The South Pole - The Last Degree
Overview
Ski the last 69 miles from 89 degrees south to the South Pole
Introduction
This expedition allows you to experience an incredible journey that few have undertaken: to travel by ski across the frozen tundra to reach the most southerly point on earth - the Geographical South Pole.To travel the whole distance from the Antarctic coast to the Pole takes about 50 days and involves complex crevasse systems and bitter catabatic winds. By flying to 89 degrees south, you arrive straight on to the Antarctic plateau for a relatively straightforward ski across the final 60 nautical miles to the Pole. However, this will still give a real taste of Antarctic exploration and the commitment and hostile environment will be real.
The expedition starts with a flight from Chile to a the blue-ice runway and camp at Union Glacier (79° 45'S 083° 14'W), on the Antarctic continent. Then you fly by smaller ski-equipped aircraft to the start point of your overland journey. The journey to the Pole will take 5 days plus spare days in case of bad weather.
Participants will need to have remote area expedition experience and be fit walkers preferably with some skiing ability. No technical climbing is involved, but the harsh climate and the psychological pressure of being in the middle of the world's wildest continent makes this trip suitable for mountaineers.
The overall experience and the sense of achievement gained will leave a deep impression of Antarctica, and a unique appreciation and respect for those early explorers who first ventured into the ice desert of the 'last great wilderness'.
Please note 2025-26 dates and prices are provisional.
Start point: Punta Arenas
Grade: 6E
Experience Required
This expedition offers a major challenge due to the harshness of the climate and the extremely remote location. Skiers wishing to join the expedition and have a good chance of success must be able to:
- Show previous expedition experience in cold environments.
- Be well organised and self-reliant.
- Ski for 9 hours per day, pulling a 45Kg load while at a physiological altitude of 3,350m.
Temperatures of -40°C are likely to be encountered and participants should be both psychologically and physically prepared for this. The remote situation and tough conditions provide the real challenge of this journey. We recommend joining our NEW The South Pole Last Degree Training course.
Flights
Jagged Globe can arrange flights from the UK to Punta Arenas on request. We strongly recommend that you take out insurance cover for cancellation at the time of booking.Additional Information
If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.Dates & Prices
| Date | Meeting in | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 7 Dec – Fri 18 Dec 2026 | Punta Arenas |
Available
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| 1 place left with $1,000 early booking offer | $84,475 $83,475 |
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| Fri 18 Dec – Tue 29 Dec 2026 | Punta Arenas |
Available
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| 1 place left with $1,000 early booking offer | $84,475 $83,475 |
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| Mon 4 Jan – Fri 15 Jan 2027 | Punta Arenas |
Available
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| 1 place left with $1,000 early booking offer | $84,475 $83,475 |
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This trip may only be booked in USD.
Group size: 4 – 8 people.
Single room supplement: $495
For comparison, this expedition starts from $6,498 (USD) per day (price Without Flights).
Know Before You Go
Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go' campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Chile on the FCDO Website.What the price includes
- Bonding via ATOL or ABTOT (see more below).
- Airport transfers in Punta Arenas, Chile.
- Round trip flight to Antarctica from Punta Arenas.
- Flight to 89°S from Union Glacier.
- Flight to Union Glacier from South Pole.
- Meals and tented accommodation in Antarctica.
- Camping and skiing equipment.
- Expedition Guide.
- Celebration event and Certificate of Achievement.
- Checked luggage up to 55 lb (25 kg).
- Jagged Globe kitbag.
What the price does not include
- Economy class return airfares from the UK (Can be arranged on request.)
- Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
- Airport transfers outside of Punta Arenas.
- Hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas (Can be arranged on request.)
- Meals in Punta Arenas.
- Excess baggage over 25Kg.
- Personal equipment and clothing.
- Expenses incurred due to delays.
- Additional flights within Antarctica.
- Satellite phone charges.
- Bar bills and laundry.
- Travel insurance.
- Tips.
Tailor Made Trips
We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.
Insurance
You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »Itinerary
Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »
Outline Itinerary
Important Note: Delays. Delays of 1 - 3 days are likely for the flights between Punta Arenas and Union Glacier in either direction. In exceptional circumstances these delays may extend to a week or more. We recommend that you do not book any essential work or travel commitments in the two weeks following your scheduled return to Chile.| Day -1: | Arrive Punta Arenas, Chile |
| Day 0: | Pre-departure day: luggage pick up and briefing |
| Day 1: | Fly to Antarctica |
| Day 2 - 3: | Expedition preparations |
| Day 4: | Fly to 89°S |
| Day 5 - 9: | Ski to the South Pole |
| Day 10: | Arrive at the South Pole |
| Day 11: | Return to Union Glacier |
| Day 12: | Return to Chile |
Photos & Videos
Reports & Reviews
First Expedition: 2003
Total: 2 trips
Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.
Team Member Reviews
There are currently no team member reviews for this trip.Leader Reports
- South Pole - 2003/2004
“The first Jagged Globe Expedition to ski the ‘last degree’ to the South Pole The two clients on the 2003 Jagged Globe Mt Vinson expedition (Rob & Jo Gambi) chose to remain in Antarctica for an additional two weeks in order...”
report added 13/Jan/04
Duration
13 NightsPrices
Without Flights
from $83,475.00 deposit $6,500.00** Final payment due 90 days before departure
Difficulty
Downloads
News About this Trip
| South Pole itinerary | (Feb '06) | |
| South Pole - 2003/2004 | (Jan '04) | |
Training Courses
To get the most from your expedition, Jagged Globe offer Off Piste courses to improve your skiing technique... read more »Equipment Hire
Over the years, we have gained an incredible amount of experience and expertise in outdoor equipment and clothing. We have applied this to each trip that we offer and recommend what we believe to be the most suitable items for your trip.
We offer a comprehensive Equipment Hire Service »
