ANTARCTIC ERIC PHILIPS - FRONTIERS WITH - Icetrek
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Captain’s Choice
Journeys saved for a select few
ANTARCTIC
FRONTIERS WITH
ERIC PHILIPS
15 CAPE TOWN QUEEN MAUD LAND ATKA BAY SOUTH POLE
Photograph by: Petter Nyquist.
17
Captain’s Choice
Journeys saved for a select few
ERIC
PHILIPS
A POLAR
VOYAGER
Driven by a ceaseless impulse to explore places that few In 2013, Eric led a team to the South Pole through inland
others dare to venture to, Eric Philips is a true adventurer. Antarctica as part of the charity initiative, Walking With
Beginning with a trip to the Panhandle in Alaska when The Wounded. Alongside personalities like Prince Harry,
he was just 24, Eric has spent his lifetime cultivating Alexander Skarsgård and Dominic West, Eric guided one
a passion for the planet’s furthest reaches. of three teams of wounded soldiers from Australia as they
skied 200 kilometres across the icy continent, in aid of
After numerous journeys to the Arctic, Eric spent a season injured former service men and women as they transition
with the Australian Antarctic Division in 1996, crossing back into civilian life.
into the Antarctic Circle for the first time aboard the
icebreaker, Aurora Australis. As summer’s warmth faded In the same year, Eric also led a team of young Greenpeace
from the region, he set about organising his very first advocates on a ski expedition to the North Pole. Once
visit to the captivating South Pole. It was a challenging there, a time capsule filled with the signatures of over
expedition, with the journey taking 84 days. 2.5 million people was lowered down to the sea bed,
in support of greater protection of the Arctic region.
In 2002, Eric completed a much smoother journey to the The endeavour took ten days, and the participants
North Pole, spending his 40th birthday at the very top of endured harsh conditions and freezing winds, with
the Earth, and becoming the first Australian, along with temperatures dropping below -30°C.
his companion Jon Muir, to ever ski across both poles.
Despite turning his focus towards guided expeditions,
Having now traversed both polar regions and their Eric still often embarks on personal adventures of his own.
surroundings – and surviving encounters with polar In March of 2016, he and his daughter Mardi kite-skied
bears, extreme conditions, frost bite and lost equipment across the Svalbard Islands, located just off mainland
– Eric turned his attention towards becoming a guide. Norway. Renowned for its far-reaching ice sheets and
Since 2004, he has journeyed to the polar lands countless soaring fjords, it is recognised as one of Earth’s last true
times, and has established the International Polar Guides wilderness areas. It took the pair nine days to complete
Association, of which he is President. the journey, facing extreme cold, polar bears and sea ice.
As we begin our own journey, venturing into the mystifying
wilderness of Antarctica, there are no better tracks to
follow, no greater adventures to share in, than those
of our remarkable guide, Eric Philips.
Captain’s Choice
Journeys saved for a select few
AN
OVERVIEW
OF YOUR
JOURNEY
ANTARCTIC FRONTIERS WITH ERIC PHILIPS
13 Days – 26 November 2019
This adventure to the ends of the Earth is one that will prove
exhilarating to even the most worldly of explorers. Stand before
towering icy structures, watch on as emperor penguin chicks grapple
with life on Antarctic shores, and descend beneath the ground into
ice caves seldom visited, all whilst staying in the comfort of our polar
safari camp. Welcome to an adventure of the rarest kind,
available to just 12 guests.
Weddell Sea
Emirates flights
Included private flights
1 Stay (nights)
19
South Atlantic
Ocean SOUTH
AFRICA
CAPE TOWN 3
6
Queen Maud Land
Atka Bay Emperor
Penguin Colony
ANTARCTICA
1
South Pole
At over 260 million years old, the ancient Table Mountain towers over Cape Town.
21
DEPART AUSTRALIA, where we savour the flavours of contemporary local
ARRIVE CAPE TOWN cuisine, reflective of the ever-abundant landscape
(SOUTH AFRICA) that surrounds us. The exquisitely authentic fare here
is rivalled only by the accompanying local wine and
Day 1 to 2 breathtaking views of the waterfront at dusk.
