Join us on an incredible adventure to one of nature’s rarest sights – an immense colony of 28,000 Emperor Penguins. Our ability to access the colony early in the season means you’ll see the chicks just as they are stepping off their parents’ feet. To capture this moment is to witness wildlife at its most extraordinary!
Flying in via private aircraft, you will stay at our luxury camp which nestles beneath a magnificent frozen icefall. With only 12 guests on each departure, the experience is tailored to your needs.

Duration: 6 days
Starts: Cape Town, South Africa
Ends: Cape Town, South Africa
Language: English Speaking Voyage

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Included

 Charter Flights More info about this activity

In departures with charter flights, part of the air transport segment is covered by the operation of the trip as part of the itinerary.
Check in the inclusions and exclusions of the program which air sections are included in your itinerary.

© QRK

© Agustin Ullmann

© QUI

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 Enrichment Program More info about this activity

Expedition cruising must be one of the most incredible ways of travelling. Not only for the amazing places you visit and the unforgetable wildlife but for the wildlife, the sensory overload and the unimaginable memories.

But all of this needs a context in order to understand where you are and what you are experiencing.
On board your expedition vessell you will find a group of experts, naturalists, zodiac drivers and guides that that will translate the language of nature for you, telling you the stories of the places you are visiting, reviewing the historical, biological, ecological and geological aspects of your trips.

You will experience first hand what surrounds you and arrive back home wiser and loaded with new knowledge.

© Agustin Ullmann

© Agustin Ullmann

© Agustin Ullmann

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 Citizen Science More info about this activity

There’s important work being done every day, at some of the most renowned climate research facilities around the world, to record and study the incredible changes happening in remote places like Antarctica and th Arctic. As you might imagine, gathering critical on-site data on a regular basis would be a virtually impossible task for these groups. So we do it for them, in partnership with different research facilities.
If you’d like to get a first-hand look at how climate change is impacting our birds, sea life, glaciers, oceans, and weather patterns, and help scientists better understand our evolving planet, you’re welcome to join our Citizen Science program. And don’t let the word “science” scare you. We make it informative, interactive, and fun.

© PL

© Agustin Ullmann

© Agustin Ullmann

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 Snow Shoeing More info about this activity

This popular alpine activity is easy to learn. No experience is necessary – all you need is a willingness to try. All training is provided and our team of guides will have you trained and ready to go in no more than half an hour.
Participants should be confident in their footing and have an average level of fitness – outings may be up to three hours in duration. Those who enjoy hiking trails or taking long walks at home will possess enough fitness to enjoy this activity. As with any other activity, you will get more enjoyment out of it with some preparation in advance, such as long walks with uphill sections or bike riding.
In Antarctica, the longest hike can be 2-3 hours long, while in the Arctic it can be a full day tour.

© A21

© A21

© A21

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 Mountaineering More info about this activity

Most of the alpine peaks we climb are non-technical and can usually be attempted by people with limited experience, although some degree of knowledge is usually needed.
Climbing sessions can go from 4 to 10 hours long, and all of the needed gear will be provided by the operator. (ropes, crampons, ice axes, etc. Personal gear is not included)

© David Merron

© David Merron

© Samantha Crimmin

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 Skiing More info about this activity

Skiing in Polar regions requires a reasonable level of fitness and previous skiing experience. The snow conditions will be varied and the terrain can be challenging at times. While you don’t need to be a back-country athlete to participate, and there are opportunities to develop skills during the expedition, please note it is recommended a minimum ability as follows:
* Advanced level of skiing or snowboarding ability (ability to ski blue or black resort runs is required).
* Off-piste experience in a variety of snow conditions.
* Previous ski touring experience is an advantage, but not essential (depending on your off-piste experience and overall ability).

© David Merron

© David Merron

© Jörg Ehrlich

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 Caving & Mines More info about this activity

Visit with the experts in this guided tours some of the most amazing structures of the insides of our world.

© Agustin Ullmann

© Visit Svalbard

© Agustin Ullmann

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 Hiking More info about this activity

Hiking options include very easy beach hikes (good for photographers who need time for photography), easier short hikes, medium-difficulty extended hikes, and more challenging long hikes.

© Toomas Tartes

© Elis Stol

© Katja Riedel

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For centuries, the Last Continent has held a special place in our imaginations, yet even now, long after the first explorers reached the South Pole, access to the interior of Antarctica is still only for the very few.
After a five-hour flight from Cape Town, South Africa, we bring you into the heart of Antarctica, a place that is both surreal and majestic. From iridescent ice tunnels to vertical spires of rock, from endless uninhabited horizons to oceans scattered with icebergs, this is a place unlike anywhere else on Planet Earth.

Come with us on an unforgettable journey. Come explore.


Whichaway consists of a collection of hi-tech polar domes set on the shores of a frozen lake and encircled by a magnificent 60-metre (200-foot) icefall. It is warm and comfortable, and the perfect home base for daily activities or when you want to just simply relax.
Our camp consists of six heated and state-of-the-art bedroom pods that are designed for two guests to enjoy in comfort. At just over 6m (20ft) in diameter, they are spacious with a writing desk, wash area and toilet.
For guests travelling independently, the pod can be partitioned for privacy.
The rest of the camp comprises a shower pod, kitchen and three centralised pods that make up the reception, lounge and dining room. This is where our experienced team of chefs, hosts and guides will take care of every detail for you, allowing you to focus on enjoying your adventure.
While the exterior of our pods is made from cutting-edge materials, the interiors have a relaxed, old-world feel that harks back to the golden age of Antarctic exploration.
Our Basler BT-67s are uprated conversions of the DC-3, specially equipped with the latest avionics and skis for landing on snow and ice.
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 ground-breaking 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.

Itinerary

DAY BEFORE DEPARTURE
The expedition company will host a safety briefing in Cape Town. This is where we will check all your polar clothing and prepare you for your flight south.

DAY 1
You fly over thousands of icebergs on our 5-hour flight across the Southern Ocean to Antarctica. During the flight, you enter the Polar Circle and 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 have the chance to stretch your legs on a gentle hike around the Oasis.

DAY 2
Settle into Whichaway and do as much or as little as you like each day. Activities range from gentle treks to the incredible ice waves, summiting a nunatak, ice climbing and even abseiling!
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
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.

DAY 4
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’ll 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
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, ensuring your safety at all times on this unforgettable day.

DAY 6
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!

Itinerary

DAY BEFORE DEPARTURE
The expedition company will host a safety briefing in Cape Town. This is where we will check all your polar clothing and prepare you for your flight south.

DAY 1
You fly over thousands of icebergs on our 5-hour flight across the Southern Ocean to Antarctica. During the flight, you enter the Polar Circle and 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 have the chance to stretch your legs on a gentle hike around the Oasis.

DAY 2
Settle into Whichaway and do as much or as little as you like each day. Activities range from gentle treks to the incredible ice waves, summiting a nunatak, ice climbing and even abseiling!
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
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.

DAY 4
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’ll 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
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, ensuring your safety at all times on this unforgettable day.

DAY 6
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!