The world's most remote luxury camp is hidden in Antarctica

Get intrepid in the final frontier, without giving up your creature comforts.

Nothing says ‘grand adventure’ quite like a journey into Antarctica. After all these years, it’s still at the top of most people’s must-see lists, an adventurous undertaking that’s once-in-a-lifetime. But, despite the adventure and exploration side of this destination, the world’s most remote luxury camp, White Desert, makes sure that there are also creature comforts.

Someone who knows polar adventure is Patrick Woodhead. He has broken world records for leading the youngest team to the South Pole, the first East-to-West traverse of Antarctica (with his wife Robyn) and even one for the fastest horizontal crossing of Greenland. In 2005, he established White Desert with the intention of allowing non-scientists to experience the interior of Antarctica. Twenty years later, the company has won many travel awards for its Antarctica tours – and the two luxury camps guests get to stay in.

Gaze at a colony of emperor penguins.

Operating out of Cape Town, guests fly for five hours to Antarctica, landing on a rare blue ice runway. Itineraries include highlights like visiting the lowest point on Earth (the Geographic South Pole) and gazing at a 20,000-strong colony of emperor penguins. But the true show stopper is snoozing in one of the world’s most remote luxury camps each night.

Whichaway camp

Spend your evenings in luxury and comfort.

Whichaway was the first luxury camp in Antarctica, so named after the founder was lost in this very spot, unsure ‘which-away’ to go. Surrounded by fresh water lakes, this camp is set up on exposed rock – a rarity as 99 per cent of Antarctica is covered in ice.

Up to 12 guests can be accommodated in six pods, all with ensuite bathrooms and large glass conservatories overlooking the surrounding icefall. Not to mention interior decor that harks back to the golden age of exploration.

Elsewhere in the camp, find a central hub with a dining room, a library and a separate lounge, a yoga pod, a sauna and an ice bath.

Echo Base camp

Combine remote adventure with creature comforts.

With the same number of pods and most of the same amenities, Echo Base is perched on the edge of a vast, ancient glacier at the base of the Henriksen Nunataks’ rocky mountains. Which can be explored by those feeling particularly intrepid.

Here, expect the vibe to be more futuristic and luxurious, with floor-to-ceiling windows letting the outside (visually) in at all times. Also find the addition of a central shower pod, a kitchen, dining and observation area and lounge.

Details

Land on a rare blue ice runway, then explore the area.

Dining

What is a luxury camp without delicious dining? Now this is particularly difficult to do in the middle of nowhere (a single can of Coke costs over $40 to deliver here). So White Desert focuses on a sustainable menu that is both sophisticated and unpretentious.

Rates

Prices start from around A$71,500 (subject to change with the new season of travel), which includes flights from Cape Town, five days in Antarctica, all activities and a trip to see the Emperor penguins.