All visits to the Antarctica are subject to weather conditions. Although it is rare for arrangements to be disrupted, consideration must be given to the extremities of the environment involved.Intriguing Highlights May Include:-
- Being where only the brave and adventurous have set foot before you, and where a wedding such as yours is completely unique!
- Whilst awaiting the departure of your custom-built private jet, curiously, “Unknown International Airport”, pops up on the destination departure board at Cape Town Airport.
- Champagne in hand, and with an ocean of icebergs below, you cross the Polar Circle moving from night to 24 hours continuous day.
- Arriving on the Continent of Antarctica knowing that you are as close to falling off the edge of the Planet Earth as anyone possibly could be.
- Regular groups comprise 12 guests only. 5 professional Polar Explorers are assigned to each group, arranging activities to suit each guest’s particular needs.
- A Safari Camp perched beside a 200 feet “balcony” cliff of ice. The camp consists of heated fibreglass pods with basic en-suite facilities, combining old world comfort with high tech performance. Everything designed to be ecologically friendly.
- A two hours flight across unexplored mountain ranges to a colony of 6,000 pairs of Emperor Penguins, knowing there is no one else there and that you can be safely and acceptably within touching distance of the chicks and their parents, all curious about these strangers who have popped in for afternoon tea
- The ultimate “Wow” of being able to walk right Around the World at the South Pole…….it takes just a few paces to do it! Who do you know who has done anything like that on their wedding day?
- Being one day with penguins on the ice and at the end of the Earth, and the next day in steamy Africa surveying unique White Lions in their natural habitat.
THE CONTINENT OF ANTARCTICAThe Continent of Antarctica is a great white desert which is larger than Europe. It is a land of extremes - the driest, coldest and most isolated place on Earth. The coldest temperature ever recorded is -89 degrees Celsius or -112 Fahrenheit. In summer at the coast temperatures can reach a balmy 15 Celsius or 59 Fahrenheit.
Unlike the Arctic, there are no permanent residents. There are various research stations, the largest being Russian. The average year round “population” is about 3,750, which rises to more than 5,000 during the summer months from November to February.
The Antarctic is colder than the Arctic as most of it is at an altitude of around 3,000 metres above sea level (nearly 10,000 feet). Much of it resembles the Andes, and there are several volcanoes, some active. The most recent eruption was in 2008. The highest peak is Vinson Massif located in the Ellsworth Mountains and is at 4,892 metres or 16,050 feet.
There is unique flora and fauna with numerous penguins, blue whales, orcas, colossal walrus and fur seals. There are no polar bears!
Antarctica is both romantic and awesome. It has definite “
wow” factor. Vast and ownerless, it is unique and a journey there is like no other.
These itineraries shown are as a guide only. Changes occur according to the demands of both clients and scientific research demands.
However, if you book private arrangements with friends and family, we shall tailor your itinerary to suit your needs, and according to the schedules available. Such itineraries provide adventures which challenge the mind and body alike, whilst pampering one’s senses with exclusivity and style. There is no comparable wedding destination!
YOUR SPECIAL DAY IS THE LONGEST DAYFLY FROM CAPE TOWN TO ANTARCTICA FOR YOUR WEDDING AND RETURN TO CAPE TOWN ON THE SAME DAY FOR YOUR HONEYMOON
On the day prior to the departure to Antarctica there will be an information and safety briefing at our offices in Cape Town. We provide all the necessary special clothing and details of this will have been sent to you earlier. You collect your clothing at the briefing.
If you are with a party of friends we suggest this necessary briefing is followed by a cocktail party on a yacht or some other highlight which may appeal to you.
Next morning, you check in for your flight by Private Jet which is shown on the destination departure board as “Unknown International Airport”. The aircraft has been modified with comfortable seats, a private lounge area and a galley serving delicious snacks, drinks and hot meals. The flight to Antarctica takes approximately 5 hours 30 minutes. As you fly above the Southern Ocean myriad icebergs glide below. Half way into the flight you cross the Polar Circle and into 24 hours of continuous daylight.
As you step from the jet on landing, there is a realisation that you are one of the very few ever to stand in the interior of the Continent of Antarctica.
This is not a Cruise Ship visit or a visit to one of the islands off the coast; this is for real, the largely unexplored interior, a place usually known by only scientists and Polar explorers.
No environment on Earth can prepare you for Antarctica’s stark and awesome beauty. The weather should be relatively mild with bright sunshine and a temperature around 5 degrees Celsius. Modern Polar clothing and thick winter boots will keep you nice and warm.
