South Pole & Blue Rivers

South Pole

Blue Rivers

Our Camps

Itinerary

Highlights

The Bottom of the World

The journey to the South Pole is a passage to one of the most consequential coordinates on Earth. At 90°S, the Pole marks the southern axis of the planet and the ultimate milestone of polar exploration. At 3,000 m (10,000 ft) above the ice, the High Polar Plateau unfolds as an unbroken expanse of white and sky. Time at the Pole is deliberately simple: standing at the bottom of the world, where all directions lead north.

From our main camps, guests travel 2,400 km (1,500 mi) into the continent’s interior, first flying five hours to Dixie’s Camp before continuing onward after refuelling, crossing the same vast terrain that once demanded months of endurance from early explorers. The return to Dixie’s Camp at 83°S offers a rare overnight immersion in Antarctica’s interior, surrounded by silence, scale, and uninterrupted horizons — a perspective on place and distance that few will ever experience.

“

Be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime. It is an honour to experience inner antarctica in any form, but nothing could be better than as a guest of White Desert.

Jeff (Guest)

Antarctica’s Heartbeat

As Antarctica's landmass collides with the frozen ocean, a rare phenomenon emerges: vast rivers of iridescent blue glacial water flow across the Continent's surface. Glowing in shifting tones of aquamarine and deep sapphire, these luminous channels expose glacial ice that has been compressed over tens of thousands of years.

From the air, they appear almost unreal, curving elegantly across the white expanse. On foot, their scale is quietly overwhelming, giving the uncanny sensation of walking across a frozen sea. This is Antarctica in its most elemental form: exposed, immense, and profoundly beautiful. A landscape shaped by time and wind alone — and one of the continent’s most striking, least-seen wonders.

Our Camps

[ 70º 48’ 00” S, 11º 23’ 00” E ]

Whichaway Camp

Our original camp, newly reimagined. Rare exposed rock and freshwater lakes — this is a side of Antarctica seldom seen.

[ 71°32'47" S, 8°50'11" E ]

Echo Base

Inspired by astronauts, used by explorers. As close as you can get to leaving Earth without stepping off the planet.

[ 71º 31’ 37” S 8º 51’ 20” E ]

Explorer Camp

Polar adventure meets chalet-style. True to our expeditionary roots, a rustic and warm base for the South Pole journey.

Sample
Itinerary

South Pole & Blue Rivers

Day-by-day

A Note About Weather

Our main priority is to fly guests safely and successfully to the South Pole and the Blue Rivers, and we adjust each week's itinerary for those optimal flying windows. These can often change, so it's important to remain flexible.

Arrival in Antarctica

Soar across oceans and sea ice on a 5.5-hour flight from Cape Town. Cross into the Polar Circle and bask in endless daylight. Land on a blue-ice runway, then toast your arrival at your camp with cocktails chilled by 10,000-year-old Antarctic ice.

Peaks and Panoramas

Hike above the ice sheet to sweeping views of untouched peaks. Enjoy a champagne picnic, then venture further with your guide to a breathtaking lookout.

Journey to the South Pole

The South Pole awaits. Board our Basler aircraft and fly over vast mountain ranges. After refuelling at Dixie’s Camp, arrive at the Pole and stand where explorers dreamt of being. Capture the moment, stamp your passport, and return to Dixie's to overnight like Polar pioneers.

South Pole Return

Awaken under canvas on the High Polar Plateau. After breakfast, fly back to Echo, savouring the scale and solitude from above. A celebratory three-course dinner and champagne await your return.

At Your Leisure

Enjoy gentle hikes to abseiling and summiting a nunatak. Or, slow down and listen to our explorer team’s tales of lesser-known Antarctic history and record-breaking feats beneath the endless southern skies.

Journey to The Continental Shelf

Its a short half-hour flight across dazzling landscapes to the edge of the continental shelf. Walk along ice ridges high above the iridescent blue rivers flowing below. Very few will ever witness such a scene in the wild of Antarctica.

Explore Wild Horizons

Venture along a dramatic cliff-side trail with panoramic views of the last true wilderness. Led by IFMGA mountain guides, this challenging hike promises awe, exhilaration, and a deeper connection to Antarctica’s untamed spirit.

Departure Home

The flight out of Antarctica will be the last of your enduring memories of the great White Continent. Watch as your returning Airbus touches down on the blue ice runway. Linger at Wolf Fang’s Ice Bar amidst sculptures carved from ice, explore White Desert’s exclusive boutique, or unwind with a film — before returning to the vibrant energy of Africa.