The Insider 6LQN EHQHDWK WKH RFHDQ LQ D VXE


With an estimated 80% of the ocean yet to be discovered, it’s no surprise a growing number of travellers want to explore beneath the waves: in polar regions, getting up close with sheer glacier walls and the underbelly of icebergs; in warmer ENKOGU INKORUKPI UJQCNU QH GZQVKE ƂUJ CPF FGGR sea creatures. Keen clients should join a sailing with one of the cruise lines that have invested in this market – Seabourn, Scenic and Viking all have expedition ships with submarines and offer excursions for an extra fee. Alternatively, guests could join a bespoke submersible expedition with luxury tour operators such as Pelorus or Cookson Adventures. Operators of submersibles are frank about the challenges, with many cruise lines still discovering where they can operate and what they might see. For some clients, experiencing the VGEJPQNQI[ WR ENQUG and joining an exclusive club of submarine explorers, is enough of a thrill in itself.


2


(QMR\ D ODQG DGYHQWXUH LQ $QWDUFWLFD


Most venture to the highest, coldest and windiest continent via sea on polar-class expedition ships, but a rising trend has seen some hardy travellers take C FKHHGTGPV TQWVG ƃ[KPI ƂXG hours south from Cape Town


3


to a remote runway on the ice. It’s largely thanks to White Desert Antarctica, an ultra-luxury expedition company founded by polar explorers Patrick and Robyn Woodhead, who operate three pod-like camps on the White Continent. Carbon neutral since 2007, the brand goes to extreme lengths to ensure a light footprint while delivering the highest levels of luxury. Each departure features just 12 guests, who have a range of polar pursuits to play with: hiking to the edge of ice shelves, abseiling down ice walls, traversing terrain on ‘fat bikes’ and visiting emperor penguin colonies.


ª ASPIRETRAVELCLUB.CO.UK THE INSIDER MAY 2024 33


CREDITS: Doug Menuz; White Desert/Andrew Macdonald


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44