Flight expedition to the South Pole and visit to an emperor penguin colony
from/to Punta Arenas, Chile
9 days / 8 nights
9-day flight expedition to the South Pole, departing from and returning to Punta Arenas, Chile, including a stay at a base camp, flights, and day trips to various destinations, including a penguin colony and the geographic South Pole
This expedition is the supreme discipline among all Antarctic expeditions. A flight expedition to the center of Antarctica, to the geographic South Pole. Course set for 90° South. For centuries, THE ultimate destination for all globetrotters and explorers.
Norwegian polar explorer and discoverer Roald Amundsen was the first person to reach the geographic South Pole on December 14, 1911. Behind him lay two years of the harshest travel and weather conditions.
You will reach the South Pole much more comfortably and quickly on your journey. Flights in small aircraft and the base tent camp in Antarctica provide the appropriate expedition atmosphere .
Experience the two landmarks of Antarctica: the pole marker and the penguins! Take a ski plane to the emperor penguin colony at Gould Bay on the remote coast of the Weddell Sea. Camp on the sea ice, right where thousands of birds raise and feed their young. Photograph the majestic emperor penguins and their chicks against a backdrop of ice cliffs and icebergs.
At base camp on a glacier, you will acclimatize with many activities and sightseeing trips in the surrounding area. Weather permitting, you will be flown to the South Pole. The trip ends with your return to Punta Arenas / southern Chile, where you will board your flight back to Germany.
The South Pole in Antarctica is so large that Europe could easily sink into it. It is such an untouched and pristine place, uninhabited and breathtakingly beautiful. For centuries, the White Continent has captivated explorers such as Amundsen, Scott, and Shackleton. This flying expedition is a unique opportunity to experience the interior of the Antarctic continent.
Stephanie Gräf
Travel expert, inventia | Travel beyond the ordinary
Specialist in travel to the Arctic and Antarctic.
I am your contact person for questions and bookings relating to the Arctic and Antarctic, and I am delighted that you are one of the few people who are traveling to the ends of the earth.
You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de
Good to know
Arrival and departure: We offer a variety of individual travel packages including flights, hotels in Santiago de Chile and Punta Arenas, transfers, and activities. We are also happy to suggest pre- and post-programs in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay to extend your trip.
Solo travelers please note:Accommodation in the tent camp in Antarctica is in two-person tents for everyone. In Santiago de Chile and Punta Arenas, a single room can be booked for an additional fee.
Route: Thefinal itinerary during the flight expedition will be determined on site by the expedition leader based on ice and weather conditions. The itinerary described here is for illustrative purposes only.
Entry requirements:A passport (valid for at least 6 months after your return date) is sufficientfor entry into Chile and Antarctica.
Insurance: Proof ofinternational health insurance covering medical repatriation must be provided. We will send you a quote for this.
Medical questionnaire:You are required to completea medical questionnaire before departure.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Stand at the center of the Antarctic continent: at the South Pole – 90° south
- Get up close to a colony of emperor penguins at Gould Bay, including overnight accommodation in the immediate vicinity of the penguins.
- Glacier base camp in Antarctica, approximately 1,000 km north of the South Pole
- Exciting activities and sightseeing at base camp for acclimatization
- Day trip to the South Pole at 90°S with South Pole ceremony. Walk around the world or the pole marker.
Day 1 & 2 | City tour and expedition preparation in Punta Arenas
You will have free time on these two days. They will also serve as a "buffer" in case the flight expedition starts earlier than planned due to weather conditions. During this time, you will receive detailed information about the course of the expedition and will be provided with special polar clothing. Your main luggage will also be loaded at this time.
Day 3 |Antarctica
Today is the planned departure date for Antarctica! This is extremely weather-dependent, so changes to the itinerary are expressly reserved. Once the pilot has received clearance for the flight, you must be ready for departure within one hour (under certain circumstances, the flight may also take place the evening before!). At Punta Arenas Airport, you will check in for your flight, pass through the normal airport security checks, and then board the chartered aircraft for the 4-hour flight to Antarctica.
