The Emperor Penguins Expedition

Emperor Penguins Expedition

Embark on a unique and all-inclusive 4-night expedition in the mighty Antarctica, including a visit to an Emperor Penguin colony.

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  • DEPARTS FROM

Cape Town (6-hour flight)

  • DURATION

4 Nights

  • SEASON

Late Oct until Feb

  • MIN AGE

12 YEARS OF AGE

  • DATES

2026/2027 Season: Expedition Tour Dates

  • Nov 7 - Nov 12, 2026 (5 Nights) - BOOKED
  • Dec 11 - Dec 15, 2026 - SEATS OPEN

pricing
per person

$40 000

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  • terms and conditions apply

Your Expedition Experience

What will you experience?

For time-pressed expedition guests – not able to join a full seven-night expedition – this expedition is the most time-efficient and affordable way to set sight of the mighty Emperor Penguins. Over four days and nights, we set out to enjoy life in Antarctica, in a range of wilderness experiences.

These include standing in awe at “ice walls” and unique ice formations, the chance to stare out over the Nivl continental ice shelf, and savouring moments in the Schirmacher Oasis.

The pièce de résistance, for most, must be the once-in-a-lifetime visit to the Emperor Penguins.

The colonies sit perched on the “edge of Antarctica”, where the ice shelf meets the ocean.

Honouring the strictest bio-security protocols, we enjoy this rare privilege of “National Geographic moments”, with our own eyes.

what's included

  • All Outer Polar Gear
  • Airport Transfers in Cape Town
  • Inter-Continental Flights between Cape Town and Antarctica
  • All Food & Beverages In-Flight, and in Antarctica
  • Four night’s Accommodation at Ultima Camps – between Ultima Oasis Camp, and Ultima Airbase Expedition Camp
  • South Pole Expedition, by Intra-Continental Aircraft
  • Emperor Penguins Expedition, by Intra-Continental Aircraft
  • Daily Excursions
  • All Activities
  • Limited WiFi access and connectivity is possible


Not included: polar/thermal under-garments

The Highlight

Visit the emperor
penguin colony

Your expedition flight will land at a remote penguin colony where the majestic Emperor Penguins spend the early Antarctic Summer. Within the strictest guidelines to protect these creatures, a short walk will take us to within sight of the largest of all penguins on Earth, measuring up to 122cm in height, and 40kg in weight, the size of a small adult human.

The colony consists of fluffy chicks, awaiting their parents’ return from the ocean with a fresh meal, couples re-uniting with each other and huddling against each other for warmth, or occasionally bathing in the Antarctic sunshine.

Watch: The Ice Wall

Watch: The Ice Caves

Where will you stay?

Ultima Oasis Camp

Throughout your time in Antarctica, you will overnight in our Ultima Oasis Camp, which offers delicious food and comfortable surroundings, while you rest between the four days’ excursions and explore the camp’s surrounds – mountains, lakes, snow and ice, as you are immersed in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
More about the camp

Common questions

FAQS/FAST FACTS

WE FLY TO ANTARCTICA

More than 120 000 tourists visit the Antarctic Peninsula each year by cruise ship. At Ultima, we fly – in under six hours – from Cape Town, South Africa. After flying due south over 4 200km, we land on a blue ice runway – where your adventures begin.

Draw a straight line south from the southern tip of Africa, due south. The last 100km before we land is over frozen sea ice, and we land on the actual Antarctic continent/land mass.

Antarctica is not owned by any nation. Thus, no visa is required. Guests may require visas to visit South Africa, usually multiple-entry visas, as guests will arrive in South Africa from their international destinations, and then back in South Africa on the return leg from Antarctica.

Excellent question: two days before the Estimated Date of Departure. This, to allow some flexibility in departure, should weather or logistics require. Equally, guests are asked to book their out-bound flights from Cape Town, for a minimum of two days after their due arrival back from Antarctica, to cater for possible delays.

When is the Antarctic Austral Summer? We’re in the Southern Hemisphere, so between October and February. During these summer months, we enjoy nearly 24-hour daylight – and full 24-hour sunlight on either side of the Summer Solstice (December 20-22).

We offer no expeditions between March and September, conditions deteriorate, with 24-hour pitch darkness, on either side of the Winter Solstice (June 21).

Unlike the heroic explorers of yore, our guests do not have to be tough, fit or brave. Our Antarctic Expeditions are open to all, who are healthy enough to fly into Cape Town, from where we fly south.

Yes! All outer gear – including boots, outer-trousers, outer jackets, gloves/mitts, beanies. Guests are asked to bring their own fleeces or equivalent gear, for wearing beneath their outer jackets – as well as their own warm/thermal undergarments. Guests tend to prefer their own sunglasses.

A full packing list is provided, and includes most items one would take for any holiday or travel visit, to any destination (because Ultima provides all outer weather-proof polar gear).

We do not take many young children to Antarctica, but can do so – on a case-by-case basis, when accompanied by their parents or guardians. Teenagers have joined several of our Expeditions, happily.

Are you ready for the ultimate journey to Antarctica?

You are now within reach of mesmerizing landscapes, pristine snow, massive glaciers, sparkling-blue ice caves, howling blizzards and wild, rugged mountains. We anticipate you will have many questions regarding these journeys. Please complete the form below, or contact us by email or phone, and one of our experienced staff will answer all your questions.Enquire below to book your seat!

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Terms and conditions apply