South Pole & Penguins — Whichaway or Echo Camp

From Cape Town, South Africa to Cape Town, South Africa

Tour Overview

Stay in a unique luxury camp in Antarctica and visit the South Pole and Emperor penguin colonies on this once in a lifetime adventure!

 This 8-day journey begins with a private jet flight from Cape Town to Wolf's Fang Runaway, your first point of contact on the surreal and majestic continent. Choose from two camps: Whichaway Oasis - a luxury collection of hi-tech polar domes - you will undertake a number of unique adventures completely tailored to suit your needs and wants, or the newly built Echo Camp, which is inspired by the seminal age of Space exploration. 

Bear witness to the incredible natural spectacle of newly hatched Emperor penguin chicks at Atka bay. After a short flight from your camp, you will arrive at the magnificent Atka Bay, home to over 14000 pairs of breeding emperor penguins and their newly hatched chicks. With so few visitors to the region, these incredibly curious creatures are mostly unphased by human contact, often approaching close by - making for fantastic photography opportunities. 

Following this unforgettable natural spectacle you will have the rare opportunity to visit the geographic south pole. The very lowest point of Earth, the South Pole is the marvelous encapsulation of a true expedition experience. Marvel at a place where there is no more east, west, or south - only north. This is a truly unique experience that few have traveled before. You will travel 7 hours, landing on a polar plateau to refuel and get a real sense of the immense scale of Antarctica. When you land at the South Pole visit Amundsen-Scott South Pole station and see the designated marker of the lowest point on earth, where you can only go North and you can walk around the world in just a few paces!  

The rest of your days on the continent will be spent undertaking a number of adventure options - all of which can be as adrenaline-filled or as relaxing as you see fit. With only 12 guests on each adventure, your guides will ensure the highest degree of safety and flexibility with each activity. Whether it's biking, hiking, Arctic truck safaris or simply enjoying the various wellness facilities the days are yours as you see fit. 

Dates are based on Whichaway Camp and/or Echo Camp, please contact us for availability. Exclusive use bookings are possible for selected dates. Please contact us for more details.

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Your base camp for this journey will be the incredible Whichaway Oasis (or Echo Camp) - These high-tech bi-domes are heated state-of-the-art pods designed to offer the highest degree of polar functionality and luxury camp comfort.

You will have the unique opportunity to see recently hatched Emperor penguin chicks - 14000 pairs of breeding emperor penguin chicks wait at Atka bay, for a spectacle of noise and energy that will truly leave a lasting memory.

This incredible adventure truly superimposes the highest degree of luxury - From a private jet flight to your incredible high-tech polar domes, this adventure truly encapsulates luxury and comfort in one of the most remote places on Earth.

Tour Itinerary

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Day 1
Fly Cape Town to Antarctica

Today we fly over thousands of icebergs on a 5-hour flight across the Southern Ocean to Antarctica. During the flight, we enter the Polar Circle and encounter the continuous daylight of the Antarctic summer. After landing on the ancient blue ice of the runway, you will transfer to the Echo camp and take a gentle hike around this timeless location.

Day 2
Atka Bay

Fly 2.5 hours across dazzling landscapes to Atka Bay. Walk among resilient Emperor penguins; majestic, rare, and utterly unforgettable. Very few will ever witness such a scene in the wild of Antarctica.

Day 3
Antarctic Peaks and Panoramas

Hike above the ice sheet to sweeping views of untouched peaks. Enjoy a champagne picnic, then venture further with your guide to a breathtaking lookout.

Day 4
South Pole Exploration

The South Pole awaits. Board our Basler aircraft and fly over vast mountain ranges. After refuelling at Dixie’s Camp, arrive at the Pole and stand where explorers dreamt of being. Capture the moment, stamp your passport, and return to Dixie's to overnight like Polar pioneers.

Day 5
South Pole Return

Awaken under canvas on the High Polar Plateau. After breakfast, fly back to Echo, savouring the scale and solitude from above. A celebratory three-course dinner and champagne await your return.

Day 6
Antarctic Landscape

After a night Enjoy gentle hikes to abseiling and summiting a nunatak. Or, slow down and listen to our explorer team’s tales of lesser-known Antarctic history and record-breaking feats beneath the endless southern skies.

Day 7
Antarctic Exploration

Venture along a dramatic cliff-side trail with panoramic views of the last true wilderness. Led by IFMGA mountain guides, this challenging hike promises awe, exhilaration, and a deeper connection to Antarctica’s untamed spirit.

Day 8
Return to Cape Town

The flight out of Antarctica will be the last of your enduring memories of the great White Continent. Watch as your returning-flight, an A330 or A340 touches down on the blue ice runway. Linger at Wolf Fang’s Ice Bar amidst sculptures carved from ice, explore White Desert’s exclusive boutique, or unwind with a film — before returning to the vibrant energy of Africa.


*Please note that activities are weather-dependent, and the schedule may be adjusted based on ice conditions.

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What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 All accommodation in Antarctica in luxury pods/tents at the camp of your choice
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals and drinks including alcohol while in Antarctica
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 Return flights from Cape Town, South Africa in an A340 or similar/private jet
  • Included Copy 20 South Pole exploration
  • Included Copy 20 Guiding and lectures by experienced expedition crew
  • Included Copy 20 All activities, excursions and experiences, including massages
  • Included Copy 20 Payment of 'Carbon Tax' offset created by all logistics associated with Antarctic travel
  • Included Copy 20 Safety briefing day before departure (return transfers provided)
  • Included Copy 7 International flights, visas, insurance, satellite phone and personal expenses
  • Included Copy 7 Accommodation and meals whilst in Cape Town
Transportation
Basler BT-67s

Basler BT-67s

Airbus A340 Jet

Airbus A340 Jet

Activities

  • Included Opportunity to visit the South Pole (fewer than 500 people a year visit!)
  • Included Visit a remote Emperor Penguin colony of over 14,000 breeding pairs
  • Included Enjoy fine dining and comfort from a remote camp in Antarctica!
  • Included Exploring surreal, iridescent ice tunnels and crystal waves carved by time
  • Included Ice-climbing and abseiling down massive frozen cascades
  • Included Trekking, hiking, and ropewalks through rugged terrain and breathtaking landscapes
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Duration

8 days

Price from

$98,500 USD

Per person, sharing

Based on 2027 departures

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