White Desert launches new luxury pods in Antarctica

Stretching across about 14-million square kilometres, Antarctica is the highest, driest, coldest and windiest continent on Earth. Despite an ice sheet two kilometres thick, holding 70% of the world’s fresh water, this is a desert. At turns wild and inhospitable, it is also unspeakably beautiful.

That alien landscape, beguiling in its beauty, was the inspiration for Echo, the brand-new camp in the White Desert portfolio.

White Desert was founded in 2007 by polar adventurer Patrick Woodhead, offering (well-heeled) travellers the chance to experience Antarctica in consummate luxury. After a five-hour flight from Cape Town aboard a Gulfstream G550, travellers touch down on a specially prepared ice runway. Ahead lies an adventure lasting up to eight days. Highlights include hopping aboard the rugged Basler BT-67s for a flight to the emperor penguin colony at Atka Bay, and an additional excursion to the geographic South Pole. In between, days are spent trekking, abseiling and ice climbing.

And at the end of each day, guests now have the luxurious eco-pods of Echo to return to.

At Echo — which joins the camps at Wolf’s Fang and Whichaway — the six heated pods appear as if they have been beamed down from above, a space-age aesthetic was central to the inspiration for the new offering.

“The fusion of ‘space’ and ‘exploration’ seemed entirely natural to the Antarctic environment, as only there do we get such vast moonscapes, needlepoint mountains and incredible ice formations,” says Woodhead. “I am often asked what travelling to Antarctica is really like and my response is always the same — it’s the closest you can get to being on another planet.”

This may be a brave new frontier of exploration, but there’s certainly no hardship and deprivation.

Echo also introduces a remarkable new art experience to the icy continent.

For the first time, White Desert has partnered Los Angeles-based artist Anthony James, known for his striking three-dimensional geometric sculptures. A piece from James’ “Portals” series will take pride of place at Echo, and is the first of nine planned art installations that aim to foster dialogue around climate change and sustainability.

It’s a key element of White Desert’s operating approach, and in keeping with its strict environmental protocols, the Echo pods have been designed to be dismantled and removed without a trace in the future. That’s alongside the ban on any single-use plastics and a carbon-offset programme to ensure all visits are carbon neutral. White Desert is also rolling out the use of sustainable aviation fuel, which offers an 80% reduction in carbon emissions and reduced particulates in exhaust fumes.

If there’s a catch, it’s that you’ll need to dig deep into your pockets to enjoy this remarkable new adventure. Packages start from $65,000 per person for the five-day Early Emperor's adventure. It’s a lot, but for a once-in-a-lifetime experience? I’d start saving now.