Our Team

Nico is a mountain guide, rock climber, backcountry skier, and photographer. Certified Senior Assessor and Senior Polar Guide by PTGA and most importantly, an ambassador of the Polar Regions by heart. Born and raised in Chile, he joined the A21 Team in 2013 after he made the first ascent of A21’s “Sharp Peak” on the Antarctic Peninsula. He has an Ecotourism Project Management Degree and his work involves project management, outdoor education, wilderness expeditions, teaching technical outdoor skills, leadership, and high-performance team development. For the last 14 years, he has led expeditions in five of the seven continents and climbed in mountain ranges including the Andes, Antarctica, the Himalayas, the Rockies, the European Alps, the Southern Alps in New Zealand, the Blue Mountains in Australia and South Africa.

Kirsty lives in Edinburgh, Scotland where she studied an MA in History and an MSc in Marine Systems and Policy. Her passion for history and adventure led her to join the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust for the 2018-19 season at Port Lockroy, living on the Antarctic island for four months with three other people during the austral summer. She is currently conducting a research project with the University of Edinburgh, exploring how tourism and fishing vessels can contribute toward ocean observations and data collection in the Southern Ocean. Kirsty has worked with Antarctica21 since 2019 as a Lecturer, Cruise Manager and Expedition Leader. She is an expert in Antarctic fly-cruise operations and has spent around 120 days south of the 60th parallel each season since 2018. Kirsty is the Head of Expedition Staff and Delivery for Antarctica21 but still finds time to guide in the Arctic during the northern summer, enjoying the wonders of life at the ends of the earth.

Sandra Walser was born, raised and educated in Switzerland. In 2004, after receiving her Master's degree in history and film studies from the University of Zurich, she fulfilled her childhood dream by traveling to Iceland and Greenland. During this trip, she caught the notorious "polar fever" and just hasn't been able to shake it off. Working in the expedition cruise industry since 2009, Sandra is a member of the Polar Tourism Guides Association and certified as a Senior Polar Guide. She joined Antarctica21 in 2011. Sandra delights in sharing her passion for polar history and in helping guests discover the magic and fragility of the Antarctic. She has published a widely acclaimed book in German dealing with pioneering tourists to visit the polar regions.

Sergei grew up in a small isolated village far in the north of Russia beyond the Arctic Circle. However, it was Antarctica that truly captured his heart when he first set foot there in 2010. His early days on the seventh continent were spent accompanying and supporting tourist groups and their expeditions into the interior of the continent. Beyond that, Sergei played a vital role in managing environmental initiatives and orchestrating complex logistical operations in the challenging deep field in Antarctica. One remarkable feat in his career involved embarking on a month-long 4x4 car expedition, spanning over 3000 kilometers across the icy expanse of Antarctica's interior. Sergei has also visited the South Pole and the coldest place known to humanity, Vostok Station, where a world record low of -89.2°C (-128.6°F) was recorded. Since 2018, Sergei has lent his expertise to Antarctica21, serving as the Head of Logistics and a Polar Guide.

David is an experienced polar professional from Sweden. Since 2012 he has been splitting his time between the Arctic and Antarctic, working as a full-time adventure guide and Expedition Leader. David has a wide range of experience from leading expeditions on different ships to dogsled driving and kayak guiding in the coldest regions of the world. He has led expeditions in Svalbard, Greenland, Scotland, Iceland, the Faeroe Islands, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and of course Antarctica. In May 2016 David completed an unsupported crossing of Greenland's inland ice following the footsteps of one of his heroes, Fridtjof Nansen. The 600-kilometer long journey across the ice took 27 days. Also, he has spent several winters driving snowmobiles and guiding for Sweden's Ice Hotel, often in -50degC temperatures. Beyond being a polar history enthusiast, David is educated in earth sciences and glaciology and is an accomplished lecturer.

From Vancouver Island, Canada, Mike Hann is an expedition leader, skipper, musician, and festival director with over a decade of experience working in Antarctica. As a whale watching and diving guide, he's worked with endangered orcas in British Columbia and humpback whales in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia. Mike also played an integral role in an unprecedented Antarctic marine research expedition aboard an 18-meter sailboat in 2007. The two-month expedition’s mission was to increase the understanding of Orca and Humpback Whale populations along the Antarctic Peninsula. The team sailed across the infamous Drake Passage and around Cape Horn, an accomplishment for any sailor. More recently, Mike has spent time on northern Baffin Island, in Canada's arctic, working with Narwhals, as well as guiding walking Polar Bear safaris along the northwestern coast of Hudson Bay in Canada. Mike has worked with Antarctica21 since 2012.

Jonathan grew up in his native England, graduating in Physical Sciences. He moved to France and then Spain, eventually ending up in the Galapagos Islands where he has worked for over 3 decades as a naturalist, diver and marine scientist. His expedition leading began with the volcanoes of Galapagos and the Andes, diving and exploring in the Amazon Rainforest down to Patagonia and onwards to Antarctica, where he has worked as a Naturalist and Expedition Leader for over 2 decades, both on land and underwater. His travels have taken him to both Polar regions, Africa and Indonesia. He has a keen interest in photography and has published and co-authored coffee table and guide books as well as marine text books. He is an elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of London. When not on expeditions he works as the Director of the Galapagos Whale Shark Research Team and currently resides in Costa Rica.

Marcelo was born and raised in central Chile. His fascination with the ocean led him to study Marine Biology, specializing in seabirds, marine mammals, oceanography, and invasive alien species. He possesses a Doctorate in Conservation Medicine and vast academic and field experience leading and carrying out conservation and research projects throughout Chile, Patagonia, and the remote Easter Island. His first experience in Antarctica dates to 2005, when he conducted studies in penguin colonies for the Chilean Antarctic Institute. Since 2017, he has participated in more than 50 trips to Antarctica and is eager to share his knowledge of the Antarctic Ecosystems. In the present day, he has paused his academic life to dedicate himself fully to the challenges of guiding in the polar regions. Marcelo is also an enthusiast and celebrated wildlife photographer. He has won awards in several photography contests and contributed images to various books on environmental education.

A conservationist at heart, Kirsty has dedicated the last 13 years to conserving animals and the environment. Her scientific research has spanned across a variety of marine and terrestrial species as well as ecosystems, and has led to her become a published scientist. Kirsty has supervised discussions, spoken at both national and international conferences, and taught numerous university students in the hopes that her passion for wildlife and conservation will carry on to the next generation.

