Emperors & South Pole 2022
Trips to see Emperor Penguins are few and far between. Be one of the lucky ones to grab a spot on this over-the-top, luxury, "March of the Penguins" adventure.
SPECIAL OFFER
7.7*
ECO SCORE
12
PASSENGERS
12
DAYS
4/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Antarctica: Drink It In
Follow in the footsteps of legendary adventurers on this encore expedition to the South Pole, travelling in a style that the early polar explorers could have only dreamed of. This expert-led, 12-day adventure takes you into the heart of the White Continent to meet emperor penguins, walk a natural ice tunnel and stand at the lowest point on earth — the South Pole, where only a very few are privileged to go.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
- • Stay at luxe polar camp, Whichaway with views of a 200-foot icefall.
• Walk through a 200-yard-long tunnel of iridescent blue ice.
• Visit the scientists at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Science Station.
SPECIAL OFFER
Rates:
From $250,000 per person
Policies and protocols provided before you book.
Ask us for future dates.
Ask us for future dates.
Departures:
Trip Sustainability Awards
CARBON
Fantastic advances in minimizing carbon footprints at locations.
ENERGY
On the East African Energy Renewal Board
EDUCATION
Runs local educational facilities for children.
Itinerary
Day 1 - December 11, 2022
On arrival in Cape Town, you’re met by one of the A&K team for your private transfer to The Silo Hotel, one of Cape Town’s most exciting hotels. With only 28 individually designed rooms, it is located over six floors above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA). This evening, gather with Geoffrey and Otavia Kent at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art for cocktails, followed by a private dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: The Silo Hotel
Day 2 - December 12, 2022
This morning, after meeting your expedition team, head out with Geoffrey and Otavia from your hotel in style, driving along the coast in a classic two-seater open-top Cobra. Drive past the picture-perfect beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, beautifully located at the base of the towering Twelve Apostles Mountains. Continue driving to Groot Constantia, the oldest wine estate in South Africa. From here, depart on a scenic helicopter flight to the elegant vineyards of Stellenbosch. Arrive at the Delaire Graff Estate, a world-class winery and luxury lodge. Enjoy lunch on the grounds, and afterward begin a breathtaking journey in a vintage World War II sidecar, meandering through superb mountain ranges. Continue by helicopter to Cape Town and transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation: The Silo Hotel
Day 3 - December 13, 2022
Bid farewell to Geoffrey and, joined by Otavia, depart around 10:00 a.m. from the private jet facility at Cape Town International Airport, where your Gulfstream pilots are waiting for you. Fly for five and a half hours across the mighty Southern Ocean, high above thousands of icebergs floating across the sea. Halfway through the flight, cross the polar circle and enter 24 hours of continuous daylight. Landing on your private ice runway (named Wolf’s Fang), you’re struck immediately by the vastness of your surroundings as the horizon stretches into the distance, punctuated only by a row of jagged mountain peaks. A separate ski-equipped aircraft then ferries you the short 25-minute hop to the luxury camp, Whichaway, which has been diligently designed and meets A&K’s strict criteria. Set out on a gentle trek around this snowy oasis to orientate yourself to the new surroundings.
Accommodation: Whichaway Camp
Day 4 - December 14, 2022
Head to the 200-yard-long ice tunnels made of iridescent blue ice, a setting as surreal as it is unique. Walk through their extraordinary length, breathing in the still air and marveling at the bizarre ice formations carved by meltwater. On the way back, drive by 4x4 to the nearby science base to meet some of the scientists who have been conducting research throughout the winter.
Accommodation: Whichaway Camp
Day 5 - December 15, 2022
Depart early in the morning in a BT-67 turboprop plane and fly five hours across the High Polar Plateau, landing at 83-degrees south to refuel. Take the opportunity to walk around and experience this daunting environment for yourself before continuing on for another two hours to the South Pole. This is the lowest point on earth, the holy grail for explorers. Here you are standing at a place that has no more east, south or west — the only direction from here is north.
At the South Pole marker, you can walk around the planet in just a few steps. After a special ceremony, visit the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Science Station to witness firsthand the often groundbreaking research conducted at this U.S. facility. Camp for the night at 83 degrees south in a full-height tent with camp bed, mattress and polar sleeping bag, making you among the select few who have spent a night in the beauty of the Polar Plateau, one of the wildest places on earth.
Accommodation: South Pole Camp
Day 6 - December 16, 2022
After a hearty breakfast, board the plane once again for the flight back to camp, the perfect chance to truly appreciate the immense scale of Antarctica. Arrive at the Whichaway Skiway airstrip and transfer in 4x4 vehicles back to camp. Accommodation: Whichaway Camp
Day 7 - December 17, 2022
Today, drive by 4x4 to a vast rock cliff overlooking the ice waves. Your guides have established a rope walk over the cliff edge. Crossing it is technically easy, but thrilling nonetheless. There may be time for lessons in skiing, snowmobiling or, with expert tutelage, you may choose to abseil off the nearby nunatak, a mountain surrounded completely by an ice field.
