South Pole & Emperor Penguins

South Pole & Emperor Penguins

This is an exceptional experience for travellers with an appreciation for geography, history, wildlife and remote wilderness.

This seven day adventure will take you from cosmopolitan Cape Town to the southern most point on earth.

We will depart Cape Town on a five and a half hour flight on the legendary Ilyushin 76 to Novo Runway in Dronning Maud Land. From Novo Runway we will transfer by Arctic Truck to our very comfortable lodgings at Oasis Camp.

Our two key objectives are to visit the Geographic South Pole and an Emperor Penguin colony.

Our flight to the South Pole will be in a Basler BT-67, a modified DC-3. On route to the pole we will stop at 83 24S for approximately 90 minutes to refuel before continuing to the pole. At the pole we will make the short walk from the aircraft to the Ceremonial South Pole and then on to the Geographic South Pole in the footsteps of famed historic age explorers Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott.

Amundsen-Scott Base with parhelion above.

Celebrations at FD83 after reaching the South Pole on 30 November 2024.

We will return once again to FD83 to refuel and camp to ensure the pilots have an opportunity to rest before the final leg of the journey back to Novo Runway. Camping on the vast white plateau is another highlight of the journey. All camping gear is provided.

We will fly in the Twin otter to either the Astrid or Lazarev Emperor Penguin colony. The flight affords magnificent views of the Schirmacher Oasis, the ice shelf and icebergs trapped in the tapestry of sea ice below. Our pilots will land on the sea ice parking at least the mandatory 1km from the colony. We will walk together across the sea ice to witness one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.

Curious Emperor Penguins will often toboggan out to meet us. We will maintain at least a 5 metre distance from the birds as required by International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO).

We will stay in the very comfortable Oasis Guesthouse, at the eastern end of the Schirmacher Oasis, a largely ice free region at the edge of the Antarctic continent that is also home to two research stations. Here we will enjoy delicious meals and warm lodgings. There are also some fantastic ice features to visit close to Oasis Camp including an ice tunnel in the Lazarev Ice Shelf and an ice wall some 45 minutes drive from camp.

Inclusions

Flights between Cape Town and Dronning Maud Land in the Ilyushin 76-TD90, all internal twin otter and Basler flights, all internal transfers, meals, accomodation, guides, drinks, Starlink internet at Oasis Camp. Airport transfers in Cape Town 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, satellite phone use in Antarctica.

Accomodation in Antarctica

We will stay at the very comfortable 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, an excellent range of South African wines and Starlink internet to stay in touch with your friends and family.