While Santa Claus lives in the North Pole, the South Pole has penguins, seals, whales and albatrosses, among many other animal species. Summer in Antarctica, which runs from November to February, sees thousands of tourists visit the "white continent" and take in its spectacular sights—a bittersweet moment when you consider the climate impacts it faces.
It’s not all doom and gloom, however. White Desert, a luxury travel outfitter that takes people ice climbing, abseiling, cross-country skiing and hiking deep in the interiors of Antarctica, is gearing up for Christmas celebrations at its flagship luxury camp, Whichaway. Here’s what to expect if you spend the festive season at the South Pole this winter.
The Whichaway camp sits on the shores of one of the freshwater lakes of the ice-free Schirmacher Oasis. Six heated “polar pods” with cutting-edge exteriors and old-world interiors conjure up images of Antarctica’s rich heritage of exploration. Guests at the Wellness Dome can sit back and chat in the communal lounge, library and dining area, which is a wonderful space to relax with amazing views. You can savour gourmet meals prepared by a private chef, enjoy a sauna with views of the glacier, sip cocktails by the fire, and cross off bucket list adventures like visiting the South Pole, ice climbing, hiking over ice waves, and coming face-to-face with 28,000 emperor penguins.
Early in the season during November to December, one of Antarctica’s hidden treasures reveals itself—the iridescent blue ice caves. These shimmering caverns, accessible only in the early months, offer a glimpse into a frozen world that feels otherworldly. As sunlight refracts through the ice, the caves glow in ethereal shades of blue, inviting exploration before they start to melt with the sun’s increasing warmth.
This period is also marked by the presence of emperor penguin chicks at Atka Bay. Both the camps of White Desert provide an access point to this remote region, and the penguin colony is at its largest in the early season. The chicks, still covered in down, are relatively immobile and huddle close to their parents, offering a rare chance to witness this fragile stage of life.
Operating in such a pristine environment, conversations around climate change naturally arise amongst guests at White Desert. The company has an unwavering commitment to minimising their operational footprint with solar power systems harnessing the endless sunlight to keep operations off-grid. In this isolated wilderness, the silence is profound—offering a unique connection to the raw power of nature.
Tariff: The December 22-29 “South Pole and Emperors” trip costs USD 105,000 for one person (approximately INR 8.6 million).