To ski across the Antarctic plateau to the South Pole is an experience very few will realise. It remains as one of the most exacting environments on earth - cold, brittle, windswept, and remote - the very reason we offer such an expedition.

Gateway Punta Arenas, Chile
Distance 111km
Nights 11
Trek days 6-8
Daily Distance 19km / 10.2nm / 11.6m ave

Sled Weight 45kg
Temp. Range -20 to -30°C
Challenge 5 What's this?
Conditions Snow fields, sastrugi, altitude
Challenges Daily distance, cold management, altitude

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Union Glacier base in Antarctica (weather dependent). Settle in.

Day 2

Final preparations. Local sightseeing

Day 3

Flight to 89 degrees south. Camp. Final acclimatisation to altitude (2400m).

Day 4 - 10

Ski expedition to the South Geographic Pole

Day 11

Arrive at the South Pole. Remain at South Pole Camp. Station tour if time permits

Day 12

Flight from South Pole to Union Glacier (weather dependent)

Day 13

Flight from Union Glacier to Punta Arenas, weather dependent. Celebration dinner.

Inclusions

Briefing followed by refreshments one day prior to departure
Punta Arenas transfers for Antarctic flights
All plane flights associated with the expedition program
Meals at Union Glacier
Food and stove fuel during the expedition
Icetrek guide(s)
Use of technical equipment including tents, sleds and cooking equipment (see equipment list).
Safety/navigation/communications equipment
22kg personal gear weight allowance (does not include food, fuel, technical/group equipment or anything else issued to you).

Exclusions

Travel to and from Punta Arenas, Chile
Hotel transfers for non-Antarctic flights
Hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas (we can help you find appropriate accommodation at your preferred budget).
Excess baggage above the allowance
Additional costs (accommodation, meals etc.) due to changes beyond our control ie. weather delays
Evacuation, hospitalization and repatriation costs and/or insurance

Punta Arenas is the classic gateway to Antarctica. The Ilyushin-76 flight takes you to Union Glacier camp from where you fly onward to the most common route across the plateau to the South Pole.

We spend four days at Union Glacier camp where we acclimatise to the cold, complete an overnight shake-down expedition and complete final preparations for our ski expedition.

A Twin Otter aircraft takes us on a magical flight across Antarctica to 89 South where we set up camp and acclimatise to the altitude. The following day we begin the great journey south.

A unique wilderness experience, the Antarctic plateau is like no other place on earth. With temperatures between -20 and -30C the cold is ever-present but comfortably so in state-of-the art cold weather clothing and equipment. In true polar fashion, you tow manageable sleds containing all your food and equipment (approximately 40kg).

You will experience twenty-four hour daylight so there's no shortage of time to really see and feel the true Antarctica. We average around 20 kilometers per day as we make our way to the South Pole, working as a team, immersing ourselves into the Antarctic elements, camping in expedition tents, seeing the high Antarctic hinterland as it has been for millennia.

On arrival at the bottom of the Earth we are escorted around the South Pole station before setting up camp for a night at the Pole. The following day we are collected by Twin Otter and flown back to Union Glacier where we celebrate our achievement in style. We return to Punta Arenas the next day.