Packing for ANTARCTICA: Packing List

-A quick review of what to bring for an expedition to Antarctica. ANTARCTIC PACKING LIST (5 days in warm weather, 10 days in cold): Checked bag: -Waterproof pants (ski pants) -Jacket: You will need one for Ushuaia and walking around the ship. -Clothes for warmer climate. I brought two pairs of every day pants and t-shirts that worked with my sneakers -Jeans. For both Ushuaia and on the ship. -2 sets pajamas, one for warm weather, one for cold -At least two pairs of long johns. Update: I wore two each day, one thin and one thick, under my ski pants. -Clothing for the ship: Update: I mainly wore my jeans, a t-shirt, and the inner coat Nat Geo provided. -Slippers or comfortable shoes to walk around the boat. Update: I wore the slippers when getting ready for an excursion, since I was wearing two pair of socks. I would wear the slippers down to the locker and then put my boots on. Make sure you have stable shoes for walking around the ship during the Drake Passage. -Fleece jacket for underneath parka -Head protection. Update: For every excursion I wore a fleece head band, neck gaiter, and beanie. I brought an extra gaiter and headband in case they got sweaty and I used both sets. -Quality waterproof gloves: I've updated detailed information on gloves in a separate video. You really need waterproof outer gloves and medium weight inner gloves that will easily slide in and out. Ideally the inner gloves will have finger and thumb pads that work with a phone. The outer glove could be a mitten. Just make sure you can get your hand out easily to take pictures. -Socks: Bring enough socks for your expedition days and wear a thin and thick pair each day. -Underwear and Bras -Basic toiletries, including strong facial sunscreen (The glare from the snow can really burn your face) -Trekking poles (our ship rented these out, but since I had collapsible ones, I saved money and brought mine) -Waterproof dry bags for camera gear and phone. Update: I did not end up using these, because I put everything in my pockets. Ideally, you can wear everything on you. However, if you plan to bring extra camera equipment, then a dry bag can be useful. Just note that you can't set things down when on land. A waterproof backpack might be more useful that a dry bag. -Very lightweight backpack, tote or duffle for walking around Santiago (optional) Update: I used this extensively in Santiago, but not in Antarctica. -Belt (optional) -Hat for Santiago (optional) Update: I used my sun hat in Santiago daily. -Lanyards for phone and camera. You need some way to tether your phone or camera when hanging over the ship or zodiac. Think this through, as you don't want to take the risk of dropping your phone or camera and you want it easily accessible. -Bathing suit. Update: I never used my bathing suit, but people did use them for the sauna, jacuzzi and the polar plunge! Carry-on or personal item: -Laptop (optional) -Camera and lenses -Portable charger -Plug adaptors for Santiago -Healthy snacks (note what you can and can't bring into the country) -Change of clothes in case of flight delay -Money- You can complete a currency exchange in order to have cash for souvenirs and tips. However, I managed to only use my credit card. -Medications. Update: The ship doctor advised us not to take sea sickness meds as they often make people more sick than the sea. I heeded that advice and never got sick, but some others did. Your call... -Passport and travel docs -Insurance cards -Sleep mask and ear plugs for plane -Cell phone and charger -Refillable water bottle -Travel pillow -Sunglasses. Update: Some people brought ski goggles and there were some days I wish I had. Also, think through how you will carry your camera/phone when you venture out. Ideally, you have them tethered to you. I used a neck strap for my camera, and a neck lanyard for my phone. The phone lanyard was long enough for me to put the phone in my pocket to keep it from getting wet or cold. Depending on your particular Antartica venture, you may want to rent clothing and items from the ship. Nat Geo offers an entire package of boots, long johns, etc. If you have the cold weather gear already, save yourself some money and bring it. However, renting the boots is worthwhile. And one more note: There are different kinds of expeditions or cruises to Antarctica. I went on an expedition with two excursions per day. The larger ships most likely will not have as many, because Antarctica only allows a limited number of passengers to land at one time. There are also some cruises that never go ashore and just cruise by. The packing list I have described is for an expedition, so it may not be as applicable to other types of cruises. See Must Haves for Antarctica: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b-22B53MzE Antarctica Expedition: Part 1, Days 1-6 https://youtu.be/dzuzJOcun7Y Antarctica Expedition: Part 2, Days 7-12 https://youtu.be/QutHHt2GeuE