100 Years Since South Pole Expedition - How to reach it as a tourist?
It's been 100 years since humans first reached the South Pole.
According to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, about 30,000 people visit the continent of Antarctica annually. However, only a fraction make it to the pole.
Is there a "frugal traveller" means of reaching the South Pole? What options exist? Do you need a team or can you join a group tour? How much time needs to be allocated for a round-trip there?
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Can you go to the South Pole as a tourist?
To reach the South Pole, travelers will need to book a small plane that can land on the ice near the pole, where they will be allowed to explore the research base there, weather permitting. These trips can start as high as USD $50,000 and up.Can you travel past the South Pole?
Antarctica flights theoretically possible but rarely done Historically, flying close to or over the South Pole was ruled out by Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards rules. ETOPS governs how far away twin-engine jets can fly from an airport they can land at.How do tourists visit Antarctica?
The vast majority of visitors come by cruise ship, setting sail from ports like Ushuaia in Argentina or Punta Arenas in Chile.How did they reach the South Pole?
On 18 October 1911, after the Antarctic winter, Amundsen's team set out on its drive toward the Pole. Captain Scott began his trek three weeks later. At around 3pm on 14 December 1911, Amundsen raised the flag of Norway at the South Pole. He had reached the Pole a full 33 days before Captain Scott arrived.The deadly race to the South Pole
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Mauricio Thomsen, Vicky Tran, Brady Knoll, Plato Terentev