Chile walking and Antarctic cruise holiday
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
We are passionate about the places we visit. To help preserve the integrity of these destinations we:
• Keep groups small to minimise environmental impact.
• Are rigorous in following 'take it in, take it out' guidelines when visiting the national parks.
We promote only responsible travel to Antarctica. In our opinion, well-regulated small ship travel is the only sustainable means of tourism. We are strongly of the opinion that flying to Antarctica is not acceptable as it will quickly lead to unsustainable increases in visitor numbers. Nor do large ships not belong in such a sensitive environment. The small ship crossing of the Drake Passage maintains the White Continent for those dedicated enough to make the crossing.
We are a member of IAATO (the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators). As members of IAATO we are committed to procedures and guidelines that ensure appropriate, safe and environmentally sound travel to the Antarctic. Antarctic Dream is also a full member of IAATO, and like us are totally committed to promoting only responsible small group travel to the Antarctic.
Small groups in Antarctica minimise impact on wildlife. Travelling on a ship of less than 100 passengers is the ideal way to visit the continent, not least because international regulations do not permit more than 100 people ashore at any one time. You must wear boots that we provide on shore at all times. These are cleaned and disinfected by staff before and after all shore visits to ensure that no ‘alien matter’ is transferred onto the shore.
Taking or harmful interference with Antarctic wildlife is prohibited except in accordance with a permit issued by a national authority.
• Do not use aircraft, vessels, small boats, or other means of transport in ways that disturb wildlife, either at sea or on land.
• Do not feed, touch, or handle birds or seals, or approach or photograph them in ways that cause them to alter their behavior. Special care is needed when animals are breeding or molting.
• Do not damage plants, for example by walking, driving, or landing on extensive moss beds or lichen-covered scree slopes.
• Keep noise to the minimum to avoid frightening wildlife.
• Do not bring non-native plants or animals into the Antarctic such as live poultry, pet dogs and cats or house plants.
Community
Our passion for the places we visit extends to the people who live there. To help support them, we:
• Work directly with local businesses and organisations to directly benefit local economies. We use small, locally owned hotels and restaurants. We know the owners except in the large cities.
• Work with local guides so that our holidays are more interesting for clients and more beneficial locally.
The Antarctic Dream is Chilean owned and therefore more of the benefit from your trip stays in the region. Expert guides and leaders know how best to minimise the impact of any landings and have the most experience of locally working in these extreme and remote conditions.
A good example of the benefit to the clients of this experience comes in the form of the Antarctic Dream's lead naturalist guide, Rene, who has amassed a vast experience. He was aboard the very first passenger ship to the Antarctic back in the early 1980s. Certified by IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators), he combines an expertise in safely managing all of the shore landings and small boat navigation with an intimate knowledge of the region’s history, flora and fauna. It is his job to plan your landings ahead of time with IAATO to ensure that two vessels do not meet on shore at any point and also to monitor local conditions.
By travelling on board a ship with Chilean owners and employees, you help to ensure that economic benefit stays in the area, thus ensuring greater respect between international visitors to Antarctica and the locals who live in the access countries of Chile and Argentina.
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