Where to stay in Antarctica

This uniquely forbidding landscape is the realm of the expedition, and as such your accommodation options will be on carefully chosen specialist vessels that are designed to navigate the icy waters. We only work with vessels that we know offer the perfect mix of stability, speed, comfort, expert leadership and safety. The cabins you will stay in offer warm beds that are much needed in the icy environment. As there are only limited departures and room numbers on the below vessels, and due to the popularity of the trips, spaces can fill quickly, so we recommend booking well in advance to secure your place on one of these voyages of discovery. In Antarctica you can navigate by luxury expedition ship, or even camp on the icy peninsula itself in some astoundingly unique camps.

Echo Camp

Inspired by the seminal age of Space exploration, Echo sits in quiet solitude encircled by pitted rock formations on the continent of Antarctcia. Echo is as close as you can get to feeling like you’re off the planet without leaving Earth. The space-age design of the ‘Sky Pods’ makes them look like they’ve been beamed down from Mars. Futuristic and luxurious, the six bedrooms are created from composite fibreglass with floor to ceiling windows allowing guests to soak in the moon-like landscape beyond. Perfect for exclusive use groups and catering for up to 12 people, Echo is an ultra-luxury experience on the 7th Continent. Echo is designed to be dismantled once used, leaving no trace on the Antarctic landscape. There is a whole range of activities and excursions for you to choose from during your stay at the Echo. Each morning after breakfast your personal guides will give you a number of options; the philosophy at this camp is that everything is entirely up to you! Whether you want to push yourself to the limits each day or take a few steps back - you decide. The expert guides are able to teach you everything you will need to become a polar explorer, from technical rock climbing to abseiling and kite-skiing to visiting the nearby 28,000 strong Emperor Penguin colony.

Whichaway Camp

Become one of only a few guests to ever stay at the most luxurious camp in the Polar Regions. The camp has a very easy and friendly feel to it and is run to strict environmental guidelines to minimise the impact on the environment. Accessible only by private charter flight, and with space for just 12 guests, Whichaway Camp is a once in a lifetime experience. There are six luxury sleeping pods, designed for two people each. They are all heated and warm and serve as the perfect retreat after a long day exploring Antarctica. At just over 6 metres (20 feet) in diameter, they are nice and spacious, with a double bed (perfect for couples), a writing desk, wash area and toilet. For guests travelling separately, the room can be partitioned to allow more privacy. The rest of the camp is made up of a shower pod, kitchen pod and two custom-made tents. These are unique in style – fusing cutting edge materials with an old-world feel and house the lounge and dining room. In these pods, you can relax, enjoy fantastic food from an award winning chef and take things easy. There is a whole range of activities and excursions for you to choose from during your stay at the Whichaway Camp. Each morning after breakfast your personal guides will give you a number of options; the philosophy at this camp is that everything is entirely up to you! Whether you want to push yourself to the limits each day or take a few steps back - you decide. The expert guides are able to teach you everything you will need to become a polar explorer, from technical rock climbing to abseiling and kite-skiing.

Union Glacier Camp

Become one of few people to have lived on the white continent with a stay at Union Glacier Camp, the only temporary facility of its kind in Antarctica. This is a full-service camp located off the beaten track in the Heritage Range, below the spectacular Ellsworth Mountains. Accessible only by air, this camp provides a unique experience afforded to few. Union Glacier Camp operates during the Antarctic summer (November through January) and can accommodate up to 70 guests. The accommodation in the camp is basic, but the experience is as real as it will get! The double-walled dual Clam tents are designed to combat the sometimes harsh conditions of Antarctica and provides a comfortable home away from home. The warm and cosy dining tent serves as a gathering place for all the guests, and you will have plenty of opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers over a hot drink of tea or coffee. Union Glacier Camp has facilities to accommodate 70 guests at once. The double-walled tents featuring high-tech nylon covers and wooden floors are designed to withstand the Antarctic conditions and will be naturally heated by the 24-hour sunlight. The sun usually brings the temperature in the tent up to 60°-70°F (15°-21°C). The tall interiors (16ft x 8ft or 5m x 2.4m) allow guests to move around the tent with ease. Each guest is provided with a cot, mattress, linens, pillow, towels and wash basin.