Pablo studied Geography at the Universidad de Chile and has many years of experience carrying out glaciological research. During his university years, he focused on the application of satellite images to study the effect of volcanic activity on glaciers and climate change. While working at the university he taught principles of glaciology, geomorphology, and interpretation of satellite images. He arrived in Antarctica for the first time in 2009 during the International Polar Year as a research associate in a project aimed to better understand the relationships between ice shelves and glaciers. Nowadays he leads a team of geoscientists and mountaineers to study the dynamic of glaciers and the snowpack in the Central Andes. He also continues to keep an eye on space to observe the rapid changes of Antarctic glaciers and collaborates with Universities to sample snow and track black carbon particles in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Rickard is from Sweden and started his polar career in 2008 as a dogsledder in Svalbard. He has also spent time as a dogsled/winter instructor for the British Army in Canada. His passion for adventures and history has led him on multiple expeditions, like crossing the Antarctic Peninsula on skis or kayaking along the north west coast of Greenland. Furthermore he’s had the privilege of standing on the North Pole six times and on the South Pole twice. When not in the polar regions Rickard works as a rescue diver in the Swedish Coast Guard.

Martin is a marine biologist and polar guide based in Sweden. After completing the military service with the Swedish Navy Marines, he spent a year in the depths of the Amazon rainforest, conducting bird surveys. His love for the oceans eventually brought him to Lund University and Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. Throughout his career, Martin has contributed to numerous seabird research projects in Antarctica and New Zealand. Currently, he dedicates four months each year to work in Svalbard and Antarctica. The remainder of his time is devoted to wildlife conservation and seabird research. Martin first visited Antarctica in 2015 as a seabird researcher, and since then, he has been drawn back to this continent every year. He has also spent considerable time studying seabirds on South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Martin is highly skilled at identifying marine mammals and seabirds and always enjoys a good conversation about Antarctica and its extraordinary wildlife.

Since Dani was 8 years old, she has had a great interest in whales and dolphins. This passion led her to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from Rio de Janeiro Federal University and a master’s degree in Biological Oceanography from Sao Paulo University. She has been involved in whale research for over 12 years, including time as a researcher at the Humpback Whale Institute in Caravelas, Brazil, coordinating land and cruise-based research and writing scientific articles, reports, and book chapters. She dedicates her life to the study of humpback whales, especially their migratory dynamics between Antarctica and Brazil. Since 2017 Dani has been working as a full-time Expedition Guide and Naturalist onboard ships in Antarctica, Africa, the Amazon, Australia, and the Caribbean, and a Whale-Watching Guide in the Azores, South Africa, and Tonga. She also offers training to whale-watching operators and lectures about the behavior and ecology of whales and dolphins for tourists from around the world, focusing on responsible and sustainable activity. Her years of field experience have made her a great naturalist with a passion for birds and other animals. Because of her interest in capturing whales and wildlife with camera lenses, she has developed a new hobby, studying photography, publishing, and selling her images. Dani lives in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and English.

Heidi hails from Finland where she started her guiding career in Finnish Lapland back in the early 2000s and has since worked in various roles in tourism all around the world. In 2013 she moved to Edinburgh where she studied a master’s degree in marketing and tourism, and she still calls the Scottish capital home today. She spent the 2018-2019 Antarctic summer season working as a Base Leader at a historic British base at Port Lockroy, where she lived on an island the size of a football pitch with four other people and 1500 Gentoo penguins for four months. The polar bug bit her and she returned to Antarctica the following year as an expedition guide, but also returned to Port Lockroy and spent another two months on the island helping the team out. She now works full time onboard expedition ships in both polar regions and loves to share her knowledge and passion for these remote and pristine places with visitors from all around the world.

In the early years of my professional life, I dedicated myself to working in luxury hotels to acquire the highest hospitality standards in the industry. I also spent lots of time in Patagonia, where I polished my skills in mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, and guiding in the outdoors. In 2000, I finally moved to the Glacier District of El Calafate and El Chalten. I applied my experience from luxury small hotels, further finding this a perfect niche to cultivate my passion for the outdoors and adventure activities. In 2008, I settled in Puerto Madryn, where I discovered the undersea world while diving and sailing among whales, dolphins, sea lions, and elephant seals. After years spent working as a PADI Dive Master, I became a naturalist and whale-watching Guide/Captain in Valdez Peninsula. Today, I split my year between working as a Boat Captain in search of Southern right whales and other marine mammals and working with expedition ships around the world.

Pelin was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. Growing up in a very big city, she was amazed by the stories she read about the adventures of early explorers and mountain climbers who traveled to the most remote places in the world. Her love of the outdoors has taken her to so many wonderful places in the world; from the Himalayan Mountains to the Amazon rainforests. Pelin finally settled in Chilean Patagonia in 2013 where she worked as an outdoor guide leading multi-day hiking and wildlife trips. Her interest in Polar Regions was kindled when she first traveled to Antarctica on board OceanNova. In other words, she caught the Polar Fever. Pelin holds a Master’s degree in History from the University of Leiden. She especially is interested in Polar Exploration history and loves to share her knowledge with the guests.

Born with a paddle in her hands, Sophie has been kayaking for as long as she could walk. A Kiwi by blood but nomadic by heart, Sophie’s background is in outdoor education & instruction, having completed her Outdoor Diploma in 2005, where she then became a lecturer. She has designed & led expeditions throughout Asia, NZ, Canada & the remote islands of Papua New Guinea. She contracted the polar bug in 2012 & has been bi-polar ever since, migrating from pole to pole. In recent years, Sophie has been involved with implementing the Polar Tourism Guides Association, a non-profit organization creating internationally recognized processes for qualifying guides of the polar industry. She was an inaugural Board Member & is a Senior Polar Guide & Assessor. Sophie holds numerous outdoor instructor certificates, including whitewater & sea kayaking, navigation, rock climbing, and several boating & advanced wilderness first aid qualifications.

Alvaro began working in wildlife photography and naturalist guiding in 2010. He is from the heart of Chilean Patagonia, Punta Arenas. Born and raised in these latitudes, he has developed a genuine interest in the habits and adaptations of the local wildlife of Chile and South America from an early age. Since 2014, Alvaro has led photographic nomadic journeys through the Bolivian altiplano and the high desert of Argentina and Patagonia, and worked as a naturalist guide in birdwatching throughout Brazil, Chile, Bolivia and Peru. Alvaro is also an avid horseriding and mountain biking guide, bringing his expertise in naturalist interpretation and hiking circuits all over South America. He has been working in expedition ships since 2022, in both polar regions, and also all over Europe and Africa. He is deeply inspired by the people who want to share amazing, simple moments in this remote region of the world called Antartica, using beauty as a key of awareness.

Born in Brazil, André Belém's passion for the ocean guided him through his Bachelor’s and Master’s studies in Geological and Biological Oceanography in the late 1980s, where he developed a profound commitment to preserving the marine environment. His academic journey led him to Antarctica for the first time in the early 1990s, sparking a lifelong dedication to Polar Oceanography and Science. André earned his PhD in Polar Oceanography from the Alfred-Wegener Institute in Germany in 2002, further expanding his expertise in the polar regions. Returning to Brazil, André transitioned into teaching oceanography and climate science, including his present position as Professor at the Fluminense Federal University in Rio de Janeiro, where he currently enriches future scientists with skills in climate and also contributing to the broader scientific discourse through articles for both general audiences and specialized science magazines. Beyond academia, he embraced a vegetarian lifestyle and he is also passionate about water sports, including kayaking and technical deep diving and remains a dedicated advocate for polar education and conservation.

