Antarctica

With the availability of better and bigger ships and travellers ready for exotic, more adventurous experiences, Antarctica has become a fairly popular tourist destination over the last years.
Most trips to Antarctica start in Ushuaia and last an average of 15 days, including several intermediate stops at neighbouring islands in order to admire and experience first hand the wonderful marine wildlife in its purest state.

Tourist trips to Antarctica are only available during summer season (November through March) and cover the 621 miles between Ushuaia and the Antarctic Peninsula, which is the most accessible area in the Antarctic continent.
The stops and specific itineraries depend mostly on the weather conditions and the intended duration of the trip. Most cruise ships include stops at South Shetland Islands, where incredible wildlife can be observed (including marine birds, penguins, southern elephant seals and fur seals). Another popular intermediate stop, if weather conditions allow it, is Deception Island, where tourists can take out their swimming suits and bath in the 77°F warmth thermal waters.

Once on the Antarctic Peninsula, the spectacle is simply overwhelming. The apparent desolation of miles and miles of ice surfaces contrasts with the rich variety of wildlife who have their home in Antarctica during this time of the year. Large colonies of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adlie Penguins, blue-eyed Shags, Kelp Gulls, CapePetrels, Snowy Sheathbills and Antarctic Terns are among the species to be seen.

Equally impressive is navigating through the spectacular icebergs and glaciers that dominate the landscape in the white continent. The different shades of blue reflected on the icebergs, some of them with the most whimsical forms, or the deep contrast of the grey sky on a cloudy day over the impeccable white of the ice over the oceanfew places in the world can offer such pure, uncontaminated, inspiring beauty!