This article is published as part of an advertising partnership with Ultima Antarctica Expeditions
Cape Town-based Ultima Antarctic Expeditions has announced the opening of bookings for its 2024-2025 season. With only 250 seats available for the entire season, this is a rare opportunity to experience the wonders of the southernmost continent.
The company is no stranger to both Antarctic expeditions and logistics as it has been proudly serving National Antarctic Programs (NAPs) for several countries through Ultima Antarctic Logistics for over 20 years. Sharing infrastructure with their logistics operation and traveling with scientists and researchers from all over the world means they can offer expedition guests exceptional value and a truly authentic Deep Field experience.
“We see our expeditions as creating future Antarctic Ambassadors, helping to protect and preserve this precious place. Furthermore, every activity is officially permitted, so the types of visits we offer are tightly controlled. All types of waste stemming from such visits are carefully collected and transported back to South Africa,” says Riaan Aucamp, CEO of Ultima Antarctic Expeditions.
With its limited availability of only 250 seats for the entire season and focus on sustainability, Ultima Antarctic Expeditions offers a unique and responsible way to experience the wonders of Antarctica. Developed to meet as many tastes as possible, Ultima has focused its attention on three programs for its 2024/25 season designed to deliver the greatest possible and most exclusive Antarctic experience.
The South Pole & Emperor Penguins Expedition
This seven-day, seven-night journey takes you to the geographic South Pole and an Emperor Penguin colony. After landing in Antarctica on our blue ice runway, your next flight will take you over Queen Maud Land’s mighty mountain ranges, the Antarctic Ice Cap, and deep crevasses before landing at the geographic South Pole. Throughout your journey, you’ll be immersed in the history of Antarctic exploration, walking in the footsteps of legends like Captain Robert Falcon Scott. In November and December, you’ll take to the skies again, for the chance to witness emperor penguins in their natural habitat. In January, the expedition includes scenic flights over the Antarctic mountains, providing breathtaking views of this icy wilderness. The expedition will also include visits to ancient ice walls and ice caves.
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The Emperor Penguins Expedition
This seven-day, seven-night expedition in November and December focuses on the Emperor Penguins, offering an in-depth look at their behavior and habitat. After a scenic flight, you’ll witness the Emperor Penguins in their natural habitat, observing their unique behaviors and interactions. This expedition also includes visits to ice walls and ice caves, adding to the adventure.
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The Ultima Day
This 24-hour expedition is perfect for those short on time but eager to experience Antarctica. Departing from Cape Town, guests will embark on a swift 5.5-hour flight to inland Antarctica. Once there, you’ll visit the ice wall, hike to the ice caves, and soak in the breathtaking scenery. This expedition offers a unique opportunity to experience the magic of Antarctica in a short amount of time.
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Luxurious Accommodations
Throughout your expedition, you’ll stay at the Ultima Oasis Camp, a comfortable and stylish retreat in the heart of Antarctica. Situated approximately 12km, or 30 minutes’ drive from Novo Air Base, the Ultima Oasis Camp is an oasis of quality comfort, cozy warmth and delicious fare, in from the cold. It gazes east, allowing magnificent views of a sheltered ice valley and pristine lake, beneath an amphitheater of rocky nunataks.
The camp features plush, Scandi-style cabins, a communal dining area with scenic views, and a sauna for ultimate relaxation. Altogether, it can accommodate up to 20 guests in single and double rooms, ensuring a personalized and intimate experience. The lounge and dining cabin provides a warm and inviting space for guests to unwind, share stories of their daily adventures, and savor delicious meals prepared by the in-house chef, paired with the finest South African wines. Expansive bay windows keep the glorious views permanently in sight, lit by the never-setting sun, as guests relax and restore from the day’s adventure. Next to the luxurious accomodations, the camp also features a traditional sauna and ice bath.
Supporting Scientific Research
Many operators nowadays state their support for Antarctic sciences. However, Ultima Antarctic Expeditions is taking it one step further in its commitment to supporting scientific research in Antarctica. By booking an expedition, you’ll be contributing to ongoing research efforts and helping to protect this fragile environment. Each guest taking up one of these limited expedition seats will travel alongside scientists already headed to Antarctica, indirectly offsetting their leisure trip by cross-funding the logistics of ongoing scientific research programs.
Ultima Antarctic Expeditions: A Legacy of Antarctic Exploration
Born from a legacy of expertise, Ultima Antarctic Expeditions is a subsidiary of Ultima Antarctic Logistics, a company renowned for its unparalleled expertise in providing logistical support to National Antarctic Programs across the globe. Originally known as TAC (The Antarctic Company) and with a quarter-century of experience traversing the icy terrain, Ultima’s team comprises seasoned professionals who are intimately familiar with the intricacies of navigating and thriving in this demanding environment. The company’s Ilyushin Il-76TD-90 aircraft, fully modernized to meet the high standards, facilitates seamless travel between Cape Town and the heart of Antarctica, ensuring a safe and efficient journey for both scientists and intrepid explorers.
Ultima Antarctic Expeditions is committed to providing safe, comfortable, and authentic expeditions while minimizing the environmental impact of its operations. The company subscribes to the best practices of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), thus ensuring the least possible impact on magical wilderness of Antarctica.
For more information and bookings, visit Ultima Antarctic Expeditions’ website or contact their team of Antarctic travel experts.
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Oh, wonderful, a 24-hour tourist round trip to Antarctica, with 11 hours flight time. Fly over Antarctica and update your Instagram with stunning photos of melting ice sheets as your plane blasts carbon into the pristine air.
Free greenwashing included – buy now!
I hope Antarctic research programmes will stop using the services of this company, and that the excellent Polar Journal will rethink which advertising partnerships it chooses to enter into.
Thank you for sharing your perspective on expeditions to Antarctica.
Our sister company, Ultima Antarctic Logistics, offers logistical support, transport, search and rescue, and a wide range of services in support of multiple governments’ scientific programs.
On these existing science-supporting flight schedules, we are able to offer a small number of extra seats. These empty seats can be taken up by civilian visitors, on our Ultima Antarctic Expeditions.
In this way, serving science remains our first priority, and expeditions are possible with the lightest possible touch – by “catching a ride” on the science-purposed flights.
We share completely your correct concern for best practice, to respect the environmental integrity of this continent which we revere.
We are grateful for your engagement in this constructive dialogue about the preservation of Antarctica and hope this clarifies Ultima Antarctic Expeditions’ unique offering.