You will receive a call at your hotel in the morning to advise you of the current conditions in Antarctica. If the weather is suitable for the flight, you will be picked you up at your hotel within the hour. Please meet in the lobby with hotel bills paid, ready to board the bus. At the Punta Arenas airport, board your chartered jet for the 4¼ hour flight to Antarctica. The route crosses the Drake Passage, then follows the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the spine of the Ellsworth Mountains. Land on a naturally occurring blue-ice runway on Union Glacier where you will take your first steps in Antarctica. Climb aboard one of the specially-adapted vans for the 5 mi (8 km) shuttle to the main camp. The friendly staff will provide a welcome tour of the camp and show you to your tent.

* Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile at least two full days prior to your schedule for briefings/orientation in order to fully prepare you for your upcoming experience.

Guests usually enjoy a few days at Union Glacier as part of their experience. A typical day at Union Glacier starts with a briefing after breakfast where you’ll meet with your guide to discuss the day’s options and choose an activity tailored to the weather and the group’s interests. Union Glacier excursions can include any of the following destinations:

Elephant’s Head
Ride in one of the wheeled vehicles to this dramatic marble buttress overlooking the blue-ice runway. Geology lovers will be delighted to find this is a hotspot for ichnofossils. Your experienced guides can help you navigate by GPS to known trace fossils or accompany you on a mission to discover new ones. For photographers, beautiful ice pools and moraines offer endless opportunities to capture close-up frozen formations or wide angle glacial landscapes. Hikers can trek up to the base of Elephant’s Head or all the way to the top of Rhodes Bluff for panoramic views of Union Glacier and the Heritage Range.

Buchanan Hills
Board the one-of-a-kind Tucker Bus, a custom designed tracked vehicle, for the scenic drive to the remote Buchanan Hills. You’ll arrive at a high pass that offers expansive views of Union Glacier as it flows into Constellation Inlet. Higgins Nunatak pokes through the ice, like an atoll in a frozen ocean. For the fit and adventurous, there are two easy hiking routes that require no prior experience and grant you the rare opportunity to summit a peak in the heart of Antarctica.

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.

Charles Peak 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 the 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.

The Beach at Rossman Cove
Another spectacular setting for photography and panoramic views! Take cross-country skis with you or a picnic lunch and enjoy Antarctica’s version of a glacial beach getaway.

If you’d prefer to stay closer to camp, there are a variety of activities for all abilities. You can check out a pair of cross-country skis or a fat-tire bike and take a spin around the groomed 10k loop or you can enjoy a cup of tea, an Antarctic book, or fun game in the camp library. In the evenings, lectures and films tailored to your experience are regularly offered. Before you depart for the colony, review the Emperor Penguin Colony Visitor Guidelines.

As soon as weather conditions permit, fly to the colony. The flight takes about 4 hours, traveling north-eastward over the Ronne Ice Shelf and Berkner Island where the plane may stop to refuel if necessary. Land on the sea ice where the staff has prepared a field camp 1-2 mi (2-3 km) from the colony. The 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 experienced staff. Your safety and the protection of wildlife are the top priorities.
 

Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the colony. Walk to the colony with your experienced field guides to photograph penguins, seals, and seabirds. Small sleds and walking poles will be provided to help transport your camera equipment between camp and the colony. The sea ice generally provides a hard surface to walk on.

Every effort is made so as to not disturb wildlife and the Emperor Penguin Colony Visitor Guidelines are strictly adhered to. These guidelines include maintaining a precautionary distance of 17 ft (5m) away from all wildlife. The guides are on hand to answer any questions you may have about the wildlife and their unique adaptations to the Antarctic environment.

24-hour daylight allows for adaptations of the schedule to the best weather and lighting for photography. While your guides are happy to accommodate individual requests, keep in mind this is a group activity and 1 to 1 guiding may not always be an option. Please discuss your wishes with the guides in advance so they can tailor the camp schedule to include meals and sleep for everyone.

Field staff will stay in close contact with Union Glacier Camp to identify the best ‘weather window’ for your return flight.

Depending on flights, you may have a few days 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 Emperors and Explorers Experience in Antarctica.

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

Due to the potential for weather delays, it is strongly suggested to book your flight home one week after your planned return from Antarctica. If you purchase a full-fare ticket, most airlines will allow you to move your departure date. When it is time for your flight home, you will be provided transportation from your hotel to the Punta Arenas airport.