Skip to main content

Emperors & Explorers

Emperors & Explorers

Walk with Emperors and Fly to the South Pole

Experience two Antarctic icons in one action-packed adventure. Fly by ski aircraft to the Gould Bay Emperor Penguin Colony on the remote coast of the Weddell Sea. Camp on the same sea ice where thousands of birds come to raise and feed their young. Photograph majestic emperors and their chicks against a spectacular backdrop of ice cliffs,pressure ridges, and icebergs. Fall asleep to a chorus of trumpeting calls and wake to find curious penguins outside your tent.

Fly on to the Geographic South Pole, the most remote destination on Earth. In several hours you’ll cover the distance that took early explorers months of hardship to achieve. History comes alive as you stand at 90° South, the ultimate goal of Amundsen and Scott, who crossed this frozen continent more than 100 years ago. Feel the spirit of determination and discovery that has inspired a century of Antarctic exploration and scientific research.

9-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1

  • Fly to Union Glacier, Antarctica
  • Receive a welcome tour and get comfortable in your beautiful Antarctic basecamp.

Day 2: Flexible flight day

  • If weather conditions permit, fly to the emperor penguin colony.
  • Receive a camp tour and review safety and biosecurity procedures.

Gould Bay

  • Join experienced guides to view, photograph, and learn about the emperor penguin colony.
  • Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the colony.
  • Live in comfortable tents, eat communal meals, enjoy Antarctica.

Flexible flight day

  • Fly back to Union Glacier, Antarctica

Flexible flight day

  • Fly to South Pole

Day 6-8

  • Explore Union Glacier with experienced staff.
  • Hike and photograph at scenic excursion to surrounding destinations.
  • Enjoy a celebratory event to mark your memorable Antarctic experience.
  • Learn about historic polar explorers and enjoy local events.

Day 9

  • Return to Chile

Upcoming Departures

Dec 04, 2026
Nov 26, 2027*
Full
Full

*Pricing for marked departures is TBD.

About The Emperors & Explorers Camps

Crafted for the extremes, our Antarctic camps are a testament to precision engineering and logistical mastery. Whether you’re staying at Union Glacier Camp nestled by Mount Rossman, or traveling to one of our remote camps, each site is primarily powered by renewable energy systems and supported by expert field staff trained in polar operations. Refined with our nearly half a century of experience in the interior of Antarctica, our camps are optimized for safety, sustainability, and a once-in-a-lifetime immersive experience.

A snowy campsite in Antarctica with colorful tents scattered across a white landscape, set against snow-covered mountains. Supported by Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, the scene glows under a bright, partly cloudy sky with the sun shining.
Union Glacier Camp

Union Glacier Camp

South Pole Camp

South Pole Camp

Gould Bay Camp

Gould Bay Camp

What’s Included

A large white check mark inside a solid green circle, symbolizing approval or confirmation—like a stamp of success on an Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions journey to the South Pole.
Airport transfers in Punta Arenas, Chile
A large white check mark inside a solid green circle, symbolizing approval or confirmation—like a stamp of success on an Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions journey to the South Pole.
Round trip flight to Antarctica from Punta Arenas
A large white check mark inside a solid green circle, symbolizing approval or confirmation—like a stamp of success on an Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions journey to the South Pole.
Meals and tented accommodation in Antarctica
A large white check mark inside a solid green circle, symbolizing approval or confirmation—like a stamp of success on an Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions journey to the South Pole.
Antarctic guides and lecturers
A large white check mark inside a solid green circle, symbolizing approval or confirmation—like a stamp of success on an Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions journey to the South Pole.
Celebration event and Certificate of Achievement
A large white check mark inside a solid green circle, symbolizing approval or confirmation—like a stamp of success on an Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions journey to the South Pole.
Checked luggage up to 55 lb (25 kg) plus skis

What’s Not Included

A large white letter X, reminiscent of Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, is centered on a gray circular background.
Commercial flights to and from Punta Arenas
A large white letter X, reminiscent of Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, is centered on a gray circular background.
Airport transfers outside of Punta Arenas
A large white letter X, reminiscent of Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, is centered on a gray circular background.
Meals and accommodation in Punta Arenas
A large white letter X, reminiscent of Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, is centered on a gray circular background.
Additional flights within Antarctica
A large white letter X, reminiscent of Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, is centered on a gray circular background.
Personal equipment and clothing
A large white letter X, reminiscent of Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, is centered on a gray circular background.
Expenses incurred due to delays
A large white letter X, reminiscent of Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, is centered on a gray circular background.
Luggage over 55 lb (25 kg)
A large white letter X, reminiscent of Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, is centered on a gray circular background.
Satellite phone charges
A large white letter X, reminiscent of Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, is centered on a gray circular background.
Insurance coverage—personal, medical, evacuation, or otherwise
A group of fluffy emperor penguin chicks covered in snow huddle closely together in the harsh cold of Antarctica. The background reveals more chicks, creating a dense, wintry scene typical of Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions.

Responsible Wildlife Viewing

Seeing emperor penguins in their natural habitat is an extraordinary privilege. To protect the colony and ensure the birds remain undisturbed, all visits are conducted in accordance with established wildlife viewing procedures. Guests are guided by experienced field staff and asked to move slowly, maintain appropriate distances from penguins, avoid blocking penguin travel routes, and follow all biosecurity protocols. These practices help minimize disturbance while allowing for exceptional wildlife observation and photography opportunities, ensuring the colony remains protected for future generations.

Request the latest Guidelines

Prepare For Your Trip to Antarctica

How To Prepare For Emperors & Explorers

Preparation Details

Inquire Now

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.
Please mark if applicable

“

It was a great trip from the beginning with you to the plane at Punta with Rene. Outstanding could be the only comment that we could make.

Tom Crane
“

Thank you very much for helping me to get to Antarctica. It was a great trip and ALE was so well organized. I think I lost my soul to the ice.

Correne Coetzer
“

Now after some while I realize what a great time I had during the whole trip both in Chile and Antarctica. The delay we had was not a delay, it was anticipation of a real adventure and I enjoyed it too. I appreciate very much your efforts and professionalism in preparing and managing this very complicated logistic operation. I was even more pleased dealing with your team which creates very friendly and warm air in the cold environment.

Alexandr Drozdkov
“

I wanted to personally thank you and your team for a exceptional season on the ice. In my opinion the whole affair was faultless to a tee... even the bubbles in the champene you provided us on our return from the pole were of the correct diameter.

Jonathan Bradshaw
“

I have traveled for over 75 years to many extremely remote places and without a doubt Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions is the best logistics company I've ever worked with... If you want to travel to Antarctica and really see and experience the place, ALE is your best choice as a travel partner. They have my highest recommendation-5 STARS. “Thank You” ALE for exceeding all my expectations and giving me the experience of a lifetime.

Bruce D. Silversteign M. D.
“

Beginning with the entire onboarding process, the quality of the people at ALE stood out. From the early emails to the final pre-departure steps in Punta Arenas, each transition felt smooth and clear... From the perspective of the “adventure experience” I was awestruck every waking moment that I was there.

Jeff Jones