The South Pole and the Penguins

Fly south from Cape Town across the Southern Ocean and into Antarctica, landing directly on a spectacular blue-ice runway. From here, transfer across the frozen wilderness to your remote expedition camp. Spend your first hours becoming acquainted with the extraordinary surroundings, where sculpted ice, distant mountain peaks and vast horizons offer an unforgettable introduction to the continent.

Begin exploring the remarkable landscapes surrounding camp with expert polar guides. Depending on conditions, venture across pristine ice fields, hike among dramatic formations or try activities such as ice climbing and abseiling. The day provides an opportunity to experience Antarctica at your own pace while preparing for the major expeditions still to come.

Board a specially equipped aircraft for the journey across Antarctica to Atka Bay, home to a remarkable Emperor Penguin colony. After landing on the sea ice, continue towards the colony and spend time observing these extraordinary birds within their natural environment. Watch adults and chicks interact against an immense backdrop of ice and sky, experiencing one of the world’s most remote and privileged wildlife encounters.

Set out on an extraordinary journey towards the southernmost point on Earth. Fly across Antarctica’s vast interior, passing immense glaciers, mountain ranges and an increasingly featureless polar plateau. The sheer scale of the continent becomes apparent from above as you travel towards 90° South, a location that has drawn explorers for generations.

Reach one of the planet’s ultimate geographical landmarks: the Geographic South Pole. Stand at 90° South, where every direction leads north, and capture the moment beside the iconic South Pole marker. Visit the nearby Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station and reflect on the extraordinary history of polar exploration before beginning the return journey across Antarctica.

Journey back from the South Pole towards your expedition base, once again crossing the immense Antarctic interior. After returning to camp, enjoy time to relax and reflect on the remarkable achievement of reaching the southernmost point on Earth. Surrounded by pristine wilderness, the evening offers a welcome opportunity to enjoy the comfort of camp after your polar expedition.

Spend another day exploring the wilderness around camp. Follow your guides across glaciers and ice formations, discovering hidden corners of the surrounding landscape that reveal the remarkable geology of Antarctica. Depending on weather and conditions, the programme can incorporate hiking, climbing or gentler excursions, allowing you to experience the continent from an entirely different perspective.

Discover another side of Antarctica as you venture into spectacular formations sculpted within the ancient ice. Explore brilliant blue ice tunnels and surrounding glacial terrain, where light filtering through compressed ice creates vivid shades of turquoise and cobalt. These remarkable natural formations offer an intimate perspective on a landscape that has evolved over thousands of years.

Enjoy a final full day surrounded by Antarctica’s extraordinary wilderness. Depending on conditions and the adventures already completed, your guides will tailor the day’s activities to make the most of your remaining time on the continent. Whether hiking across the ice, exploring nearby formations or simply absorbing the silence and scale of the landscape, it is a fitting conclusion to an exceptional expedition.

After a final morning in the Antarctic wilderness, prepare for the journey north. Transfer to the blue-ice runway and board your aircraft for the flight across the Southern Ocean to Cape Town. Leave Antarctica having experienced two of its greatest icons — the remarkable Emperor Penguins and the Geographic South Pole — on a journey into one of the most inaccessible regions of our planet.