Sofia comes from a family whose lifestyle is closely intertwined with the outdoors, nature, and adventure. She grew up by the coast of Peninsula Valdes, Northern Patagonia. It is here where she found her love for the sea and way of life in complete contact with nature from an early age. She works as a Skipper in whale watching, dedicating over 25 years to this activity in Peninsula Valdes and specializing in marine wildlife viewing. She regularly works as a support diver and guide with wildlife documentary film crews, such as National Geographic and BBC. She started sea kayaking in 2004 and has participated in numerous expeditions exploring the coast of Patagonia. This was when she chose to pursue guiding kayak trips as a different way to connect with nature and enjoy the biodiversity and wild sea of Patagonia, alternating Southern Right Whale Watching guidance and sea kayaking along the season.

From the UK, Tennessee was born with an unexplainable pull to the South Atlantic. He began his life on expeditions aged 18 in the sweltering rainforests of Borneo and remote outposts in the Himalayas before finally heeding a lifelong call South in the footsteps of great polar pioneers. A South Atlantic historian, Tennessee is an elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Royal Anthropological Institute. He has worked on and consulted on a number of historical projects relating to the history of the Falklands and South Georgia, specializing in the Falklands War, 1982. Tennessee has a fervent fascination with the history of polar exploration and is presently writing the first dedicated biography of Sir James Clark Ross. Having worked in Polar Tourism since 2018, his greatest passion in life is to connect people with the stranger-than-fiction and often-forgotten human history of the ends of the earth.

Born in the wilds of Tasmania, Ewan spent his childhood growing up on a farm and exploring the vast wilderness of his island home. Such was born his lust and zeal for exploration of the great outdoors. With an honors degree in Civil Engineering, Ewan established himself in the world of hydropower consulting before returning to his true passion. A certified Outdoor Guide, Instructor & Assessor and with years of outdoors, nautical, and polar experience under his cap (loose term – there’s no way that hair fits under a cap), he has led trips in Vietnam, summited peaks in Ecuador, done reconnaissance for hydropower projects in the wilds of PNG, led sea kayaking trips in Tasmania, trekked in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, canyon guided in the Japanese Alps and watched polar bears hunt in the Arctic Sea. For fun, Ewan helps people revitalize their homes before they go to market, makes his own tempeh, farms worms, and empowers people toward financial independence.

Justine is a free-spirited adventurer hailing from the central North Island of New Zealand. Since 2001, she has cultivated a career in management within the hospitality and tourism industry. Her journey in expedition travel began in 2014 as a sales executive in Sydney, Australia, immersing herself in the fascinating world of polar exploration. However, it didn't take long for Justine to realize that her true calling was out on the high seas. In 2016, she followed her heart and joined expedition ships in Antarctica and globally, where she continues to share her knowledge and love for these remarkable landscapes. With expertise across both expedition and hotel operations, she knows the ins and outs of creating memorable experiences. In recent years, she has devoted her energy to developing key roles onboard expedition ships, focusing on adding value to the overall success of expedition travel. She is an avid hiker, diver, and photographer living in Northern Norway.

Diego was born and raised off the coast of central Chile, which led him to become a Marine Biologist interested in sub-tidal ecology, marine mammals, conservation, and a special passion for remote places. Throughout his life, he has become a highly experienced diver and enthusiastic wildlife photographer. He has participated in various scientific studies, including living and camping on islands to study sea lions, navigating and crossing the Pacific Ocean, and carrying out scientific dives along the Chilean coast, including in Patagonia. Since 2017, he has had the opportunity to participate in different Antarctic scientific expeditions, living in different bases and diving in the cold waters of the white continent to obtain information about the benthic (ocean floor) communities that live there. As an Expedition Guide, he seeks to share all his knowledge of the continent and the biodiversity that lives there and to raise awareness about the need to protect these fragile ecosystems.

Mark is a biologist, adventure guide and world traveler. He loves to search out the unique adaptations of animals, chase the deep blue of glaciers and delights in back-alley street food. Mark’s path in life is a wandering one; after obtaining his BSc in medical science and animal physiology, he took off travelling to explore and see the world for himself and amazing animals in their natural environment. Mark came home to complete a diploma in adventure guiding, and then fulfilled a lifelong dream of climbing Canada’s tallest peak on a 22-day expedition up Mt. Logan at 5959m. Mark has been enjoying expedition cruising in the polar regions since 2017; marrying his love for animals, travel and adventure. Between contracts Mark loves to spend his days climbing rock or ice, ski touring, mountain biking, packrafting, and is now dreaming of paragliding. He looks forward to getting out and about on deck with you and chatting about all the wild and wonderful critters we will encounter.

As a boy, Paul was encouraged to improvise and explore with his love of Natural History, wild camping, mountains, and sailing. Unsurprisingly, this all seemed normal, as his family’s Antarctic and adventuring history spans three generations. A Zoology degree in London, bird ringing trips in the UK and Canada, and studying Penguins at Edinburgh Zoo all enabled Paul to meet his own Antarctic dream in South Georgia with the British Antarctic Survey. His work with birds and seals spanned four summers, two winters, a war, plus a yacht-based penguin survey of the Antarctic Peninsula. Paul lives in the Scottish Highlands; now retired after 35 years as a Hydrologist with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, he remains active in bird surveys and ringing. Paul is a Yachtmaster and sea kayaker with expert knowledge of the Scottish west coast and offshore islands. Paul has a mountain, “Copestake Peak,” named after him in South Georgia, and has been awarded the Polar Medal for his Antarctic work.

Piotr has been working in adventure tourism in the polar regions since 2013. After spending a few years backcountry skiing and snowboarding in Canada, he moved to Norway and became captivated by dog sledding culture. After overwintering for his first polar night, he heard the call of the North and moved to Svalbard for the next three years. He worked as a musher, guide, and bladesmith. He eventually brought his knowledge and skills to Reykjavik, Iceland, to pursue a master’s degree in Arctic tourism. During his next three years in Iceland, Piotr continued his career as a hiking, kayaking, dog sledding, and skiing guide in different parts of the country. In 2019, he started his next ongoing project by buying a house in Uummannaq, Greenland. You can find him there exploring the amazing landscape by foot and kayak every year and working on his house. Piotr has worked on ships since 2019 and did his first Antarctic season with Antarctica21 onboard Ocean Nova in 2023.

