AntarcticaThe new tourist season in Antarctica officially began in late October 2025 and will run until March 2026. According to the Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), more than 120 tourists are expected to visit the continent this season, setting a new record. Key itineraries include cruises from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, as well as air tours with landings on the mainland.
A special feature of the 2025/26 season is new environmental safety regulations. Tour operators are required to strictly monitor tourist disembarkation, limiting groups to 100 people at a time. Additional equipment disinfection requirements have been introduced to prevent the introduction of invasive species. Furthermore, IAATO, in collaboration with scientists from Chile and Argentina, has developed a program to monitor the impact of tourism on penguin and seabird colonies.
Expedition companies are seeing a rise in interest in "express tours"—flights from Punta Arenas, Chile, followed by landing at an ice airfield and overnight stays in tent camps. These programs reduce travel time to 5–7 days, making Antarctica more accessible to a wider audience.
At the same time, experts warn that the growth of tourism poses risks to the region's fragile ecosystem. Authorities in Chile and Argentina, whose ports handle the bulk of the tourist flow, have announced plans to tighten controls on operators and increase environmental fees.
Antarctica thus remains one of the most unique travel destinations, combining the spirit of adventure with the need to strictly adhere to environmental regulations.
AntarcticaThe new tourist season in Antarctica officially began in late October 2025 and will run until March 2026. According to the Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), more than 120 tourists are expected to visit the continent this season, setting a new record. Key itineraries include cruises from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, as well as air tours with landings on the mainland.
A special feature of the 2025/26 season is new environmental safety regulations. Tour operators are required to strictly monitor tourist disembarkation, limiting groups to 100 people at a time. Additional equipment disinfection requirements have been introduced to prevent the introduction of invasive species. Furthermore, IAATO, in collaboration with scientists from Chile and Argentina, has developed a program to monitor the impact of tourism on penguin and seabird colonies.
Expedition companies are seeing a rise in interest in "express tours"—flights from Punta Arenas, Chile, followed by landing at an ice airfield and overnight stays in tent camps. These programs reduce travel time to 5–7 days, making Antarctica more accessible to a wider audience.
At the same time, experts warn that the growth of tourism poses risks to the region's fragile ecosystem. Authorities in Chile and Argentina, whose ports handle the bulk of the tourist flow, have announced plans to tighten controls on operators and increase environmental fees.
Antarctica thus remains one of the most unique travel destinations, combining the spirit of adventure with the need to strictly adhere to environmental regulations.