Antarctica.

Antarctica. Image by Christopher Michel / CC BY 2.0

They trek snow-covered mountains, gasp at seals and penguins along the coastline and marvel at humpback whales flapping their tails amid a sea of melting icebergs.

Antarctica is the last terrestrial tourism frontier that nature lovers, adventurers and explorers are rushing to visit. This tourist season, which runs from November to March, more than 37,000 people are expected to visit the coldest continent on Earth, about 10% more than last season.

While some tourists climb Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s highest point at 16,050ft (4,892 metres), others take in the views of wild terrain or snap pictures of huge groups of penguins as they bob in and out of the water. Still others take part in extreme sports,scuba diving in icy waters, or imagine themselves as early 20th century explorers during re-enactment expeditions.

High-profile visitors of recent years include Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Prince Harry, while heavy-metal band Metallica rocked out for a small group of fans at the Carlini Argentine Base in 2013.

No matter the draw, a strong dose of humour, patience and humility, not to mention tens of thousands of pounds, are an essential part of any Antarctica holiday. Without fail, every year some tourists are left waiting for the sun to come out, or for a patchy internet connection to work, or even for help to get their stuck boots dislodged from the ice.

“Was it worth it? Yes, of course it was,” said Christine Brannan from England, who along with dozens of other tourists spent a few days stranded on a cruise ship waiting for thick fog to clear so they could go home.

“But I would say to anybody who wants to do the flight and cruise to be aware of the unpredictability.”

(Press Association)