Explore the High Polar Plateau, the South Pole and Antarctica’s rarely seen, iridescent blue glacial rivers on an exclusive and pioneering jet expedition to the White Continent staying in ultra-luxury pods. Imbued with a deep spirit of exploration and a sense of extreme remoteness that only continental Antarctica can provide, this is no ordinary journey. Adventures simply don’t get any grander than this.
Two trips operate a year: In 2027 and 2028, these will be 12-19 January and 19-26 January. While this time of year provides optimal polar weather windows, extreme Antarctic conditions can substantially affect flight schedules, and therefore a flexible outlook is required.
Price depends on the experiences and accommodation included. It is based on two adults travelling for 10 nights and does not include international flights.
2 nights Cape Town, 2 nights Whichaway Camp, 1 night Dixie’s Camp, 4 nights Whichaway Camp, 1 night in Cape Town
What makes your Antarctica journey special?
- Stand at 90 degrees south, the southern axis of the planet and the ultimate goal of early explorers.
- Overnight at Dixie’s Camp on the high polar plateau, surrounded by total silence and uninterrupted horizons.
- Hike and picnic along majestic rivers of glowing aquamarine and sapphire glacial ice.
- Soar past hidden mountain ranges in a specialised Basler polar aircraft.
- Stay in world-class, astronaut-inspired luxury camps offering fine dining at the edge of the world.
Your Antarctica adventure holiday itinerary
The Fairest Cape
Days 1-3: Cape Town
Arrive in Cape Town, South Africa’s Mother City, to prepare for your epic expeditionary adventure to the White Continent. Shake out the long flight by exploring Cape Town’s cosmopolitan waterfront, dramatic coastlines and vibrant culinary scene. On your third day, Antarctica beckons as you board a specialized 5.5-hour plane to fly over the South Atlantic, crossing sea ice and ultimately the Polar Circle. Touch down on a blue-ice runway in endless daylight, where you will toast your arrival at camp with cocktails chilled by 10,000-year-old Antarctic ice.
The Adventure Begins
Days 3-5: Whichaway Camp
Wake up surrounded by the vastness of Queen Maud Land. Led by expert mountain guides, hike above the massive ice sheet to capture sweeping views of untouched, jagged peaks. Celebrate your location with a catered champagne picnic on the ice before venturing further to a breathtaking lookout point. Return to the warmth and world-class luxury of Whichaway Camp to relax, enjoy fine dining, and prepare for your flight into the deep interior of the continent.
Deep South
Days 5-6: South Pole & Dixie’s Camp
Take your adventure to the ultimate level as you board a specialized Basler aircraft to fly 2,400 km into the continent’s interior, soaring over immense mountain ranges. After a brief refueling stop at Dixie’s Camp, push onward to 90 degrees south—the South Pole. Stand at the bottom of the world where all directions lead north, stamp your passport, and capture a historic moment before flying back to Dixie’s Camp, unarguably the world’s most isolated camp, to overnight under canvas like a polar pioneer, fully immersed in the supreme scale and silence of the high polar plateau.
Queen Maud Land’s Blue Rivers
Days 6-10: Whichaway Camp
Awaken to unblemished horizons before flying back north to Whichaway, savouring the solitude of the continent from above. Spend your following days exploring around Whichaway, capped off by a short flight and hike with crampons to experience one of Antarctica’s most extraordinary and least-known wonders: its iridescent Blue Rivers. These seasonal channels of iridescent sapphire and aquamarine water that flow through the ice are a fleeting phenomenon that appear for only a few weeks during the height of the Antarctic summer when 24 hours of constant sunlight melts the top layer of glacial ice. Enjoy a picnic here and take some time to explore the nearby Schirmacher Oasis, a 15-mile ribbon of exposed rock that is ice-free year-round, revealing some of Antarctica’s oldest geology, with formations over 600 million years old. Balance your remaining time between abseiling, fat biking, exploring ice tunnels and exploring dramatic trails with White Desert’s IFMGA guides, before returning to exquisite dining and legendary tales from the explorer team back at Whichaway.
Back to the Mother City
Days 10-11: Cape Town
Your polar safari concludes as your plane touches down on the blue-ice runway. Linger at the exclusive Wolf Fang Ice Bar amidst hand-carved ice sculptures, browse the camp’s boutique or unwind before boarding your flight out. As you head back to Africa, watch the great White Continent recede below you, leaving you with memories of an untamed wilderness few will ever see. Spend your final evening enjoying the vibrant energy, warmth and hospitality of Cape Town.
Where you'll stay
Great journeys need great places to lay your head. These are our tried and tested suggestions.
Ellerman House
Perched on the slopes of Lion’s Head with sweeping views across the Atlantic, Ellerman House is one of South Africa’s most distinguished boutique hotels. Once a private residence, it retains the warmth and intimacy of a grand home, with just a small collection of elegant rooms, exceptional service and an atmosphere of effortless exclusivity. A wonderful aspect to staying at Ellerman House is how it immerses you in South African culture. From its outstanding contemporary South African art collection to one of the country’s finest wine cellars and carefully curated culinary experiences, it makes a peaceful and elegant retreat from which to discover Cape Town.
Whichaway Camp
Hidden deep within Antarctica’s pristine interior beside the frozen ice of Whichaway Oasis, Whichaway Camp is one of the world’s most exclusive and remotest wilderness camps. With just a handful of heated polar pods offering extraordinary comfort in one of the planet’s most inhospitable environments, what makes Whichaway Camp truly exceptional is the access it provides to Antarctica beyond the ordinary. Guests can explore ice tunnels, abseil into glacial crevasses, trek across untouched ice, visit emperor penguin colonies by private flight and experience a landscape that few people will ever witness. Intimate, pioneering and profoundly remote, it is Antarctica at its most inspiring.
Dixie’s Camp
Located at 83 degrees south on Antarctica’s vast polar plateau, Dixie’s Camp is a private expedition camp used on journeys to the South Pole. With the nearest permanent settlement more than 750 kilometres away, it is among the most isolated places on Earth—its closest regularly inhabited neighbour often being the International Space Station overhead. Inspired by the expedition tents of Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott, the accommodation blends the romance of early exploration with high-tech weather-resistant materials. Remote, intimate and extremely comfortable, it offers a rare opportunity to experience Antarctica as a true modern polar explorer.
Customise your journey
All of our journeys are fully bespoke, and can be customised to meet your needs, interests and preferences. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.
Add a few days post-Antarctica to explore the wonderful food and wines of the Western Cape.
Combine the White Desert with the wildlife of the Kalahari Desert with a stay at wonderful Tswalu Camp in South Africa’s Northern Cape.
Compare and contrast the vast forbidding spaces of Antarctica with those of Namibia’s Namib Desert, easily added on to your stay.
Enjoy some well-deserved downtime relaxing on the beaches of Mauritius.
Make it three continents in one trip by adding a few days of sensuous hedonism in Brazil.
Looking for more inspiration?
We have a huge range of inspiring private experiences and accommodation options available. Get in touch with our Polar specialists.
ENQUIRELearn more about our luxury holidays, or call our expert Polar team on +44 1367 850566 / 1-855-216-5040 (toll free) to discuss how we can turn your dreams into something truly magical.
