A day and night in Antarctica
Experience a day and a night in Antarctica: An extraordinary Deep Field immersion.
- DEPARTS FROM
Cape Town (6-hour flight)
- DURATION
36 Hours
- LOCATION
Ultima Air Base
- SEASON
Late Oct until Feb
- MIN AGE
12 YEARS OF AGE
- DATES
2026/2027 Season: Expedition Tour Dates
- Oct 25 - Oct 26, 2026 - SEATS OPEN
- Oct 31 - Nov 1, 2026 - SEATS OPEN
What you will see and do
Your Expedition Experience
This taste of life in Antarctica affords guests an instant immersion in life on ice – at a historic Expedition Camp.
After flying from Cape Town to Antarctica, we pack as many experiences as possible into your time on the world’s most remote continent. We set off by 6×6 or 4×4 specialised Antarctic truck, in search of the towering “ice wall”, and amazing ice features, carved between the “nunatak” (mountains of Antarctica). We +- 180km from the ocean, so around you is the vast expanse of ice – lit in various hues of 24-hour daylight.
Guests overnight in the traditional sleeping units – used for decades by legions of scientists, engineers and experts who make up a dozen countries’ National Antarctic Programmes (NAPs). And the long honours-roll of brave expeditioners who have set out in the Antarctic wilderness, to lay claim to “world-first” missions.
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
- One night’s Accommodation at Ultima Airbase Expedition Camp
- Daily Excursions
- All Activities
- Limited WiFi access and connectivity is possible
Not included: polar/thermal under-garments
What you will do and see
We will board our purpose-built Toyota Hilux and begin your journey into the pristine white wilderness of the Antarctic interior. Travelling across the snow and ice, to reach an astonishing natural artwork: an Antarctic Ice Wall. With the support of our experienced polar guide, we set foot out on to the blue ice, and into this ice cathedral, carved into the ice by long-gone icy waters.
Antarctic Ice Cave
This requires a 90-minute hike, in each direction, down to the Continental Ice Shelf. The frozen whiteness which stretches as far as the eye can see and beyond. Down on the ice, a sacred pilgrimage follows, into an enchanting blue ice-cavern, reflecting every conceivable hue of blue.
Antarctic Ice Wall
This is your opportunity for a first-hand experience of an ancient ice formation, which towers above, as we walk through an exhilarating valley of ice.
Where will you stay?
Ultima Oasis Camp
You will overnight in our Ultima Oasis Camp, which offers delicious food and comfortable surroundings. With photographs taken, goodbyes shared we take to the skies again, for our return flight to Africa! Landing in sight of Table Mountain closes a magical 36 hours, like no other.
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.
Enquire now
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