ICE CAPADES

Inspired by the seminal age of space exploration, the upcoming Echo camp by White Desert, pioneers of luxury travel in Antarctica, is as close as you can get to feeling you're off the planet without leaving Earth, founder and CEO Patrick Woodhead tells FRANÇOIS OOSTHUIZEN

- FRANÇOIS OOSTHUIZEN

Antarctica, the southernmost continent and site of the South Pole, is a virtually uninhabited, ice-covered landmass. Most cruises to the continent visit the Antarctic Peninsula, which stretches toward South America. But White Desert – established by record-breaking polar explorer duo Patrick and Robyn Woodhead in 2005 – had a desire to allow people other than scientists and polar explorers to see the wonders of the interior of Antarctica. The only operator to fly guests out of South Africa to this southernmost continent, White Desert went on to set up its first seasonal luxury camp, Whichaway, a collection of cutting-edge pods with breathtaking views across the freshwater lakes of the Schirmacher Oasis, 12 years ago.

And now, launching this November comes the third generation of their über-luxurious pods. The Echo camp – which sits in quiet solitude encircled by ice-covered rock formations – will host only 12 guests at a time in six heated pods, ensconced in comfort and pampered with superlative services. The season only runs for a few months per year (from mid-November until the first week of February) and the standard length of stay is 5-6 days, starting from around USD780,000 (RM3.4 million) for a group of 12.

Perfect for the exclusive use of groups, Echo allows guests to combine an ultra-luxury experience with a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on the seventh continent.