WILD NATURE PHOTO TRAVEL

Day One - Start your Antarctic Expedition: Pick up from your hotel in Punta Arenas and transfer to the local airport. Fly from Chile to Union Glacier in Antarctica by private transport jet. Land on the blue-ice runway and settle in at our Union Glacier Camp. The Union Glacier Camp is only accessible by air and is the only facility of its kind in Antarctica. Our flight time is approximately 3 ¼ hours from Punta Arenas, Chile. Our wheeled aircraft lands on a naturally-occurring, fully maintained ice runway on the Union Glacier, where we will take our first steps onto the Antarctic continent. We then climb aboard a specially adapted winterized vehicle for the 5-mile (8km) ride to camp.

At this point in the expedition, we will be 1,870 miles (over 3000km) from the southern tip of Chile and only a stone’s throw away from Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica. The South Pole is just over 600 miles (1000km) away. Our geographic location is 79°46’S 82°52’W. And our elevation 2, 297ft (700m) above sea level.

Our first stop upon arrival in Antarctica will be the Union Glacier Base Camp. The camp is located in the southern Ellsworth Mountains on the broad expanse of Union Glacier. The setting is spectacular, and majestic peaks rise in all directions offering plenty of opportunity for photography. The accommodation is spacious and comfortable, and meals are prepared fresh daily.

Day Two – Union Glacier Basecamp: Today is an easy day to acclimatize to Antarctic conditions at our Union Glacier Base-camp. We will have an orientation to camp and life in Antarctica, review expedition logistics, and explore and photograph the spectacular mountains and landscape.

Safety and Comfort: Much goes on behind the scenes to ensure your safety and comfort on the ice. Communications experts keep regular contact with the outside world. Heavy equipment mechanics maintain and operate a fleet of transport and runway maintenance equipment. Our meteorologist provides weather information to flight crews. And general support staff do the thousand-and-one tasks that keep camp in tip-top shape.

Sleeping Accommodations: 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, which are provided for you. The tents are naturally heated by the 24-hour sunlight, and interior temperatures range from 25°F – 68°F (4°C- 20°C).

Dining: The dining tent is the heart of our camp. It has a full kitchen and dining area and serves as a gathering place for meals, activities and conversation. You will enjoy hearty, fresh-cooked meals, baked goods and tantalizing desserts prepared by the chefs. Self-serve snacks and beverages are available anytime. We regularly fly in fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meats and a variety of beers and Chilean wines from Punta Arenas, Chile. Wine and beer are served with dinner.

Medical: Union Glacier has a small clinic staffed by a doctor and medic. They are available to treat minor injuries and illnesses. In case of a medical emergency the camp stocks a selection of medications and fundamental equipment for the care and stabilization of patients

Power and Charging: Camp systems are solar-powered to minimize our environmental impact. We are able to offer limited solar/charging facilities during your stay. You will need a 12V DC-DC charger capable of plugging in to a “female” cigarette lighter socket, or a 110V charger with North American plug, to use the system. You will be able to charge camera batteries and other portable electronic devices.

Communication and Meteorology: Good communication and weather information are crucial for safe operations. The camp is equipped with satellite phone, VHF and UHF radio to maintain regular contact with the outside world, aircraft and other bases. You can make outgoing Iridium phone calls from Union Glacier. Pre-paid phone cards may be purchased at the camp. Our meteorologist uses local observations, information from our automatic weather stations and satellite imagery to provide wind and weather information to flight crews, climbers and expeditions.

Day Three – Emperor Penguin Advance Camp: After breakfast, we pack up from our Union Glacier Base camp and fly by Twin-Otter ski aircraft to the remote south coast of the Weddell Sea. We land on multi-year sea ice near the Emperor rookery, and our guides set up a cozy field camp beside the aircraft. The rest of the day is ours to explore, and we will have our first audience and photography session with the Emperors. We will photograph majestic Emperors against a spectacular backdrop of ice cliffs, pressure ridges and icebergs.

