Wake up on your first morning in the heart of Antarctica and enjoy a hearty breakfast to fuel a day of exploration. Our meteorologists will carefully monitor the weather conditions and find the best day for your South Pole Overnight.
In the meantime, take advantage of this magnificent setting where the opportunities for adventure are almost endless. Our experienced guides will tailor each day to suit your preferences and the weather. Excursions around Three Glaciers can include any of the following destinations or activities:
Sporli Col
Snowmobile below the stunning cliffs of Mount Sporli to the foot of Sporli Col. A short hike takes you up the col to Larson Valley Overlook where you’ll have fantastic views of Antarctica’s highest mountain range. This spot is also ideal for downhill skiing, with expansive views of Antarctica. For backcountry skiers looking to ‘earn their turns’, the col is a scenic 2-hour skin from Three Glaciers.
Larson Valley
Travel over the Schneider Glacier by snowmobile or enjoy the terrain from the comfort of our heated Tucker Sno-Cat. This landscape is a photographer’s dream with views across the Ellsworth Mountains, all the way to Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s highest peak. Pass the Mhire Spur and journey into the secluded Larson Valley towards Hall Peak. The peaks in this valley showcase impressive geological folds and create the perfect setting for a picnic lunch or a climber’s base camp.
Drake Icefall
Depart Three Glaciers for an overland journey towards Union Glacier aboard one of our Tucker Sno-Cats or snowmobiles. After a scenic lunch-stop, your traverse will continue on to the Drake Icefall. Named in the 1960s after geologist Benjamin Drake IV, this impressive icefall tumbles off the polar plateau into Union Glacier. Winds from the South Pole carve huge waves into the blue-ice and polish the surface into a high shine. The ridges of this frozen sea of ice tower high above your head and deliver brilliant photos of the polar landscape.
Charles Windscoop
Discover the power of wind on ice as you wander through a sparkling turquoise corridor. If you’re truly adventurous, this is a prime place to try ice climbing with one of our experienced guides. For the less vertically inclined, you can rock hunt to your heart’s content. Just remember to leave them in place, as nothing may be removed from Antarctica.
Custom Adventures
This corner of the Heritage Range has something for everyone, no matter your skill level or prior experience. Our guides can lead you on spectacular treks across cols or take you up a local peak for your first Antarctic summit! For downhill skiers, we’ll seek out prime slopes and the best powder for carving fresh tracks. Or take advantage of the perfect hill behind Three Glaciers for some quick turns. If you’d prefer to stick to the groomed trails, grab cross-country skis or a fat-tire bike for a tour through stunning scenery. Looking for a bit more speed? Follow our guides on a snowmobile tour across glaciers, into hidden valleys, and over mountain cols.
Dine, Wine, & Recline
Want to relax? That’s our specialty! Let us pour the wine as you breathe in the absolute quiet and gorgeous panoramas from one of our secluded viewing platforms. Take advantage of our cozy lounge and enjoy a cup of tea, a polar book, or a fun game on the comfy sofa. In the evenings, we can offer lectures and films tailored to your specific interests.
Fly to the South Pole
Once weather conditions permit, you will board our ski aircraft and head for the southernmost point on Earth!
The flight takes 4 to 5 ½ hours depending on the aircraft, the shortest flight-time fom any private camp. En route, you will fly over the high, polar plateau, viewing wind affected snow called sastrugi, crevasse fields, and an endless expanse of white. As you near 90° South, you will catch sight of Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, a cluster of buildings surrounded by snow and sky.
We land on a groomed ski-way and you’ll deplane near the South Pole marker. Here all 360 lines of longitude meet and beneath your feet the ice is almost 10,000 ft (3000 m) thick! You have joined an exclusive group of people who have journeyed this far south on our planet. Congratulations!
Our overnight stay offers a relaxed pace to experience this unique destination. There will be plenty of time for photos at both the Geographic and Ceremonial Poles, as well as time for reflection. Imagine how it must have felt to stand here a century ago, with only the sound of the wind and an endless expanse of white stretching northward in all directions.
A .6mi (1km) walk brings you to our private South Pole Camp. Enjoy a hot meal prepared by one of our talented chefs and mingle with your fellow explorers in the large, heated dining tent. Depending on when you visit, you may also get the chance to greet ski teams just completing their journey to the Pole. After a momentous day, climb inside your heated tent and get snuggled up for a southerly snooze at 90°S.
Be prepared for extreme cold and the effects of altitude during your stay. South Pole temperatures range from -31° to -13°F (-35° to -25°C) and even the slightest breeze can quickly freeze exposed skin. Wear warm layers and cover your hands and face completely when outside.
The physiological altitude (how high it feels) at the South Pole is roughly 11,000ft (3300m). You may feel the effects of altitude, including shortness of breath and mild headache. Take it slow and steady to help your body cope with these unfamiliar conditions.
One of our experienced medics accompanies all South Pole flights and is ready to assist you should you have any issues with the cold or altitude.
The next morning, you’ll pack up for the return flight to Three Glaciers Retreat where you’ll celebrate your achievement and receive a certificate to commemorate your South Pole Overnight Experience in Antarctica!
If weather prevents flying to Three Glaciers, you may travel overland, or overnight at Union Glacier Camp until conditions improve.