Wei Deng was born and raised in Guangzhou, China. She graduated from the University of Bonn with a master's degree in Economics. During her studies in Germany, she backpacked in Europe a lot and has been hooked on travel ever since. She's been organizing and leading diving trips all over the world since 2012. She also became an underwater photographer. Her underwater photos are featured in magazines and newspapers in China and the US. She has over 1500 logged dives under her belt and is also a PADI dive master. Wei's previous travels and dive experiences have taken her to seven continents and over 60 countries. In 2017, she started to work in Antarctica as an expedition guide. The polar regions instantaneously become her favorite place besides the underwater world. She is adventurous and always excited to go places she's never been to.

Zibo is a true polar enthusiast who has worked on different polar expedition ships since the 2015-2016 season. He has left footprints from the Antarctic Circle all the way up to the Geographic North Pole. His primary goal on board is to improve our passengers’ once-in-a-lifetime polar experience while making this unique white desert his second home. After finishing an MSc degree in hospitality management in Miami, Florida, in 2012, he worked for a local tour company and guided more than 100 groups in Southern Florida. During summertime in the northern hemisphere, he organizes educational groups in Svalbard and Greenland for students and youngsters. He loves to pass on his polar passion and environmental awareness to the next generation.

Originally from China and currently based in New Zealand, Shan has been immersed in the tourism industry since 2009. Her journey into polar exploration began in 2013 with her first visit to Antarctica, sparking a dedicated career in polar region tourism. Shan has managed successful Chinese Antarctica chartered voyages and Arctic groups with over 1000 guests. Since 2018, Shan has worked as an expedition guide, leaving her mark across many polar destinations, including the Antarctic Peninsula, Ross Sea, South Georgia, and New Zealand Subantarctic Islands. Shan's passion for Antarctic history, particularly the narratives of the "normal" figures behind the iconic explorers, aligns with her deep appreciation for wildlife conservation. Shan has a profound love for Antarctica and strives to share this passion with you to ensure that every experience in Antarctica is memorable and enriching. Let's explore this remarkable continent together and discover its unparalleled beauty.

Dolores, better known as Loli, has sailed the seas of Africa, Middle East, Europe, America, the Arctic and the Antarctic. Loli has developed a strong connection with the polar regions since 2005. Her passion for exploring the globe by ship was inspired by her father's and grandfather's adventure stories, both being Captains. Onboard expedition vessels Loli worked as Zodiac Driver, Assistant Expedition Leader and for several years as Hotel Manager on board several ships, including the most powerful ice-breaker in the world, the 50 Years of Victory, all the way to the North Pole. When not sailing, Loli shares her passion for the polar regions by advising and supporting a top global polar agency. As a true ‘Patagonian’ person, she loves the mountain environment and being out in the wilderness. Being a certified Coastal Master and diver Loli enjoys driving zodiacs in rough weather while always keeping her big smile. Loli has a degree in Public Relations, speaks fluently Spanish, English and German and understands French and Portuguese.

Andres was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His father used to take him on all-day trekking trips around Argentina from a young age. Andres enrolled at the University of Buenos Aires, studying to become a medical Doctor. Later he became an Orthopedic Surgeon, specializing in Arthroscopy. He never stopped doing outdoor activities, learning rock and ice climbing, and ski touring, leading him to move with his family to Ushuaia. In Ushuaia he gained his nautical driving license and started to gaze more often to the sea. In Huaraz, Peru, Andres completed the Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DIMM) to rescue in extreme conditions. Later he also became a Wilderness First Responder Instructor. Following is dream to become an expedition team member in Antarctica and the southern islands, Andres is now a PTGA polar guide and has been multiple times in Antarctica, South Georgia and Falkland Islands as an expedition member, medic and zodiac driver.

After completing a degree in Hotel Management, Betiana embarked on a remarkable career journey. This adventure has taken her across the globe, from the picturesque Isla San Andrés in Colombia to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. She has also had the privilege of working in iconic destinations such as Rome, Barcelona, and the awe-inspiring Glaciares National Park in southern Patagonia.Throughout her career, Betiana has thrived in roles that focus on providing guests with unique experiences in close proximity to nature. She climbed the professional ladder and eventually became an integral part of management teams in remote, nature-immersed locations. Responsibilities included accommodation, dining services, and overseeing outdoor activities for guests while developing and mentoring staff.These experiences have enabled Betiana to develop an incredible skill set, from managing in challenging environments with limited resources to maintaining open lines of communication with guests and empowering staff. They have also cultivated a deep passion for the natural beauty of the Southern Patagonia region.After briefly returning to Buenos Aires, Betiana sought new adventures, accepting a position managing a hotel in Zanzibar, Tanzania. She resided on the island for a year, soaking in its unique culture and charm.The last decade has seen Betiana hold roles such as Resident Manager and Operations Manager, working to create unforgettable guest experiences in remarkable locations. Her journey continues as she now manages Guest Services for Antarctica21 and works as Cruise Manager onboard.

Francisco is a nature photographer and environmental engineer from Chile, born and raised in Calama, at the heart of the Atacama desert. Since 2017, he has worked on conservation projects and research in different areas such as microbiology, Humboldt penguin ecology, wetlands restoration, and wildlife monitoring. In 2015, Francisco started working with photography for conservation purposes, providing photos for field guides, wildlife books, scientific publications, and education. This provided opportunities to teach ethical wildlife photography and guide workshops in San Pedro de Atacama and Patagonia, responsibly taking photographers into pristine nature and sharing his deep love for nature and photography. His first season in Antarctica was in 2023, guiding and coaching photography. In his own words: “Having the privilege of witnessing the incredible and unique wild nature of the white continent is a life-changing experience, especially for photographers.” In his spare time, he loves exploring nature through climbing, hiking, and capturing the beauty of the natural world with his camera to help inspire and raise awareness of its protection.

German lives in Bariloche, a city in Patagonia's northern area. As a child, he sailed as a sailboat skipper and crew member, taking part in several ocean-racing regattas. Since 2010, he has guided multi-day kayaking expeditions in Southern Greenland and Patagonia. Surrounded by mountains and lakes, he also works as a kayaking and mountain-biking guide, spending his summers across the Andes between Argentina and Chile. He practices Telemark skiing and guides ski expeditions to the active volcanoes of the Chilean side of the Andes mountain range. German also organizes and teaches sea-kayaking courses in the lakes and seas of the region. He is trained in Wilderness First Aid mountain safety, certified by ACA (American Canoe Association), and has worked with Antarctica21 since 2016.

Hector is a Chilean sea kayaker who trained in Patagonia, Magallanes Region, where he has worked and enjoyed expeditions in the windy south for many years. Originally from central Chile, he has had a great passion and curiosity for nature since he was a child, captivated by both the mountains and the sea, although it was always the water that attracted him the most. His first job was in sailing during his adolescence, where he learned to sail monotype sailboats, opening the door for him to continue discovering the vast sea. In 2012, Hector started his career in ecotourism, majoring in sailing, which kept him close to his focus on expeditions and water activities. An adventure guide since 2016, Hector's first season after graduating was working as a Dive Master, then in the following season he traveled to Puerto Natales where he developed as a sea kayak guide, which has allowed him to continue paddling in Antarctica, Europe and South America.

