Meet the Antarctic Dream Classic Expedition team

Staff and crew

Guides

Rodrigo Tapia

Ornithologist

Born in Valparaíso, Chile, Rodrigo is one of our oldest Expedition Staff members, having sailed on board the Antarctic Dream since we began operations back in 2005. He has explored Chile´s whole length from the Northern Altiplano to Cape Horn while conducting research on bird biology. He came to Antarctica for the first time in 1991, and since then he has been visiting the White Continent both as a researcher and lecturer/guide, including the last four seasons on board of our vessel.

Member of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Chilean Ornithologists Union, Member of the Directors Board of the Chilean Bird & Wildlife Research Network. Founder and member of the Chile Bird Festival executive committee.

He works as a researcher and birding guide in Chile and Southern Argentina, as an ornithological consultant and guide instructor for several nature-oriented hotels and lodges, and in environmental education projects with schools.

Rodrigo Moraga

Biologist

Marine biologist, guide and professional nature photographer, Rodrigo has dedicated his life to the study of marine mammals of Chile and to capture nature through his camera's eye. This year he will complete almost 20 trips to Antarctica with Antarctic Dream (4 years), which has allowed him to become an experience guide for every landing and a skilled zodiac driver when needed.

Diego Araya

Marine biologist

Born in Santiago de Chile, Diego is a Marine Biologist and Wildlife Photographer. He has lived in Patagonia since 2004 and has become a well known Photo safari guide and animal photographer. He continues his research and teaches as well. In 2009 he joined Antarctic Dream as a lecturer in Marine Mammals sharing his knowledge in wildlife and Photography, always a smile on his face. He speaks both English and French.

Pia Mancilla Hradilek

German guide

Born in Chile but raised in Germany, Pia Mancilla was educated in both countries. As a Law graduate of the Catholic University of Valparaiso and with tourism studies, Pia has been dedicated at different times to both professions. She was an active member of Greenpeace for several years. In recent years she specialized in the Chilean Patagonia, where she lives with her family. In 2009 she joined the team of Antarctic Dream.

Annick Morgenthaler

Bioligist

Annick Morgenthaler is a Swiss biologist and naturalist based in Puerto Deseado, Patagonia Argentina. She works as a researcher for the National University of Austral Patagonia, where she studies seabirds and marine mammals. Her passion for birdwatching and nature led her to travel and to lead groups in various parts of the Southern Cone. Since 2007, she has been taking part in Antarctic Expeditions, first on the tallship Europa and then on the Antarctic Dream, as an onboard lecturer about wildlife and ecology, guide and zodiac driver.

Rudolf Thomann

Natural scientist

PhD in natural sciences of the University of Hamburg, Germany, Rudolf works currently in Santiago, as a professor of Ecotourism. He has been participating in tourism projects throughout the country for more than 20 years and in Antarctic tourism as a lecturer on board many vessels since 1994. Very much involved in environmental issues, he is part of the board of directors of the oldest Chilean non-governmental and environmental organization, CODEFF. Lives in both Santiago and Panguipulli (in the lake/river district), Rudolf is married, and has two daughters.

Maximiliano Agüero

Zodiac driver

Born in Ushuaia, Maximiliano first navigated these Antarctic waters with his father, a very experienced zodiac driver. Over the years, Maxi has become a very experienced zodiac driver in Antarctica himself, and joined our staff in 2008. He is also in charge of all equipment, expedition gear and zodiac maintenance.

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