On a remote, icy coast of the Antarctic’s Weddell Sea are the breeding grounds of thousands of birds, including the iconic Emperor penguin (from March of the Penguins fame). Experience the sounds, sights (and smell!) of the Gould Bay Emperor Penguin Colony on this incredible fly-in and camping journey. This is a photographer’s paradise, with majestic emperors and their chicks set against a spectacular backdrop of ice cliffs, pressure ridges, and icebergs. It is not just penguins: spot petrels and seals amongst the endless white expanse!
Camp on the same sea ice where thousands of birds come to raise and feed their young.
Welcome to Chile! You need to arrive two days prior to your Antarctic flight, so that you have ample time to meet the team, check your gear and explore the quaint fishing village of Punta Arenas. Your flight to Antarctica is in the lap of the weather gods, but as soon as the weather permits you will take off to the great white expanse!
The 4¼ hour flight to Antarctica flies over the Drake Passage, following the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the spine of the Ellsworth Mountains, before landing on a naturally occurring blue-ice runway at Union Glacier Camp.
One of our specially-adapted snow vans will take you the last for 8 km (5miles) shuttle to our main camp.
Spend the day exploring the area around Union Glacier Camp, and getting your first taste of Antarctica. There are a number of excursions and activities on offer: you will meet with your guide in the morning to decide what you would like to do from ice-climbing, snow-mobiling, hiking backcountry ski-ing, to resting at your camp and catching up on reading. The choice is yours!
Depending on the weather conditions, you will fly today to the Emperor field camp. The flight takes about 4 hours and travels over the Ronne Ice Shelf and Berkner Island, before landing about 3 km (2 miles) from the penguin colony.
For the next 2 days you will immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, smells and activity of the penguin colony; photographing penguins, seals, and seabirds, all under the wing of our experienced filed guides and naturalists.
Our 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 Emperor Penguins Experience in Antarctica.
When weather and runway conditions permit, our intercontinental aircraft will arrive at Union Glacier to transport you back to Chile.
*Every effort will be made to keep to the scheduled flight date and we will depart as soon as weather and runway conditions permit. Please understand that delays are common in Antarctic travel. All flights are dependent on weather, aircraft serviceability, and local conditions. Our staff will stay in close contact with you and will provide you with regular flight updates.
For next available departures, please contact us
Ice Tracks made my dream of traveling to an Emperor Penguin colony come true. At the time I didn’t think it was possible. They come over as a young adventurous business and I like that look and feel. Soon you realise the relationship is founded on mutual trust and feel and you are not just buying a ticket you are buying an experience. Caro worked hard to provide an end-to-end solution tailored to my requirements. Cris was wonderful at making the bookings and constantly keeping in touch when situations changed. Angie made a difference with a special personal touch.
I salute and thank you all! Roger
Roger Clark, Camp Amongst Emperors, Antarctica
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