Day Four - Eight – Emperor Penguin Advance Camp: Days four, five, six, seven and eight are spent living with the Emperors at our advance camp. We can experience the rhythms of the rookery at our own pace over the five days. Meal times are flexible, so you can photograph and explore when the lighting and mood are just right. Meals are prepared by our chefs so that you are free to focus on your photography. Meals provided include hot meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and portable snacks. Watch and photograph adults display and feed their young. Each night, we will fall asleep to the mingled calls of thousands of Emperors. As we are camping next to the rookery, the opportunity to take photographs extends 24 hours a day.

Emperor Penguin Camp Location: Our Emperor Penguin camp is located in the southern Weddell Sea at Gould Bay. It is an entirely ice-fronted embayment formed by the Ronne Ice Shelf and the northern tip of Berkner Island. The elevation is sea level. Gould Bay was discovered by the Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition (RARE) (1947-1948), which researched the area surrounding the head of the Weddell Sea. It was named for Laurence M. Gould, geologist, geographer, and second in command of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition (1928-1930)

The Light for Photography: We will have 24-hour daylight throughout our stay with the Emperor Penguins. Our camp schedule will be based on Union Glacier/Chile time (UTC-3) but we may find ourselves keeping odd hours to take advantage of the best light and weather conditions. Often the light for photography is best in the middle of the ‘night’ and it is not uncommon to visit the colony at 2 or 3 am to take pictures in the soft, golden sunlight. Meal times are adjusted accordingly and there is always hot food available when we get back to camp.

The Walk to the Emperor Colony: Our Emperor Penguin advance base-camp is approximately one kilometre walk from the main Emperor Penguin colony. The walk is flat across the frozen sea ice, and we utilize small sleds to pull our camera equipment along behind us. The small sleds also allow us to take a thermos for hot drinks, snacks, and spare clothing. Sleds and walking poles will be provided for you at the Emperor Penguin Advance Camp.

The Emperor Penguin Advance Camp in Detail: Our Emperor Penguin field camp provides a simple yet comfortable ‘nest’ from which to explore the nearby Emperor Penguin rookery. The camp is on frozen sea ice, just in front of the Ronne Ice Shelf, roughly 420 miles (676 km) from the main base at Union Glacier, making it one of the most remote camps in the world and the only Antarctic camp on sea ice! The Emperor Penguin field camp is run each year just for the Emperor Penguin viewing season, and the season is extremely short, consisting of approximately twenty days. The field site is very carefully chosen to avoid disturbing the penguins in any way. Tents are set up approximately one mile (1.6 km) away from the rookery and, where possible, screened from the penguins’ view by an iceberg or other natural feature. A flagged route marks the path between the rookery and our camp. At the end of the viewing season, the camp is taken down, and everything, including human waste, is removed.

Campsite Facilities: Camp facilities are necessarily more modest than at our Union Glacier base-camp. Equipment must be lightweight and portable yet still strong enough to withstand Antarctic conditions. Facilities are designed to provide as much comfort as possible while minimizing our environmental footprint. Meals are served in a small, heated dining tent. The expedition includes both set meals and available snacks to provide penguin viewing and photography flexibility. Accommodation is in two-person mountaineering tents like those used by alpine ascent teams. The sleeping tents are unheated, but you will stay nice and warm with your insulated sleeping mat and polar-rated sleeping bag. The small tent size and double occupancy accommodation also maximize heat retention. A shared solar re-charging station is provided for camera batteries and other portable electronic devices. Toilet facilities are housed in a dedicated bathroom tent. They are basic, but private and kept spotlessly clean. All waste is returned to Union Glacier Camp for proper disposal.

Day 9 – Return to Punta Arenas Chile *: At the end of our last day we pack up the Twin-Otter aircraft and fly back to Union Glacier Camp, where we will enjoy a celebration dinner and share stories and photographs of our time living in one of the remotest parts of Antarctica with the Emperor Penguins.

