Antarctica: An Experience as Luxurious as it is Adventurous
by Sandi Todorovich, Luxury Travel Advisor
Have you ever wanted to travel outside your comfort zone and experience a remote destination in a very unique, yet luxurious way? Are you curious to be one of a limited number of people able to discover the true interior of Antarctica, the coldest, driest, windiest, and most unreachable place in the world?
I was fortunate to be able to experience this firsthand with White Desert, a luxury operator founded by genuine polar explorers who are passionate about the destination and environmentally responsible travel. Whereas most travelers arrive in Antarctica via cruise ship, White Desert flies our clients on a 5.5-hour nonstop private chartered jet from Cape Town to the interior of Antarctica, an expanse of snow, ice, and the magnetic South Pole. Visiting Antarctica’s interior is an incredible privilege experienced by only a few hundred visitors each year - compared to the hundreds of thousands who explore Antarctica by cruise.
I was so excited to get there – not really knowing what to expect or how I would actually feel. What I did know is that I would need to get to Cape Town for a recommended two days prior to my “scheduled” departure and then also confirm at least two days in Cape Town on the back end. I was told that schedules are a guide, not a reality, as the landing is weather and temperature dependent, and our flights may be brought forward or delayed as a result – and this definitely does happen! Once I arrived and got the hang of things, this made absolute sense, and everyone just went with the flow. If you are not someone who can fly by the seat of your pants and be accommodating to multiple schedule changes, this trip may not be for you!
There are plenty of private outdoor activities to enjoy while in Antarctica, so before you travel, you select an itinerary with a base in one of two camps: Whichaway Camp or Echo. Whichaway was the first luxury camp created over 12 years ago, now complemented by the brand new futuristically designed space-inspired sky pods at Echo Camp, which opened just last December. I was fortunate to be one of the first guests to stay there. White Desert offers two main programs, the seven-night option, including Emperor Penguins and the South Pole, and the five-night, including Emperor Penguins. The Greatest Day trip is less common and only includes three hours on the ground; really if you want to check the box. Each location presents slightly different offerings due to the terrain nearby, but both camps will take you to the penguin colony and the South Pole.
This was an incredible experience and one that I highly recommend for those adventurous souls out there. To be able to explore this remote frontier in this way, with these experts and other adventurous guests, is truly a magical way to experience Antarctica!
Here are some of my favorite moments from my six-day trip:
The anticipation! Truly, I had butterflies before take-off more than any other trip I’ve ever been on.
That moment when you first touch down on the ice runway in the middle of nowhere. The feeling is indescribable. The wait is finally over, and you are ready to get outside!
Legitimate 24 hours of daylight – time is irrelevant in Antarctica during the summer. Having drinks in the ice bar at 1 a.m. was not abnormal, and wearing polarized sunglasses 24/7 became the norm.
Visiting the 28,000 Atka penguin colony as a private group and seeing the baby chicks! It is your small intimate group and no one else for hours and hours. This was definitely one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.
Exploring ice tunnels that are so blue, they look photoshopped.
Hiking on literally frozen ice waves with crampons as a day outing.
Hanging out with like-minded travelers in the futuristic Observatory bar at Echo Camp – this is one beautifully designed bar!
Being reminded of conservation and how what we do affects our surroundings. Water is a precious resource at these camps, with all water being hand shoveled and melted for guests to use it. Being mindful of this really spoke to me.
Did I mention the Atka penguin colony? It really was my favorite!
White Desert has created an opportunity to show you Antarctica in the most incredible way, and they succeed in every aspect. For those tempted this one-of-a-kind adventure, I hope you will give it a try. Expect the unexpected, and be prepared to be dazzled!