adelie penguins

Fly in a helicopter. Hike to a beautiful view. Snowboard and ski. These outdoor activities seem standard to a variety of travel destinations. But add snowshoeing over untouched, snow-white flatlands, hanging out with colonies of penguins, and escalating up icebergs, and your vacation takes a sharp turn—a sharp turn south. Welcome to Antarctica.

Here's a traveler's peek into the wonders of Antarctica. You can also read about some of the photographers' adventures in Antarctica: Land of Frozen Beauty.