Experiential travel is becoming more and more popular as people decide to seek out more unique travel adventures. One popular new destination has seen a spike in tourism, and it might surprise you. Travel to Antarctica has increased more than 50 percent over the last four years, and it’s expected to continue to become a more popular destination in 2020.

A trip to Antarctica is a unique, and expensive adventure, but luxury travelers are flocking to this icy region in larger numbers each year.

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Though the total number of visitors during the 2018-19 season was only around 56,000 people, that number represents a 53% increase from the 2014-15 travel season.

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As you can imagine, a trip to Antarctica is a dream come true for many people. The stunning scenery is a frozen wonderland, and has the kind of unparalleled beauty you simply won’t find elsewhere.

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Travelers here will experience the trip of a lifetime. Close encounters with wildlife are common, and you can expect to see everything from whales to penguins during your adventures.

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2020 marks the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctic mainland by Nathaniel Palmer in 1820, so it’s a particularly iconic time to plan a visit.

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The most common way to travel to the continent is via cruise ship, and there are currently several companies with new ships being constructed specially for Antarctica expeditions.

Artie Photography (Artie Ng)/Moment Collection/via Getty Images It won’t surprise you to hear that travel to this region of the world comes with a hefty price tag. The entry-level cost for a short trip to Antarctica runs about $11,000.

Some travelers are putting Antarctica at the top of their bucket list so they can see it before it’s too late. The ice in this region of the world is melting six times faster than it was during the 1970s.

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Artie Photography (Artie Ng)/Moment Collection/via Getty Images

It won’t surprise you to hear that travel to this region of the world comes with a hefty price tag. The entry-level cost for a short trip to Antarctica runs about $11,000.

Does a trip to Antarctica sound like something you’d like to put on your bucket list?

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Address: Antarctica