Ultima Antarctic Expeditions is to open its Oasis camp once again for the next Antarctica season.
The polar tour operator will welcome guests to its Queen Maud Land retreat from November, where they can take part in a range of expeditions of varying lengths.
Travellers on the Ultima Day package can even visit Antarctica from Cape Town in just 24 hours. The will join a team of scientists and researchers on a 5.5-hour cargo flight to the remote destination before flying back to the South African city 11 hours later.
Speaking to TTG Luxury, Riaan Aucamp, chief executive of Ultima Antarctic Expeditions and Ultima Antarctic Logistics, explained: “It’s essential to understand that our ‘Ultima Day’ 24-hour expedition guests travel on an existing flight, run by our sister company, Ultima Antarctic Logistics. Such flights carry scientists, staff and critically important equipment and supplies for many different countries’ National Antarctic Programmes.
“Also, it’s essentially the same return flight going in during the morning, and returning just 11 or so hours later. Thus, our expedition guests ‘catch a ride with the scientists’, one may say – and by doing so, they actually help to cross-fund science in Antarctica.”
Travellers who want to explore more of the continent, also known as the ‘White Desert’, for longer can choose between two seven-day Emperor Penguins Expeditions, one of which also offers a trip to the South Pole.
The expeditions, which run until February, are fully inclusive of flights, accommodation, meals, excursions in Antarctica and highly qualified guides.
The Ultima Oasis camp sleeps up to 20 guests and consists of three chalet-style wooden cabins and bathrooms, while fully serviced, are shared.
Meals are prepared specially by the camp’s chef and are eaten in a communal setting. Other facilities on site include a sauna and ice bath, as well as wooden decks and lounge chairs for relaxing after excursions.
Ultima also welcomes partnerships with the trade, with Aucamp confirming the business is open to working with ‘operators, agents and friends from across the tourism industry, the world over’.
