White Desert

White Desert: luxury expeditions to the interior of Antarctica

White Desert is an Antarctic expedition company that operates direct flights from Cape Town (South Africa) to a blue ice runway in Antarctica during the polar summer, between November and February. The company presents itself as the world's leading company in luxury expeditions to Antarctica and organizes stays in camps in the interior of the continent, with a maximum of twelve guests per trip and an on-the-ground team of more than one hundred people.

Itineraries and catalogue prices

The company's catalogue includes several expeditions with rates published in US dollars:

• Baby Penguins & Blue Tunnels (early season): US$75,250, to observe emperor penguin chicks and explore the blue ice tunnels.
• South Pole & Penguins: US$115,500, the most popular itinerary, which combines the journey to the South Pole —visited by fewer than 500 people a year— with a visit to the emperor penguin colony.
• South Pole & Blue Rivers (late season): US$115,500, the most recent route, which links the South Pole with the blue rivers, a rarely seen phenomenon in Antarctica.
• The Long Stay (late season): US$110,500, the longest itinerary, which includes the two main camps, Whichaway and Echo, as well as the South Pole and the Blue Rivers.
• Antarctica in a Day: US$16,500, available throughout the season, consists of a round trip from Cape Town with a descent into an ice cave, rappelling down a glacier and a champagne toast in an ice bar.

Camps on the ice

The company manages three camps in the Antarctic interior. Each has six suites, which guarantees personalized attention, meals prepared by gourmet chefs and wines selected for the polar climate. All camps have heated pods, running water and views of the landscape from the beds.

• Whichaway: the original camp, recently redesigned, located in an area with exposed rock and freshwater lakes, an unusual landscape in Antarctica. Coordinates: 70º 48’ 00” S, 11º 23’ 00” E.
• Echo: inspired by the design of space missions, it is presented as the closest thing to leaving Earth without leaving the planet. Coordinates: 71°32'47" S, 8°50'11" E.
• Explorer: combines polar adventure with a rustic and warm chalet style, and serves as a base for the journey to the South Pole. Coordinates: 71º 31’ 37” S, 8º 51’ 20” E.

Logistical operation and booking process

Flights depart from Cape Town and land at the Wolf’s Fang Runway blue ice runway, on a journey of approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes covering 4,220 km. The company details a six-step booking process: initial no-obligation consultation, confirmation with deposit and travel insurance and medical check forms within 30 days, planning of flexible flights with arrival in Cape Town at least two days before the expedition and departure two days after the return, boarding with guidance on luggage and the possibility of purchasing polar clothing in an online boutique, safety briefing at the company's offices at 16 Loop Street (Cape Town) and transfer to the airport on the day of departure with fast-track security and VIP lounge access.

The company can also arrange accommodation, private transfers in its fleet of electric BMWs and experiences in Cape Town and the Winelands, as well as safaris or other extensions in Southern Africa.

History and founding team

White Desert was born from a radical idea: that Antarctica, a territory reserved for scientists and extreme explorers, could be visited in an environmentally respectful way and far removed from traditional polar travel. The company emerged after years of expeditionary work in some of the most remote regions of the continent and began operating with a handful of tents. Its founders are Patrick Woodhead, co-founder and CEO, and Robyn Woodhead, co-founder. Patrick Woodhead, polar explorer, has stated that the interior of Antarctica seemed surreal and inspiring to him and that he wanted others to experience it with luxury, as well as with an environmentally sound approach, taking advantage of the 24 hours of sunshine and the constant wind to generate solar and wind power.

Scientific research and sustainability

The company combines its tourism activity with support for scientific research and the protection of the Antarctic environment. Sustainability is presented as the guiding principle of the entire organization, and the company has its own foundation to channel its impact in the area.