How to Travel to the South Pole

Do you want to join the ranks of South Pole explorers? South Pole expeditions are extreme vacations that today's modern adventurers undertake. Find out how to plan for the outing, what travel tips you must observe, and who can help along the way.

Location of the South Pole

Travel to the South Pole takes you to the continent of Antarctica. It is a well-known fact that Norway's Roald Amundsen and his team of South Pole explorers were the first people to reach the exact location. What used to be a strenuous task that pitted man and sled dogs against nature, has now become a potential for leisure travel and adventure outings. Case in point is Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who will travel to the South Pole in commemoration of Amundsen's feat. Quoting the AFP, Google News highlights that the head of government will simply fly in.

Travel Tips for modern South Pole Explorers

Gauge physical fitness. Medical attention may be miles, hours or days away. If you are suffering from chronic illnesses or are medication-dependent, discuss your travel plans with a physician first. Can you withstand temperatures that easily drop to negative 67 degrees Fahrenheit? Tour operators may require tourists to supply them with a Medical Information Form (MIF), which clears the traveler for extreme outings and protects the tour company from liability.

Choose an approach based on fitness. Modern travel to the South Pole involves airplanes, cruise ships and on-land adventure trips that require some physical exertion. Opt for the approach that will be the most enjoyable and still meets your hankering for adventure.

Buy an extreme cold weather wardrobe. Yahoo! Shopping offers numerous suggestions for gear that protects against frostbite and body heat loss. Do not skimp on this step! Most travel operators will choose a November to January window for the expeditions, since these are the warmest months on the South Pole. Nevertheless, temperatures remain well below zero degrees Fahrenheit. If you are uncertain about the proper outfit to buy, ask a tour operator about outfit rentals and suggested wardrobe lists.

Hire a tour guide or book passage with reputable South Pole expeditions operators. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) vets companies for inclusion into their listings. Choose a member company for heightened personal safety and to ensure that environmentally responsible travel practices are observed. IAATO members must verify that they have sufficient insurance to cover losses in cases of accidents or injuries; moreover, these tour operators must file itineraries and contingency plans for safe evacuations of travelers. Since the location of the South Pole is extreme in its distance from outside assistance, choose wisely to whom to entrust your life and health, as well as the success of your trip.

Know what to expect. If you opt for an on-land approach, you initially come within reach of the location by plane. Next comes an on-ice camp stay (for on-land tours). From there, you may sled or ski into location. This is physically extremely demanding. Flying in by various planes is more relaxing, but you still have to deal with the temperatures. The same holds true for the approach by cruise ship.

Pay the fees. South Pole expeditions are not cheap. One operator, Polar Explorers, charges between $52,500 and $57,500 for a two-week on-land expedition. This cost does not include the flight charges to the departure point and back. It also does not include clothes, fees for extended stays because of weather delays, or airline charges because of excess baggage. Insurance coverages for trip cancellation or evacuation are not included either. Cruises are bound to be a lot cheaper. Nevertheless, having substantial financial resources to do the trips "right" is a prerequisite.

Sources

Google News, "Norway PM to travel to South Pole 100 years after Amundsen" by AFP

Yahoo! Shopping, "Extreme Cold Weather Clothing"

IAATO

Polar Explorers, "South Pole Ski Expeditions"