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
Fly to Union Glacier base in Antarctica (weather dependent). Settle in.
Final preparations. Local sightseeing
Flight to 89 degrees south. Camp. Final acclimatisation to altitude (2400m).
Ski expedition to the South Geographic Pole
Arrive at the South Pole. Remain at South Pole Camp. Station tour if time permits
Flight from South Pole to Union Glacier (weather dependent)
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).
- 15% discount on selected Icetrek Equipment
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.
Latam Airlines fly daily to Punta Arenas, Chile.
South Pole Last Degree
Dec 18 to 29, 2019
Jan 3 to 14, 2020
Availability: Available
