Antarctica : South Pole Adventure

This journey allows travellers to fly to one of the most evocative geographic locations in the world - the South Pole – perhaps the ultimate destination for those with an explorers’ sense of adventure. From a base in the foothills of the Ellsworth mountain range this is a unique opportunity to experience the enormity and beauty of Antarctica’s stunning interior, as only a very few visitors have done before you.

Some of the greatest stories of modern exploration are those of attempts to reach the South Pole. The heroic expeditions of Scott, Amundsen and Shackleton are as vivid today as they were a century ago.

Our operators are the only company in the world to offer tourist flights to the Antarctic interior and with over two decades of experience, are the world’s foremost experts for polar logistics and adventure travel providing ground support to well-known modern day explorers, scientists and documentary-makers. In 1987 the first tourists were flown to the most southerly point on the planet and two decades later reaching this extreme latitude remains one of the unique travel experiences available.

Fly by Ilyushin jet aircraft from Punta Arenas across the Drake Passage, beyond the Peninsula and over Ellsworth Land to a base camp at Patriot Hills, landing on a naturally occurring blue-ice runway, 400 miles from the Antarctic coast. From there board a specially equipped ski aircraft, a DHC-6 Twin Otter – the perfect transportation for these conditions. Continue across the polar plateau to your ultimate destination – the South Pole, where the USA’s Amundsen-Scott research station is located.

Suited to those in good health with an average level of fitness, this itinerary is adventurous without being strenuous. The South Pole is at an effective elevation of about 12,000 ft (3,700m) and expect some light walking at altitude.

PATRIOT HILLS CAMP

Nestled within the heartland of Antarctica, Patriot Hills’s private camp is a friendly and welcoming base for this tour. Housing up to 50 visitors in expedition style two-person tents that have been specially designed for the polar regions, the camp offers comfort and security in one of the most extreme environments on the planet. With 24 hour daylight during the summer months it is weather conditions rather than clocks that dictate activities and schedules at Patriot Hills, which operates on the same time as Punta Arenas, Chile.

The heated expedition dining tent is truly the heart of the camp and serves as a cosy gathering place for guests to relax and discuss the day’s adventures over a coffee and snack. The cooks prepare three tasty meals a day from diverse menus and are accompanied by a variety of beers and Chilean wines. To minimise environmental impact ‘sponge bath’ washing facilities are utilised or you can always brave a ‘snow bath’ – which is as cold as it sounds!

ACTIVITIES AT PATRIOT HILLS

Your stay at Patriot Hills can be as energetic or relaxed as you wish with activities on offer generally only limited by enthusiasm and imagination. Active pursuits include cross-country skiing, hiking, light climbing, camping trips and snow-machine assisted tours taking you out into the scenic hills. They are complemented by more leisurely indoor activities including lectures about Antarctica and exploration. You’ll certainly be grateful for the 24 hours of daylight. Photographers are sure to appreciate the unusual wind-sculpted snow features, ice pools, dramatic peaks, spectacular open skies and cloud formations, as well as the golden light cast by the austral summer.