The jet transport aircraft will then arrive and take us on the final leg of our Antarctic experience. You will be met at Punta Arenas airport when we land and transfer to your hotel, where we will conclude our expedition.

* Schedule: No two Antarctic experiences are the same. This is part of the excitement and adventure of Antarctic travel. The exact timeline and details will vary from trip to trip, and the length of the trip may vary by departure.

Please anticipate delays and do not plan anything for at least a week after your scheduled return. Allow yourself to enjoy this unique experience without the stress of pending commitments. The weather plays a very large part in our itinerary and timing, and whilst every effort is made to minimize delays, it is not uncommon for expeditions to be delayed due to weather.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Cold will it Be?

Our expedition takes place during the Antarctic summer when the weather is at its best. We advise on suitable clothing so that you can enjoy your trip to the fullest. The interior of Antarctica has a cold, dry, windy climate. Average mid-season temperatures at our base camp range from 10F to 25F (-12C to -4C ). On a sunny, windless day, it can feel quite warm, but when the wind blows, you will be glad for warm layers and a wind jacket. Temperatures can drop as low as -22F (-30C) in early November. Weather at the Emperor's rookery is highly variable and influenced by coastal systems. Temperatures range from -22F (-30C) to near 32F (0C), with sunny and overcast skies and the possibility of heavy snowstorms.

Do I Need Travel and Evacuation Insurance?

All participants are required to provide cover for medical evacuation, due to the high cost of evacuation from Antarctica. We also strongly recommend that you consider Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance to protect you in case you need to cancel for any reason.

Will the itinerary be exactly the same as documented?

Our itinerary is meant as a guide to give you an idea of how our expedition may unfold. However, no two trips are the same - and that is part of the excitement and adventure of Antarctic Expedition travel. Flight schedules are flexible, and you should expect delays due to the unpredictable nature of Antarctic weather, runway conditions and other logistics.

When should I arrive?

We ask that you arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile at least two full days (48 hours) before the scheduled departure. This allows time for clothing and equipment checks and provides a buffer in case you should miss a flight connection or have lost luggage. An environmental and logistics briefing will be held the day prior to departure. We will collect your luggage and load the aircraft that afternoon, ready for an early flight the following day. Please note that we cannot hold Antarctic flights for delayed arriving guests or lost luggage. We recommend that you give yourself plenty of time to enjoy your trip without the stress of tight timelines.

Can I fly my drone/UAV in Antarctica?

The use of drones in Antarctica is controversial. If you wish to fly a drone, we ask that you please contact us for the latest advice on any restrictions that may apply.

I’m not sure I have the correct equipment?

We will provide you with a detailed clothing and equipment list prior to the expedition so that you have plenty of time to prepare. If you still have questions after reading our equipment lists and overview, just drop us a line, and we will be more than happy to help. We can also arrange rental clothing for you.

What Camera Equipment Should I bring?

The choice of camera equipment is a personal one. In general, however, we recommend you bring a 35mm mirrorless camera system with various focal lengths from wide-angle to medium telephoto. We will send you a detailed recommended list of equipment, so you have plenty of time to prepare for the expedition.

Why Does this Expedition cost more than Other Ship Style Journeys?

A large proportion of the cost of this expedition involves the privately chartered Jet Transport and Twin-Otter aircraft that we will use to reach our Base-camp at Union Glacier and the Advance field camp on the sea ice at the Emperor Penguin rookery. There are also significant logistics costs associated with operating these remote camps. Flying into Union Glacier and then taking a second ski aircraft is the only way to guarantee access to the Emperors. We understand this makes it more expensive and that, as a result, this expedition may not be for everyone.

Can I touch the penguins?

No. Penguins, seals and other Antarctic wildlife need to conserve energy in order to survive and raise their young. It is essential that you keep your distance and avoid causing them stress. All Antarctic wildlife are protected under the Antarctic Treaty, and visitors may not touch, feed or disturb them in any way. Please see IAATO’s Emperor Penguin Viewing Guidelines. We will also explain the wildlife-watching procedures and help you follow them in the field.