White Desert: 8D7N South Pole & Emperors
WHITE DESERT
Founded by genuine polar explorers, White Desert continues to explore whilst staying true to our principles of adventure and environmentally responsible travel. This luxury adventure takes you into the heart of Antarctica to see the Emperor Penguins. Then it's on to the southernmost point on earth – the South Pole!
Tour Highlights
Almost 2 decades ago, we dreamed of sharing this extraordinary continent, so rarely visited, with people other than scientists and explorers. We wanted to guide people on a personal journey to the last true wilderness and most remote place on Earth – Antarctica. Each year we have the privilege of bringing just 250 guests from our home in Cape Town to the Seventh Continent. We want people to experience this breath-taking place in luxury and to hopefully go home changed in the most positive of ways. With rare access to the interior of Antarctica and the support of our extraordinary guides, you will encounter a pristine glacial landscape of immeasurable splendour. Here icebergs tower like carved cathedrals, wildlife thrives in the harshest of conditions, glistening ice sheets stretch to the skyline and shards of rock pierce through pristine snowfields. The end of the world is unimaginably beautiful. To see the Emperor penguins and their newly born chicks existing in this unforgiving environment is humbling; we bear witness to their fight for survival against seemingly insurmountable odds. Standing on the South Pole is a feat experienced by fewer than 500 people each year! Once here, there is no more East, West or South – only North… The Continent has had a deep and lasting impact on all of us at White Desert and we look forward to sharing it with you.
Activities:
- Rock-climbing and abseiling
- Hiking multiple nunataks
- Fat biking
- Cross country skiing
- Exploring ice caves
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Cape Town - Wolfs Gang Runway - Echo Camp/Whichaway Camp
We fly over miles of icebergs on our 5-hour flight from Cape Town to Antarctica. During the flight, we enter the Polar Circle and encounter the continuous daylight of the Antarctic summer. After landing on our blue ice runway, you will transfer to Echo where cocktails made with 10,000-year-old ice await
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 2 Echo Camp/Whichaway Camp
Do as much or as little as you like each day. Activities range from massages, yoga and gentle hikes to exploring incredible mountains and glaciers, summiting a nunatak, ice climbing and even abseiling! On quieter days, you’ll hear talks from our polar explorer team members about some of the lesser-known history of Antarctica and their world record-breaking expeditions.
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 3 Atka Bay
Today, you could visit the Emperor penguin colony at Atka Bay. We fly 2.5 hours across Antarctica, enjoying beautiful views of the nearby mountain ranges and coastline, before landing at the colony. You will be among the very few who have ever witnessed this incredibly resilient species in their natural habitat.
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 4 Echo Camp/Whichaway Camp
We can spend the day exploring the nearby mountains and enjoy a gentle hike overlooking the endless ice sheet, followed by a champagne picnic.
Then you’ll head off with your guide, winding your way through the snow and ice to an incredible vantage point with panoramic views over the mountains that you have just explored.
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 5 Geographic South Pole
The South Pole trip is a highlight. We leave early in the morning in our Basler BT-67 aircraft, flying over stunning mountain ranges before landing at Dixie’s camp to refuel. After stretching your legs on the High Polar Plateau we continue to the South Pole, where you will have plenty of time for photos and a chance to stamp your passport before flying back to Dixie’s Camp and overnighting just like the original explorers.
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 6 Echo Camp/Whichaway Camp
After a night under canvas, you’ll enjoy breakfast before boarding the plane once again for the flight back to Echo. The flight is the perfect chance to appreciate the immense scale of Antarctica, before you return to camp for a three-course champagne dinner to celebrate your achievements
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 7 Echo Camp/Whichaway Camp
An adventurous hike along a winding cliff face affords guests stunning views over the last pristine wilderness on Earth. Our specialist UIAGM mountain guides will lead you on this challenging hike, ensuring your safety at all times.
breakfast · lunch · dinner
Day 8 Echo Camp/Whichaway Camp - Wolfs Gang Runway - Cape Town
The flight out of Antarctica will be the last of your enduring memories of the great White Continent before you dive back into the vibrant energy of Africa. You will be transferred to your hotel where you will have a chance to relax and reflect on your Antarctic adventure.
breakfast · lunch · dinner
What's included
Included
- Safety briefing (return transfers provided)
- Return transfers for Antarctica flights.
- Return flight to Antarctica (inc. 23kg for hold luggage and 7kg for hand luggage)
- All accommodation, food and drinks (including all alcohol) in Antarctica
- All guiding fees, support of field guides and logistics staff.
- The use of certain items of polar clothing, as denoted on equipment list.
- Payment by White Desert Ltd of a ‘Carbon Tax’ for offsetting emissions created by all logistics associated with Antarctic travel.
Not included
- Commercial flights to and from Cape Town, South Africa.
- Accommodation and meals whilst in Cape Town
- Polar clothing (you will be sent a tailored kit list in advance of your trip to help you purchase the necessary items)
- Comprehensive insurance cover. (White Desert staff can advise you as to the appropriate cover required.)
- Additional expenses incurred in Cape Town due to any delay.
- Additional baggage costs over the agreed amount.
- Cost of the use of a satellite phone whilst in Antarctica.
Prices & dates
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Your hotels
Echo Camp
★★★★★
71°32'47" S 8°50'11" E
Whichaway Camp
★★★★★
70º 45’ 49” S 11º 36’ 59” E
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