Arctic

An Arctic holiday is without doubt one of the world’s greatest travel experiences guaranteeing surreal and breathtaking polar landscapes inhabited by some of the most impressive wildlife anywhere on the planet.

Unlike Antarctica, the Arctic is not a continent but instead is a region comprising the northernmost territories of eight Arctic states including Norway, Canada and Russia. Half of the year the land is covered in darkness whilst for the other half the midnight sun burns constantly. At its very heart is the North Pole providing one of the great challenges for explorers and adventurers for many centuries.

With winter pack ice more than 10ft thick and constantly drifting icebergs in the summer, the Arctic remains one of the world’s last uncharted regions. Yet the Arctic Ocean, the smallest and shallowest on Earth, is surprisingly rich in marine and bird life and the surrounding land masses are replete with mammals who have adapted to this seemingly inhospitable environment. The arch predator of the Arctic region is the majestic Polar bear – top of most travellers must-see lists - however reindeer, Arctic fox, snowy owls, caribou and muskox will also delight the wildlife enthusiast. And, in the chill Arctic waters, seals, walrus, orcas and belugas all provide exciting wildlife viewing opportunity.

Alongside the abundant birds and mammals, the Arctic provides a home to many indigenous groups such as the Inuit people who live their lives, often in the harshest of conditions, still retaining many of their unique cultures and traditions.

To take you into the heart of this constantly astounding land we our Arctic Highlights cruise travels from Spitsbergen to Greenland and then to Iceland, whilst our Realm of the Polar Bear in Depth tour reaches the northern extremes of the Svalbard Archipelago.

All tours use the comfortable M/S Expedition boat embarking from the remote Norwegian town of Longyearbyen. You’ll experience the midnight sun whilst cruising through ever-shifting ice floes, past towering glaciers and massive icebergs and there will be ample opportunity to view roaming bears, grazing reindeer and vast colonies of seabirds with daily Zodiac excursions and shore landings. You’ll also learn about the fragile ecology and fascinating history of the polar region from expert guides.

The M/S Expedition will provide a high level of comfort throughout your cruise with spacious cabins, excellent facilities and great food. In fact, whichever Arctic holiday you choose, you will undoubtedly be moved by the stark beauty and wondrous wildlife of one of the world’s most remote and spectacular destinations.

• Location: The Arctic is home to the North Pole and is made up of a vast ice-covered ocean, with 8 countries extending into the Arctic Circle, including Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Greenland, USA (Alaska), and Canada. These countries form the ‘Arctic Council’.
• Wildlife: Common wildlife include the polar bear, walrus, Arctic fox, seals and migratory birds.
• Population: Unlike the Antarctica, the Arctic Circle is home to a sparse population, with approximately 4 million natives.
• Did you know: The Arctic has only six months of sunlight a year, with the remaining months in unbroken darkness.
• FCDO advice: FCDO travel advice for Norway

When is the best time to visit the Arctic?

Cruises to the Arctic only take place during the summer months of June to September. This is when the sea ice recedes allowing ships and boats to pass through. Pack ice in the water is still in evidence in June, but it is not thick enough to prevent the reinforced expedition vessels setting out on their voyages of discovery. The summer months are also when the Arctic becomes the land of the midnight sun - enjoying 24 hours of daylight and therefore endless opportunities to view and photograph the landscape and wildlife.

Travel in June and you will see polar bears and their cubs hunting for food and preying on seals on the ice floes after the long, lean winter months.

July and August are the warmest and and most active months for taking an Arctic cruise. Flowers are in full bloom and the wildlife revels in the warmer temperatures with many species rearing their young and making the most of the plentiful supply of food. Birds, walrus, seals, foxes, migrating whales (such as minke, humpback, fin and even blue) and, of course, the majestic polar bear will all hopefully be seen.

As September draws to an end, the temperatures fall, skies darken and the seas close in again bringing an end to the time to visit for another year.