Today we leave Australia behind in pursuit of the
rarest of experiences. Our journey takes us via Dubai, QUEEN MAUD LAND (ANTARCTICA)
to Cape Town in South Africa, where we check in to
the lavish Cape Grace Hotel, our home for the next Day 4
two nights. We enjoy a restful evening, in preparation
for tomorrow’s explorations. To reach the icy climes of Earth’s southernmost continent,
most must face a long and uncomfortable journey across
the Drake Passage by sea. But that is not for us. Today
CAPE TOWN we board our private jet for the otherworldly destination
where our adventure takes place. After an easy five-hour
Day 3 flight across the South Atlantic Ocean, we touch down on
What better way to orient ourselves in the vibrant city Antarctic shores. Surreal landscapes stretch out before
of Cape Town than to begin our day admiring its greatest us as we venture across the silvery terrain in six-wheel
views. Enjoy a morning ascent of the hazy Table Mountain vehicles, bound for our base, Whichaway Camp. This
from the comfort of a cable car, before exploring the exclusive retreat is perched between a glassy frozen lake
sprawling city below on foot. After stopping for lunch, and a soaring wall of bluish ice. We spend the afternoon
we make our way to our polar safety briefing, where we trekking around the rocky plateau of Schirmacher Oasis
learn more about the remarkable adventures ahead of before finishing the evening with a hearty three-course
us. Tonight, we dine at the magnificent Signal Restaurant, meal, made from the finest ingredients and paired with
exceptional South African wines.
The rarely visited Atka Bay Emperor Penguin Colony; our journey is timed to witness the emergence of its chicks.
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QUEEN MAUD LAND ATKA BAY
EMPEROR PENGUIN COLONY
Day 5
Day 6
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, the rest of today
is yours to spend as you like. You may wish to choose This morning, we take a two-hour flight across the Polar
from one of the following Your World experiences: Plateau to the normally inaccessible and remote emperor
penguin colony in Atka Bay. This exclusive event enables
ake a leisurely trek to see magnificent nearby ice
T
us to bear witness to the new life that summer brings this
wave structures and marvel at this force of nature
region. We watch on as young chicks, still coated in their
as it remains frozen in time.
fluffy down, are fussed over by their devoted parents.
ike to the Russian Antarctic station, Novolazarevskaya,
H These inquisitive creatures, unafraid of their human
and learn about the research work that has been visitors, are drawn closer and closer to us, compelled
carried out here. by their curiosity. This is one of the most secluded
wildlife events on Earth and we are privileged enough
o ice climbing with experienced guides, exploring
G
to witness it from a distance of mere metres. While here,
the astounding ice formations this area has to offer
we also keep a lookout for predatory creatures – leopard
as you ascend.
seals, southern giant petrels and south polar skuas are
ake the unique opportunity to go kite skiing
T all known to frequent this area. After a day filled with
amidst the incredible vistas of this icy landscape. adventure and investigation, we return to the camp
to share photographs and stories over dinner.
dmire shimmering glaciers and brilliant white
A
icebergs from a dazzling height, before abseiling
back down to earth.25
Our exclusive polar safari camp – driven by solar and wind energy – creates
minimal disturbance to the delicate environment, owing to its eco-friendly,
fibreglass construction. From here, we enjoy rarely explored and icy vistas,
joining the likes of past guests, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, adventurer
Bear Grills and Prince Harry.QUEEN MAUD LAND SOUTH POLE
Day 7 Day 8
Today we journey downward to explore the subterranean Today we embark on our captivating journey to the
spectacle that lies beneath our campsite. Following a South Pole. While some travellers may choose to stay
series of intricate tunnels, we delve into ice caves that at the camp and further explore the epic surrounds of the
arch around us as though carved by hand. Snaking Schirmacher Oasis, the rest of us rise early for a morning
underpasses give way to imposing icy caverns that glow flight to this most remote destination. Accompanied by
blue as the sunlight from above etches in. After our a guide and a designated doctor, we step off the plane
journey through these sapphire chambers, we celebrate and out into this dreamy landscape, where we’re greeted
with a picnic lunch overlooking our sublime surroundings. with an endless blanket of crisp white snow. The national
Perched above the majestic expanse that encompasses flags that flap in the breeze serve as a reminder that a
us, we watch on as icebergs drift past us unhurried, as visit to this cloistered place is indeed a triumph for each
we sip on fine champagne. The afternoon is free to spend of us. After lunch we are taken on a tour of the base, with
as you like. You may wish to take some time to relax and plenty of time to take photographs and contemplate these
reflect on your otherworldly surroundings, but should you dramatic surrounds. As our guide expertly assembles our
wish to explore further, your guides are always at hand. dedicated tented camp, we prepare for our night at the
bottom of the world. This evening, we take rest in our
Arctic Oven tents, enjoying toasty warmth even in the
coldest conditions.
