White Desert Antarctica Launch ‘Echo’ – a New Camp Inspired by Astronauts and Used by Explorers

Pioneers of luxury travel in Antarctica, White Desert, announce the details of their new camp, Echo, which will be launching in November 2022. The land of snow and ice, Antarctica provides an alluring backdrop for its guests. Inspired by the seminal age of Space exploration, Echo will provide exclusive access to the rarely seen interior of the Continent.

The stylish, modern new eco-camp will feature six heated, cutting-edge bedroom ‘sky pods’ complete with expansive floor to ceiling windows commanding views of the dramatic landscape beyond. Crafted from composite fibreglass, each of the space-inspired sky pods will be designed for two guests, with interiors featuring retro space-age detailing and luxurious furnishings. Original photos taken from the International Space Station (ISS) by former Commander, White Desert guest and retired astronaut, colonel Terry Virts will be featured in each pod. Says Virts of the Echo landscape, “The mountains are the most beautiful I have seen across Earth, Venus and Mars.” The camp will also offer a central lounge area, dining and heated shower pods.

As with all their camps, White Desert has designed Echo to be dismantled without a trace, leaving no more than a transitory impact on Antarctica.

Futuristic in design, Echo has been created specially for clients who’ve travelled the globe in style and understand the privilege of effecting positive change through travel. Perfect for exclusive use groups, Echo caters for up to 12 guests. Echo allows guests to combine an ultra-luxury experience with a once in a lifetime adventure. An experienced team of chefs, hosts and expert guides allows guests to relax or explore at their leisure. Guests of Echo will step from the plane and be escorted to a private lounge where a martini, shaken with 10,000-year old ice, will be waiting.

Guests will have access to all White Desert activities, which include fat biking, skiing, skidooing and 4×4 Arctic Truck driving as well as expertly guided hiking, ice-climbing and mountaineering. Antarctic interior highlights such as visiting Atka Bay to see the 28,000 strong Emperor Penguin colony or a bucket-list journey to the South Pole are also on offer.

HOW: Prices start from $780,000 for an exclusive group of 12 pax or $65,000pp for FIT guests for a 5-day tour and includes return flights & transfers from Cape Town to Antarctica, all accommodation, food & beverages and activities around camp. White Desert Antarctica has pledged to use $1,000 per person per trip on their conservation, community and sustainability initiatives.