Polar Packing Guide
A Bit About Me
I'm Emma, the founder of Impala Adventures and a travel enthusiast with a love for luxury and a thirst for adventure. With years of globetrotting under my belt—from the icy expanse of Antartica to the sun-soaked beaches of the Maldives—I’ve experienced the world in all its thrilling diversity, and now I’m here to help you do the same.
I believe that travel should be more than just a holiday—it should be a story worth telling. Whether you’re dreaming of sipping champagne at the finest houses in France, setting sail on a luxurious cruise, or pushing your limits in the world’s most extreme marathons, I’ve got the expertise to make it happen.
Why Polar?
Embarking on a journey to the edges of the Earth with a polar expedition, where breathtaking landscapes of ice and snow meet unmatched wildlife encounters. From the mesmerizing glow of the auroras to the sight of penguins waddling along icy shores or polar bears roaming Arctic tundras, every moment is a discovery. Explore uncharted waters by expedition ship, kayak past towering icebergs, or hike remote glaciers. Polar travel offers not just adventure but a deep connection to nature’s most pristine and awe-inspiring realms. Prepare to be transformed!
Motion Sickness
I'll start with my most asked question whenever I am dealing with a polar enquiry, will the travel make me ill?
To get to most polar locations you will have to cross large bodies of water, which quite likely have a notorious past, with many travellers saying horror stories of travel sickness. My advice is to look at all options and suss what you may think will work for you.
Personally, I'm not a huge fan of taking tablets, I forget half the time and when they should be taken at a particular time of day or regular intervals to make them effective, it can be a bit of a nightmare for me. I have found motion patches which I popped on behind each ear and changed them every two days an absolute game changer each time I have used them. Even crossing bodies of water like the Drake Passage have been a doddle with them! Possibly the best small investment you will ever make, travel sickness can ruin a holiday, often these adventures are once in a lifetime journeys- don't let something that can so easily be remedied potentially upset a lifetime dream
Other options of course are motion sickness tablets, over the counter you can buy Sturgeon which is very good. Also Travel Sickness bands, not readily available over the counter but very effective.
Clothing
When on shore you need to dress appropriately, certain items will be provided by the company you are travelling with- please check! Antarctic voyages always provide waterproof boats for you, and pretty much all polar voyages will provide you with an outer shell waterproof jacket.
You will need some comfortable walking socks- I would recommend mid calf length so they go over the provided boots. You can easily re-wear these socks as you will often only have them on for shore visits
Base Layers
Start at the bottom and work your way up, base layers are important. Whilst you are usually only on land for short periods of time, you can get cold, so decent base layers are a must. The journeys to shore are usually in small inflatable boats which can be windy- trust me on this one! I have used so many different base layers over the years and Helly Hansen are the ones that last the longest and are the comfiest.
Mid layers are the next stage that you need, most fleeces or jumpers will work absolutely fine, however if you want what I use I have listed it below
Trousers
Windproof, waterproof and fleece lined are a must!
Top Layer
As discussed, most expedition companies will provide you with a windproof outer shell jacket, however my advice is to have a thinner puffer style jacket underneath this, to keep you warm on shore, but also while out on deck, This doesn't need to break the bank financially and you may already have something suitable, if not I've linked my favourite below.
Hats
Gloves
People often overlook gloves and just take any old pair with them, this is one of the most key bits of advice i can give you. When you go on the smaller boats ashore you will be close to the water and can often get a little wet from the spray of the sea, particularly as the safety lines you hold onto are on the outer edge of the boat so yo hand particularly can get wet. It can be miserable to have wet gloves, which can be very cold, or even worse freeze in the sub temperatures. An outer layer glove which is waterproof is a must, but more so than that, you will be wanting to take so many photographs, which you will not e able to do through thick gloves on touch screens! Therefore have a glove liner which will work with touch screens, you can whip off the top glove, take your photos and then pop the top layer back on, your hand still lovely and warm as you were wearing a glove liner.
