Expedition Description

An incredible opportunity to fly to the very bottom of the world! This fantasic adventure is made-to-order for the ultimate traveler. Remote, virtually inaccessible, and unlike any other destination, the South Pole awaits intrepid travelers.

This adventure starts in Punta Arenas, Chile, where you will be met at your hotel for a pre-flight breifing and luggage weigh-in. Punta Arenas is very close to some of the world's best penguin rookeries, and well worth exploring. From Punta Arenas, you'll board a charter flight to take you across the Drake Passage and over the mainland of Antarctica. After approximately four hours in flight, you'll land at the Patriot Hills base camp. Home to polar expeditions and mountaineering expeditions, Patriot Hills is a melting pot of adventurers and explorers. You'll spend a day or two at Patriot Hills aclimmitizing and enjoying the suroounding hills. Ski trips, snow machine tours, and other indoor and outdoor activities are available to keep you entertained and active, as desired. A heated mess hall and comfortable tents help to make this basecamp feel like home for the duration of your visit.

The flight to the pole, begins with a pre-flight meeting prepping you for what to expect. Patriot Hills lies several hundred kilometers away from the Pole, and it can take as long as 12 hours for the round trip flight. A mandatory re-fueling stop allows a break en route to the Pole. Once at the South Pole, you'll have plenty of time to celebrate your arrival. The ceremonial South Pole is a great spot to take dozens of photographs, but don't miss the geographical South Pole (a few meters away!) Play a game of horseshoes, or walk around the world in a matter of steps! Time permitting, you'll also have a chance to check out the scientific station named after both Amunsen and Scott, the first two explorers to lead expeditions the South Pole.

Several days are built into the itinerary to accommodate fickle weather wich is legendary on Antarctica. It is highly common to have weather delays on this adventure, and a flexible travel itinerary is extremely important! Give us a call and let us tell you more about this advneture!

Expedition Itinerary

Depending on flight schedules, weather and other factors that are out of our control we may spend extra days in Patriot Hills before our return to Punta Arenas.

This itinerary is highly dependent on a number of factors and is subject to change!

Contact us for a more detailed itinerary!

Dates & Prices
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What's Included:
- Welcome reception
- All charter air transportation from Punta Arenas and return
- Guides
- All lodging & food while on in Antarctica
- South Pole celebration including champagne, framed certificate, patch, and one
- "call home" (battery permitting)
- All group gear
- Guided tours in Patriot Hills
- Expedition patch
- Communication and safety gear
- Baggage allowance up to 50lbs (22.5kg)

What's Not Included:

- Round trip airfare to Punta Arenas
- Lodging and meals in Punta Arenas
- Personal clothing and accessories
- Full medical, baggage, trip cancellation and evacuation insurance (required)
- Excess baggage costs
- Phone calls from Punta Arenas (battery permitting)
- Extended stay fees associated with weather delays
- Taxes and gratuity.

Equipment

Upon registration, you will receive a comprehensive gear guide that explains the importance of each item as well as gear recommendations from our past participants.

- 1 insulated parka with hood*
- 1 pair insulated pants
- 1 pair snow pack ski boots (bring your own or let NWP supply this item)
- 1 pair wool, silk, or synthetic long underwear tops and bottoms. NO COTTON!
- 2 pair heavy wool or synthetic socks
- 1 wool or fleece sweater (mid weight)
- 1 wool or fleece sweater (heavy weight)
- 1 wool or fleece hat (consider bringing hat with ear flaps)
- 1 neck gaiter
- 1 pair synthetic glove liners
- 1 pair wool or fleece mittens
- 1 pair sunglasses or snow goggles
- Casual clothing for lodge (shirt, pants, socks, pajamas, underwear, etc.)
- Casual but sturdy shoes for lodge and wearing around Longyearbyen
- 1 pair slippers for inside the mess tent
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, etc.)
- Personal medications (with prescription for customs!)

*items available for rent

Qualifications

Our Champagne Flights are for people who want to experience the North & South Poles, but don't have the time, energy or funding to do a full expedition. People on our Champagne Flights have ranged in age from 1 to 81 years! All of these trips require that you can climb several stairs into and out of the plane as well as being able to walk across the uneven terrain of the ice. We can assist you as necessary. The South Pole Champagne Flight requires you to sleep in a tent (with a very warm sleeping bag). To best enjoy this Champagne Flight you should be in moderate shape.

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