Ski the Last Degree
Ollie is here to help give you the inside track.
There is no more rewarding way to experience the vast white wilderness of Antarctica than following in the footsteps of Scott and Amundsen, skiing the last degree to the South Pole. This 15-day itinerary takes in Chile and what is technically the world's largest desert in the most awe-inspiring way.
Itinerary at a Glance:
- Spend a couple of days on Union Glacier getting to grips with your pulk (sledge)
- Ski the final 60 nautical miles to the South Pole
- Spend the night camping at the bottom of the world
Why Book with Original Travel?
When To Travel
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
Day 1: Arrive in Chile
Once you have landed in Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia and collected your luggage, one of our team on the ground will meet you for short private transfer to your hotel.
After a long time travelling, we imagine you will want to freshen up, so we've pre-booked you a table at a local restaurant. Before you head out for dinner, a member of your expedition team will meet you at your hotel to go through you clothing and equipment - we will include a comprehensive packing list in your final documents. You can only take a certain amount of luggage with you on the expedition - you'll be pulling it behind you, after all - so the team will help you decide what to pack, what to put in your hand luggage, and what to leave in Punta Arenas to pick up on your way back.
Day 2: Riding
For first full day in Chilean Patagonia we have arranged for you to ride out into the wilderness and explore, but before you leave you will be met at your hotel by the expedition team to get your luggage weighed. Bags sorted - your hold luggage will be put on the plane this morning - you will meet your expert and immensely capable equestrian guides for a few hours in the wilds of Patagonia.
This evening, you will make your way to your expedition's head office for a safety briefing and overview of the expedition, followed by canapes and pisco sours - served over Antarctic ice, no less - with the rest of your team.
Day 3: Antarctica Bound
Today you will be met at your hotel by the expedition team and taken to the airport, where you will board your flight to Antarctica.
The four-and-a-half-hour flight will take you across Drake Passage before following the western edge of the Antarctic peninsula and the spine of the Ellsworth Mountains. After you land on Union Glacier's blue ice runway you will take your first steps on Antarctica. From here, you will hop into one of the specially adapted mini-buses for the five-mile trip to base camp.
Day 4–5: Expedition Preparations
You will spend the next couple of days on Union Glacier, preparing for the longer expedition. After testing your clothing and practicing sled-hauling you will embark on a mini-expedition to make sure your new skills are up to scratch.
Day 6: 89˚ South
Today you will board a ski-plane and fly to 89˚ South, 60 nautical miles from the South Pole.
As the plane disappears from view on its journey back to Union Glacier, take some time to absorb the awe-inspiring beauty and emptiness of your surroundings - there will be nothing but snow and wide horizons in all directions. Once you have packed sleds, you will ski a short distance before setting up camp for the night.
Day 7–11: Ski to the Pole
For the next five days you will ski further south. Every day you will ski slightly longer distances as your body acclimatises to the temperature and altitude - although you will be skiing at 9,300ft above sea level (Antarctica is actually the highest continent on Earth) it will feel closer to 11,000ft because the atmospheric pressure at the poles is lower than elsewhere.
As you retrace the ski-tracks of Scott and Amundsen, metaphorically if not literally, you will have plenty of time to contemplate the enormity of what they achieved and make your way through several podcast back catalogues.
Your daily routine will centre around one hour of skiing followed by a short break. After setting off at around 10am, you will ski for roughly seven hours in total before setting up camp and enjoying dinner together. Despite the near constant daylight bedtime will be early thanks to the physical exersion and fresh Antarctic air.
Day 12: The South Pole
Today, you will ski the last few miles to the Geographic South Pole, the most southerly point on Earth. Beneath your feet, where Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen stood (a few weeks apart over 100 years ago), all 360 lines of longitude meet.
It's a strange feeling to know that a step in any direction is north. Having absorbed the majesty of your environment and reflected on your own achievement, you will be treated to a tour of the of the Amundsen- Scott Station by the team at the United States Antarctic Program. You will camp at the South Pole tonight, though we imagine you may be too giddy with excitement to sleep!
Day 13: Back to Union Glacier
After breakfast this morning the ski-plane will arrive to fly you back to Union Glacier, where you will enjoy a celebration dinner with your team and - more importantly - collect your certificate to say that you successfully skied to the South Pole.
Day 14: Back to Chile
This morning you will fly back to Punta Arenas before catching a late evening connecting flight to Santiago. Once you have landed and collected your bags, one of our team on the ground will meet you for a private transfer to your hotel for the night.
Day 15: Home Time
Depending on what time your flight home is today, you should have some time to explore the delights Santiago has to offer.
We have included a definitive Dossier of our favourite things to do and places to eat in the city, so we recommend getting out and exploring for the morning before lunch in a local restaurant if time allows. Of course, you may want to book into your hotel's spa for a massage to soothe aching muscles.
You will then be privately transferred to the airport in good time for your international flight home.
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
A Rough Idea of Price
This Itinerary
If you would like to book the exact itinerary mentioned above, during mid-season and staying in our preferred room category at our preferred hotels. Ask us if you would also like us to arrange your international flights.
From
$76,505pp
Bare Necessities
If you would like to pare back the above itinerary by travelling at non-peak times, staying in a standard room and removing some or all of the guided activities.
From
$65,030pp
Bells & Whistles
If you are looking for something extra special and would like to stay in top room categories at some of the most luxurious hotels we work with, and add more activities and guiding.
From
$91,805pp
Ollie is our expert for this itinerary and, as a seasoned traveller, has the inside track on the most memorable adventures.