Shack Track Confirmation Details
We are very excited to confirm your participation on our 2026 Shackleton Crossing of South Georgia Island. This expedition is remarkable in many ways and we are confident that you will find this to be a wonderful adventure.
Preparation is the key to your success, safety and comfort during the expedition. This confirmation letter is designed to give you easy access to all the forms and resources that will be a part of your preparations along with your personal training and travel arrangements.
For your convenience you can find all these forms and resource links here. This page is password protected. The password is: shackleton (one word, all lowercase)
This Confirmation Letter includes the following important information in this order:
Expedition Dates & Arrival Information
This expedition begins as the team gathers in Puerto Madryn, Argentina on October 23, 2026 for an evening welcome reception. We recommend arriving a day earlier to provide yourself some wiggle room should you have any delayed flights or delayed baggage, and to allow ample time for a gear check by our guides. It is imperative that you arrive with all your kit so please follow your clothing and equipment checklist carefully.
We will board our vessel, the m/v Plancius, in the afternoon of October 24 and then depart. The expedition will end on the morning of November 13, 2026 in Ushuaia, Argentina. Disembarkation will be after breakfast. Please do not book any flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12:00 PM.
In Puerto Madryn we recommend staying at the Hotel Peninsula Valdez which is well located and within walking distance to the city center, restaurants, and dock.
Important Links and Information
Information about the voyage portion of the expedition
Details about the size and layout of the ship
Includes internet information
All about preparing your phone, computer or tablet for onboard wifi.
PE Application (online form)
PE Mountaineering Questionnaire (online form)
PE Medical Form (online form)
PE Insurance Form (online form)
And, Oceanwide Forms which are individual and will be sent to you directly.
You need specific clothing & equipment for this expedition and you need to be very familiar with every item you bring. Click here to see your Clothing & Equipment Checklist. Please arrange all of your personal clothing and equipment by the end of August. Plan to use the following months to break in ALL of your gear including your boots. Your clothing & equipment is important! Please do not hesitate to contact us with ANY questions.
This expedition will traverse challenging and potentially dangerous alpine terrain. Basic glacial and alpine skills including ascending and descending, traveling in rope teams, traveling in crampons, a familiarity with crevasse rescue and the use of avalanche beacons is all required. If you do not have these skills please contact us to discuss training options.
Be Prepared, Present & Positive
Showing up for this expedition means a lot more than arriving in Ushuaia with your gear. It also means arriving well prepared, well trained, ready to be present, and committed to being a positive member of your team. If your lack of preparedness or other factors mean that you are physically incapable or if your actions, attitude or behavior jeopardizes you or the group we reserve the right to disqualify your participation in the expedition. Neither refunds or credits are given under such circumstances.
Like many expeditions this adventure represents a significant financial investment on your part. We require that you purchase trip cancellation insurance or sign a waiver acknowledging that you are intentionally declining to do so. Trip cancellation insurance has many benefits including coverage if you need to cancel your expedition due to, among other things, illness or injury to yourself or that of a family member, especially when within 120 days of the expedition. Trip cancellation can also provide coverage if the trip is cancelled for reasons beyond our control. In this scenario the only possibility for compensation will come from your travel insurance provider. As a reminder your participation can be canceled, less 20%, up to and including 120 days prior to departure after which time no refunds or credits are available. If you are from the US click here to get an insurance quote from Travel Guard. If you are from outside the US contact us to receive a travel insurance quote.
This is a true expedition. It takes place in a remote, wild environment where uncertainty is part of the experience and part of the appeal. Nothing about polar travel is ever guaranteed, and that reality is inseparable from the challenge, growth, and fulfillment these journeys offer. The ideal outcome is, of course, completing the Shackleton Crossing—challenging, beautiful, and deeply rewarding. There is also the possibility that external factors beyond our control prevent the crossing from taking place. If that occurs, we will implement the strongest possible alternative plan to ensure meaningful time on South Georgia and a rich expedition experience overall.
