The South Pole and Emperors Expedition
Journey to the most southerly point on Earth with Ultima Antarctic Expeditions, spending seven days and seven nights in the world’s most isolated wilderness.
- DEPARTS FROM
Cape Town (6-hour flight)
- DURATION
7 days & Nights
- SEASON
Late Oct until Feb
- MIN AGE
12 YEARS OF AGE
- DATES
2026/2027 Season: Expedition Tour Dates
- Nov 11 - Nov 18, 2026 - SEATS OPEN
- Nov 17 - Nov 24, 2026 - FULLY BOOKED
- Nov 23 - Nov 30, 2026 - FULLY BOOKED
- Nov 29 - 6 Dec, 2026 - FULLY BOOKED
- Dec 5 - Dec 12, 2026 - SEATS OPEN
- Dec 11 - Dec 18, 2026 - SEATS OPEN
- Jan 5 - Jan 12, 2027 - SEATS OPEN
Your Expedition Experience
What will you experience?
The South Pole and Emperor Penguins Expeditions is the ultimate Grand Tour of Antarctica.
Standing at the most-southern point on Planet Earth is a “Bucket List” experience only a few humans ever achieve. Where, as one stands at the geographic South Pole, every direction is north …
After flying from Cape Town to Antarctica, and checking in to our Ultima Oasis Camp, our journey to reach the South Pole takes us into the skies again, aboard a far smaller aircraft, our capable Bassler BT-67.
A four-and-a-half hour flight takes us to Ultima Wilderness Camp (“FD83”), to rest and refuel – before the final flight leg to the South Pole. Here, we spend time savouring this rarest of achievements: Standing at the bottom of the world – in the footsteps of the greatest Antarctic explorers in history.
Once the South Pole expedition has been completed, we return to our Wilderness Camp, where we rest for 12 hours, in warm tents, before continuing back north to Ultima Air Base. It is at our Wilderness Camp that guests will be able to send messages home, with all their latest exciting news, on WiFi in place. After resting back at Oasis Camp, the next days take us on the second “Bucket List” experience awaits: A visit to the majestic Emperor Penguins.
In the de Havilland Twin Otter aircraft, we fly north to the edge of the continental ice shelf, to visit one of the handful of Emperor Penguin colonies which spend the Antarctic Spring here. The only place on Earth where they can be seen in the wild.
Guests are assisted in obeying the strictest of protocols, to leave the colonies undisturbed in their pristine natural habitat. All-the-while enjoying front-row views over one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in all of nature.
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
- Seven night’s Accommodation at Ultima Camps – between Ultima Oasis Camp, Ultima Wilderness 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
Journey to the
Geographic South Pole
More than one hundred years have passed since Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s last expedition reached the Geographical south Pole. Since then, there have been two great wars and many smaller ones that brought countless examples of courage and self-sacrifice.
In peacetime, man has sought new frontiers in exploration, especially under the sea and in outer space. Yet the story told in Captain Scott’s diaries does not date because it is about courage of individuals in appalling circumstances. It is as timeless as the human spirit itself.
On this distant continent, high on the Antarctic plateau, there is no sign of life. Birds do not fly this far south. Animals have not visited the South Pole since the days of the explorers when dogs were the method of transport for equipment and food.
Humans, however, are a different matter. Ultima Antarctic Expeditions created an opportunity for private adventurers to stand at the bottom of the earth at the Geographical South Pole and continues the program today.
Whether those who choose to venture this far south come to seek scientific data, to climb and ski or just wonder at this incredible continent and enjoy the experience for all that it is, all remain transient visitors. Each of us comes away inspired.
To stand on the Geographic South Pole at 90 degrees latitude is as significant today as it was for Scott and his men so many years ago. You will return with a marvelous story and cherished memories.
On our return journey, we land at our Expedition Depot at FD83, where we overnight in tents, warm in your polar-rated sleeping bags, while our pilots rest.
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 seven days’ excursions and explore the camp’s surrounds – mountains, lakes, snow and ice, as you are immersed in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Did you know?
Fact file: The South Pole
- Roald Amundsen and his team of 4 men were the first people to reach the South Pole on 14 December 1911
- Temperatures in the summer months can reach a high of -20°C (-2°F). During winter the temperature will plummet to -60°C (-76°F)
- At 90°South the altitude is over 9,000ft (2,700 m)
- The ice at the South Pole is over 1 mile (1.6 km) deep before reaching the land mass below.
- The USA maintains a scientific base at the Geographical South Pole named Amundsen- Scott Station
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.
WHERE IN ANTARCTICA DO WE VISIT?
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.
NO VISAS REQUIRED
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.
WHEN DO WE NEED TO ARRIVE IN CAPE TOWN?
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.
WE VISIT IN THE SUMMER
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).
TOUGH & BRAVE? NO!
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.
DOES ULTIMA PROVIDE ALL REQUIRED POLAR GEAR?
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.
HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT TO PACK?
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).
MAY CHILDREN TRAVEL?
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.
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