Eagles Cry Adventures, Inc.
Eagles Cry Adventures, Inc presents;
South Pole Flights
Itinerary
Go to the Polar Travel
Home Page
Arrival in
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile 2
days prior to your scheduled departure date for Antarctica and make your
own way to your hotel to settle in. Contact Eagles Cry Adventures staff to arrange a convenient
time to meet you and give you information on
Flight Preparations
The following day is busy with
flight preparations. 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 a lifetime and
we want to ensure that you are well prepared to enjoy it to the fullest. There
will be time to ask any questions you may have and get to know your fellow
travelers. After the presentation we will check your Antarctic clothing to
ensure nothing has been inadvertently forgotten, issue you with any rental
clothing you have requested, and then collect your checked baggage for loading
on to the aircraft ready for departure the following day. Please ensure that
your baggage complies with international air transport regulations. No
hazardous goods such as fuels may be packed in your checked bags. You are going
to the interior of Antarctica, one of the most difficult places in the world to
fly to. Every effort will be made to keep to the scheduled departure date,
But please note that all
flights are dependent on weather, aircraft serviceability, and local
conditions. Days of delay are part of the Antarctic travel experience and
should be expected. Our Punta Arenas staff will keep you informed of any
schedule changes. Please also note that in exceptional circumstances, if
logistics permit and weather is exceptional, we may depart the evening PRIOR to
our scheduled departure date. No two Antarctic adventures are exactly the same.
This is part of the magic and excitement of Antarctic travel. The itinerary
below is intended to outline general program objectives and highlight typical
activities and experiences. Exact timeline, activities, and program details
will vary from trip to trip.
Day 1— Departure for
Antarctica
In the morning, we will call
you at your hotel to advise you of current conditions in Antarctica. IF the
weather is suitable for our flight to Patriot Hills, you will be given just under
an hour to prepare before being picked up at your hotel by bus.
At the airport we will pass
through security, including the x-ray of all hand luggage. As on regular,
scheduled flights, no sharp objects may be carried on board in your hand
luggage or on your person. We then complete immigration formalities and proceed
to the aircraft, allowing time for photos before climbing on board. After a
safety briefing by the flight crew, we will fly south. The flight time from
Punta Arenas to Patriot Hills is approximately 4.5 hours. The initial part of
our flight passes over Tierra Del Fuego, or “Land of Fire”, so named by
Portuguese explorer Fernão de Magalhães (Ferdinand Magellan), for the native
Yahgan people’s campfires that illuminated its shores. 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. At approximately 60°
south 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 base of the food chain for Antarctica’s rich bird and wildlife
colonies. We are now entering the area governed by the Antarctic Treaty. At 66°
south 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, Antarctic days
and nights lengthen until, at the South Pole the sun rises and sets only once a
year. Continuing our flight south, if the cloud conditions co-operate with us,
we may see tabular icebergs and the ice shelves from which they calve. 
Our first sight of the icy
continent is Charcot Island close to Alexander Island, at 71° south. These
islands lie in the Bellingshausen Sea, west of the Antarctic Peninsula. The ice
sheet continues to stretch inland until in the distance appear the spectacular
Ellsworth Mountains, the highest range in Antarctica. We fly south along the
Ellsworths to their southernmost
extension, the Patriot Hills,
where our runway comes into sight. The wheeled aircraft lands on an area of
blue ice that is approximately 2600 ft (800 m) above sea level. The blue ice
remains clear of snow due to katabatic winds that funnel down from the mountains
with great force. On arrival you will be warmly welcomed and directed to our
camp approximately 1/2 mile (1 km) away. Transportation is readily available,
but most travelers enjoy walking up to camp as it provides an opportunity to
stretch their legs and take photos. Be sure to stay away from the active
loading zone at the back of the aircraft, as well as off the ice runway. At
camp you will meet our friendly staff who will show you to your accommodation
and settle you down to a welcoming meal.
Day 2—Orientation to Patriot
Hills Camp, Antarctica
The South Pole group will meet
in the morning for an orientation to Patriot Hills and Antarctica. Your guide
will brief you on environmental and safety considerations for your time on the
ice and update you on logistics and weather for your journey to the South Pole.
You will tour camp to discover the intricacies of daily life in Antarctica and
hear about the range of activities that are available to enjoy at Patriot
Hills. Bring a pen, paper and any questions you may have to the meeting. The
rest of the day provides an opportunity to acclimatize to your new surroundings
and participate in optional, light activities. We want you to be well rested so
that you get the most out of your journey to the South Pole.
Days 3-6 (Days 3-7 on 8 day
program) - Visit to South Pole and Exploring
Your South Pole flight will
take place on the first day that weather and logistics permit. Days before and
after the visit to 90° south round out your Antarctic adventure, with
opportunities to explore life in and around Patriot Hills camp as well as to
enjoy the tranquility and majesty of Antarctica—experiences you will not
encounter anywhere else on earth.
