Next year Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions and TravelQuest International will offer the chance to view a total solar eclipse at the bottom of the world.
What’s better than watching the majesty and mystery of a total solar eclipse? How about viewing it from the depths of Antarctica, where the super-clean air provides the perfect platform for heaven gazing? Next December, a select group of travelers will have just such an opportunity, thanks to a collaboration between Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE) and TravelQuest International (TQ).
In the early morning of December 4, 2021, the moon will pass directly in front of the sun, culminating in a total solar eclipse. ALE’s Union Glacier Camp lies in the path of totality, making it an ideal location to witness this rare event and one of the most exciting experiences that ALE has ever hosted. Surrounded by the icy expanse of Union Glacier and the rugged peaks of the Ellsworth Mountains, guests will experience 44 seconds of total darkness during a time of the year when Antarctica would normally have 24-hour daylight.
Together ALE and TQ have been working over the past three years to design an awe-inspiring experience for this celestial phenomenon and are expected to be the only tour operators offering this unique opportunity from the interior of the Antarctic continent (although cruise companies will also be operating eclipse itineraries).
The eclipse will travel East to West, an eclipse path only possible in the polar regions, and will not be repeated until December 15, 2039, making this a rare experience and not to be missed.
While the eclipse will be the main event, participants will also enjoy life on a glacier where the ice is almost 5,000 ft (1,500 m) thick. Guests will have the chance to explore the polar landscapes with ALE’s experienced guides, who will tailor daily excursions to suit personal goals, with activities ranging from hiking over waves of blue-ice, and skiing across frozen sastrugi, to touring the polar wilderness from the comfort of a heated vehicle.
ALE’s Union Glacier Camp, the only facility of its kind in Antarctica, will provide comfortable accommodation for eclipse-viewing guests, with double-walled tents specially designed to withstand Antarctic conditions and naturally heated by the 24-hour sunlight, while talented chefs utilize a fully equipped kitchen to create delicious fresh-cooked meals using ingredients flown in from Chile.
For more unique Experiences click here.