We will call you at your hotel in the morning to advise you of current conditions in Antarctica. If the weather is suitable for our flight, we will pick you up at your hotel by bus.

 

At the Punta Arenas Airport, we board our chartered jet for the 4¼ hour flight to Antarctica. Our route crosses the Drake Passage, then follows the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the spine of the Ellsworth Mountains. We land on a naturally occurring blue-ice runway on Union Glacier where you will take your first steps on Antarctica.

 

Climb aboard one of our specially-adapted vans for the 5 mi (8 km) shuttle to our main camp. Our friendly staff will provide a welcome tour of camp and show you to your tent.

 

Lunch & dinner included. 

Elephant’s Head

Drake Icefall

Charles Peak Windscoop

The Beach at Rossman Cove

Hidden Valley

 

We will fly to the colony once weather conditions permit. You will need to pack your personal belongings as well as your sleeping bag and pillow to take with you. Everything else will be provided for you at our field camp. The flight takes about 4 hours, traveling north-eastward over the Ronne Ice Shelf to the tip of Berkner Island where we may stop to refuel, if necessary.

 

We land on sea ice where our staff has prepared a field camp 2-3 km from the colony. Our Emperor Field Camp Manager will give you a tour of the camp and review safety procedures for travel to and from the colony. In this unfamiliar environment and remote location, it is vital that you follow the instructions given by our experienced staff.

 

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.  

Each day, we will immerse ourselves in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the colony. Accompanied by our field guides and staff naturalist you will walk to the colony each day and spend as many hours as you’d like photographing penguins, seals, seabirds, and other coastal wildlife. We provide small sleds and walking poles to help you transport your camera equipment between camp and the colony. The sea ice generally provides a hard surface to walk on.

 

We make every effort not to disturb wildlife and strictly adhere to IAATO Visitor Guidelines. These guidelines include maintaining a precautionary distance of 5 m away from all wildlife. Our staff naturalist is on hand to answer any questions you may have about the wildlife and their unique adaptations to the Antarctic environment.

 

24-hour daylight allows us to spend as much time outdoors as we wish. Often times, the best lighting for photography is in the middle of the “night.” Our guides are happy to accommodate your desired time at the colony but please discuss your wishes with the guides in advance so they can tailor the camp schedule to include meals and sleep for everyone.

 

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included. 

Our field staff will stay in close contact with Union Glacier Camp to identify the best ‘weather window' for your return flight. This will be based on weather forecasts and the anticipated arrival of the Ilyushin.

 

Depending on flights, you may have at least one day at the end of your experience to explore more of Union Glacier. You will also enjoy a celebration dinner and receive a certificate to commemorate your Emperor Penguin Experience in Antarctica.

 

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included. 

When weather and runway conditions permit, the Ilyushin will arrive at Union Glacier to transport you back to Chile. Our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you back to your hotel.

 

Breakfast included. 

Addendum

Please  understand that delays are common in Antarctic  travel. All  flights are dependent on weather, aircraft serviceability, and local conditions. Our staff will stay in close contact with you and  will provide you with  regular flight updates.

 

Our main Antarctic camp is located in the southern Ellsworth Mountains, on the broad expanse of Union Glacier. Our double-walled sleeping tents are roomy and comfortable. They are well suited to Antarctic conditions and are based on a design used by Shackleton’s Endurance expedition. Each tent houses two guests. You sleep in your polar sleeping bag with a double mattress, pillow and linen provided by ANI. The tents are naturally heated by the 24-hour sunlight and interior temperatures range from 25°F – 68°F (4°C - 20°C).

About Ilyushin 76

The Ilyushin is our Intercontinental flight work-horse, ideal for transporting both passengers and cargo between Punta Arenas Chile and Antarctica. The robust, four engine Russian jet is well-suited to off-strip landings and lands on wheels on Union Glacier ice runway. The aircraft is fully certified and insured for passengers. It is fitted with normal airline seats for passenger comfort and carries standard emergency equipment as well as Antarctic survival equipment. The flight from Chile to Antarctica takes approximately 4 ¼ hours, at a flight level of 31,000-35,000 ft (9450-10670m). Return fuel is carried on all flights.

 

• Round trip flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica
  
• Round trip flight from Union Glacier to Gould Bay Emperor Penguin colony
  
• Airport transfers in Punta Arenas
• Tented accommodation in Antarctica
• Tours led by English-speaking Guide
  
• Meals as specified
  
• Celebration dinner and Certificate of Achievement
• Checked luggage up to 30 kg

• International flights to/from Punta Arenas
• Passport, visa and immigration fees
• Airport arrival/departure taxes
• Travel protection plan
• Additional hotel nights
• Airport transfers outside of Punta Arenas
• Personal equipment and clothing
• Expenses incurred due to delays
• Extra luggage over 30kg
  
• Satellite phone charges
• Possible fuel surcharges
  
• Gratuities
  
• Any items not mentioned as included
  

Notes

*It is recommended that you arrive at least two full days prior to your scheduled tour in preparation for a complete experience. These days also allow a buffer for flight and luggage delays that may occur.