Discover the untouched wonders of the Great White Continent by taking an exciting small-group adventure to the Antarctic. Even now, reaching the southernmost point on earth is a feat that very few people have achieved. This expedition offers an unforgettable journey for those who crave a taste of the continent's awe-inspiring landscapes and remarkable wildlife adventures.
Highlights of the Antarctic Expedition
- Explore the far reaches of Antarctica by crossing the Polar Circle.
- Flight to a massive Emperor penguin colony in Atka Bay.
- Visit the heart of the Great White Continent, the Geographic South Pole.
- Stay at Whichaway, a luxurious camp on the edge of a frozen lake.
Starting in Cape Town
Start Point: Cape Town, South Africa. Between mountains and the ocean, Cape Town is a vibrant, multicultural city with a lively waterfront featuring seafood restaurants, shopping and attractions. A cable car transports visitors to distinctive Table Mountain with sweeping views. Boats head to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated.
Before enjoying a Cape Town to Antarctica trip, many guests take the opportunity to explore Cape Town, considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, or to enjoy a luxury safari experience in South Africa or one of the many other African countries.
Here are some of the best things to see and do in Cape Town before or after your Antarctica experience:
- Enjoy gourmet cuisine at one of Cape Town’s award-winning restaurants, such as La Colombe Restaurant
- Explore the Table Mountain National Park and enjoy panoramic vistas.
- Cape Town is home to award-winning vineyards and stunning ocean vistas.
We will host a safety briefing the day before the flight where our staff will welcome you. 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.
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The Journey Begins: Cape Town to Antarctica
A mere 24 hours later, board a private 12 seater jet and fly 2,400 miles from the southernmost tip of Africa to the icy wonderland of Antarctica. On the flight from Cape Town, you will pass into the Antarctic Circle and into 24 hours of continuous sunshine. The Airbus A340 (or similar) will be equipped with return range.
The 5-hour flight takes you through the dark African night into 24 hours of continuous daylight while soaring over thousands of icebergs floating in the Southern Ocean. Touch down on the blue ice runway at Wolf Fang’s mountain range where you’ll be greeted by your expert guides.
Wolf's Fang Runway
Surrounded by the white deserts of the interior of Antarctica, the runway sits beneath mile high monoliths of rock rising vertically from the ice. From here, you will be guided on a gentle hike to the base of the nearby Nunatak mountain and enjoy a champagne picnic at the summit with unrivalled views of the surrounding landscape. Who would guess that only 5 hours ago you were still in warm South Africa? Capture that photo for your bucket list album before being guided back to the jet for your return flight.
Storming Antarctica (Full Episode) | Continent 7: Antarctica
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Cape Town | Fly to Antarctica
You fly over thousands of icebergs on a 5-hour flight across the Southern Ocean to Antarctica.
Day 2: Explore Whichaway Camp
Settle into Whichaway and do as much or as little as you like each day. Whichaway 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 tailor your days to be more active or relaxed as you see fit.
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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.
Crystal Caves - The meltwater flows through tunnels and caves that will defy our guests’ imagination.
Day 3: Fly to Atka Bay | Emperor Penguin Colony
Fly 2.5 hours across Antarctica, witnessing beautiful views of the nearby mountain ranges and coastline, before landing at the Emperor penguin colony at Atka Bay. 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.
Day 4: Explore Whichaway Camp
Today, spend the day exploring the ice waves below camp, guided by your expert expedition guides, delving into the series of ice tunnels that are as surreal as they are beautiful.
Day 5: Fly to Geographic South Pole via Dixie's Camp
The South Pole trip is always a highlight! On the day of this adventure, plan to leave early in the morning in the Basler BT-67 aircraft, flying over stunning mountain ranges for 5 hours before landing at Dixie’s camp to refuel. After a walk on the High Polar Plateau, continue an additional 2 hours to the South Pole, where you will have plenty of time for photos and a chance to stamp your passport at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station before flying back to Dixie’s Camp to rest overnight at 83 degrees south.
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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.
