Eclipse Tour Destination: Antarctica
A total eclipse of the Sun doesn’t just unfold in the heavens. It transforms the minds and hearts of those fortunate enough to experience such a rare event firsthand. The same is true of journeys to the most remote regions of our planet: standing on a mountain peak or in a stark polar landscape, you can’t help but reflect on your place in the larger scheme of things. These insights have converged in a remarkable new adventure from TravelQuest.
In 2021, we ...Show more
In 2021, the Moon’s shadow draws its darkest line across the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. It’s a challenging environment, as the Southern Ocean is one of the cloudiest places on the globe. To find the best weather prospects, the eclipse watcher must travel into the continent’s interior, where moisture is locked away in the ice and the ocean far off. Twenty years of satellite observations have revealed the one location along the eclipse path where weather prospects are most favorable, and the Union Glacier camp is located in the midst of that good-weather band. Average cloud amounts at the camp range around the 40 percent mark, less than half of cloud levels over the ocean. The camp is surrounded by mountains on three sides, which helps to block the flow of low- and mid-level cloud from the north, west, and south, and forms a small microclimate that likely improves the cloud-free prospects even more. Low clouds that form to the east, over the Weddell Sea, tend to arrive in late December, after the eclipse date.
After an overnight flight, you arrive in Santiago, Chile, clear Customs and Immigration, and then board your connecting domestic flight south to Punta Arenas (Airport code: PUQ). The flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas will take you along the Andes. Providing it is a clear day, those with window seats along the left-hand side of the aircraft will be treated to stunning alpine scenes including massive calving glaciers and their lakes, rugged mountain views, volcanoes and, if the pilot is of a mind, a possible fly-by of the magnificent Torres del Paine. After transferring to our hotel, spend the remainder of the day relaxing or becoming acquainted with this fascinating, centuries-old port. In the evening, join fellow expedition members for a welcome dinner.
Weather permitting, the aircraft from Punta Arenas arrives at Union Glacier on our scheduled departure day with a new collection of avid explorers – and soon takes off with our group for the final leg of our Antarctic journey. Back in Punta Arenas, we transfer to our hotel. Our team will be on hand to assist wherever possible with arrangements for the conclusion of your journey.
Ski the Last Degree - 89°S to 90°S: Ski the last 60 nautical miles (69 mi/111 km) to reach the most southerly point on Earth and experience firsthand the challenges faced by early explorers. Ski the Last Degree captures the essence of polar exploration in an incredible expedition.
Fly over Mount Vinson Base Camp (half-day trip): A 2-hour scenic flight over the Heritage and Sentinel Ranges and, weather permitting, view of Antarctica’s tallest peak, Mount Vinson.
