Early Emperors: Whichaway Camp

From Cape Town to Cape Town
  • All Antarctic Cruises
  • Luxury Antarctica
  • Wildlife and Nature
  • Luxury
View Similar Tours

Tour Description

EARLY EMPERORS 70° 38′ 16″ S, 8° 15′ 45″ W

A unique luxury Antarctica  eco camp experience with access to a magnificent Emperor penguin colony & the chance to see thousands of emperor chicks!

This is the ultra luxury exploration to the final frontier of Antarctica.

Begin by flying with 12 guests on a fully chartered private Gulfstream 550 jet from Cape Town to the white continent of Antarctica. Within 5 hours you will already be witnessing stunning frozen landscapes from the air, enroute to your spacious and luxurious polar domes.  After touching down at Wolf Fangs's runway, you arrive at your home for the next 5 nights - Whichaway Oasis. 

Whichaway Oasis is a group of 6 hi-tech polar domes set on the shores of a frozen lake. These domes will be your home in Antarctica, filled old-world interiors that conjure up images of Antarctica’s rich heritage of exploration, and on the outside appear like cutting edge pod. Relax in the communal lounge, library and dining area and enjoy the amazing views. 

From your Antarctic Oasis you will experience a range of activities completely tailored to suit your needs for the day, with only 12 guests our professional guides will expand your horizons. A must do are the emperor penguins! From the camp, take a 2.5 hour flight to Atka Bay where you will bear witness to the unforgettable sight of over 14000 breeding pairs of emperor penguins - and their newly hatched chicks. With so few visitors to this corner of the white continent, these curious characters are not afraid of human contact, and often waddle close by for fantastic photography opportunities. This is a rare and unique wildlife spectacle!

Other day, opt for climbing, hiking, exploring ice tunnels, a picnic in Antarctica,  safari truck adventures or a range of wellness activities - the level of activity depends on you. This is a truly transformative experience, combining the highest degree of luxury and safety to offer a completely tailored experience and one of the most unique adventures you can undertake in Antarctica.

Viva's Best Bits...

Fly over the stunning Antarctic landscapes - We travel in uncompromising comfort across the mighty Southern Ocean in a Gulfstream private jet or Airbus plane, to land near our private oasis in Antarctica

A wildlife photographer’s dream.
This trip offers unique access to a magnificent penguin colony
when the chicks are taking their first steps off their parent’s feet. See over 14,000 breeding pairs and their newly-hatched chicks!

Outstanding activities like exploring ice caves! Your activities can be as adrenaline-fuelled or relaxed as you like: not keen on climbing, fat biking or abseiling? Then perhaps a picnic followed by a sauna and a massage would suit. The choice is yours.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Cape Town, South Africa Fly to Antarctica

We fly over thousands of icebergs on our 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 our camp at Whichaway and take a gentle hike around the Oasis.

Day 2
Whichaway Oasis, Antarctica

Settle into Whichaway Oasis and do as much or as little as you like each day. Activities range from yoga, massages, and gentle treks to exploring the incredible ice waves, summiting a nunatak, ice climbing and even abseiling! On quieter days, you will hear talks from our polar explorer staff about some of the lesser-known history of Antarctica and their world record-breaking expeditions.

After the day’s activities you will hear a talk about the incredible life cycle of the Emperor Penguins in preparation for your visit the following day.

Day 3
Emperor Penguins of Atka Bay, Antarctica

You fly 2.5 hours across Antarctica on our BT-67 aircraft, enjoying immense views of the High Polar Plateau, before landing at the Emperor Penguin colony at Atka Bay. Wrapped up in the sights and sounds of thousands of penguins, you will
be among the very few who have ever witnessed such a spectacle, observing the real-life stars of March of the Penguins.

Your visit to the penguins begins with a 2.5-hour flight to Atka Bay, the site of the first episode of Sir David Attenborough’s groundbreaking documentary Seven Worlds, One Planet. Here you’ll see over 14,000 breeding pairs and their newly-hatched chicks, a spectacle full of noise and energy that is a favourite 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 Antarctic environment and of IAATO guidelines, we keep at least 25m (80ft) from the penguins while taking in all the sights and sounds of this rare wildlife spectacle, which remains one of the greatest thrills on Earth!

Day 4
Arctic Truck Safari, Antarctica

You spend the day exploring the ice waves below our camp, delving into the series of ice tunnels that are as surreal as they are beautiful. Then you will be off on an Arctic Truck safari, winding your way through the snow and ice to an incredible vantage point where you can take in the panoramic view over the waves that you have just explored.

Day 5
Whichaway Activities, Antarctica

An adventurous hike along a winding cliff face shows you stunning views of the extraordinary waves of ice that have been created over millennia by constant pressure from the ocean. Our world-class mountain guides will lead you on this challenging hike, always ensuring your safety on this unforgettable day.

With only 12 guests on each adventure, our professional guides will ensure that you are always safe and well lookedafter,
and that you get the most out of your time. Your activities can be as adrenaline-fuelled or relaxed as you like: not keen on climbing, fat biking or abseiling? Then perhaps a picnic followed by a sauna and a massage would suit. The choice is yours.

Day 6
Fly Antarctica To Cape Town, South Africa

The flight out of Antarctica will be the last of your enduring Antarctic memories before you delve 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!

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 5 nights at a luxury eco camp in Antarctica
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals and drinks in Antarctica (including alcohol)
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 Return transfers for Antarctic flight on board fully chartered private jet
  • Included Copy 20 All guiding fees, support of field guides and logistics staff
  • 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 20 The use of certain items of polar clothing (as per equipment list)
  • Included Copy 20 Daily activities tailored to suit you, including hiking, 4x4 excursions, ice climbing, wellness trea
  • Included Copy 20 Visit to a remote emperor penguin colony
  • Included Copy 7 International flights, accommodation in Cape Town, travel insurance
  • Included Copy 7 Use of satellite phone in Antarctica
Transportation

Gulfstream 550 jet

Basler BT-67s

Activities

  • Included Unique opportunity to see thousands of Emperor Penguin chicks
  • Included Fly to Antarctica on a private jet
  • Included Camp in Antarctica in a luxury heated ‘polar pod’
  • Included Polar talks - here extraordinary stories of Antarctic explorations
  • Included Opportunity to explore a maze of ice tunnels - a photographers dream!
  • Included Walk, hike or climb in Antarctica
  • Included Learn first hand about important scientific work that is being done in the region
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

6 days

Price from

$68,500 USD

Per person, sharing

Select Date