Photograph by: Jose Naranjo.27
QUEEN MAUD LAND QUEEN MAUD LAND
Day 9 Day 10
We wake amidst the surreal surrounds of our temporary This morning, after breakfast, we learn a little
home on the ice. After a nourishing breakfast, we enjoy more about the lesser-known history of Antarctica
the remainder of our time at the South Pole, marvelling and the brave pioneers that have ventured here.
at the encircling snowy expanse as it glistens in the We delve into stories of past expeditions, tales of early
endless sun. Our private turboprop returns us to our explorers, and details about the complex life cycle of
home away from home, Queen Maud Land, where we this majestic landscape from the comfort of our velvet
enjoy an afternoon of rest to recover our vigour. You may armchairs. Later in the day, we make the most of the
choose to make the most of the camp’s extensive library, spectacular conditions at our campsite with an afternoon
or perhaps steam the afternoon away in the sauna. spent kite skiing, before we ascend a towering glacial
Tonight, we toast to our adventures over dinner island on foot. Like a pillar, rising up above an otherwise
and revel in our remarkable experience. frozen setting, this is the perfect vantage point to admire
one last high-altitude view of our surroundings, before
abseiling back down to reality. Alternatively, you may
choose to take a more gentle guided trek out over the
expansive sea ice, where we witness incredible views
of the ice wave fields. This evening, we enjoy our final
dinner in this magnificent place.
Having ascended a glacial island, we are provided exceptional vistas of our dreamlike Antarctic surrounds.CAPE TOWN (SOUTH AFRICA) DEPART CAPE TOWN
Day 11 Day 12
Today we enjoy our final moments in mesmerising We savour the end of our time in the bustling vibrancy
Antarctica. For the last time, we watch as colossal of Cape Town, before we are transferred to the airport
glaciers float atop the water, and admire the endless for a late morning flight back to Australia.
white surrounding us. Reluctantly, we must leave this
place behind. Boarding our private jet, we return to
Cape Town, where the warmer weather makes for ARRIVE AUSTRALIA
a pleasant change. The staff at the Cape Grace Hotel
welcome our return and we take time to unwind, before
Day 13
enjoying a Farewell Dinner at the sumptuous La Colombe
As we step back on to Australian soil, our journey sadly
Restaurant. The camaraderie we've developed with our
comes to an end. We take solace in knowing that we have
fellow guests hits a peak as we relish each exquisite
explored a place where so few before us have ventured.
flavour and reflect upon our once-in-a-lifetime journey.29
CAPE GRACE HOTEL
Captain’s Choice Situated on a private quay and offering breathtaking
Journeys saved for a select few views of nearby Table Mountain, Cape Grace Hotel
embodies the colourful, warm ambience synonymous with
RESIDENCES
Cape Town. Each room here is one-of-a-kind, inspired by a
unique facet of the diverse South African landscape, and
OF THE
enhanced with the finest of amenities. During your stay,
perhaps indulge in a trip to the tranquil day spa, unwind
in the exclusive Bascule whiskey bar, or have a bespoke
HIGHEST
piece of jewellery expertly designed at Platandia.
STANDARD WHICHAWAY CAMP
Like a mirage in the white desert of Antarctica,
Whichaway Camp provides lavish accommodation
during summer, before disappearing without a trace
as the warmth fades. This polar safari camp hosts a
fortunate few each season, and is positioned so as to
Welcome to your homes away from home. Each has a
grant visitors a unique experience of inland Antarctica.
certain something setting it apart from other residences,
Powered completely by wind and solar energy, the camp
whether that's owing to its undeniably unique location or
is also equipped with a grand dining room, lounge room
its distinctive sense of style and refinement. You will find
furnished with books and maps, and eco-chic fibreglass
everything from the decadent and ornate to the sublimely
domes boasting everything you need to be comfortable,
serene, as we take rest in some of the most uniquely
including an ensuite. An on-site chef prepares three meals
exquisite dwellings these regions have to offer.
a day and champagne is also served throughout.
Whichaway Camp.31 Set in the Schirmacher Oasis, our camp provides a unique base from which to embark upon our thrilling adventures.
33
JOURNEY FARES JOURNEY NOTES
An 11 Day Journey All fares are in Australian dollars.
Guests who wish to travel to and from South Africa
This journey is reserved for just 12 guests.
independently will join the journey in Cape Town for
dinner on Day 2 and depart Cape Town after breakfast
A Good Level of Fitness is Required
on Day 12.
Our overnight expedition to the South Pole is optional.
per person At approximately 4,000 metres above sea level, the
Twin share $154,000 region maintains an ambient temperature of -25°C.
Solo traveller supplement price available on request. If you cannot travel to high altitudes or are uncomfortable
with the temperature, you may choose not to participate in
this component of the journey and remain at Queen Maud
A 13 Day Journey with Flights from Australia Land where alternative activities will be available. Please
per person, twin share consult your medical professional for personalised advice.
Business Class $162,800
First Class $167,600
Solo traveller supplement prices available on request.
Fares include Emirates flights from Sydney, Melbourne
Brisbane or Adelaide. It would be our pleasure to arrange
your journey from other cities, enquire for details.You can also read