Accommodation: Whichaway Camp
Day 8 - December 18, 2022
Fly two and a half hours across Antarctica, skimming across the spectacular coastline before landing at an emperor penguin colony. Your is the only group to visit this specific colony. Surrounded by approximately 6,000 emperor penguins and their newly hatched chicks, get up close and personal to these real-life stars of March of the Penguins. At this time of year, the chicks are still covered in their grey down feathers and you can spend the day photographing them and their doting parents. There are occasionally Weddell seals in the area as well, lying next to their breathing holes, entirely unafraid of the proximity to humans. Fly back to camp in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Whichaway Camp
Day 9 - December 19, 2022
A short 45-minute flight brings you to the Drygalski mountain range, an area that consists of huge monoliths of rock rising vertically out of the ice and often reaching 9,000 feet in height. Take the opportunity to achieve something truly unique: Climb a virgin summit in Antarctica, with your expert guides leading the way. Build a rock mound (or cairn) on the highest point to prove you were there; you even earn the right to name the mountain for the history books. Accommodation: Whichaway Camp
Day 10 - December 20, 2022
In addition to the numerous planned activities (subject to local conditions), your journey also includes a number of informal, riveting talks by polar experts. One such talk is a presentation by a record-breaking polar guide about the history of the race to the South Pole. Told in the most evocative setting imaginable, the tale transports you back to the time of Scott and Amundsen as they risked everything to be the first to reach the lowest point on earth.
Today may also be a great day to picnic on the summit of a small ridge a short way from camp. The location offers the most spectacular views out across the frozen icebergs on the coast. Retrace your steps with a short drive to Whichaway Skiway to board your 25-minute flight to Wolf ’s Fang, where your private jet is waiting. In the evening, catch your flight back to Cape Town.
Accommodation: Whichaway Camp
Day 11 - December 11, 2022
Arrive Cape Town early this morning and transfer to your hotel, The Silo, where you have a chance to relax in a hot bath while reminiscing on your once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Accommodation: The Silo Hotel
Day 12 - December 22, 2022
After a good night’s rest, continue your onward journey.
Rates
Questions?
Be among the lucky few to see emperor penguins AND the South Pole with travel icon, Geoffrey Kent. What an outrageous opportunity!
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED
All accommodations, meals and fully guided sightseeing (including park and entrance fees) as noted in the itinerary; airport transfers to/from hotel/airport in Cape Town, South Africa, regardless of day of arrival and departure; all on-tour charter aircraft transportation; services of Tour Director and experienced guides/expedition staff throughout; coffee/ tea/soft drinks/ water at included meals; wine and beer with all lunches and dinners; local bottled water during sightseeing; porterage of two (2) pieces of baggage; hotel taxes; gratuities throughout; and a complimentary expedition parka.
On local charter flights during the course of this journey, participants are limited to 48 lbs. (22 kilos) of checked luggage. Small carry-ons should be limited to one per person and weighing not more than 17 lbs. (8 kilos).
EQUIPMENT
Due to the hostile nature of Antarctica's environment, it is essential that each member of your party is properly equipped and clothed in accordance with the requirements set forth in our packing recommendations. If, either prior to commencement of the program or during the program, our representatives consider that any member of your party is not suitably equipped or clothed, than that member's participation in the program or relevant part of the program will be cancelled, in which case you will not be entitled to a refund of any part of the program price and we will have no further liability to you arising from the cancellation. You will further be responsible for any additional costs (such as flight, accommodation and subsistence costs) incurred as a result of the cancellation. The appropriate polar boots and polar jackets will be provided for your use during the program.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE QUOTED PROGRAM PRICE Trip cancellation insurance; emergency evacuation/repatriation insurance; airfares to join/leave the program; additional or alternative sightseeing not included in the itinerary; excess baggage charges; personal expenses such as costs to obtain passports and visas which are not included in the Tour cost; special assistance; meals other than specified in the itinerary; beverages, other than those with group meals; and communication charges.
Itinerary, accommodations and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond the operator's control. Every effort will be made to operate the Tour as planned.
CANCELLATION
Cancellations by you must be received in writing and will become effective on the date of the postmark, fax or email receipt. All payments are non-refundable. Refunds will not be made for any missed services or missed days.
CANCELLATION FEES PER PERSON
Date Amount
Before April 29, 2022 $150,000
On or after April 29, 2022 $250,000
