Exclusive Antarctic Tour - Early Emperor Penguins Experience

Itinerary Highlights

For centuries, the Last Continent has held a special place in our imaginations, yet even now, long after the first explorers reached the South Pole, access to the interior of Antarctica is still only for the very few. After a five-hour private flight from Cape Town, South Africa, White Desert brings you to a place that is both surreal and majestic. From iridescent ice tunnels to vertical spires of rock, from endless horizons to oceans scattered with icebergs, this place is unlike anywhere else on Planet Earth. 

Shared amongst a maximum of 12 guests, this is an exclusive journey to one of nature’s rarest sights - an immense colony of Emperor Penguins and their chicks, one of the greatest, yet least observed, wildlife spectacles on Earth. After a day of activities, such as exploring ice caves, rock climbing, or simply relaxing on site, your homebase will be the only luxury camp in Antarctica's interior, Whichaway Camp, an oasis of ice-free area that contains over 100 freshwater lakes. Offering luxurious facilities for its guests, you will have your own heated en-suite sleeping pod to enjoy in ultimate comfort. Prepare for flavorful and sophisticated meals using the best of South African produce, despite the remoteness felt at Whichaway Camp. Come with us on an unforgettable journey. Come explore.

For all its beauty, Antarctica can be a challenging environment, with low temperatures, strong winds and high altitudes. White Desert believes the best way to protect you is through their staff and they are absolutely uncompromising about the experience and expertise of their people. All their mountain guides have completed the strenuous 5-year UIAGM qualification, while each camp has its own fully-qualified trauma doctor and accompanying medical kits. Their chief pilot has 10 years of experience flying in Antarctica with over 18,000 hours of logged flight time.

Itinerary Details

Your Antarctic journey begins in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town, home to award-winning vineyards and stunning ocean vistas. You will be privately transferred to your hotel from the airport, greeted with beautiful views of the bay. After resting, a host from your White Desert Expedition will brief you about the scheduled flight, review all kit requirements, check your polar clothing, assist with any last-minute preparations and update you on the latest weather forecasts for Antarctica.

At Craft Travel Group, we believe an extension to Cape Town would make this experience more complete in order to enjoy this vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Cape Town isn’t just the getaway to Antarctica, but also a hub for a multitude of African experiences. From private safaris in Kruger National Park to visiting Victoria Falls or the Okavango Delta, we can introduce you to the finest travel experiences in Africa. We’d be happy to make recommendations for your extension trip.

Overnight at Ellerman House (No Meals)

In the morning, you will be transferred to the runway in Cape Town for your private flight to Antarctica. You will travel in uncompromising comfort across the mighty Southern Ocean in a Gulfstream 550. During the five-hour flight, the African night turns to the Antarctic day as you soar over thousands of icebergs and pass into 24 hours of continuous sunshine. Your flight will arrive at Wolf’s Fang Runway, surrounded by massive monoliths of rock that rise vertically from the glacier.

Once in Antarctica, you will be transferred by the Basler BT-67 to the luxury camp at Echo Camp (flight time is approximately 30 minutes). On the edge of the Great White Continent lies the Schirmacher Oasis, an ice-free area that contains over 100 freshwater lakes. This is the location of the unique luxury camp, Ecamo Cahmp. Upon arrival, you will have the option to go on a light hike to stretch your legs.

As part of White Desert’s responsibility towards conserving Antarctica, all emissions from the operations, including all flight to, from and within the continent, are offset by fully-accredited carbon-neutral schemes.

Overnight at Echo Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Settle into Echo Camp and do as much or as little as you’d like each day. Activities range from gentle treks to the incredible ice waves, summiting a nunatak, ice climbing and even abseiling.

After the day’s activities you will learn about the incredible life cycle of the Emperor Penguins in preparation for your visit the following day.

Overnight at Echo Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

In the morning, we will take a private flight on the BT-67 aircraft for a 2.5 hour flight across Antarctica. Enjoy the immense views of the High Polar Plateau before landing at the Emperor Penguin colony at Atka Bay. Atka Bay is the site of the first episode of Sir David Attenborough’s ground breaking documentary Seven Worlds, One Planet. You will witness 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 chics are unafraid of humans and often waddle close by. Mindful of our responsibility to the Antarctic environment and of IAATO guidelines, we keep at least 25m (80ft) from the penguins while taking in all the sights and sounds of this rare wildlife spectacle, which remains one of the greatest thrills on Earth.

During the long dark winter, the mothers hunt for food while the fathers look after the egg. When spring returns, the egg hatches and the chick sits on its parents’ feet to stay warm.

Overnight at Echo Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

You will spend the day exploring the ice waves below the camp, delving into the series of ice tunnels that are as surreal as they are beautiful. Then you will be off on an Arctic Truck safari, winding your way through the snow and ice to an incredible vantage point where you can take in the panoramic view over the waves that you have just explored.

With only 12 guests on each adventure, the professional guides will ensure that you are safe and well taken care of. Your activities can be as adrenaline-fueled or relaxed as you like. If you are not keen on climbing, fat biking or abseiling, then perhaps a picnic followed by a sauna and a massage would be meet your expectations. The choice is yours to decide!

Overnight at Echo Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

An adventurous hike along a winding cliff face shows you stunning views of the extraordinary waves of ice that have been created over millennia by constant pressure from the ocean. Our world-class mountain guides will lead you on this challenging hike, ensuring your safety at all times on this unforgettable day.

Overnight at Echo Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

The flight out of Antarctica will be the last of your enduring Antarctic memories before you delve back into the vibrant energy of Africa. After your flight, you will be privately transferred to your hotel where you will have a chance to relax and reflect on your Antarctic adventure!

Overnight at Ellerman House (Breakfast & Lunch)

At the scheduled time, you will be privately transferred to the airport for your departing flight home.

(Breakfast)

• Departure of November 19, 2021 through November 24, 2021

• Departure of November 24, 2021 through November 29, 2021

• 7 nights accommodation as per program (based on double/twin occupancy; single occupancy is available)

• All transfers and transport as per the program

• Flight from Cape Town to Antarctica and vice versa

• Flight to and from Atka bay, Antarctica

• All guided excursions in small group basis

• All meals as specified in the itinerary

• *Not included: gratuities, travel insurance, medical insurance, emergency evacuation insurance, visas (if applicable), international flights not described above, meals and drinks not described above, items of a personal nature

• The 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.

• An extension to Cape Town would make this experience more complete in order to enjoy this vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Cape Town isn’t just the getaway to Antarctica, but also a hub for a multitude of African experiences. From private safaris in Kruger National Park to visiting Victoria Falls or the Okavango Delta, we can introduce you to the finest travel experiences in Africa. We’d be happy to make recommendations for your extension trip. November is also a great time to visit South Africa.

• A signature 8-day journey is also available, which includes a visit to an Emperor Penguin colony, as seen in the itinerary above, in addition to a flight to the lowest point on Earth - the Geographic South Pole. Ask your travel designer for more details and departure dates.

Preview unparalleled luxury at Echo Camp

Experience breathtaking beauty of Echo Camp in the heart of the White Desert. A place where the striking contrast of white chalk rock formations against the blue sky creates a unique masterpiece that stretches as far as the eye can see. This video offers a sneak peek into this stunning landscape, promising an adventure that is not only awe-inspiring but also leaves a lasting impression in your heart forever.