Emperor Penguins and Drygalski Mountains

Icy Adventure

Emperor Penguins and Drygalski Mountains

This is the ultimate Antarctic Expedition for adventurers and nature photographers with just 8 guests and two guides we visit two rarely visited Emperor Penguin colonies and the Drygalski Mountains in one extraordinary week in Antarctica.

In October and November Emperor Penguin chicks are still in their “biggles suits” but gaining size as they emerge from a long dark winter. As summer approaches the days lengthen and the sea ice breeding ground retreats. We plan to visit the Astrid and Lazarev North Emperor Penguin colonies to quietly observe and capture beautiful images of these incredible creatures in the company of a maximum of 8 guests and 2 guides.

View the November 2024 Emperors and Mountains of Dronning Maud Land video here

Our other key objective on this expedition is to fly to the spectacular Drygalski Mountains flanking the Fenristunga (Wolf’s Tongue Glacier). Ulvetanna’s sheer north face rises some 4500 feet from the ice. Holtanna’s west face illuminated by late evening light is an incredible sight. We will land in three different locations to admire these impressive peaks, capture beautiful images and experience the true majesty and solitude of this incredibly remote location.

Twin Otter parked at the base of Holtanna Mountain in the Drygalski Mountains, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica — Twin Otter, Holtanna, Drygalski Mountains

Aerial view late evening over Holtanna, Ulvetanna and Kintanna in the Drygalski Mountains, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

Closer to our comfy lodgings in the Schirmacher Oasis we visit ethereal ice features including an extraordinary neon blue ice tunnel in the Lazarev Ice Shelf on the very edge of the Antarctic continent and an ice wall a 45 minute drive across the ice plateau from Oasis Camp.

A neon blue ice tunnel in the Nivl Ice Shelf adjacent to the Schirmacher Oasis, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica — Ice Tunnel, a photographer’s dream

The "Ice Wall", a 21km drive from the Schirmacher Oasis, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica — Ice Wall, Dronning Maud Land

More people have scaled the highest peak on every continent than have visited many of the sites we plan to visit. Over 100,000 people now voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula every year. This is a path less trodden, truly an adventure of a lifetime.

Please inquire | Max 8 guests

US$61,000 per person (2026 price).

Day 1

We fly from Cape Town, South Africa to an ice runway in Dronning Maud Landform where we drive 30 minutes across the ice to the cosy Oasis Guesthouse, our base for the week at the eastern end of the Schirmacher Oasis.

Expedition Days

Our primary objectives are to visit the Astrid and Lazarev Emperor Penguin colonies and the Drygalski Mountains. Closer to Oasis Camp we will visit stunning ice features and enjoy hikes around the unique largely ice-free Schirmacher Oasis. We will enjoy fine wine and cuisine and even a traditional banya (sauna).

Final night and day

We return to Ultima Airbase for the final night before flying back to Cape Town. Noting all flights are subject to weather conditions in Dronning Maud Land and any NOTAMs issued that may cause flight delays.

Inclusions

Flights between Cape Town and Dronning Maud Land, all internal twin otter flights to and from the Emperor Penguin colonies and Drygalski Mountains, all internal transfers, meals, accomodation, guides, drinks and Starlink internet at Oasis Camp. Airport transfers in Cape Town (for your flights ot and from Antarctica) are included together with a range of specialised warm weather outer layers and boots that can be loaned for the duration of your expedition to save you purchasing and travelling with bulky items.

Exclusions

Travel to and from Cape Town (flexible flights are recommended and arrival into Cape Town three days in advance of departure for Antarctica is required allowing time to conduct mandatory briefings and issue specialist clothing and equipment for your adventure), any additional costs incurred due to changes to flights beyond our control (in particular weather delays), evacuation, medical treatment costs and insurance (insurance is mandatory), meals and accommodation in Cape Town.

Accomodation in Antarctica

We will stay at the Oasis Guesthouse at the eastern end of the Schirmacher Oasis which sits right on the edge of the Antarctic continent. Enjoy a sauna, delicious cuisine and an excellent range of South African wines and Starlink internet to stay in touch with your friends and family or simply log off for the duration of your stay, there’s simply no better place to experience peace and solitude.

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