Kensington Antarctica, Emperor Penguins & South Pole

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.

At camp, our guides offer a range of activities to choose. We do photography workshops using the ice grottos as fascinating backdrops to the images. There is rock climbing on offer, scaling challenging routes on the northern side of the nearby nunatak mountain. There is also a medium difficulty trek to the high point of the Oasis, which offers 360-degree views and a chance to take in the space and serenity which Antarctica offers in abundance.

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.

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"!

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.

The highlight of your journey is a flight to the Geographic South Pole. After breakfast there will be a weather forecast check along the route to the Pole. If

weather service gives a “green light” you will load on the plane and the adventure will begin. The flight will be in a modified DC3 Basler with spartan seats but good views. The distance to the South Pole from Antarctica Camp is about 2,140 km. You will be flying over the mountains of Queen Maud

Land and then above the Antarctic Plateau so prepare your camera for the stunning views!

At 83 degrees South there will be a landing for refueling high on the Antarctic plateau. The altitude is 2,500 meters above sea level, but air is less dense so it will feel like 3,000 meters elevation. Refueling will take about 40 min and you will have time to get out of the plane and stretch your legs. It is still 800 km (or 3 hours flight) to the Pole. From the air you'll get an appreciation for the immense scale and beauty of Antarctica.

Seven hour flight across 2,100km to the South Pole.

At the South Pole you will land on a runway of the American Amundsen-Scott research station. The station takes its name from the first explorers to reach the South Pole: Norwegian Roald Amundsen and British Capt. Robert Scott. On arrival you will complete a Round-the-World trip, walking around a symbolic pole at the Earth's axis, to celebrate your achievement.

Note: South Pole Station lives on NZ time which is 13 hours ahead of GMT (Antarctic Camp time) and visitors are only allowd during their "daytime". For you, this will be a 10-11 pm arrival. The group will be met by a NSF (National Science Foundation) representative and taken on a guided tour of the station. There is a souvenir shop at the station and a post office where you can send postcards and buy patches, sweaters, T-shirts, glasses, stamps and other souvenirs. The shop only accepts USD. Expect to stay at the South Pole about 2-3 hours. After that the group will fly about 10 min to a South Pole fuel cache and camp for a good night sleep.

Seven hour flight from the South Pole to Whichaway camp.

After a good sleep and breakfast the plane will return back to 83 S for refueling, and continuing on to Antarctica Camp. In the evening you will return to the camp where you can relax and share the stories of your trip, drinking tea or tasty South African wine in the mess tent with your new friends.

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.

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.

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