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Viva Expeditions

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Viva Expeditions specialises in travel to Latin America, Africa, Antarctica and the Arctic. Talk to our Destination Specialists today!

We offer Independent Itineraries, Expedition Cruises, Small Group Tours and Hosted Journeys.

28/10/2026

Heading to Antarctica this season? Save this packing list before you zip up your bag!

Keep it casual onboard
Think comfy trousers, t-shirts and a few layers. The ship is heated, and there’s no need to dress up for dinner unless you feel like it.

Layer up for excursions
Waterproof trousers are a must for Zodiac outings, along with thermals, warm socks, gloves, a beanie and neck protection. Check what your ship provides before packing your outer jacket and waterproof boots.

Pack your swimwear
For a soak in the hot tub if your ship has one… or a polar plunge if you’re feeling brave!

Bring sunscreen
Cold weather doesn’t mean you’re safe from sunburn. Apply it before heading out on excursions.

Have your camera ready
Whether you’re using a camera or your phone, you’ll want to capture these moments. Pack your charger and any spare batteries and memory cards.

Bring a flexible attitude
Weather can change the day’s plans in Antarctica. Go with an open mind and leave room for the unexpected.

What’s one thing you never travel without?

27/10/2026

How cold is Antarctica, really?
Probably not quite how you're imagining it.

Most travellers visit between late October and March, during the Antarctic spring and summer, when the Peninsula is at its mildest and daylight stretches late into the evening
And the landscape changes noticeably through the season.

❄️ October–November: more snow and sea ice, crisp landing sites and penguins returning to nest.
☀️ December–January: warmer temperatures, very long days, penguin chicks and more exposed rock as summer progresses.
🐋 February–March: more open water, growing chicks and some of the season's best whale activity.

The important bit? Antarctica's weather can change quickly, so good layers and waterproof gear matter more than trying to predict exactly how cold you'll feel.

And once you're back onboard, things are much more casual than you might expect.

Which part of the Antarctic season sounds most like you — fresh snow, penguin chicks or whales?

21/10/2026

Normal morning: coffee → commute.

Antarctica morning: coffee → Zodiac → penguins. 🐧

We could get used to this.

This is what travel should feel like.

19/10/2026

Would you swap your comfy cabin for a night on the snow? 🐧❄️

These lucky campers did just that during their Antarctic expedition aboard Ocean Albatros. Their accommodation for the night? A sleeping bag, a bivvy sack and a rather spectacular view.

No campfire. No toasted marshmallows. Just the Antarctic wilderness and the excitement of thinking, “I’m actually sleeping here!”

With specialist camping gear provided and expedition guides on hand, it’s a pretty special way to spend a night ashore. Weather permitting, of course, Antarctica has the final say. 😉

Would you give it a go, or wave goodnight from the ship?

Find out what it’s like 👉 https://vivaexpeditions.com/blog/guide-to-camping-in-antarctica

14/10/2026

“I want to go to the Arctic.” Great. Now comes the interesting part… where?

Svalbard for polar bears, walrus and glacier-filled fjords. Greenland for huge icebergs, remote settlements and serious scale. The Canadian Arctic and Northwest Passage for history and remoteness. Or even the North Pole itself.

And that’s before you start comparing when to go, which ship to choose and how long to travel for.

That’s where first-hand experience helps.

Between them, Rachel, Pia and Tara have sailed most of the Arctic regions covered in our guide — from Svalbard and Greenland to different expedition ships and even the North Pole. They know how much the experience can change depending on your route, timing and vessel.

So if the Arctic is calling, start with our team’s guide to finding the trip that actually suits you.

Explore our Arctic travel guide with Viva Expeditions. Link in comments.

13/10/2026

What actually happens on an expedition cruise?

Most people picture an Antarctic cruise as days of looking at icebergs from the deck. The reality is much more hands-on: Zodiac landings, penguin colonies, research station visits and lunch on the back deck, often all before dinner.

Here’s how a day can look on a small expedition ship (under 200 passengers). Swipe through, and if you’ve got questions about which ship suits you, our polar team is happy to help.

08/10/2026

Want to see a polar bear in the wild?
Here's something worth knowing: booking an Arctic trip doesn't automatically mean you'll see one.

Polar bears can roam huge distances following sea ice and their food, so on most Arctic expeditions sightings come down to the right place, the right conditions and a little luck.

Then there's Churchill, Canada.
Every October and November, hundreds of polar bears gather near the shores of Hudson Bay as they wait for the sea ice to return, which is why Churchill has earned its nickname, the Polar Bear Capital of the World.

Our new Town & Polar Bears | Tundra Buggy Lodge journey is designed around exactly this moment.

You'll stay for three nights at a remote lodge out on the tundra and spend full days exploring by Tundra Buggy®, searching for bears with expert guides.

And when you're back at the lodge? Keep looking out the window. Wildlife can wander right past.

No wild animal can ever truly be guaranteed, but if polar bears are the reason you're heading north, this is one seriously special way to go looking for them.

Discover Churchill with Viva Expeditions.

07/10/2026

Meet the Drake Shake

Crossing between South America and Antarctica takes around two days. You might get the calm “Drake Lake” or the rolling “Drake Shake” seen here. No two crossings are the same!

Along the way? Expert talks, wildlife spotting and expedition briefings as you head towards Antarctica. It’s all part of the adventure.

Tara’s advice: “Pack for the Shake and hope for the Lake.”

Prefer to skip the crossing? Fly-cruise options let you fly both ways, or fly one way and sail the other.

What would you choose?
🌊 Sail it, Shake and all!
✈️ Fly me over it, thanks.

Read our Drake Passage guide: https://vivaexpeditions.com/blog/drake-passage-cruise-guide

05/10/2026

CWC fixtures for 2027 have just been announced!

Howzat?! NZ will be kicking off their quest for glory in next year's Cricket World Cup by playing SA in Cape Town on 9 October. And with a clash against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg scheduled for 20 October, we're picking a two-week South Africa holiday around those two matches will be super popular!

If that sounds like your kind of holiday, visit our website for inspiration or get in touch with our Africa specialists today to start planning.

30/09/2026

Arctic or Antarctica?

Two polar regions. Two very different experiences.

From penguins and vast Antarctic landscapes to polar bears, tundra and Arctic communities, there’s much more to both than ice.

Swipe through the differences, then tell us:

🐧 Antarctica or 🐻‍❄️ Arctic?

Discover the polar regions with Viva Expeditions.

Address

Unit A2, 14/22 Triton Drive
Mairangi Bay
0632

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

006499505918

Website

https://vivaexpeditions.com/contact, https://vivaexpeditions.com/tours/Africa, https://vivaexpeditions.com/tours/antarct

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