Jenny Green, originally from Germany, now residing in Costa Rica, has been a dedicated guide and expedition leader in Antarctica since 2017. Her journey into polar exploration began during a transformative sabbatical, where she discovered a deep passion for the oceans and remote Polar Regions. This love led her to guiding roles in Antarctica, where she has accumulated extensive experience and knowledge. Jenny holds a degree in Business Administration and is a certified International Investment Analyst. However, her true calling in conservation and adventure led her to found a dive tour operator in the Galápagos Islands in 2017, integrating Citizen Science Dive Expeditions with shark scientists onboard. She also participates in a shark research project, helping study the endangered whale shark population as a research assistant. Fluent in German and English, with a solid understanding of Spanish, Jenny is also a certified Dive Master and Yoga Instructor.

Josh’s view of the world is shaped by the West coast of British Colombia, in the wild places surrounding his home of Squamish BC. A graduate of The University of British Colombia, he has worked on wildlife research throughout Western Canada, from the slopes of seabird breeding colonies to high alpine peaks. He has worked with international initiatives in Nicaragua on primate and sea turtle conservation and in Australia on Tasmanian Devil research. In addition to his conservation work, Josh works as a professional photographer in the winter, where he satisfies his love for powder skiing and enjoys sharing turns and smiles with guests from all over the world. He is trained in summer and winter rope systems, glacier travel and vertical rescue, and wilderness first aid. Josh is an accomplished skier and alpine climber, completing numerous remote trips in BC’s Coast Mountains. He is a passionate surfer, mountain biker, and photographer of the places and animals he works with.

Xu was born in Shanghai and came to Chile when he was 20 years old. He completed his college education in Chile. After graduation, he worked for a travel company as a tour guide. Over the course of a decade, he traveled to almost all the mountains, rivers, and seas in Chile from the furthest south to the furthest north. He has left his footprints from Arica in the north to Cape Horn in the south. Antarctica has always been his favorite place, though. Antarctica's creatures, plants, and beautiful scenery have always held a deep attraction for me. By joining Antarctica21, Xu has fulfilled his dream, and he will never be able to live without it again. Xu, also known as Dodo, looks forward to sharing the wonders of Antarctica with you.

Enrique was born in Germany and moved to the southern part of Chile at the age of three. With both parents working as scientists and owners of an underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle) manufacturing company, he was surrounded by equipment since he was a child and participated in all kinds of marine operations. Enrique has sailed on the fjords of Southern Chile for almost ten years and has recently participated in several marine wildlife filmmaking expeditions. He was responsible for driving zodiacs alongside marine mammals and in many different environments in all these operations. Enrique has developed skills in diving, mountaineering, and sailing. Outside of working as an Expedition Guide in the Antarctic, he works in the family business in Chile with firefighter rescue teams while studying and participating in sailing expeditions.

Wendy started life on a farm in northern New Zealand and has been recreating and working in the Great Outdoors ever since. This has led to a variety of occupations, from milking cows and persuading dairy farmers to dig cowshed effluent ponds, to teaching bushcraft to women’s groups, collecting vomit samples from albatross in the sub-Antarctic, trapping predators of native fauna, kayaking and snorkelling with university students in NZ and travelling the bush at night to survey Kiwi birds to name a few! Wendy headed out for some overseas experience in 1986. During these adventures she found her husband, Nigel, on Fair Isle (a seabird paradise in the far north of Scotland) and a passion for bird watching. Her travels have taken her to Asia, North & South America, central Europe, Antarctica, Southern Africa, Uganda, Madagascar, Australia, some South Pacific islands, Indonesia, Nepal, India, Iceland and East Greenland in search of wildlife. She has led wildlife tours throughout NZ, Shetland & Orkney, the Bay of Biscay and spent ten seasons as an expedition guide in the Peninsula region of Antarctica, 3 seasons in the Arctic and a few places in between. Wendy is looking forward to sharing her enthusiasm for the natural world with all our guests.

Born to the wilds of southern Tasmania, Dan grew up immersed in and inspired by the natural world. A desire for deeper understanding led him to study geography, botany, zoology and marine sciences, earning a Bachelor of Science. Since then, Dan sought roles keeping him outdoors, dedicated to facilitating others' connection with the greater-than-human world. Adventures on land and sea have taken Dan across the globe, often with camera in hand. He has sailed across Indonesia, roamed NZ’s Fiordland by packraft and foot, filmed the first winter ascent of Australia's tallest cliff face and bikepacked through Patagonia. Whether hunting for food beneath the waves or navigating rugged coastlines in his sea kayak, Dan finds joy traversing wild realms by human power, gravity and wind. With over a decade of experience as an outdoors educator, guide and cameraman, Dan is passionate about sharing a deep connection to nature and adventure. He currently works as a sea kayak guide and outdoor educator.

Kia ora koutou, ko Liam tōku ingoa. I come from the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming and New Zealand's West Coast river gorges. As an outdoor instructor, athlete, environmentalist, and artist, my career is inspired by a quasi Outward life style in Yellowstone and Kahurangi National Park. I've traveled the world as a white-water kayak instructor, sea kayak guide, conservationist, and festival organizer. After studying visual communication design and working as a health care and environmental service designer, I returned to my passion for rivers and the sea. I began my expedition guide career in 2015 and have since been exploring the Arctic, Antarctica, and the sub-Antarctic islands. When not on the ship, I teach kayaking in New Zealand or go on white-water expeditions in California, Chile, or India. I also enjoy drawing and photography. Reach out if you want to share the excitement of spotting whales or ice, capture landscape creatively, or translate Kiwi to American.

Veronica was born in Santiago, Chile, and joined Antarctica21 as Expedition Guide and Photographer in 2016. Her life is divided between working as a professional photographer, mountain guide/coach, and visual artist. More than anything, she loves being in the wild, a passion that has taken her to work in the outdoors all over the world.Veronica has participated in various mountaineering expeditions in the Chilean Andes, Bolivia, Ecuador, Patagonia, and Africa. In 2012, she started working in educational programs on team building and leadership ventures in the Atacama desert, Antarctica, and Patagonia.Veronica holds a Master's Degree in Visual Arts/Photography from Parsons The New School for Design. While living in New York City, she worked as a photographer and teacher. Her photographs have been published and exhibited in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and the U.S.A. Though her studio is in Santiago, her photo work is connected to where she is at any given moment.

