Emperors & South Pole
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Overview
Highlights
- Stay in our modified 4x4s luxury camp overlooking a 200ft ice fall.The camp itself is totally unique, with high tech fibreglass pods that are heated and comfortable.
- Professional polar explorers as your guides
- Gentle treks and picnics over looking the ice waves
- Enjoy kite-skiing and ice climbing.
- Visit an Emperor penguin colony of over 3,000 breeding pairs and their newly hatched chicks.
- See penguin chicks waddling right up to you.
- Fly to the South Pole - the holy grail of the early explorers and the lowest point on earth.
- Experience being at the lowest point on Earth.
- Enter the AmundsenScott American science station to learn about their often ground-breaking research, before going to their unique South Pole shop to buy souvenirs and even send postcards!
- Experience camping in one of the wildest places on earth.
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Max Group Size
Trip includes
- Airport collection in Cape Town and transfer to your hotel.
- Safety briefing in Cape Town.
- Return flight to Antarctica (inc. a 30kg baggage allowance).
- All accommodation, food and drink (including all alcohol) in Antarctica.
- All guiding fees, support of field guides and logistics staff.
- The use of certain items of polar clothing, as denoted on equipment list.
- Payment by White Desert Ltd of a ‘Carbon Tax’ for offsetting emissions created by all logistics associated with Antarctic travel.
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Itinerary
With the official destination registered as “Unknown International Airport” we fly to Antarctica (5.5 hours) crossing the thousands of icebergs spread across the Southern Ocean. Halfway through the flight, we cross into the polar circle and into 24hrs continuous daylight. Landing on the specialist ice runway, you will transfer to our camp and go for a gentle trek around the Oasis.
Settle into White Desert’s ‘Whichaway’ Camp and do as much or as little as you like each day. Activities range from gentle treks to the incredible ice waves, to kite-skiing, ice climbing and even abseiling into crevasses!
We fly two hours across Antarctica, providing immense views of the high polar plateau before landing at the Emperor Penguin colony. You will be the only people to witness this incredible wildlife spectacle and able to get up close and personal to these real life stars of “March of the Penguins”.
We explore the ice waves beneath our camp, delving into the series of ice tunnels that are as surreal as they are beautiful. The day ends with a visit to the nearby Russian science base to learn more about their work, followed by a sauna.
You will leave early on the morning in the DC3 Bassler Turbo prop plane. The plane will fly across stunning mountain ranges before landing at 83 degrees South to refuel. You will have a chance to walk around the high polar plateau before continuing onto the pole. At t...
After a night spent camping, you will be given a hearty breakfast, before boarding the plane once again for the flight back to our camp. The flight is the perfect chance to really appreciate the immense scale of Antarctica, before you return to our camp for a three-course dinner and some champagne to celebrate your achievement.
Today is an easier day with talks from our polar explorer staff about some of the lesser known history of Antarctica and their world record breaking expeditions. Then, its time for kite-sking aroundcamp, followed by a giantabseil off the near by Nunatak mountain.
The flight out of Antarctica will be the last of your unforgettable Antarctic memories before you delve back into the noise and heat of Africa. You will be transferred to your hotel where you will have a chance to relax in a hot bath and think back to your Antarctic adventure!
Please bear in mind that the South Pole is situated at an apparent altitude of 4,000m with an approximate ambient temperature of -25 C. Those with pre-conditions for altitudes sickness should not choose this option. If you are unsure in anyway, please contact White desert for any advice or further information.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with White Desert.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Commercial flights to and from Cape Town, South Africa
- Accommodation and meals whilst in Cape Town (Please note, these can be organised through our Cape Town office).
- Polar clothing. (Please note, these items can be purchased on your behalf by a member of White Desert team.)
- Comprehensive insurance cover. (White Desert staff can advise you as to the right kind of cover required.)
- Additional expenses incurred in Cape Town due to any delay.
- Additional baggage costs over the agreed amount.
- Cost of the use of a satellite phone whilst in Antarctica.
Accommodation
The camp has an easy and friendly feel to it, furnished in the old world opulence of African safaris. It is run along strict environmental guidelines and powered by solar panels to minimise any impact.
The main living area comprises of three large, dome tents. These are unique – fusing traditional materials with cutting-edge technology – and inside, house a dining room, library, kitchen and communications area.
Our camp has been recently redesigned with the introduction of six state-of-the-art sleeping pods, each one shared by two clients. Made from extremely strong fibreglass panels, they are insulated and heated inside. The outer skin also means that during periods of high wind, the pods are very quiet, and the perfect place to relax. At just over 6m (20ft) in diameter, they are also spacious, with a double bed (for couples), a writing desk, wash area and toilet inside. For clients travelling separately, a dividing screen can be mounted for privacy, and the two single beds positioned on either side. We have a further pod containing a full shower and wash area, along with male and female toilets.
Our chef, Jenna Viney, is one of the very best in Cape Town, preparing delicious, fresh food three times a day. There are barbecued steaks and seafood, full English breakfasts and light lunches. Come the evening time, we take things easy and relax over a glass of red wine.
Our philosophy is simple – do as much or as little as you like. It’s your adventure.
Cancellation by us
We reserve the right at our sole and absolute discretion to cancel the programme at any time up to 15 days before the scheduled commencement date of the programme due to insufficient numbers of people participating in the programme, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control which may make the operation of the programme unsafe or otherwise inadvisable.
In the event of cancellation we will endeavour to offer you places for all members of your party on a suitable alternative programme if one is running and there are places available on it. The alternative programme will be on different dates and may have a different programme itinerary and be of a different duration to the original programme which you booked.
If you decide to accept the alternative programme then you would not be required to pay any additional programme price if it is more expensive than the original programme booked and, if it is less expensive, then we will refund the difference against the original programme price.
If we offer you an alternative programme and you decide not to accept it or if we are unable to offer you an alternative programme then we will give you a refund of the programme price which you have already paid less any irrecoverable costs which we have already incurred in relation to the cancelled programme which will not exceed 25% of the total programme price. Subject thereto we will have no further liability to you arising from the cancellation of the programme.
Cancellation by you
If you cancel your booking completely or the booking of any member of your party then we will not refund the 25% deposit which you have paid.
If notice of cancellation is given at least five (5) months prior to the scheduled commencement date of the programme and you have already paid the total programme price then we will refund 75% of the total programme price or the appropriate part of that sum where the cancellation is only in respect of a member of your party.
If notice of cancellation is given less than five (5) months prior to the scheduled date of departure and you have already paid the total programme price we will refund a fixed rate of 50% of the total programmeprice.
If notice of cancellation is given less than two (2) months prior to the scheduled date of departure and you have already paid the total programme price, we will not refund any part of your payment.
If you make the booking less than five (5) months prior to the scheduled commencement date of the programme, these same cancellation terms will apply.
Food and drink (including all alcohol) in Antarctica
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