Medical Evacuation Insurance
South Georgia is extremely remote. Quick medical evacuations are nearly impossible. If a serious medical emergency were to arise that could not be handled by our guides or the ship doctor it would most likely mean that the ship would have to return to the Falkland Islands or Ushuaia and the cost would be tremendous. Thus, medical evacuation insurance for at least $300,000 USD is required. Typically comprehensive travel insurance policies that include trip cancellation also include a medical evacuation component in excess of this amount.
Every participant needs to bring at least one course of a broad spectrum antibiotic (for skin infections, urinary tract infections, etc.) and any personal medications that you may frequently use including epinephrine if you have severe allergies. We also recommend a respiratory antibiotic if you are prone to having respiratory illnesses or infections. Women may also want to carry an antifungal medication for yeast infections.If you do not have a personal physician who can write these prescriptions you can contact companies that build medical kits for travelers such as Wandr and Runway (both USA based) or you can use resources like this Global Clinic Directory from the International Society for Travel Medicine. Also plan to bring a small first aid kit with items you frequently use such as blister care, ibuprofen, etc.
During the Shackleton Crossing we will stop periodically to snack on high energy food and drink fluids that you bring. PolarExplorers does not provide any snack or lunch items to eat during the day. Plan to bring 1,000-1,500 calories of your favorite energy snacks per day for four days. Your snacks should have both quick burning and slow burning calories (for example, chocolate AND nuts). Also, some people like to bring their own favorite powdered drink. If you find drinking flavored water easier than drinking plain water, consider bringing such a mix. How much? You will likely be drinking at least 2 liters (or quarts) of fluids each day while on the go. Additionally you will be drinking hot drinks in the evening and mornings (coco, tea, etc. provided by PolarExplorers). For more information on expedition snack food check out this short video (https://youtu.be/KHAd5AUAtl0).
We will be posting an expedition blog with frequent dispatches from the expedition. This is a great way to share the adventure with your family and friends. The blog can be found here or by clicking the yellow “Dispatch” button on our homepage menu bar. We encourage you to participate by writing one of the blogs or sharing an audio dispatch.
Tipping your expedition guide is customary and always appreciated though it is not obligatory. The tip amount is at your discretion. Here’s a helpful resource about guide tips from Outside Magazine. Please see Oceanwide's gratuity recommendations in the Voyage Manual for the Oceanwide ship staff and crew.
What is included?
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Voyage aboard the Plancius in the cabin of your choice
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All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea
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All zodiac-based shore excursions
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Program of lectures by naturalists
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Free use of rubber boots (please provide your size with the pre-order form for boots )
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Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia directly after disembarkation
What is not included?
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Any airfare
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Transfer of your luggage and yourself to the vessel
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Personal clothing & equipment
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Passport and visa expenses
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Government arrival and departure taxes
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Accommodations and meals ashore
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Lunch snacks during the crossing
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Additional program options (contact us for details)
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Trip cancellation insurance
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Medical evacuation insurance
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Excess baggage charges
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Charges of a personal nature (laundry, bar charges, telecommunication charges)
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Gratuity at the end of the voyage
Fuel surcharge notice from Oceanwide Expeditions:
“If world fuel prices (Brent barrel) exceeds a price of USD 100, a net fuel surcharge will apply of USD 25 per passenger per night and if fuel world prices (Brent barrel) exceeds a price of USD 150, a net fuel surcharge of USD 50 per passenger per night will apply.”
Other terms from Oceanwide Expeditions:
“The agreed price is based on the prices, exchange rates, duties and taxes as known to Oceanwide Expeditions (OE) at the time the publication went to press and at the time of the travel confirmation. OE reserves the right to raise the agreed price (on the grounds of, among other things, unforeseeable increases of e.g. exchange rates, sudden increased prices of accommodation providers, airlines, duties, taxes, harbor dues and fuel prices). In the case that a price alteration is considered necessary by OE, OE is obliged to inform the contracting party in writing of this at the very latest 60 days before the day of departure. Price increases made within 60 days of the start of the journey are not permitted. In the case of a price increase of more than 5% of the total price of the trip, the contracting party is entitled to cancel the trip without incurring any costs.”
Again, thank you for registering for our 2026 Shackleton Crossing of South Georgia Island. We look forward to working with you as you prepare for this exciting adventure. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can assist you in any way.