Visit the Geographic South Pole

Your South Pole expedition starts in Punta Arenas (Chile). We advise you to arrive in Punta Arenas two days early so you can relax and fully prepare yourself for the expedition. Don’t forget to check your luggage upon arrival in case you forgot something and need to buy it. The night before you leave for Antarctica you will be invited to a welcome and safety meeting to prepare you for arrival at Union Glacier. Afterwards you’ll have some time to meet the other expeditioners. Keep in mind that the exact departure of the airplane to and from Antarctica is flexible due to the potential for weather delays. The plane can only fly when weather and runway conditions permit.

The flight to the Antarctic continent will take around 4,5 hours. You land on Union Glacier where the Antarctic beauty and remoteness will hit you right from the moment you step out the plane. The camp is situated on a 5,000 ft (1500 m) thick glacier, surrounded by mountains and 1859 miles (2991 km) away from the nearest civilization.

The base camp for many expeditons on the Antarctic continent is the Union Glacier Camp. It’s the only facility of its kind in Antarctica and can house up to 70 guests. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming at this base camp. You’ll find roomy, double occupancy sleeping tents, a spacious dining hall where fresh delicious meals are being served and all of this in a spectacular setting. You’ll be surprised how comfortable Antarctica can be! This full-service camp is designed for Antarctic conditions and with the best environmental practices in mind. It operates during the Antarctic summer (November through January) and is dismantled at the end of each season.

You will spend the first few days of your expedition on Antarctica at Union Glacier Camp. Upon arrival, the staff will provide a welcome tour of the camp and will show you to your tent. During your stay you will get to explore the unique landscapes surrounding the camp and you can be as active as you like. Every day there will be various options for activities ranging from ‘easy’ to ‘moderate’ activity level. For example, you can take a long guided hike, go cross-country skiing, hop in one of the tracked vehicles for a scenic drive or take a fatbike for a ride around camp. There are several spectacular places for blue-ice photography and panoramic views! Like Drake Icefall, an impressive icefall shaped into huge blue-ice waves, or the dramatic marble mountain ‘Elephant’s Head’, overlooking the blue-ice runway. The Beach at Rossman Cove is yet another incredible place for you to visit! Take cross-country skis with you or a picnic lunch and enjoy Antarctica’s version of an afternoon at the beach. From Three Glaciers Retreat there are also several options for downhill skiing and snowboarding! In the evenings, there are regular lectures and films tailored to your experience.

The flight to the South Pole will take between 4-6 hours and will certainly be one of the most unique flights you’ll ever take. Flying high over the polar plateau you’ll see vast fields of crevasses, wind affected snow and an endless expanse of white. As you approach 90° South, the South Pole station comes into view. A cluster of buildings surrounded by snow and sky. The aircraft will land near the South Pole marker where all 360 lines of longitude meet beneath your feet. Standing here means you have joined an exclusive group of people who made it this far south! You will of course have plenty of time to take photos at the Geographic and Ceremonial Pole, the famous place with all flags of the Antarctic Treaty members. If staff are available, you will also get a guided tour of the research station.
Be prepared for extreme cold and the effects of altitude. The ice at the South Pole is almost 10,000 ft (3000 m) thick! This might cause some shortness of breath and a mild headache.

You will either return to Union Glacier Camp on the same day. The field staff will stay in close contact with the base camp to identify the best ‘weather window’ for your return flight. Depending on flights, you may have a few days at the base camp after your visit to the South Pole. You will also enjoy a celebration dinner and receive a certificate to commemorate your experience in Antarctica.

When weather and runway conditions permit, the aircraft will arrive at the camp to transport you back to Chile. Members of the staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you back to your hotel.

We recommend booking your flight home one week after your return flight from Antarctica. If you purchase a full-fare ticket, most airlines will allow you to move your departure date. It is important to give yourself a buffer as delays are common in Antarctic travel. When it is time for your flight home, the staff will provide transportation from your hotel to the Punta Arenas airport.