Daria is a nature enthusiast and has been outdoors-oriented since childhood. She spends winters beyond the polar circle and summers in Scandinavia, guiding from snowmobiling, back-country skiing, and glacier hiking to sea kayaking. She became a certified wilderness and nature guide in her home country of beautiful Finland. She is a medical wilderness first responder and holds a boating certificate, as well as being a certified sea kayak guide. When Daria isn't working, she is ready for a new adventure or challenge, whether it be hiking in the mountains or sea kayaking, discovering new cultures, or even paragliding. She also continues studying wildlife and, in particular, the behavior of birds, believing we should all be more engaged with nature.

Victoria was born in Toronto, Ontario, and raised in Santiago, Chile. Since childhood, she has been interested in traveling, nature, and the environment, which led her to study Ecotourism. There, she found her passion for outdoor sports, such as trekking, mountaineering, and rock climbing, among others. She has worked as a guide logistics support and completed internships in different parts of Chile. She has obtained certifications in leaving no trace within tourism and completed an Antarctic Affairs Diploma in 2020. She really enjoys being outside observing the different flora and fauna, doing outdoor activities, and teaching others about nature and how to take care of the environment, which is one of her true passions.

Originally from China with a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Management, Zoy has worked for a tailor-made travel agency in China since 2014, focusing on taking groups to polar regions. There, she had several job titles: travel consultant, product planning, sales support, tour operation & tour leader. She's had many chances to lead groups to the Arctic, Europe, Central America, the Galapagos, South America, and Antarctica. In 2019, she joined the expedition cruise industry, working as a translator and expedition guide on board. She has experienced multiple wildlife expeditions in various remote areas in this world and is fascinated by every element of nature. She is passionate about sharing the most breathtaking scenes with every passenger in the polar regions. She looks forward to enjoying the varied wonders, splendid nature, and masterpieces at the end of this world with you, holding nature in awe and veneration.

Pai Pai is a native of Beijing, China, where she worked for several years as an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeon at China's top ENT hospital. Growing up, she split her time between China and France, where she completed seven years of her education. As a result, Pai Pai is trilingual, comfortably speaking English and French along with her native Mandarin Chinese. This facilitated her subsequent travels to almost 70 countries, often volunteering as an organizer, interpreter, and medical assistant along the way. Pai Pai's first time in Antarctica was as a guest on a 23-day expedition. Since then, her interest in Antarctic preservation grew rapidly, eventually leading her to join the expedition team as an interpreter and expedition guide. She then enrolled in expert courses on relevant subjects in Beijing and underwent training in Zodiac driving and rifle shooting in Australia.

Chris is a professional mountain runner born and raised in Chile. He has a degree in Adventure Project Management and is a Leave No Trace Instructor. His main passions and motivations are nature protection, environmental education and mountain sports along with the history of exploration and mountaineering. As a mountain guide, and especially as an athlete, he has used his career and sporting achievements such as speed records in ascending and descending mountains to inspire and share a passion for conservation, writing articles, giving talks and volunteering in environmental education. He firmly believes that leading by example is the best way to inspire new generations. As a professional with a voice, he feels he has a responsibility to pursue the changes necessary for a better future for our planet, especially when it comes to nature.

Kenn was born with a restless and adventurous spirit in Rhode Island on the east coast of the United States, where he spent his time wandering between the ocean and rivers. His travels eventually landed him in Alaska, where he mushed dog teams and became a wilderness kayak guide. For over two and a half decades, Kenn has led hundreds of paddling trips throughout remote and pristine areas of Alaska, the NWT of Canada, Greenland, Svalbard, and Antarctica. Kenn also enjoys cycling and hiking, pedaling across North America, New Zealand, and the Hawaiian Islands, and hiking the Appalachian Trail. Currently, Kenn spends his winters working in Antarctica as a history lecturer and zodiac driver and summers guiding in Southeast Alaska. Gregarious and easy-going, Kenn makes his home between the mountains and sea at the mouth of Glacier Bay in Gustavus, Alaska.

Laura grew up in London, but in 2009 headed north to Scotland and now lives by the sea in Orkney. She earned a BSc in geography at the University of St Andrews, and this is where she first heard about working in Antarctica. She was lucky to be chosen to work for the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust for the 2015-16 season at Port Lockroy, living on Goudier Island for four months with three colleagues and over 1000 gentoo penguins for company. She caught the polar bug and, in 2018-19, headed back south to work and live in an old whaling station in South Georgia for the South Georgia Heritage Trust. Laura has worked as an outdoor instructor in Canada, Switzerland, and Scotland between her polar stints. She loves sharing her knowledge of the environment, guiding people up mountains, and exploring the sea. She most recently completed a diploma in primary teaching and enthusiastically shared her Antarctic adventures with her class of 9-year-olds, hoping to inspire the next generation of explorers!

The love of Nature, Wildlife and the beauty of Planet Earth is Ana's "leitmotif”. As a professional photographer she earned experience in a renowned studio as well as diverse magazines specializing in travel, wildlife and extreme sports. Ana co-founded her photo studio in Argentina and has a degree from the University of Barcelona. In 2002 she started working as a photographer, equestrian, hiking and kayaking guide for extreme sports companies in the Pyrenees, Spain. Then she became an expert guide in Central Asia and co-managed the Silk Route for five years. Ana has worked on GPI vessels sailing in expeditions to Greenland, Baffin Bay, Canada, Svalbard, the Chilean Fiords and other remote places. As a zodiac driver, she participated in the SAR team of Doctors Without Borders in the Mediterranean Crisis. She has been with Antarctica21 since 2012. More recently, Ana has spent time back in Argentina, where she was born.

Nigel has always had an interest in the outdoors and wildlife initially visiting Antarctica as a chef where he completed 6 summers and 3 winters on British research stations. At Signy Island in 1993, he learned to scuba dive and from late 1994 to early 1997 he was at Rothera Station, during which time he claims to have become the world expert on the birds there! In 1998 he became the proud recipient of the British Antarctic Survey’s Fuchs Medal. In 1998-9 he was one of the teams at the Port Lockroy Museum and spent the winter of 2000 volunteering on Macquarie Island helping a team studying Elephant Seals. Following that, he began working as an ornithologist and naturalist on expedition cruise ships in the Polar regions and, since then has completed over 170 voyages to many parts of Antarctica, and 9 seasons in the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere. He is, passionate about all things Antarctic and is looking forward to sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge with our guests.

Rodrigo is a Marine biologist, guide and professional photographer who has been passionate about everything related to nature since childhood. His work on scientific expeditions with marine mammals introduced him to photography and today he has become a well-known and much-respected wildlife photographer. Many of his images have been published in various magazines and books that specialize in nature photos and education. Today he works as creative director, expeditions guide, teacher, and media coordinator for Antarctica21 and has been visiting Antarctica for more than 12 years.