Our specially modified 4 x 4 vehicles take you to our “Which Away” safari camp perched on a cliff edge on the brink of the Shirmacher Oasis.
Your wedding ceremony will take place soon after arrival and it will be conducted by the Base Commander from either the Russian or the Indian Research Station, who is authorised to carry out such duties.
A champagne lunch is then served on the ice terrace at the camp before the return flight to Cape Town. In all approximately 8 hours will have been spent on the ice on Antarctica.
Excursions can be arranged to the “balcony” ice cliff, the “grottos”, which are amazing natural tunnels winding though glaciers, and there is even time for a visit to the Russian Research Station and a sauna.
We shall always give you an individual quotation but as a guide the above arrangements cost approximately €7,500 per person including flights, meals, beverages and all arrangements on Antarctica and briefing arrangements in Cape Town. There would be a relatively small additional charge for the wedding ceremony.Our arrangements also include the payment of a Carbon Tax for offsetting against emissions created by all logistics associated with travel to and within Antarctica.JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH-----THE SOUTH POLE!......AND GET MARRIED!Even by Antarctica terms reaching the lowest point on Planet Earth is extremely rare! To be married there would be incomparable!
Day 1On the day prior to the departure to Antarctica there will be an information and safety briefing at our offices in Cape Town. We provide all the necessary special clothing and details of this will have been sent to you earlier. You collect your clothing at the briefing.
If you are with a party of friends we suggest this necessary briefing is followed by a cocktail party on a yacht or some other highlight which may appeal to you.
Day 2Next morning, you check in for your flight by Private Jet which is shown on the destination departure board as “Unknown International Airport”. The aircraft has been modified with comfortable seats, a private lounge area and a galley serving delicious snacks, drinks and hot meals. The flight to Antarctica takes approximately 5 hours 30 minutes. As you fly above the Southern Ocean myriad icebergs glide below. Half way into the flight you cross the Polar Circle and into 24 hours of continuous daylight.
As you step from the jet on landing, there is a realisation that you are one of the very few ever to stand in the interior of the Continent of Antarctica.
This is not a Cruise Ship visit or a visit to one of the islands off the coast; this is for real, the largely unexplored interior, a place usually known by only scientists and Polar explorers.
No environment on Earth can prepare you for Antarctica’s stark and awesome beauty. The weather should be relatively mild with bright sunshine and a temperature around 5 degrees Celsius. Modern Polar clothing and thick winter boots will keep you nice and warm.
Our specially modified 4 x 4 vehicles take you to our “Which Away” safari camp perched on a cliff edge on the brink of the Shirmacher Oasis.
Day 3Depart after breakfast for the 2,400km flight by DC-3 Aircraft to 90 Degrees South. You pass over unexplored mountain ranges, vast crevasse fields and the seemingly endless High Polar Plateau.
A stop is made en route on the Plateau for a short walk around this boundless, foreboding wilderness, which will give you a real understanding of the scale of Antarctica.
Back on board and continue to the Geographic South Pole, landing at the Amundsen –Scott American Science Research Station.
At this point there is nothing more East, South or West on the Planet - only North, and you can literally walk "Around the World in a few paces". You are on the edge of the World!
On arrival you will be transferred to the Base Camp and soon afterwards the wedding ceremony will be conducted by the Base Commander of one of the Research Stations. He is authorised to carry out such ceremonies in the same way as is the Captain of a Cruise Liner.
There is a visit to the Research Station where scientists will explain some of their work. There is also the South Pole Dome….a shop where you can buy souvenirs and send your postcards with a South Pole genuine postmark and stamp.
The night is spent in specially modified and acclimatised tents at the Pole. As you look from your tent window, you can truly empathise with Scott, Amundson and Shackleton as they raced to reach this hallowed spot.
Day 4 Leave after breakfast
and return to the base camp
“ Which Away” to meet up with those who had alternative arrangements and return to Cape Town for your onward journey or continue with arrangements in Southern Africa.
We shall always give you an individual quotation but as a guide the above arrangements cost approximately €37,000 per person including flights, meals, beverages and all arrangements on Antarctica and briefing arrangements and cocktail party in Cape Town. There will also be a relatively small charge for the wedding ceremony.Our arrangements also include the payment of a Carbon Tax for offsetting against emissions created by all logistics associated with travel to and within Antarctica.