South Pole Flight Day
After breakfast and a final
weather check by the pilots and our guide, we pack up and head as far south in
the world as humanly possible. While we plan to return the same day, we will
carry sleeping bags, equipment and food on board, in case the weather turns and
we need to stop and camp en route. A “typical” South Pole visit is described
below. Given the unpredictability of Antarctic conditions and the need to
coordinate our visit with South Pole station personnel, exact details and
itinerary for your South Pole Flight Day may vary from what is described. The
flight to the pole will take approximately 6 hours from Patriot Hills over the
high, polar plateau. Below, you will see wind affected snow called sastrugi,
the
occasional field of crevasses,
and an endless expanse of white. En-route, we will stop at Thiel Mountains to
re-fuel the aircraft. The fuel cache marks the approximate half-way point
between Patriot Hills and the South Pole. The refueling will last about an hour
and will give us a chance to stretch our legs before the remainder of our
flight. The break will also give us a chance to have a snack and a drink. Much
of our time today will be spent in the cold, above 10,000 ft (3000 m). It is
important to drink lots of fluids and keep energy levels up with high calorie
snacks. As we approach 90 degrees south we will catch sight of the South Pole
station in the distance.
The United States of America
maintains a research station at the South Pole, named the Amundsen–Scott
Station in memory of those intrepid explorers. We land on the groomed skiway
and taxi to our parking position near the Amundsen-Scott station. Be sure to
bundle up before deplaning,
paying particular attention to
hands and face. Temperatures at the pole vary from -31 to -13F (-35 to -25C )
and at these temperatures, even the slightest breeze can quickly freeze exposed
skin. A pair of lightweight inner gloves helps protect hands while operating
camera controls. The effective elevation
of the Geographic South Pole is between 11,000-13,000 ft (3,300-4,000 m). 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. Our visit to the pole will last approximately 3-4 hours. We find
that given the cold conditions and altitude, this is just the right amount of
time to enjoy the experience and fulfill our objectives, without overdoing
it.
On arrival, we will be met by a
representative of the United States Antarctic Program (
At the Geographic South Pole,
there will be time for photographs and for reflection. Imagine how it must have
felt to stand here nearly 100 years ago with only the sound of the wind and an
endless expanse of white stretching northward in all directions. The distance
we so comfortably traveled in hours, took the early explorers years of planning
and months of travel by sled, foot and ski. They stood where we now stand
contemplating their achievements and their equally arduous return to the coast.
The completion of this incredible journey will be the return flight to Patriot
Hills over the polar plateau. Once back at Patriot Hills camp we will have a
celebration dinner and toast our wonderful achievement—a marvelous story that
so few have lived!
Patriot Hills Days
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 learnt to be flexible and weather resilient. Your guide
will organize a daily program of activities, based on group interests and
weather conditions. Some of the active pursuits you can enjoy include: Snow
machine assisted tours to the local mountains; excursions to view unusual ice
and rock formations nearby; an ascent of the Patriot Hills with panoramic views
of the Ellsworth Mountain Range; opportunities to learn and practice
cross-country skiing; short walking trips across the vast polar landscape; and
navigation lessons. Photographers will enjoy the unusual wind-sculpted snow
features, ice pools, dramatic peaks, spectacular open skies and cloud
formations, as well as the golden light cast by the
In camp, our experienced staff
will share their knowledge of the icy continent, giving talks on diverse
themes. You can join the meteorologist for weather observations; learn rope
handling skills, track expeditions as they make their way southward; carve snow
sculptures, play indoor games and exchange stories with some of the other
adventure travelers you meet on your journey. The variety of activities
available is only limited by your enthusiasm and imagination.
Day 7 (or 8) - Return to
Weather permitting, the
aircraft from Punta Arenas will arrive in Patriot Hills on the scheduled
departure day with a new collection of avid explorers and will take off with
your group for the final leg of your Antarctic journey. Once the flight is
confirmed, our client service staff in Punta Arenas will make hotel
reservations on your behalf. In Punta Arenas you will be met at the airport by
staff who will arrange for transfer to your hotel. We will assist wherever
possible with any questions you may have. Please note that you are traveling to
an expedition base camp situated in the interior of Antarctica, the most
isolated and windiest continent on earth. Every effort will be made to follow
the above itinerary but it is offered subject to change at the discretion of
staff based on weather, aircraft serviceability, and local conditions. You will
be accommodated and looked after in Patriot Hills during any flight delays to
Punta Arenas. Days of delay are a normal part of Antarctic travel. DO NOT plan
anything important for a minimum of two weeks after your scheduled return. Give
yourself time to enjoy this unique experience without the stress of pending
commitments.
And so, with this Adventure, we
at Eagles Cry Adventures, Inc. so hope that you will truly “feel” your experience
of Antarctica in such a way that you will fully understand exactly why you had
to step foot upon this enchanted continent rather than see it on a “dry”
television station upon which you could have never been able to “drink up”
every drop of what Antarctica had for you to indulge upon. And now you are truly able to walk away with
a whole new respect and desire to keep Antarctica exactly as pristine and
awesome as it still is, and shall be forever!
Sponsored Advertisement
Sponsored Advertisement
