South Pole & Emperors - Echo

Our signature 7-day journey brings you the very best of Antarctica - a visit to an Emperor Penguin colony of over 28,000 birds and a flight to the lowest point on Earth - the Geographic South Pole.

Flying in by private jet or Airbus and with only 12 guests on each departure, we offer a bespoke service that is as luxurious as it is remarkable.


Antarctica Field Camps

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 to a place that is both surreal and majestic. From iridescent ice tunnels to vertical spires of rock, from endless 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.

Duration: 8 days
Starts: Cape Town, South Africa
Ends: Cape Town, South Africa
Language: English Speaking Voyage


FROM:
104000 USD.-

Departures:
Nov 29 - Dec 6 2023
Dec 6 - 13, 2023
Dec 20 - 28, 2023
Jan 4 - 10, 2024
Jan 10 . 17, 2024
Jan 17-24, 2024
Jan 24-31, 2024


Included


Often tipped as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town is home to award-winning vineyards and stunning ocean vistas.
We will host a safety briefing the day before your scheduled flight where our staff will explain all kit requirements, assist with any last-minute preparations and update on the latest weather forecasts for Antarctica.
We travel in uncompromising comfort across the mighty Southern Ocean in a private aircraft. During the five-hour flight, the African night turns to the Antarctic day as we soar over thousands of icebergs and pass into 24 hours of continuous sunshine.
Destination: Wolf’s Fang Runway.
Our runway is overlooked by one of the most magnificent and iconic mountains on the entire continent, named “Wolf’s Fang” by the early Norwegian explorers. After landing on the ancient blue ice, you will be surrounded by massive monoliths of rock that rise vertically from the glacier.
As futuristic as it is luxurious, Echo is as close as you can get to feeling like you’re off the planet without leaving Earth.
Echo features six heated ‘sky pods’ crafted from composite fibreglass. Each of the astronaut-inspired bedrooms have been designed for two guests, with a nod to the space-age and accented with ultra-luxe furnishings that could have been beamed down directly from Mars.
Each bedroom is (20ft) in diameter; the sky pods fea-ture extensive window panels, a cosy lounge area along with an adjoining wash room and toilet.
Surrounded by some of the planet’s most spectacular scenery, each sky pod comes complete with expansive floor to ceiling windows allowing guests to take in views of the dramatic lunar landscape beyond.
Our Basler BT-67s are upgraded conversions of the DC-3, specially equipped with the latest avionics for Antarctic operations and with skis for landing on snow and ice.

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
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 Echo and take in the view from astride a fat bike.

DAY 2
Settle into Echo and do as much or as little as you like each day. Activities range from restorative massages and inspiring treks to exploring incredible mountains and glaciers, summiting a nunatak, ice climbing and even abseiling!
On quieter days, you’ll hear talks from our polar explorer staff about some of the lesser-known history of Antarctica and their world record-breaking expeditions.

DAY 3
We fly 2 hours across Antarctica, providing beautiful views of the nearby mountain ranges and coastline, before landing at the Emperor penguin colony at Atka Bay. 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
We spend the day exploring the nearby mountains and enjoy a gentle hike overlooking the endless ice sheet, followed by a champagne picnic.
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 mountains that you have just explored.

DAY 5**
We leave early in the morning in our Basler BT-67 aircraft, flying over stunning mountain ranges before landing at Dixie’s camp to refuel.
After a walk on the High Polar Plateau we will continue to the South Pole, where you will have plenty of time for photos and a chance to stamp your passport before flying back to Dixie’s camp and overnighting in the great wilderness of the Plateau.
** Please bear in mind that the South Pole is situated at an apparent altitude of 4,000m with an approximate ambient temperature of -25ºC. Those with pre-conditions for altitude sickness should not choose this option. If you are unsure in any way, please contact the expedition company for any advice or further information.

DAY 6
After a night under canvas, you'll enjoy a hearty breakfast before boarding the plane once again for the flight back to Echo.
The flight is the perfect chance to appreciate the immense scale of Antarctica, before you return to our camp for a three-course champagne dinner to celebrate your achievement.

DAY 7
An adventurous hike along a winding cliff face affords guests stunning views over the last pristine wilderness on Earth.
Our world-class mountain guides will lead you on this challenging hike, ensuring your safety at all times.

DAY 8
The flight out of Antarctica will be the last of your enduring memories of the great White Continent before you dive 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
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 Echo and take in the view from astride a fat bike.

DAY 2
Settle into Echo and do as much or as little as you like each day. Activities range from restorative massages and inspiring treks to exploring incredible mountains and glaciers, summiting a nunatak, ice climbing and even abseiling!
On quieter days, you’ll hear talks from our polar explorer staff about some of the lesser-known history of Antarctica and their world record-breaking expeditions.

DAY 3
We fly 2 hours across Antarctica, providing beautiful views of the nearby mountain ranges and coastline, before landing at the Emperor penguin colony at Atka Bay. 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
We spend the day exploring the nearby mountains and enjoy a gentle hike overlooking the endless ice sheet, followed by a champagne picnic.
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 mountains that you have just explored.

DAY 5**
We leave early in the morning in our Basler BT-67 aircraft, flying over stunning mountain ranges before landing at Dixie’s camp to refuel.
After a walk on the High Polar Plateau we will continue to the South Pole, where you will have plenty of time for photos and a chance to stamp your passport before flying back to Dixie’s camp and overnighting in the great wilderness of the Plateau.
** Please bear in mind that the South Pole is situated at an apparent altitude of 4,000m with an approximate ambient temperature of -25ºC. Those with pre-conditions for altitude sickness should not choose this option. If you are unsure in any way, please contact the expedition company for any advice or further information.

DAY 6
After a night under canvas, you'll enjoy a hearty breakfast before boarding the plane once again for the flight back to Echo.
The flight is the perfect chance to appreciate the immense scale of Antarctica, before you return to our camp for a three-course champagne dinner to celebrate your achievement.

DAY 7
An adventurous hike along a winding cliff face affords guests stunning views over the last pristine wilderness on Earth.
Our world-class mountain guides will lead you on this challenging hike, ensuring your safety at all times.

DAY 8
The flight out of Antarctica will be the last of your enduring memories of the great White Continent before you dive 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!




INCLUSIONS

• Safety briefing (return transfers provided)
• Return transfers for Antarctica flights
• Return flight to Antarctica (inc. 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 the expedition company of a ‘Carbon Tax’ for offsetting emissions created by all logistics associated with Antarctic travel

EXCLUSIONS

• Commercial flights to and from Cape Town, South Africa
• Accommodation and meals whilst in Cape Town
• Polar clothing (you will be sent a tailored kit list in advance of your trip to help you purchase the necessary items)
• Comprehensive insurance cover (we can advise you as to the appropriate cover required)
• Additional expenses incurred in Cape Town due to any delay
• Additional baggage costs over the agreed amount
• Use of a satellite phone whilst in Antarctica


* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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THE POLAR TRAVEL COMPANY LLC
USA

8175 NW 12 ST #120, Doral, FL 33126
Miami - Dade, Florida
Tel: +1 (786) 321-5654
WhatsApp: +1 (786) 705-2241
Email: travel@thepolartravelcompany.com

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