Adventure Consultants
New Zealand-based specialist operator offering fly-in expeditions to the Antarctic interior, including guided South Pole ski traverses and Union Glacier base camp experiences.
Adventure Consultants, based in Wanaka, New Zealand, is one of the few operators offering access to Antarctica's deep interior. While most Antarctic tourism focuses on the coastal Peninsula, Adventure Consultants specializes in fly-in expeditions to Union Glacier and the Geographic South Pole.
Interior Access
Unlike ship-based operators, Adventure Consultants uses charter flights from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Union Glacier Camp in the Ellsworth Mountains. From this base camp, expeditions fan out to the interior's most iconic destinations.
Union Glacier Camp
- Location: 79 46'S, Heritage Range, Ellsworth Mountains
- Season: November through January only
- Accommodation: Heated clam-shell tents, communal dining tent, shower facilities
- Access: 4.5-hour charter flight from Punta Arenas on Ilyushin IL-76
Expeditions
South Pole Fly-In (10-12 days)
Fly from Union Glacier to the Geographic South Pole on a ski-equipped Twin Otter aircraft. Spend time at the Amundsen-Scott Station area, photograph the Ceremonial Pole, and stand at 90 degrees South.
Price: Approximately $55,000-$65,000 per person
Last Degree Ski Expedition (12-14 days)
Ski the final degree of latitude (111 km) to the South Pole, hauling sleds across the polar plateau at 2,835 meters elevation. One of the most physically demanding tourist experiences available.
Price: Approximately $70,000-$85,000 per person
Mount Vinson (14-18 days)
Climb the highest peak in Antarctica (4,892m) from Union Glacier. Technical mountaineering experience required. Vinson is one of the Seven Summits.
Price: Approximately $45,000-$55,000 per person
Antarctic Explorer at Union Glacier (8 days)
A non-technical introduction to interior Antarctica. Guided day hikes, ski excursions, and visits to blue-ice runways and nearby nunataks.
Price: Approximately $30,000-$38,000 per person
Requirements
Interior expeditions demand significantly more preparation than cruise-based tourism:
- Physical fitness: Excellent fitness required. South Pole ski expeditions require months of sled-hauling training
- Medical clearance: Full medical examination required; high-altitude certification for Vinson
- Experience: Mountaineering experience required for Vinson; ski experience required for Last Degree
- Insurance: Comprehensive evacuation insurance mandatory (minimum $500,000 coverage)
- Gear: Participants must provide or purchase extreme cold weather gear rated to -40 degrees Celsius
Booking Information
- Season: November through January (shorter than coastal season)
- Departure: Punta Arenas, Chile
- Lead time: Book 12-24 months in advance; limited group sizes (8-12 per expedition)
- Minimum age: 18 years for all interior expeditions