This luxury adventure allows you to experience the hidden interior of Antarctica in only three days - with an option of flying on to the South Pole (not included)!

Departing Cape Town by jet you will fly five hours over the iceberg filled Southern Ocean. Watch the African sky turn from night to day as you pass the polar circle into 24hrs continuous daylight. After landing on the runway you will be driven in specially modified 4x4s to Kensington Antarctica camp, perched near the lip of a 200 ft ice cliff and looking out to the distant sea. The camp is totally unique and overlooks some of the most spectacular scenery on earth. It is powered by solar energy and run on strict ecological guidelines. With only twelve guests at a time, there is plenty of exposure to the five veteran Polar explorer guides who will teach kite skiing, ice climbing, and ice cave exploration. There is even an option for a mini-polar expedition pulling sledges and overnighting in tents (or igloos) on the sea ice. All of this in the comfort of our insulated canvas chalets with soft warm beds, a gourmet chef from South Africa serving three full meals per day, and drinks looking over the endless ice. This is a rare combination of extreme adventure in luxurious style.

Departures (from Cape Town): 17 Dec 2010
Note: flights and itinerary are subject to weather conditions and may be shifted by a day or two.

Cape Town is the second most populous city in South Africa, famous for its harbour as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, including such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Popular day activities include; Robben Island (Nelson Mandela's prison), Cape Point, Stellenbosch winery tour, diamond buying shops, and great white shark diving.

This afternoon we will be collecting you from your hotel for the pre-departure briefing. This briefing will explain in detail what you can expect on this Antarctica expedition. It will cover the details of the flight, how to pack, what each item of kit actually does and many other aspects of your journey. It is the perfect forum for you to ask any questions you may have, from how to wash in Antarctica, to what you can expect to do each day once at the camp. After the briefing we will be inviting you to a cocktail party to get to know the other guests.

Magical views sparkle from the windows of Cape Grace, situated on the waterfront of Cape Town. The hotel comprises 122 rooms, with a range of sizes and styles to suit the needs of each guest. Some rooms are built like lofts, with rooftop access for breakfast. Others offer balconies or french doors with views to the yacht marina. Cuisine at the hotel is enjoyable, while others prefer to explore restaurants around Cape Town itself. A melange of influences have formed a grand palette of flavors for the city. Friendly staff and small pleasantries add a smile to guests' stay at Cape Grace. Stay healthy with visits to the hotel gym, or spend time lounging near the pool. The convenient location of Cape Grace promises short distances to all the key attractions in town.

Overnight at Cape Grace.

Antarctica camp is located near the Shirmacher Oasis on the coast of the continent, near several scientific research stations.

Five hour flight across the Southern Ocean to a maintained ice runway in Droning Maud Land.  The choice of plane varies according to the weather and logistics. We use an Illuyshin-IL76, Falcon 900, or a Gulfstream IV.

Arrive at the Russian research station landing strip, a maintained ice runway in full time daylight. Meet your guides and transfer to the camp in specialist 4x4s.

Kensington Antarctica is the only luxury camp based in the interior of Antarctica. Old world luxury is mixed with modern technology to create 7 heated sleeping domes with two fluffy soft beds. The dining area, lounge, library and kitchen are spread across three huge dome tents that are 9 meters in diameter. With only 12 clients at a time, you will be amongst the very few to experience the interior of Antarctica. In the 24hrs of continuous daylight and with genuine polar explorers as your personal guides, each day is tailored to suit each person at camp. Trek down to the surreal ice waves, ride a specialized 4x4 across the endless ice, visit research stations, and camp out on the sea ice overnight like a polar explorer. If you’re looking for more adventure, our guides can lead you up unclimbed mountains or teach you kite-skiing across the infinite horizons of ice. The camp is run on extremely strict environmental protocols.

Overnight at Kensington Antarctica.

Trek to the magnificent ice waves about an hour and a half from the camp. These colossal ice structures are as surreal as they are beautiful, standing higher than houses with a series of ice tunnels beneath them. We spend the day gently trekking through this maze of interlocking waves, around crystal blue lakes and old compacted ice that is a searing, iridescent blue colour. Picnicking at a high point that overlooks the entire coastline, we trek back to camp for a more relaxing evening.

Overnight at Kensington Antarctica.

Today is an easier day for those that want it and we drive with the 4x4s to the nearby Russian science station to meet their over-wintering team and learn more about their ground-breaking research. After lunch and a sauna at their base, we walk along the towering cliffs of the oasis, taking in the views and the fascinating coastline.

For those after more exercise, we run a kite-skiing workshop, where we teach one-on-one the basics of handling kites and skiing. It is quite a feeling to cross the ground so effortlessly and silently, as the wind just pulls you across Antarctica’s vast snowfields. Then, as you progress, we teach you how to become more proficient with the kite for greater speed, control and even jumping!

Overnight at Kensington Antarctica.

At camp, our guides offer a range of activities to choose. We do photography workshops using the ice grottos as fascinating backdrops to the images. There is rock climbing on offer, scaling challenging routes on the northern side of the nearby nunatak mountain. There is also a medium difficulty trek to the high point of the Oasis, which offers 360-degree views and a chance to take in the space and serenity which Antarctica offers in abundance.

Five hour flight across the Southern Ocean to Cape Town.  The choice of plane varies according to the weather and logistics. We use an Illuyshin-IL76, Falcon 900, or a Gulfstream IV.

Overnight at Overnight Flight.