I’ve traveled to Antarctica, for only the cost of airfare to/from Ushuaia, 3 different times on Quark Expeditions expeditions. I did it as the Expedition Physician and I’d do it again as almost any staff member, including the boot cleaner. It is an amazing experience and any of the staff jobs allow ample time to enjoy the experience. It’s more than mountains and snow although you could certainly see it that way, just as you could see ANY place as just trees and/or buildings and/or waterfalls or whatever.

BTW, if you choose to go, and can spend an extra week and few $$$$, the Falklands and particularly South Georgia Island (SGI) are absolutely amazing. Prior to my visit, I had never even heard of SGI. After my first trip, which was the usual 21-22 day Falklands/SGI/Antarctica trip, if I could choose just one place to re-visit, it would be SGI. Not many places where you land on a beach in a Zodiac, walk for 15 minutes past hundreds of seals, over a small rise and are confronted by several hundred thousand pairs of penguins. Incredible.

Now that Aerolineas Argentinas (AA) will be joining Skyteam, getting to Ushuaia using miles should be much easier as AA is the major airline in and out of Ushuaia.