Antarctica & Emperor Penguins

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.

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.

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"!

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!

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.

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 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.