Product Description

Ready for the ultimate cool adventure? Whether you want to trek in the footsteps of Shackleton and Scott or cruise among the icebergs, this is the definitive guide to carry with you to the loneliest of lands.

Inside you'll find:

• special chapters written by experts on science, history and ecology
• travel options, from tours to flyovers to private yacht expeditions
• detailed coverage of islands, science bases and historic Hut Point
• in-depth descriptions of the gateway cities - Cape Town, Christchurch, Hobart, Punta Arenas, Stanley and Ushuaia
• 35 detailed maps

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #460505 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 375 pages

Review
Nobody covers the world like Lonely Planet.' --New York Post, May 2004

From the Publisher
A large portion of the usual information found in Lonely Planet guidebooks, such as hotel and restaurant recommendations, doesn't apply for "Antarctica", as there are none. Instead, this unique guide provides updated coverage for the gateway cities, a full-color wildlife guide, expert commentary on environmental issues, new maps highlighting the most visited sites in Antarctica, an in-depth section on the Antarctic Peninsula (doubled in size from the first edition), and improved insights into the continent's natural and human history. The definitive guidebook available for the region, Lonely Planets updated "Antarctica" is not only a travel guide, but is an invaluable reference tool for adventurous visitors to the Seventh Continent and armchair travelers alike!

Customer Reviews

Best travel guide for Antarctica
Not only is this the best travel guide for Antarctica on the market, but it is incredibly fun to read! Much more than a travel guide, this book teaches you about the history and culture of Antarctica and its surrounding islands. As might be expected, wildlife also comprises a significant portion of the book.

A few shortcomings:
I wish that more detail would have been given to the sub-Antarctic islands. Wikipedia covers these in more detail than the book, and that is disappointing. I also expected more maps, particularly in the islands component. I would have also liked to see more color pictures and would have gladly paid extra for them - LP should realize that most purchasers of this book are not going to be able to go to Antarctica anytime soon and so we are experiencing it through these images.

Again, outstanding book - be sure to pick up the Falkland Islands LP guide if you like this one!

Best Guide You Can Buy
I am involved with a Canadian research group that takes high school students to Antarctica for research and study. The Lonely Planet Guide to Antarctica was sent to us by the group to use as a primary source for learning about and preparing for the trip.

My daughter and I both utilized a copy of the book for advanced planning prior to her depature. She took a copy with her and I had a copy with me. I read the majority of the book while she was preparing and continued to consult the book while she traveled. I found it to have an amazing amount of information and I really could not find anything missing from the book that I thought I needed. In addition, my daughter found it incredibly useful as the ship she was aboard traveled from site to site. She could research the next stop at night, and be totally prepared for arrival by morning.

If you are planning to get only one guide book for a trip to Antarctica, I would recommend this book highly. Small enough to take with you in your carry on, yet large enough to be able to answer almost any question you can imagine!

Travel Research for Antarctica
This book is a good start in discovering the many and varied ways to explore Antarctica. While the southern continent is not the usual destination for the weak of heart or wallet, Lonely Planet does give a very good presentation on the possibilities of travel to the deep south. While it mostly concentrates on the Penninsular side of Antarctica, it does give sufficient information to plan a trip there, as well as the difficulties and options for travel. Most travellers to the southland will find it to be quite expensive, though for many it is a worthwhile trip to see such a magnificent place that so few have had the opportunity to visit.
Unfortunately it does not always give the most up to date information, particularly for the rest of the continent. It also glosses over the various scientific research projects that go on down there sponsored by the many countries that operate research stations on the continent. While Antarctica is an amazing place, increased tourism will likely lead to damage and pollution to this mostly pristine environment. The upcoming International Polar Year research will undoubtedly renew interest in the Antarctic.