This was originally written in 2023 and has since been updated.
Who doesn’t love a cold drink at the end of the day? It might be a gin and tonic after a long day on safari through East Africa. Perhaps it's a wine with dinner in the Argentinean highlands, a warm maté in freezing Patagonia or a beer after a hike through the Egyptian desert. It might even be just a simple can of Coca-Cola on a great Antarctic adventure. But how much is that drink worth? And, more importantly, would you pay $35USD for a single can of Coke?
Probably not. But, in some parts of the world, we think $35 is a bargain. Especially if that can of Coke in question is handed to you at the South Pole.
We should probably give you some context.
At The Explorer Society, we are always looking for unique destinations, and unique ways of experiencing these destinations. This is as applicable in Africa as it is in Antarctica. As the world slowly becomes a bit more homogenised, it can be really useful to find a way to experience a destination a bit differently, as that can often mean in a more authentic way.
This is even the case for places like Antarctica. We have a range of great Antarctic experiences that we can organise. They range from a simple cruise around the Antarctic Peninsula to expeditions into rarer areas, like the mysterious Weddell Sea or the wild Ross Sea. This can be on a small ship or even a super small ship, making the experience far more immersive. And as for activities, you can even sleep out overnight on the snow or kayak between icebergs as part of a great Antarctic experience.
But, to visit the opposite side of Antarctica, far from any other visitors or expedition ships, and to stay there for days at a time, is something else entirely. Historically an impossible task, today it’s entirely possible. Specially constructed camps, polar toughened machinery and eco-fuelled private jets all combine to offer one of the most exclusive experiences in the world. And when the possibility to stay on the Antarctic mainland, in specially designed pods, came across our desk years ago, it caught our interest.
Just imagine the packing list.
If you thought planning your last trip was complex, imagine the logistics involved in getting travellers to Antarctica on an expedition ship. This requires careful planning and vast lists of required items, for reaching the end of the earth isn’t something undertaken lightly. Now imagine doing this, but building seasonal camps in remote Antarctica. This includes bringing in everything you could possibly need during your stay, and taking it all out again when used, to keep the environment pristine. All with zero-waste, zero emissions and zero permanent impact left on the continent. And as a guest, for the time you are there, whether it be a week or one incredible day, this world is yours to explore. You might climb previously unclimbed mountains, ride fat-tyred bicycles or wander the Antarctic plain. You can choose to visit remote emperor penguin colonies and isolated polar stations. Perhaps you'd want to journey to the south pole itself or simply sit and soak it all in. The choice is yours when you book your departure. It’s a fully immersive, fully inclusive experience that is simply unforgettable.
And, long story short, that’s where the $35 can of Coke comes in. Whilst you aren’t paying for this can (it's already included), everything always has a price. That can of Coke is no exception. It has gone through a journey of its own to meet you. That can has been transported from the factory to the cargo ship. That ship has travelled over treacherous waters to the edge of the continent. It has then been unloaded onto the ice and transported to your accommodation. And yes, whilst you could keep it cold by simply sticking it in the snow, we all know what happens to a soft drink can that freezes. So, you can add in the cost of the solar array required to keep the refrigerator at the appropriate temperature. The cost of giving you that can of Coke, in that location, is $35 per can. And then add on the spirits you might mix it with, and the food that you dine on, and the cost of the chef to cook it for you, and you can see why the cost of a week at these camps is $110,000 USD per person.
Let’s be frank: At that price, it’s not for everyone. Of course it isn’t. It can, however, be 'not for everyone' and still be a great deal. That is ultimately the difference between the price of something and the value of something. For those who can afford it, it might be worth every cent. For these travellers, sitting at the South Pole, enjoying a $35 Coke (although the great Antarctic champagne might be more tempting), they might not feel as though the can is overpriced. They might instead feel as though they got a bargain, and that the entire thing is priceless.