The route crosses the Drake Passage and then follows the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the backbone of the Ellsworth Mountains. You will land on a blue ice runway on Union Glacier, where you will take your first steps in Antarctica. A specially equipped van will take you to the camp.
Day 4 | Base Camp, Union Glacier
During your stay in Antarctica, you will have several days to explore Union Glacier. A typical day at Union Glacier begins with a briefing after breakfast, where you will discuss the options for the day with your tour guide, tailored to the weather and the interests of the group. Union Glacier excursions may include one of the following destinations:
Elephant’s Head
Take one of the wheeled vehicles to this dramatic marble outcrop overlooking the blue ice field. For photographers, there are endless opportunities for close-up shots of ice formations or sweeping glacier landscapes. Hikers can trek to the base of Elephant's Head or climb to the summit of Rhodes Bluff, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of Union Glacier and the Heritage Range.
Buchanan Hills
Take the unique Tucker Bus, a special tracked vehicle, on a scenic journey to Buchanan Hills. For fit and adventurous visitors, there are two hiking routes that require no prior experience and offer the rare opportunity to climb a peak in the heart of Antarctica.
Drake Icefall
This impressive icefall plunges from the polar plateau into Union Glacier. Winds from the South Pole carve huge waves into the blue ice and polish the surface to a high shine.
Charles Peak Windscoop
You will discover the power of the wind on the ice as you hike through a sparkling turquoise corridor. For the truly adventurous, this is an ideal place for ice climbing with an experienced guide.
The Beach at Rossman Cove
Another spectacular spot for photos and panoramic views! Bring your cross-country skis or a picnic lunch and enjoy the Antarctic version of a glacier beach.
Days 5 to 7 | Emperor penguins in Gould Bay
As soon as weather conditions permit, you will fly to the emperor penguins. The flight takes about 4 hours and heads northeast over the Ronne Ice Shelf and Berkner Island, where you can make a stopover to refuel if necessary. You will land on the sea ice, where a field camp has been set up for you 2-3 km from the colony. The Emperor Field Camp Manager will guide you through the camp and explain the safety and biosecurity measures for the journey to the colony. Your safety and the protection of wildlife are our top priorities.
Immerse yourself in the sounds and rhythms of the colony. Hike to the colony with experienced guides to photograph penguins and seabirds. You can transport your camera equipment on small sleds that are provided. The sea ice usually provides a hard surface on which to walk. The animals must not be disturbed in any way. It is therefore important to strictly adhere to the guidelines. This includes maintaining a minimum distance of 5 meters from all wildlife, including seals. In addition, biosecurity procedures have been improved to minimize the risk of introducing avian influenza (HPAI). The tour guides are available to answer your questions about the wildlife and their unique adaptations to the Antarctic environment.
Day 8 | Geographic South Pole
As soon as weather conditions permit, board the ski plane and set off for the southernmost point on Earth! Depending on the aircraft, the flight takes between 4 and 5½ hours. On the way there, you will fly over the polar plateau and see wind-swept snow, known as sastrugi, crevasses, and an endless white expanse. As you approach 90° South, you will see the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, a cluster of buildings surrounded by snow and sky. You will land on a ski slope and disembark from the plane near the South Pole marker.
This is where all 360 degrees of longitude meet, and beneath your feet the ice is almost 3000 m thick! Congratulations – you are now one of a select few who have ventured this far south. You will have plenty of time to take photos at the geographic and ceremonial poles. Enjoy this special place and imagine what it must have felt like to stand here a century ago. With only the sound of the wind and an endless white expanse stretching in all directions to the north.
Your flight is scheduled so that you will return on the same day. In the unlikely event that weather conditions change and an overnight stay becomes necessary, you will have food and camping equipment on board. The guest services team will help you pack your sleeping bag.
Days 9 & 10 | Union Glacier (depending on weather conditions) Depending on the flights, you will have a few days at the end of your trip to explore Union Glacier further. Of course, there will also be celebrations. And you will receive a certificate to commemorate your experience in Antarctica.