Growing up in rural South Wales with a family deeply connected to Antarctica and the Polar Regions in general, Teal's upbringing instilled a passion for remote environments and adventure. He began white-water kayaking at the age of 10 and quickly fell in love with the sport, exploring rivers in Wales, Scotland, France, Austria, and Ecuador. His passion for kayaking eventually led him to discover sea kayaking, which has taken him to some of the most breathtaking coastlines in the world, including the West Coast of Scotland, Lofoten Islands , Sweden, and Greece. For the past few years, Teal has been working on expedition ships, where his youthful energy and love for the water has inspired all who travel with him.

Jas was born in London and had previously worked in the nuclear fission industry before pivoting to a career in Antarctic science. Jas was working as an Electronics engineer at Halley station on the Brunt Ice shelf, tracking the break-up of the ice shelf by installing GPS and laser trackers along Chasm 1. After he found himself on the JCR, a science cruise ship conducting research in the southern ocean. Jas then spent 18 months at Rothera base on the peninsula tracking aurora and maintaining the communication infrastructure for the base. After that, he spent 2 months flew flying around the continent and camping to install remote scientific instrumentation and fuel depots to ensure future science could be facilitated. One notable project was Beamish in which he was in charge of removing instrumentation 2000m under the ice down a borehole.

Karen hails from Santiago, Chile and her passion for the natural world comes from years of traveling and exploring the quiet wilderness far from the city. Karen holds a degree in Ecotourism specializing in outdoor education and teamwork development. She has experience in teaching, guiding, and backpacking. Karen worked as an instructor for an outdoor education institute focused on tourism for four years and then shifted careers in 2016 to work as an Expedition Guide on board ships in Antarctica. The cold air of the polar regions, challenging work, and friendships captivated Karen to continue exploring and connecting with the outdoors. Along the way, she developed a passion for photography, yoga, and mindful living. Karen is enthusiastic to raise awareness about the world’s most isolated continent, observing its greatness to learn about our planet. She is always happy to return to Antarctica’s beauty and she hopes to connect with others to become ambassadors of this sacred place.

Willie is from Chile and has had a 28-year career, guiding from the Atacama Desert to Cape Horn in Chile. He started scuba diving in 1993 becoming a Divemaster, later worked as an NACD Cave Diver in Mexico. When studying Ecotourism, he started mountaineering, taking that to a professional level. He has been guiding in South America for many years, including the "Aconcagua" (6.962 mts). In 2014 he was a guide and base camp manager for an Everest Expedition in Nepal. His first steps in the white continent were in 2006, leading multi day technical expeditions on land, setting campsites in the Antarctic peninsula. He has been part of Antarctica21 since 2015, as Mountain Guide. He believes strongly that Antarctica is one of the last pristine corners of the planet, where the human being is still considered as equal and not feared by its wonderful creatures, thus offering a unique opportunity to experience them "up close". Now he guides year round in Antarctica and also in the Arctic.

Brent joins the Antarctica21 team with a true passion for the natural world and the ocean. Although he grew up on the east coast of the US, after twenty-five years of exploring wild Alaska as a guide, naturalist and boat captain, he now calls Seward, Alaska home. Brent has a degree in Environmental Studies from Prescott College, which has led him to countless days in the field across the Western US, Canada, Mexico, Patagonia and Nepal. He is also a USCG licensed captain and makes his living in the Gulf of Alaska as a captain, running wildlife and glacier tours. Brent has worked as a naturalist in the Antarctic Peninsula region since 2017. He loves drawing connections between the ice filled waters of his home port and the far reaches of the south. When Brent is not working on the water, he is usually playing on the water. He is an enthusiastic, if not obsessed, sailor, surfer, fisherman and kayaker. He is owner and sailor of two sailboats, one in Alaska and one in Baja, Mexico.

Ignacio is originally from the foothills of central Chile, where his love for nature began. In 2010, he entered the world of ecotourism and sailing, which unleashed his passion for the sea and outdoor sports. For six years, since 2015, Ignacio has lived near the northern ice field in Chilean Patagonia, where he worked in tourism, conducting navigations and glacier hikes. There, he was lucky enough to explore these ice giants and get to know some of the beautiful fauna and flora that live there and its surroundings. Since 2018 he has been teaching sailing in a university, facilitating and sharing the knowledge of this occupation. In recent years, he has provided logistical support and nautical services to scientific expeditions and audiovisual projects, expanding his sailing experience. Ignacio joined Antarctica21 in 2023, where he enjoys continuing to learn, sharing his love for nature and helping others to connect with the beauty of our planet.

Kuba is from Germany and he first developed a passion for the wilderness and the outdoors when he moved to New Zealand back in 2010. In New Zealand, he studied to become a glacier guide and received the certificate “Hard Ice Guide” from the New Zealand Mountain Guide Association. His longing for further adventures took him to places where he could work on the ice and get more experience in places such as Iceland, Chile, Canada, Norway, and the Arctic. During this time he had the chance to further develop his skills through various courses like the “Wilderness First Responder”. He also went to Greenland to complete the “Arctic Survival & Polar Course”, this course was to prepare him for adventures in our Polar regions. It was all his adventures and experience that finally led him to the Antarctic. When Kuba is not working on the ice, you might find him skiing, hiking, or paragliding down the mountains.

Anaís was born in Santiago, Chile, and was raised in an outdoor lifestyle. She has always loved being in the mountains, diving, camping, and traveling through the most beautiful places, especially in Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia. This half Chilean half-Polish woman is now fully dedicated to photography. She started taking photos in high school, but over the past few years has worked with many different expeditions, guiding and teaching photography. She particularly wants to capture images of the flora and fauna of our planet and the beautiful landscapes surrounding us, bringing nature's wonders to everyone around her. Anaís always looks for new adventures, especially in places with stunning views, photo opportunities, and cold weather.

Jeff is from British Columbia, Canada, received his B.Sc. in biology from the University of Victoria, and has worked extensively for over a decade in British Columbia, Alaska, and the high arctic in marine environmental consulting. He feels that it is important to understand how the ecosystems you’re in, work from the top down, in order to fully appreciate areas for their biodiversity and interconnectedness. Jeff has been working as a lecturer on various expedition ships for 8 years from exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, and circumnavigating Iceland, to leading expeditions on Canada’s rugged west coast and southeast Alaska. The Antarctic has always been a source of fascination for Jeff ever since he was in grade school and had a map of the Antarctic continent on his bedroom wall. Now he’s grateful to be able to share his passion and knowledge of this incredible place with everyone who visits.

Manuel is a Chilean geologist with a PhD in Sciences, majoring in Geology, from the University of Chile. Since 2014, he has been an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Earth Sciences of the Austral University of Chile. His research focuses on the evolution of the Earth’s mantle. Based on the study of mantle rocks from southern South America, his investigations have contributed to a better understanding of the origin of Patagonia and its relationship with Antarctica and other continental blocks from the Gondwana and Rodinia supercontinents. Also, he is one of the pioneers working on the conservation of the abiotic component of nature in Chile. Since 2007, he has conducted research and outreach initiatives related to geodiversity and geological heritage, promoting education in geosciences, and the development of local communities through geotourism. He promoted the creation of the Kütralkura UNESCO Global Geopark, the first in Chile recognized under this international category.

