Take an exciting journey to the Antarctic and explore the hidden gems on this Great White Continent. During this 8-day South Pole and Emperors Antarctic Adventure, discover nearby ice tunnels, ice waves, a blue river, and a crystal cave network. With experienced guides on hand to share their knowledge of the local wildlife and environment, take a ski plane and see the vast icy expanse contrasting the Emperor penguin colony. Take time for photos and a passport stamp as you fly over the South Pole's breathtaking white mountain range. While staying in a sophisticated and luxurious camp inspired by astronauts, join multiple activities at the Camp. This expedition offers an unforgettable journey for those who crave a taste of the frozen continent's awe-inspiring landscapes and remarkable wildlife adventures.
Highlights
Explore the far reaches of Antarctica by crossing the Polar Circle
Stay at Echo, a unique and luxurious camp inspired by astronauts
Fly to a massive Emperor penguin colony in Atka Bay
Visit the heart of the Great White Continent, the Geographic South Pole.
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
You fly over miles of icebergs on our 5-hour flight from Cape Town to Antarctica. During the flight, you enter the Polar Circle and encounter the continuous daylight of the Antarctic summer.
After landing on the blue ice runway, you will transfer to Echo, where cocktails crafted with 10,000-year-old ice await.
* It is a mandatory requirement that all participants arrive in Cape Town, South Africa, at least two to three days before your scheduled flight to Antarctica. This is to allow flexibility should your flight be brought forward due to weather conditions – something that can, and does, happen! White Desert will host a mandatory safety briefing in Cape Town one day prior to "Day 1" of your itinerary to ensure your readiness for your upcoming adventure. The experienced team will personally inspect your equipment and polar clothing and hold briefings and orientations to ensure all participants are adequately equipped and prepared.
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 the polar explorer team members about some of the lesser-known history of Antarctica and their world record-breaking expeditions.
Echo Camp offers a variety of group excursions and plenty of activities you can do on your own around the camp. While at the Camp, you are free to join an active or relaxed lifestyle.
Ice Tunnels - The seasonal meltwater carves a path through the ice waves, forming deep tunnels of iridescent blue ice at the base of the Oasis. Exploring the tunnels is truly a magical experience.
Crystal Caves - The meltwater flows through tunnels and caves that will defy our guests’ imagination. The ancient ice, created over millennia, has so little air trapped within it that it turns blue – and is a perfect accompaniment to a cocktail!
Nunatak Climb - With the help of an expert guides, scale a blue-ice glacier and reach the easy summit of "Nunatak" Mountain for spectacular views
Rope Walk - On a hike that is as safe as it is spectacular, guides lead the guests on an easy traverse across a 200-foot cliff with an incredible view of the ice waves below.
Today, you could visit the Emperor penguin colony at Atka Bay. You will 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 its natural habitat.
At the colony’s height in November and December, you’ll see over 14,000 breeding pairs and their newly hatched chicks—a spectacle full of noise and energy that is a favorite with wildlife watchers and photographers.
There are so few visitors to this colony that the chicks are unafraid of humans and often waddle close by. Mindful of our responsibility to the wildlife and of IAATO guidelines, we keep at least 5m (16.4ft) from the Penguins. Looking in every direction, all you’ll see is a vast icy expanse contrasting the penguins’ shimmering feathers.
After breakfast, you can spend the day exploring the nearby mountains and enjoying a gentle hike overlooking the endless ice sheet, followed by a champagne picnic. Then, 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.
Day 5: Fly to Geographic South Pole via Dixie's Camp
The South Pole trip is a highlight! You leave early in the morning in your 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, 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.
Camp at Dixie’s Camp this evening to allow the Basler pilots to take their statutory rest period (to ensure they do not exceed their daily flying hours). Dixie’s Camp is situated at a lower altitude to the South Pole, which makes the camp more comfortable for an overnight stay. It is also one of the most remote locations on the planet and will give you a taste of what it is like to live as an Antarctic explorer! This rest stop will last for 10-12 hours and can occur on either leg of the flight, depending on weather conditions. Enjoy a hot meal, reflect on the day, and fall asleep knowing you’re in one of the wildest places on Earth, a place rarely visited and still vastly unexplored.
After a night under canvas at Dixie's Camp, you’ll enjoy breakfast before boarding the plane once again for the 5 hour flight back to Echo Camp. 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.
An adventurous hike along a winding cliff face affords guests stunning views over the last pristine wilderness on Earth. The team of specialist UIAGM mountain guides will lead you on this challenging hike, ensuring your safety at all times.
Day 8: Fly to Cape Town | Return Home
1 Breakfast
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!
*It is a mandatory requirement that all participants plan at least two to three days minimum in Cape Town, South Africa at the end of your scheduled flight back from Antarctica in order to be prepared for any unforeseen flight changes or delays.
Please Note: This itinerary is entirely subject to weather conditions in Antarctica and is meant purely as a guide to what guests may expect day by day. The exact sequence of activities and the types of aircraft mentioned may vary. Although rare, it is possible that travelers may not reach the South Pole or Emperor Penguins during your stay. The South Pole is especially complex involving three different landing locations. Details can be found in trip terms and conditions. Antarctica is a bucket list trip for a reason - Mother Nature reigns supreme here, that’s what makes it a true adventure.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 160 Days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
7 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
All private airport transfer and ground transportation as per the program
A mandatory safety briefing and lectures by expedition team held the day before your scheduled flight into Antarctica
Return flight to Antarctica with a 23kg for hold luggage and 7kg for hand luggage
The use of certain items of polar clothing, as denoted on the equipment list.
Payment by White Desert Ltd of a ‘Carbon Tax’ for offsetting. emissions created by all logistics associated with Antarctic travel
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
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)
Additional expenses incurred in Cape Town due to any delay and baggage costs over the agreed amount
Use of a satellite phone while in Antarctica
Coverage for all members of the party, in respect of medical care and emergency repatriation costs, for a minimum of $500,000 (USD) per person and for a minimum of 5 days beyond the expected return date.
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
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Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
1 day ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
3 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
5 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
6 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
