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.

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.

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.