South Pole Scenic Flight
- Antarctica, Australia
- Antarctica, South Pole • Dec 2023
- 1 Day Itinerary
- From $1,679 (AUD)
- 236 Seats - Qantas Dreamliner
- Operated by one of our trusted partners
Antarctica, South Pole • Dec 2023
For the traveller keen to experience the extreme vastness of Antarctica and learn about great explorers, Robert Scott and Roald Amundsen. This flight will have you retracing their remarkable routes from a birds eye view, all the way to the South Pole and back. This, approx. 16 hour flight, is the only one of its kind, anywhere in the world!
Our South Pole flight is the first and only commercial scenic flight to the South Pole directly from Australia, making it a unique opportunity for Antarctica enthusiasts and bucket-listers alike. Set to take place over 16 spectacular hours, lucky travellers will find themselves flying to earth’s end to gaze upon the South Pole from the comfort of a Qantas Boeing Dreamliner 787.
Celebrating some of Antarctica’s most illustrious history, this scenic flight plans to take travellers across the largest body of floating ice on the planet; the Ross Ice Shelf, then over the Beardmore Glacier and the Transantarctic Mountains, all the way to the South Pole, as it retraces the out-route of Robert Falcon Scott during his race to the South Pole. The international research station, manned year-round at the South Pole, will be witnessed from the air before the flight makes its way back across the vast Polar Plateau, to the Axel Heiburg Glacier and, again, across the Ross Ice Shelf to the Bay of Whales, all along Amundsen’s successful route home, where he was crowned the victor in the race to the South Pole.
On board will be modern day explorers Geoff Wilson and Daniel Bull who will share their personal stories of exploration and describe the intricacies and natural hostilities of the incredible terrain you will see below you. Alongside these world record holders, will be a team of Antarctica and history experts to share with you the details of the history of the Heroic Age of Exploration as well as the geographic wonders of Antarctica.
Whilst exact views will be determined by conditions on the day, the prospect of many incredible highlights are bountiful. Every traveller will have the privilege of a magical trip that few can claim to have done; to say that you are one of the few individuals in human history to have visited the South Pole, had the chance to appreciate the enormity of Antarctica and to truly appreciate heroic feats of Scott and Amundsen’s journeys, is something incredibly unique.
For those lucky enough to secure a place on this historic flight, you will return with a head full of incredible stories and memories of unbelievable vistas, all from the comfort of a Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Why do this flight?
Whilst the route of this flight is a bucket-lister and Antarctica buff’s dream-come-true, the excitement and entertainment inside the cabin, as we trace the routes of formidable explorers will be palpable. Never has anyone covered this route in a day, nor has it been done with modern day explorers, who have their very own tales of hardship upon the great white continent to share. With travel for Australians being so limited lately, until now, an adventure like this could only be dreamed of.
SPECIAL GUESTS ONBOARD
Dr Geoff Wilson
Geoff is a very busy man, splitting his time between family, practising as a veterinary surgeon, and solo expeditions in the world’s extreme polar regions. He is an Antarctic expert in every sense of the word, and his list of achievements is impressive.
He has extensive experience exploring the harsh Antarctic environment and holds multiple records for unsupported solo expeditions in Antarctica. In 2013/14, Geoff became the third person in history to cross Antarctica solo unsupported – setting the fastest crossing on record (3,428 km in 53 days) in the process.
Most recently (2020), Geoff set the record for the longest unsupported solo polar journey in history when he crossed Antarctica in 2019/20. He was also the first person to summit Dome Argus – the highest point on the Antarctic Plateau and the earth’s coldest naturally occurring point – during the same expedition.
Geoff Wilson is the only Australian to reach the southern Pole of Inaccessibility solo unsupported and has set foot on parts of Antarctica where no other person has been.
He also has considerable experience completing unsupported solo expeditions in other parts of the globe, enabling him to provide unique insights and context on the Antarctic ecosystem.
In November 2021, Dr Geoff Wilson will join Chimu Adventures on our world-first exclusive South Pole Expedition Flight, providing lucky passengers with his incredible insights on the dramatic landscapes unfolding below them.
Daniel Bull
Daniel Bull is a record-breaking extreme adventurer and explorer. Nicknamed ‘Unstoppabull’ by his sisters, Daniel has an unrelenting desire to push limits and test the boundaries of what is possible.
After surviving a day in the Death Zone, Daniel Bull completed an unguided ascent of Mt Everest in his 20s. He has since made numerous first ascents up unclimbed peaks in uncharted locations and has successfully tackled some of the world’s most dangerous mountains. Among them, the infamous North Face of the Eiger – a vertical mile of brittle rock and ice in the Swiss Alps, nicknamed Mordwand in German, literally, ‘Murder Wall’.
