The Long Stay

The Long Stay

Experience both of our main camps — Whichaway and Echo — on our longest itinerary, which includes the South Pole journey and the incredible Blue Rivers.

Experience Both Camps

Why Choose?

At White Desert, each of our camps reveals a different facet of Antarctica’s astonishing beauty — Whichaway, with its elegant warmth and dramatic rocky outcrop, and Echo, a strikingly futuristic retreat set within a pristine white wilderness where nunatak peaks rise like ancient sentinels from the endless expanse. Guests often ask which to choose. The answer is simple: experience them both.

Between these two remarkable bases, you’ll also fly to one of the most elusive destinations on Earth: the Geographic South Pole. Standing at 90° South, you become part of a story shared by only a handful of people each year.

The bucket list. The last continent (for some) and the trip of a lifetime! This is an incredible experience!

-

F.G.

Guest

90.0000° S, 45.0000° E

The South Pole

The Bottom of the World

The journey to the South Pole covers 2,400 km (1,500 mi) from our main camps, beginning with a 5-hour flight to Dixie’s Camp, our remote expedition base. After a refuelling stop, the adventure continues with a further 2-hour flight to the South Pole — 90°S, the lowest point on Earth and an iconic milestone for any explorer.

Cruising 3,000 m (10,000 ft) above the ice across the High Polar Plateau, the views are nothing short of breathtaking. After spending a few hours at the South Pole, guests return to Dixie’s Camp at 83°S to spend the night enveloped in vast, uninterrupted whiteness, surrounded by a silence and solitude found only in the deepest reaches of Antarctica.

This is Antarctica at its most immersive and luxurious — two extraordinary camps, one unforgettable journey, and a perspective on the Last Continent that few will ever know.

Our Camps

Sample Itinerary

The Long Stay

Day-to-Day

A Note About Weather

Our main priority is to fly guests safely and successfully to the penguins and the South Pole, and we adjust each week's itinerary for those optimal flying windows. These can often change, so it's important to remain flexible. Remember, Antarctica's the dealer.

01

Arrival at Whichaway Camp

Your Antarctic adventure begins with a scenic flight from Cape Town to Wolf's Fang Runway. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to Whichaway Camp where you'll settle into your heated sleeping pod and enjoy a welcome dinner under the midnight sun.

02

Discovering Whichaway

Begin your adventure at Whichaway, surrounded by dramatic rocky outcrops and iridescent blue ice. Explore the landscape on a guided hike, visit the surreal ice waves, or descend into the crystalline blue river system that makes this camp so iconic. In the evening, unwind in the sauna or enjoy a fireside dinner overlooking the vast expanse.

03

Ice Adventures at Whichaway

Experience the thrill of abseiling down ancient ice cliffs. For a gentler pace, enjoy yoga in the dome, a massage with our in-camp Physical Therapist, or a peaceful trek across the frozen lake leading to panoramic viewpoints.

04

South Pole Expedition

The South Pole awaits. Board our Basler aircraft and fly over vast mountain ranges and shimmering plains. After refuelling at Dixie’s Camp, continue to the southernmost point on Earth. Stand at 90° South, capture the moment, stamp your passport, and overnight on the High Polar Plateau — a true explorer’s rite of passage.

05

Return and Camp Transition

Awaken under canvas on the High Polar Plateau. After breakfast, fly back across the continent and settle into Echo, your second camp. Celebrate your Pole achievement with a refined three-course dinner and champagne beneath the endless Antarctic sky.

06

Echo’s Otherworldly Playgrounds

Echo offers a landscape straight from another planet. Explore the surrounding nunatak peaks, try your hand at ice climbing, or trek across untouched ridgelines with breathtaking views in every direction.

07

High-Mountain Exploration

Embark on a challenging hike led by IFMGA-certified mountain guides. Traverse exposed ridges and dramatic rock spires that pierce the ice cap, offering some of the most surreal vistas on the continent.

08

Departure Home

The flight out of Antarctica will be the last of your enduring memories of the great White Continent. Watch as your returning A330 or A340 touches down on the blue-ice runway. Linger at Wolf Fang’s Ice Bar among sculpted ice forms, explore White Desert’s exclusive boutique, or unwind with a film before returning to the vibrant energy of Africa.

Arrival at Whichaway Camp
Discovering Whichaway
Ice Adventures at Whichaway
South Pole Expedition
Return and Camp Transition
Echo’s Otherworldly Playgrounds
High-Mountain Exploration
Departure Home

Other Trips

Mist transition
Clouds overlay 2
Baby Penguins & Blue Tunnels

Baby Penguins & Blue Tunnels

Witness the magic of Antarctica’s first penguin arrivals and explore the fleeting beauty of the blue ice tunnels. Observe emperor penguins in their natural breeding grounds, with minimal crowds and expert guides ensuring an intimate, unforgettable experience.

South Pole & Emperor Penguins

South Pole & Emperor Penguins

Combine iconic wildlife with one of the most legendary destinations on Earth. Explore the Emperor Penguin colony at Atka Bay, and venture to the geographic South Pole, guided by experts who ensure comfort, safety, and unique access to remote landscapes

A Day on Ice

A Day on Ice

Cape Town to Antarctica and back — descend into a crystal cave, rappel down an ice shelf and toast with champagne in our ice bar during this extraordinary day trip.

Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

Explore available travel dates and premium expedition rates as you prepare for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Antarctica.

Start planning your adventure

How it works