Electronics
There is no question that your voyage will be spectacular and you will no doubt want to take a million photographs. Being realistic an average smartphone these days will take perfectly adequate photos. If you are hugely into photography then by all means take all your photography equipment, however please remember that in most of these locations drones are now allowed. Also in Antarctica tripods are also now allowed.
One thing i do recommend is a set of binoculars. I found them hugely beneficial for the large amount of time spent at sea. You will see so much more detail, it really is worth it. The below pair are small, lightweight and waterproof.
Essential Items for any trip
First things first there are a few items that are an absolute must for any trip- polar voyage or not!
A multi charger- covering every kind of outlet and offering both USB and USC fittings! This keeps you covered if you are on an older ship with few outlets or potentially no usbs.
A power bank is essential, don't get me wrong you wont potentially need one when you are out on the smaller boats, however when on board you will not be in your rooms, you will be out of deck or in one of the many beautiful viewing bars and you will be taking so many photographs and videos which will wipe your battery- keep it topped up with a portable power bank. Don't run out of battery just as the captain announces a pod of whales are in view!
One of the most wonderful things about a polar voyage in unmistakeably going out on the smaller boats to get onto the mainland, however please don't underestimate how much wildlife you will see from your ship, birds, whales, as well as land animals whilst cruising close to land, you will want to spend alot of time out on deck, and a hot drink will make that alot more enjoyable! Most ships don't offer travel cups, please make sure you take your own so you enjoy the outer decks, One with a handle and a lid to make transporting hot liquid safe, I've linked below my failsafe and it keeps drinks hot for ages!
Luggage
Something I started doing a few years ago was tracking my luggage, popping an air tag in each item of luggage that I could track from my phone, just in case god forbid a piece ever got left behind. The peace of mind is totally worth it!
One other item that is so simple but my goodness the difference it made- a cap for my toothbrush! I am often a traveller that moves around so constantly repacking my things- my wash bag used to get so slimy from a wet toothbrush- not anymore!
Another item that revolutionised by travel packing was packing cubes, particularly if you are moving from place to place, keeping your clean items from your dirty items and just being able to lay your hands so easily on what you need- they are an organisers dream! Also always buy compression ones- you can fit so much more in your bag
If you feel like treating yourself to a really nice set, the below are the ones I personally use and I have the whole matching luggage set, they are really high quality. The below link actually will get you £20 off.
A reusable water bottle is a must for any trip (and every day life) my personal favourite is the water to go bottles as they have a built in replaceable filter, the 750ml size is perfect for fitting into bags. The inbuilt filter allows you to drink any water through it, even puddle water! However please bear in mind it is a filter bottle so please don't put juice or hydration tablets in these bottles- it will filter in straight out! At the time of writing code AD20 should get you 20% off
Hydration tablets are a must for me in every day life, but even more so when I travel with constant Air condition drying me out. So simple to have one a day but please don't use them in your filter bottles!
Travel Services
I hope you found the above guide useful, by all means reach out to me to help plan your polar journey, I can simplify the whole journey for you.
✨ Luxury Travel:
From exclusive resorts to bespoke experiences, I’ll craft a trip that’s all about indulgence, comfort, and those little details that make it truly special.
🌍 Adventure Travel:
Whether it’s overland camping in the wilds of Africa or a once-in-a-lifetime exploration to Antartica, I’ll design an adventure that gets your heart racing and your spirits soaring.
I’m all about finding those off-the-beaten-track treasures that turn a great trip into an unforgettable one. Think secret beaches, boutique hotels, and unique experiences that only a seasoned traveller knows.
💼 Personalised Planning:
I understand that every traveller is unique. Whether you’re a solo adventurer, a couple seeking romance, or a group of friends ready for fun, I’ll tailor your itinerary to your specific needs and desires.
🍷 Wine Tours:
Discover the ultimate wine getaway with my expertly curated wine tours, get to explore picturesque vineyards, savor exclusive tastings, and immerse yourself in the rich flavors of local wineries.
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