In January 2017, embarking on a journey to Antarctica, the coldest, windiest and driest continent on the planet, Daniel attempted back-to-back climbs of both the highest mountain and the highest volcano on the frozen continent. Achieving his dual bid, he became the first Australian to summit Antarctica’s highest volcano – Mt Sidley – situated in the Executive Committee Range in the depths of the largest’ no man’s land’ on Earth.
Having achieved his childhood dream of standing on top of the world, Daniel has more recently expanded his high-altitude credentials by completing a decade long quest to climb the highest mountain and the highest volcano on every continent (known as the 7 Summits and 7 Volcanic Summits). He has become the First Australian and the Youngest Person on the Planet to achieve this feat.
A noted public speaker, Daniel will provide lucky passengers with enthralling insights into the dramatic landscapes unfolding below them and share anecdotes from his many achievements and experiences in Antarctica and beyond.
Tour Highlights
-
First-ever tourist day flight over the South Pole from another continent
-
First tourist flight to follow the routes of famous Antarctic explorers, Scott and Amundsen
-
Fly over the Transantarctic mountain range
-
Witness the absolute vastness of the white continent
-
Fly all the way to the south pole and tick it off your bucket list
-
Gaze upon remote landscapes few humans have ever seen
-
Hear firsthand stories from modern-day, world record-holding explorers, as they travel with us
Gallery
1 Day Itinerary
Leaving from Melbourne on the 27th of November 2022, this will
be heralded as the longest domestic flight known to Australians,
as this flight will never officially leave Australia. Set to be a 16-hour
extravaganza, the collection of vistas we will see on this flight will be
a world first.
The flight will leave early in the morning and head directly toward
Antarctica where the sightseeing will begin. Below you, the wonders
of Antarctica will burst into view as we make our way past Cape Adare
and over the Ross Ice shelf. Being the largest body of floating ice on
the planet, close to the size of Spain, the Ross Ice Shelf often spawns
enormous tabular icebergs that drift into the ocean. Fed by massive
glaciers, you will be amazed at just how long it takes to fly from one
side to the other of this incredible body of ice, before it is time to cross
the Transantarctic mountains and fly over the continent.
This journey will follow the route of the explorers of the heroes of
Antarctic Exploration Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott as
they raced to claim the title of the first person to reach the South
Pole. To really understand the feat these super-humans undertook, it
must be seen to be believed.
To cover the distance to the South Pole and back, we will need to fly
mostly at cruising speed and high altitude. Once we take off we’ll be
heading for the South Pole irrespective of what we see. Although we
look forward to the possibility of some lower altitude cruising.
As we will be on a set path toward the South Pole we will not have the
option to take alternative routes to suit the weather on the day, yet we
have carefully picked the best time of year to fly. With a good chance
of having some clear visibility, we will be travelling almost 6,000 km
to get to the South Pole. Though the exact views will be determined
by conditions on the day, every traveller will have the prospect of a
magical trip that few can claim to have done; to say that you are one
of the few individuals in human history to have visited the South Pole,
had the chance to appreciate the enormity of Antarctica and the truly
appreciate heroic feats of Scott and Amundsen’s journeys.
Tour Inclusions
-
Seat options from Economy Class – Limited View to Premium Business
-
Two Full-Service Qantas meals plus snack
-
Full Bar Service including champagne, beer, spirits and soft drinks
-
Choose your viewing on the in seat entertainment system
-
Knowledge and leadership by experienced Antarctica specialists, modern day explorers and specialist photographers
Tour Dates & Prices
Departure Date | Return Date | Price Per Person From | |
---|---|---|---|
03/12/2023 | 03/12/2022 | $1,679 per person ECONOMY LIMITED VIEW SOLD OUT | |
$2,669 per person ECONOMY (WING) | |||
$3,920 per person ECONOMY (NO WING) | |||
$5,486 per person PREMIUM ECONOMY | |||
$7,916 per person BUSINESS | |||
$9,797 per person BUSINESS PREMIUM SOLD OUT |
ECONOMY CLASS – LIMITED VIEW
ECONOMY CLASS – WING
customers will enjoy a full meal service for dinner & breakfast. There will be a seat swap during the flight to give everyone the opportunity to get better views through the large windows.
ECONOMY CLASS – NO WING
entertainment and even a personal electronic device shelf. There will be a seat swap during the flight to give everyone the opportunity to get better views through the large windows.
PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS
BUSINESS CLASS
however some photographers like the wing as it gives great perspective in images and video. These seats will undergo a swap to ensure everyone gets ample time in a window seat.
PREMIUM BUSINESS CLASS
Terms and Conditions
All pricing is on a per person twin share basis, unless otherwise noted ie: stated as a single. All prices based on cash payment – credit & debit card fees may apply. Deposits, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Full Terms & Conditions of tour/cruise operators will be supplied on booking, or ask us for full Terms & Conditions at the time of enquiry.
Region
Operator
Duration
Prices from
Book Your Own Group
Do you have a club or group interested in travelling as a group on this tour? Call us to discuss how we can tailor this package for your group.
- Search Tours & Packages