polar bear can be reasonably compared to visiting Africa without seeing a giraffe or a zebra or, most analogously, a lion.