Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile and make your own way to your hotel to settle in. Contact ANI staff to arrange a suitable time to meet you and give you information on Punta Arenas and the surrounding areas.

Day 2
In the morning you are invited to join us for an Antarctic presentation followed by refreshments. The presentation will include information on your flight South, the current weather situation, and what to expect on your arrival in Antarctica. This will be the trip of your lifetime and we want to ensure that it is going to be an occasion you will never forget. There will be lots of time to ask any questions you may have and get to know your fellow travellers.

You will be given historical information about early and more recent attempts at overland expeditions to the South Pole and will be shown how, through today’s technology, we are due to undertake in hours what has previously taken months and years through incredible fortitude and bravery.

After the presentation we will agree on a time to check your Antarctic clothing to ensure nothing has been inadvertently forgotten and then collect your bags for loading onto the aircraft ready for departure the following day.

Every effort will be made to keep to the scheduled departure date but please note that all flights are dependent on weather and local conditions. You will be notified of any schedule changes by phone at your hotel.

Day 3
As soon as the weather is suitable we will call you at your hotel and advise you of the time of departure. You will be given as much time as possible (normally 2 hours) before being picked up at your hotel by bus.

Please make sure that your bill has been settled and any “city” clothing left at the hotel. After completing customs and immigration formalities at the airport we will proceed to the aircraft, allowing time for photo sessions before climbing on board. After a safety briefing by the flight crew we will fly South.

Flying South – The flight time from Punta Arenas to Patriot Hills is approximately 4.5 hours, depending on the winds. The initial part of our flight passes over Tierra Del Fuego, the southernmost area in Chile. The Portuguese Fernão de Magalhães (Ferdinand Magellan) leading the first circumnavigation of the globe from 1519-22, discovered and named Tierra del Fuego (“Land of Fire”) for the campfires spotted on shore that had been built by the native Yahgan people. The ocean south of Tierra del Fuego, the Drake Passage, has been notorious throughout modern history for its wild storms, violent winds and heavy seas. Several ships have encountered waves higher than 100 feet and many early seamen lost their lives to these waters in the quest to find new lands.

At approximately 60 degrees latitude we reach the winter limits of frozen seas. This area of ocean is called the Antarctic Convergence and is rich in plankton and other tiny creatures that form the bottom of the food chain for Antarctica’s rich bird and wildlife colonies. We are now entering the area governed by the Antarctic Treaty.

66 degrees is the latitude at which we cross the Antarctic Circle. Along this circle the sun never sets at the austral summer solstice and never rises at the austral winter solstice. Further South these Antarctic days and nights lengthen until at the South Pole the sun rises and sets only once a year.

Continuing our flight South and if weather conditions co-operate, we may see tabular icebergs and the ice shelves from which they calve below us. Some of the bergs can be the size of a small country and became a method of transport and a home for penguins and seals.

Our first sight of the icy continent appears at Charcot Island close to Alexander Island, 71 degrees latitude. Alexander is a large island in the Bellingshausen Sea separated from the mainland by George IV Sound. Von Bellingshausen discovered it on 28 January 1821 and he named it after the Russian Tsar. Hubert Wilkins, an Australian aviator, in a flight over the island in 1929, suspected it was an island and this was confirmed in 1940.

The ice sheet continues to stretch inland until in the distance appear the spectacular Ellsworth Mountains, the highest range in Antarctica. Passing over the Ellsworth Range, our runway comes into sight. The wheeled aircraft lands on an area of blue ice which is 3,300ft (1,000m) above sea level. The blue ice remains clear of snow due to the Katabatic winds that funnel down from the mountains with great force. You are now warmly welcomed to the Adventure Network International camp at Patriot Hills, Antarctica. An introduction to our friendly staff is followed by a tour and orientation of the camp and the surrounding area. You will be shown to your accommodation and settled down to a welcoming meal.

Day 4
The South Pole group will meet in the morning, when logistics, weather, and safety information regarding your journey South will be discussed. You will also be given information regarding the various group activities arranged during your stay in Antarctica. Bring a pen, paper, and any questions you may have to the meeting.

Day 5
After an early breakfast and a final weather check by the pilot, we pack up and head as far South in the world as humanly possible. The flight will take approximately 6 hours from Patriot Hills and we fly over the Polar Ice Cap, the highest plateau in Antarctica. This ice cap caused many problems for Scott and Amundsen on their separate polar journeys in the early 1900’s.

En-route, we will stop at Thiel Mountains to re-fuel the aircraft. This marks the approximate half-way point between Patriot Hills and the South Pole. The re-fuelling will last about an hour and will give us a chance to stretch our legs before the remainder of our flight. Nearing the final part of our flight South we will catch sight of the South Pole station in the distance. The United States of America maintains a research base close to the South Pole, which is officially named the Amundsen–Scott Station in memory of those intrepid explorers.

Almost a century ago the explorers who planned and attempted expeditions to the South Pole took years to reach their goal. Today, thanks to technology and Adventure Network International, 6 hours later we find ourselves at the South Pole.

We will be given a guided tour of the station by a member of the station staff and if the shop is open we may be able to purchase small souvenirs such as T-shirts, badges, etc. so make sure you have US cash!

As you walk around the Pole that marks the southernmost place on earth, remember that beneath your feet 360 lines of longitude collide and the ice is almost 3000m (10,000ft) thick. You have become part of a very select and, to date, very limited group of people to journey this far South on our planet. Congratulations!

The completion of this incredible journey will be the return flight to Patriot Hills over the polar plateau. When you arrive back at Patriot Hills camp we will have a celebration dinner where you can contemplate and enjoy your wonderful achievement – a marvellous story that so few have lived!

Day 6 or Days 6 & 7
During your stay at Patriot Hills you can be as active or as relaxed as you wish, just let us know. Some outside activities are weather dependent but we are accustomed to changes in the weather and so have learned to be flexible and weather resilient. Some of the pursuits we have available may include:

Snowmobile trips to the local mountains; learning about glaciation and geology, and experiencing the unique ice and rock formations; an ascent of the Patriot Hills with wonderful panoramic views of the Ellsworth Mountain Range and a new perspective on Patriot Hills camp from above; an opportunity to learn and practice cross-country skiing; short walking trips across the vast polar landscape; navigation lessons; slide shows; indoor games, or you may prefer to stay in camp and exchange stories with some of the other adventure travellers you meet on your journey.

In addition, the opportunity to go on a guided overnight camp in the Ellsworth Mountains will be available. Experience first hand the remoteness of this continent and the thoughts and feelings of those early explorers.

Day 7 or Day 8
Weather permitting, the aircraft from Punta Arenas arrives in Patriot Hills with a new collection of avid explorers and will take off with your group for the final leg of your Antarctic journey.

Once back in Punta Arenas you will be met by ANI staff at the airport who will arrange transfer to your hotel. We will assist wherever possible with any questions or queries you may have.

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