Emperors and Mountains of Dronning Maud Land
Emperors and Mountains of Dronning Maud Land
View the November 2024 Emperors and Mountains of Dronning Maud Land video here
Our second major objective on this trip is to fly south-west in the Twin Otter to the spectacular mountains fringing 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 site. We will attempt to land at a couple of locations around these impressive peaks to capture beautiful images and experience the true majesty and solitude of this very special place.
Closer to our well appointed and very comfortable base in the Schirmacher Oasis are some incredible 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.
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 and is limited to just 8 people. Your host will be Islands & Ice Founder David Sinclair who has been guiding and leading trips in the polar regions since 2007 and is an award-winning nature photographer.
Day 1
Expedition Days
Final day
Inclusions
Flights between Cape Town and Dronning Maud Land in the Ilyushin 76-TD90, all internal twin otter flights to and from the Emperors, Lake Untersee and Drygalski Mountains, all internal transfers, meals, accomodation, guides, drinks, Starlink internet at Oasis Camp and special clothing and equipment. Airport transfers in Cape Town are also 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, satellite phone use in Antarctica.
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.