Day 6: Fly back to Whichaway Camp
After a night under canvas, you’ll enjoy breakfast before boarding the plane once again for the flight back to Whichaway.
Day 7: Explore Whichaway Camp
An adventurous hike along a winding cliff face affords guests stunning views over the last pristine wilderness on Earth.
Day 8: Fly to Cape Town | Return Home
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.
Whichaway Camp: A Luxurious Antarctic Oasis
White Desert’s uniquely located camps are designed to be easily dismantled and removed, leaving no trace on the pristine environment. Whichaway is our flagship luxury camp and sits on the shores of one of the freshwater lakes of the ice-free Schirmacher Oasis.
We’ve designed 6 heated ‘polar pods’ with cutting-edge exteriors and old-world interiors that conjure up images of Antarctica’s rich heritage of exploration. A photographer's dream. that will defy your imagination.
Echo Camp: Space-Age Design
Inspired by the seminal age of Space exploration, Echo sits in quiet solitude encircled by pitted rock formations. Echo is as close as you can get to feeling like you’re off the planet without leaving Earth. The space-age design of the ‘Sky Pods’ makes them look like they’ve been beamed down from Mars.
Extreme Conditions
The lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth was -93.2°C (-135.8°F) in eastern Antarctica in 2010. At this temperature, steel will shatter, and water will explode into ice crystals. Antarctica also experiences regular katabatic winds, reaching up to 300 km per hour (185 miles/hour), making the coastal regions particularly breezy.
Despite the cold, Antarctica is dry, with precipitation levels similar to those in the Sahara Desert, averaging only 50mm (2 inches) annually.
Altitude
The continent's average altitude is about 2,133 m (7,000 ft), with the South Pole situated at 2,835m (9,300ft). The highest point in Antarctica is Vinson Massif at 4,892 m (16,050 ft), and the lowest is the Bentley Subglacial Trench 2,555 meters (8,382 ft) below sea level.
Vast and Icy
Antarctica, with a land mass of 14 million square km, exceeds the sizes of Oceania and the European subcontinent. It's the fifth-largest continent, almost 1.5 times the size of the United States. Its coastline stretches approximately 18,000 km, with about 98% of the continent covered by a thick ice sheet, leaving only 2% as barren rock. It holds 70% of the planet's freshwater and 90% of the world's ice.
The Antarctic Peninsula, known for its relatively moderate climate, contains some ice-free coastal areas.
Unique Daylight Cycle
The continent experiences six months of daylight followed by six months of darkness annually. Interestingly, during the summer, the South Pole receives more solar radiation than the equator does over the same period.
Historical Explorations
The harsh weather, strong winds, and brutal storms have been synonymous with Antarctica since its discovery, posing significant challenges for explorers. The first successful expedition to the South Pole was led by Norwegian Roald Amundsen in December 1911, followed by Robert Scott's British team, which reached the pole a month later but tragically died on the return journey.
Best Time to Visit Antarctica
Antarctica remains the coldest location on Earth and ‘Summer’, if you can call it that, in Antarctica falls over the months of December to March. Here the sun shines for over 24 hours a day and temperatures reach 34 degrees Fahrenheit / 1 degree Celsius. During the months of December to February, young penguin chicks start to hatch, pods of whales migrate to the icy waters and wildlife is plentiful.
However, to catch the icescapes in their most undisturbed state, we suggest taking a trip to Antarctica during the month of November before the summer sun melts the colossal icebergs and glaciers.
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.
Activity Level: Moderate. 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.
Planning to tick Antarctica off your adventure bucket list?
One day not enough for your liking? Check out our 10 day South Africa to Antarctica Expedition. Catering to only 12 guests per expedition and professional polar explorers as your guides, the days’ itineraries are tailored to each individual. From gentle trekking through iridescent ice tunnels, traversing the snow in a 4×4 and hiking under gigantic ice shelves to more adrenaline-fueled activities, such as kite-skiing, ice climbing, zip lining and rappelling down mountainsides. And your shelter for the night?
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