Day 11 | Return flight to Punta Arenas (B)
Weather permitting, the regular return trip to Punta Arenas is scheduled for this day.
(B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner
Further information
emperor penguins
Note for travelers with limited mobility
December 4, 2026 – December 12, 2026
From €98,800 €88,920 per person
9 days/8 nights
Flight expedition to the South Pole, including emperor penguin colony
Punta Arenas, Chile Punta Arenas, Chile
Arrival and departure, as well as the schedule for each day, must be handled flexibly.
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Summary
Activities
mandatory fees
Information
Included services:
- Airport transfers in Punta Arenas
- Charter flights from/to Punta Arenas to/from the Antarctic base camp
- Charter flights from/to Base Camp Antarctica to/from the South Pole
- Stay in Antarctica, see tour itinerary (overnight stays in two-person tents)
- Experienced expedition team from/to Punta Arenas, English-speaking
- Ceremony and Certificate
- Checked baggage up to 25 kg + skis
Not included in the price:
- Scheduled flights to/from Punta Arenas, Chile
- Airport transfers outside Punta Arenas
- Accommodation and meals in Punta Arenas
- additional flights in Antarctica
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Costs incurred due to delays
- Checked baggage weighing more than 25 kg
- Satellite phone charges
- Insurance coverage: personal, medical, evacuations, etc.
Important:
- English-speaking expedition team.
- Cancellation policy: Different cancellation conditions apply to this expedition:
up to 90 days before departure: €7,000;
from 89 days before departure: 95% of the tour price. - Please note that travel dates may vary.
- Filling out a medical questionnaire is mandatory.
- Group size: minimum 6 people*
- The trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility.
*If the advertised minimum number of participants is not reached, it is possible to carry out the trip in a small group for an additional charge; alternatively, we reserve the right to withdraw from the travel contract no later than 21 days before the start of the trip (see Terms and Conditions), of which we will inform you immediately. We will then refund any payments already made without delay.
South Pole_South Pole Flight_aircraft_ALE
Machine is ready to go | @ALE
South Pole Emperors Explorers guests in front of the ALE aircraft
Final preparations | @ALE
South Pole Emperors Explorers stewardess airplane ALE
Welcome! | @ALE
Landing-on-blue-ice-AdobeStock-578167846Aviaaja
Landing on blue ice
Union Glacier Camp AdobeStock 220425559 Roger
Union Glacier Camp | @Adobe by Roger
South Pole Emperors Explorers ice skates ALE
Ice skating in Antarctica | @ALE
Drake Icefall Canyon Trekking AdobeStock 578167861 Aviaaja
Hike through Drake Icefall
South Pole-Emperors Explorers-Charles Windscoop-ALE
Charles Windscoop | @ALE
South Pole Emperors Explorers Union Glacier Shield ALE
Union Glacier Camp | @ALE
Emperor penguins-AdobeStock-19924413BernardBreton
emperor penguin colony
South Pole Emperor Explorers Emperor Penguins Colony ALE
Emperor penguins in Gould Bay | @ALE
South Pole Emperors Explorers trucker bus ALE
Trucker Bus | @ALE
South Pole Emperors Explorers Emperor Penguins 01 ALE
Emperor penguins | @ALE
South Pole Emperors Explorers Emperor Penguins Chicks ALE
Emperor penguins with chicks | @ALE
South Pole - Emperor's Explorers aircraft - South Pole from the side - ALE
Machine to the South Pole | @ALE
Geographic South Pole, Antarctica, Bottom of the World – 2019
Bottom of the World | @Adobe
South Pole - Emperor's Explorers - Airplane - People - Boarding - ALE
Off to the South Pole | @ALE
South Pole-Emperors Explorers-South Pole Dome-ALE
Dome of the World | @ALE
South Pole Flight Man at the Pole Sign ALE
Geographic South Pole | @ALE
South Pole Emperors Explorers hike snowy landscape ALE
Union Glacier hike | @ALE
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