Itinerary

Day 1: Cape Town

This afternoon we will be collecting you from your hotel for the pre-departure briefing. This briefing will explain in detail what you can expect on this Antarctica expedition. It will cover the details of the flight, how to pack, what each item of kit actually does and many other aspects of your journey. It is the perfect forum for you to ask any questions you may have, from how to wash in Antarctica, to what you can expect to do each day once at the camp. After the briefing we will be inviting you to a cocktail party to get to know the other guests.

Upon arrival into South Africa you will be met at the door of the plane and escorted through Customs and Immigration avoiding any queues. You will also receive all of your necessary documents for your trip which contains a detailed personalized itinerary, maps, restaurant suggestions, Top Tips for exploring each city or region and a 24 hour concierge service (for restaurant reservations, spa treatments, child minders, day tours etc).

you will be transfered between the airport and your hotel with your Antartica team escorts.

Five hour flight across the Southern Ocean to a maintained ice runway in Droning Maud Land.  The choice of plane varies according to the weather and logistics. We use an Illuyshin-IL76, Falcon 900, or a Gulfstream IV.
Accommodation: Overnight Flight

Day 2: Antarctica Camp

Arrive at the Russian research station landing strip, a maintained ice runway in full time daylight. Meet your guides and transfer to the camp in specialist 4x4s.

Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).

Enjoy dinner (included in tour price).
Accommodation: Kensington Antarctica

Kensington Antarctica is the only luxury camp based in the interior of Antarctica. Old world luxury is mixed with modern technology to create 7 heated sleeping domes with two fluffy soft beds. The dining area, lounge, library and kitchen are spread across three huge dome tents that are 9 meters in diameter. With only 12 clients at a time, you will be amongst the very few to experience the interior of Antarctica. In the 24hrs of continuous daylight and with genuine polar explorers as your personal guides, each day is tailored to suit each person at camp. Trek down to the surreal ice waves, ride a specialized 4x4 across the endless ice, visit research stations, and camp out on the sea ice overnight like a polar explorer. If you’re looking for more adventure, our guides can lead you up unclimbed mountains or teach you kite-skiing across the infinite horizons of ice. The camp is run on extremely strict environmental protocols.

Day 3: Antarctica Camp

Enjoy breakfast (included in tour cost).

Trek to the magnificent ice waves about an hour and a half from the camp. These colossal ice structures are as surreal as they are beautiful, standing higher than houses with a series of ice tunnels beneath them. We spend the day gently trekking through this maze of interlocking waves, around crystal blue lakes and old compacted ice that is a searing, iridescent blue colour. Picnicking at a high point that overlooks the entire coastline, we trek back to camp for a more relaxing evening.

Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).

Enjoy dinner (included in tour price).
Accommodation: Kensington Antarctica

Day 4: Antarctica Camp

Enjoy breakfast (included in tour cost).

It is an early start as we drive up to the ice runway and board a ski-equipped Bassler plane to fly 2 hours across Antarctica to an immense Emperor Penguin colony. The flight itself is spectacular, crossing a multitude of unexplored mountain peaks and catching views of the infinite high polar plateau, before circling down to land at the site of the penguins.

With over 6,000 breeding pairs and their chicks, the colony is vast. We are the only tourists to ever go there and you will have the entire day to watch these awesome animals in their natural habitat. Encircled by towering icebergs, the penguins are completely unafraid of humans and often come up very close to you, whilst their fluffy chicks are equally inquisitive. So few people ever visit such a vibrant colony at this stage of the penguin’s complicated breeding cycle and it is truly awe-inspiring to see it. They really are the real life stars of "March of the Penguins"!

Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).

Enjoy dinner (included in tour price).
Accommodation: Kensington Antarctica

Day 5: Antarctica Camp

Enjoy breakfast (included in tour cost).

Today is an easier day for those that want it and we drive with the 4x4s to the nearby Russian science station to meet their over-wintering team and learn more about their ground-breaking research. After lunch and a sauna at their base, we walk along the towering cliffs of the oasis, taking in the views and the fascinating coastline.

For those after more exercise, we run a kite-skiing workshop, where we teach one-on-one the basics of handling kites and skiing. It is quite a feeling to cross the ground so effortlessly and silently, as the wind just pulls you across Antarctica’s vast snowfields. Then, as you progress, we teach you how to become more proficient with the kite for greater speed, control and even jumping!

Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).

Enjoy dinner (included in tour price).
Accommodation: Kensington Antarctica

Day 6: Antarctica Camp

Enjoy breakfast (included in tour cost).

Using the 4x4s we drive to a largely unexplored mountain range about 3hrs from our camp. Amongst towering formations of rock and guided by our expert team of polar explorers, you ski out to the base of an unclimbed mountain. Then, with crampons, harnesses and helmets secured, our guides take you up ridge to the summit for unparalleled views of the polar plateau.

For those wanting to take it a little easier, we do a gentle ski tour around the base of the mountain, weaving around huge yawning crevasses, before stopping for a picnic and watching the others reach the summit.

Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).

Enjoy dinner (included in tour price).
Accommodation: Kensington Antarctica


Day 7: Antarctica Camp

Enjoy breakfast (included in tour cost).

We drive about 90km in the specialist 4x4s to the edge of the ice and the beginning of open water. Here at the 200ft ice 'barrier' (as it was named by the early explorers), you will see icebergs frozen in strange formations and see a totally different aspect of Antarctica. There is also a strong chance of meeting Adelie penguins. These are smaller than the emperors but are beautiful creatures that are equally tenacious, having to trek vast distances on their little legs in order to find land to be able to breed.

Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).

Enjoy dinner (included in tour price).
Accommodation: Kensington Antarctica

Day 8: Antarctica Camp

Enjoy breakfast (included in tour cost).

Enjoy a last breakfast and pack up your gear for a morning transfer back to the airstrip and the private jet. Take a last few photos before saying goodbye to the majesty of this seventh continent. Savor the return crossing above a multitude of icebergs and open ocean. You will always have a lasting memory of Antarctica that will remain with you for the rest of your days.

Arrive at the Russian research station landing strip, a maintained ice runway in full time daylight. Meet your guides and transfer to the camp in specialist 4x4s.

Five hour flight across the Southern Ocean to Cape Town.  The choice of plane varies according to the weather and logistics. We use an Illuyshin-IL76, Falcon 900, or a Gulfstream IV.

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