One of today’s fastest-expanding travel trends is putting together off-the-beaten-path vacation packages for travelers who have “seen it all.” Americans are tired of going to the usual spots like Mexico and Monte Carlo. Veteran cruise takers are tired of sailing the Caribbean. They want something more thrilling and exotic. The trips that are the most off the beaten path are those to Antarctica. When you would like to get more information on affordable antarctica tours check out this site.

 

You can reach Antarctica quite easily today. You need several days’ travel time — a day-long plane trip from New York followed by a three-day boat trip from the tip of South America, embarking from the small port of Ushuala. Since united States Naval Forces maintain a presence in Antarctica it’s a fairly safe journey. Antartica has been occupied since 1957 by several countries, including the United States. The U.S. navy’s presence here, can certainly come in handy, in the event that ice traps the tourists’ vessel, or an individual slips into an ice crevasse, although the American navy men, themselves, don’t appear to be that enthusiastic about the increase in vacationers visiting the frozen continent.

 

You may wonder what passes for tourist attractions in Antarctica. The travelers snap photographs and observe the many forms of wildlife, including seabirds, seals, whales and penguins. View the smoke escaping from the 12,000 foot high ice cone on the local active volcano. This stunning volcano beats any other volcano in appearance.

 

Who is your typical Antarctic traveler, who can afford $5,000 in travel fare to the continent? Doctors and scientists  make up the bulk of these extreme travelers. Normal, every day married couples also take the trip. Even Grandmothers take the trip. One representative of a travel agency states that recently there has been quite a bit of interest in Antarctica. He comments that long gone are the days when only a handful of risk-taking adventurers got to experience the natural wonders of this frozen land, as viewing the majestic beauty of Antarctica, is now an experience within practically anyone’s grasp. This site teaches you about antarctic tours.

 

According to a U.S. Navy representative, Navy says few regulations govern tourism in Antarctica.  Visitors must follow safety precautions, be self-reliant and follow the international rules for conservation and preservation of Antarctica. Conservationists and scientists alike are particularly concerned about the negative impact tourism may have on this pristine environment. These environmental champions are dedicated to, among other things, keeping wildlife out of harm’s way, making sure litter and vandalism are kept in check, and protecting historic sites from looters.

 

A case in point is the well-preserved hut left by a legendary British pioneer during an 1907 expedition to Cape Royds; it still contains a wall-mounted portrait of  King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra,  garments worn by the explorers suspended on hangers, and canned food that is still edible. And on one table rests an edition of a newspaper published in a notable European city.

 

One tourist destination in Antarctica is a hill that gives a magnificent view of the Antarctic Mountain range, which is 900 miles distant but visible with crystal clarity as it looms over the South Pole. The pole wasn?t previously marked.  Explorers and pioneers saw nothing different when getting there originally. The “new” version of the South Pole is a real pole, complete with barber’s stripes in orange and blue, and crowned by what looks like a silver disco ball.

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