Known as Snowy, Graeme is from Adelaide, South Australia, and has a professional background in electronics and telecommunications engineering. He joined the Australian Antarctic Division as a Radio Technical Officer in 1990, wintering at Casey station in 1991 and spending a total of 16 months there. Since then he has spent a further 4 summers working and living at Australian stations as well as numerous visits to stations of other countries. He has spent much time at sea on extended research voyages in the Southern Ocean and he has been involved in many field research programs as a field assistant in areas as diverse as glaciology, oceanography, penguin and seabird monitoring and research, seal and krill biology, whale observations and acoustics. In the polar regions he has visited much of East Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falklands, South Georgia, Heard Is. and many other subs- Antarctic islands, as well as Iceland, the Svalbard archipelago and Greenland in the north.

Qi Su, a graduate of Beihang University with an English degree, has accumulated extensive and valuable working experience in Beijing and Chile. During her stay in Chile, she has worked as a Senior Consultant for the Asia Market in the Sales Department at Antarctica21, which was a great success. Now she has established herself in Germany. Venturing into a new chapter of her life, Qi Su is poised to embrace the role of a Chinese interpreter. In her visionary scope, she wishes to help Chinese-speaking passengers to seamlessly engage in profound cultural exchanges including experts, explorers, and fellow global travellers. Furthermore, she will help them to have an enriching journey and unforgettable Antarctic memories. Through her endeavors, she aims to raise awareness about our planet's fragile ecosystems, underscoring its profound impact on our collective existence. Her dedication to nurturing this awareness will serve as a catalyst for inspiring proactive efforts aimed at preserving and safeguarding the Earth for generations to come.

Cristián is a marine biologist from Chile and has worked in the high latitudes since 2010. Cristián, raised in Chile's central valleys, has committed his professional life to seabird research. He has expertise in the ecology and conservation of sensitive albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, and penguins. The Humboldt Current System, Cape Horn, the Drake Passage, and their connection with Antarctica are some examples of areas where Cristián has dedicated his work to understand and communicate how seabirds are linked to human-related factors such fisheries bycatch, plastic pollution, invasive species in colonies, and climate change. He has made over 70 contributions among scientific publications, working documents, and book chapters as a result of his scientific partnerships. Additionally, Cristián participates in the multilateral Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) and is an associate editor for the scientific journal Marine Ornithology.

Daniel is a naturalist guide, specialized in navigation and organizing complex logistics in remote and wild areas. He grew up in a small village in southern Patagonia, where he was in constant contact with nature, surrounded by forests, rivers and lakes. This made him very aware of the territory to which he belonged, its beauty, difficulty and frailty, and led him to study tourism and train as a guide in different areas. In 2007 he started to navigate in the coast of Patagonia and found his vocation in the fiords of the region. With his wife they created a small tourist company called Destino Patagonia, and since then he has led many expeditions in the fjords that combine complex logistics for scientists and specialized groups. Usually in places were the sea meets with land and amazing glaciers from the Northern Ice Field. He lives between Coyhaique and the small town of Puerto Tranquilo were his home and company are, always connected to nature and planning new expeditions.

Kaz has spent her life chasing adventures. She’s travelled the world climbing, hiking, diving, open ocean sailing, flying paragliders, and airplanes. She has a real passion for enabling others to experience, and to be enriched by the natural world, especially remote wilderness zones where you can truly experience nature in its powerful rawness and beauty. When not guiding or on an adventure, Kaz lives in the mountains of North East Victoria, Australia, and works in health promotion and is training to be a commercial helicopter pilot and while completing her PhD.

Jonathan is from the UK and has been directly involved with Antarctica for over 50 years. He has spent 2 winters and 19 summer seasons working on this amazing continent. To start with, he was a Glaciologist with the British Antarctic Survey, arriving in Antarctica in November 1973 and leaving in April 1976. Most of his professional life, he has worked as a land surveyor – in the Antarctic he used surveying tools to study the dynamics of ice shelves and glaciers. During his time as a scientist, Jonathan spent over 400 nights living in a tent and travelled over 6000miles on skidoos. He has worked for Antarctica21 since 2013. His main role on board is as a presenter, specialising in History, Science and Politics. Quite simply, he loves talking about the Antarctic – many tales to tell! Jonathan comes from a Polar family – his Father and Son have both spent considerable time working in Antarctica. In 1988 he was awarded the Polar Medal for his Antarctic work and he is the current president of the UK Antarctic Club.

Elena’s love for adventure began at an early age while growing up in the Pacific Northwest of the US. With ample mountains and forests to explore, she began her guiding career as a ski instructor and hiking guide. When she ventured to Antarctica for the first time in 2014, she fell in love with the remote beauty of the region and has been working down south, as well as up in the Arctic, ever since. Elena recently completed her Masters degree in Environmental Policy in Boulder, Colorado specializing in land & ocean conservation management. She is excited to share her passion, enthusiasm, knowledge about the polar regions with you. When she is not working on an expedition ship, you can find her skiing, running, climbing, or packrafting all over the world.

Maggie's passion for the polar regions was ignited during her first visit to the North Pole in 2017. Her studies at that time focused on the lives, cultures, and challenges of Arctic indigenous peoples and the impacts of climate change on their communities. After graduation, she traveled extensively as a polar guide in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions, serving as a naturalist, Zodiac driver, and citizen science coordinator. As an avid nature and wildlife enthusiast, Maggie actively participates in bird surveys and biodiversity research projects back home at Wenyuhe Park in Beijing. In addition to her fieldwork, she is a keen coder, aspiring to leverage technology to contribute to the betterment of the polar regions. Maggie is excited to join you on your journey to Antarctica, where she looks forward to sharing her passion and knowledge about this extraordinary region. She is fluent in Russian, English, and Chinese.

You can call her Chacha, although she doesn't know how to dance. Born in Guangdong, China, Chacha decided to try something completely different and quit her well-paying marketing job to go on a working holiday in New Zealand picking apples. An adventurer, she has also been backpacking alone in distant South America since 2013. Camping in the snow, hiking for days across sand dunes, kayaking at night traversing Lake Inca, and volunteering in a remote Amazonian minority village. Chacha relishes the challenge and was curious to find out the secrets of South American optimism. Chinese translator, senior tour guide, Chinese teacher at Chile's Bernardo O'Higgins University, masseuse... She believes that those varied job titles only mean that she can help others in more ways. If you ask her why she chose to work in the harsh Antarctic climate, she can tell you in Mandarin, Cantonese, English, Spanish, or Portuguese that her life is full of colors, especially this unique white!