Antarctica : South Pole Adventure

Day 1: Punta Arenas – Antarctica
Fly by Ilyushin jet aircraft from Punta Arenas across the Drake Passage, beyond the Peninsula and over Ellsworth Land to a base camp at Union Glacier. The flight time is approximately 4.5 hours. Union Glacier camp is located 8km from the runway at the base of Mount Rossman. On landing, you will be directed to a heated passenger terminal where you will pick up a shuttle service to the camp. On arrival at camp you will settle in and enjoy a welcome meal.

Day 2: Orientation at Union Glacier Camp, Antarctica
Your guide will brief you on logistics as well as environmental and safety considerations for your stay and you will tour camp to discover the intricacies of daily life in Antarctica. Your guide will let you know the range of activities that are available and will want to hear about your interests in order to tailor the daily programme to you.

Days 3-7: Explore Union Glacier & Fly to the South Pole!
The flight to the South Pole takes approx 6 hours and will take place on the first day that weather and logistics permit. The remaining days will be spent participating in optional activities from Unioin Glacier, or simply enjoying the tranquillity and majesty of this incredible continent.

Your flight to the Pole affords views over a vast expanse of high polar plateau punctuated by the occasional field of crevasses. Landing at the Pole for your 3-4 hour visit you’ll experience temperatures ranging from -25 to -35°C. On arrival you will visit the USA’s Amundsen-Scott research station and will stand at the Geographic South Pole.

Your stay at Union Glacier 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, overnight 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 polar exploration. Photographers are sure to appreciate the unusual wind-sculpted snow features, ice pools, dramatic peaks, spectacular open skies and the golden light cast by the austral summer.

Day 8: Antarctica – Punta Arenas
Weather permitting, the aircraft from Punta Arenas will arrive in Union Glacier on the scheduled departure day for the final leg of your Antarctic journey, back over the ice to Punta Arenas.

IMPORTANT NOTE you are travelling to an expedition base camp situated in the interior of Antarctica, the most isolated and windiest continent on earth. Every effort will be made to follow the above itinerary but it is offered subject to change at the discretion of our operators based on weather, aircraft serviceability, and local conditions. You will be accommodated and looked after in Union Glacier during any flight delays to Punta Arenas. Days of delay are a normal part of Antarctic travel; we will be able to assist in recommending or arranging flexible flight tickets and a contingency plan for accommodation in South America. Please contact our specialist team to discuss the finer details.