polar bears in the arctic expedition cruise

The Arctic

  • Destination Info

    The Arctic, an ocean surrounded by land, a place whose dramatic primal beauty evokes feelings of rare intensity. From the unspoilt coastline of the Russian Far East and the Northeast Passage, to the majestic Arctic Norway; the archipelago of Svalbard; the fjords of Greenland; the geology of Iceland to the mythical Northwest Passage an expedition cruise to the Arctic is a rare opportunity to escape into the immensity of this region and experience wildlife and flora seen nowhere else in the world.

    From the dauntless early Vikings right through history to our modern day explorers, the exploration of the Arctic is imbued with romance, set against a backdrop of stunning beauty and wildlife. The home of the polar bear, walrus, narwhal, delicate flora and an incredible array of seabirds. The vast wilderness of the Arctic will astound you with its rich history, stunning scenery and wildlife.

    The arctic watermark
    The Arctic
    Dance under the Aurora Borealis
    Cross the Arctic Circle
    Land on the North Pole
    Snorkel with Orca
  • Highlights & Wildlife
    Highlights

    High Arctic highlight: Dance Under the Aurora Borealis

    The magical dancing lights of the Aurora Borealis are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere.

    Pale green and pink are the most common colours of the Auroral display, although shades of red, yellow, green, blue and violet have been reported. The lights of the aurora take many different forms from patches or scattered clouds of light to streamers, arcs, rippling curtains or shooting rays that light up the sky with an eerie glow.

    Best during late-Aug & Sep
    The Unicorn of the Sea

    High Arctic highlight: Search for the elusive Narwhal

    The name ‘Narwhal’ is Old Norse in origin. The Latin name translates to one tooth, one horn. There are only two teeth in the narwhal, both in the upper jaw. The tusk is one-third to one-half as long as the head and body and sometimes reaches a length of 300 cm. In rare cases the right tooth also forms a tusk. Occasionally one or even two tusks develop in a female. The tusk of the Narwhal is made up of a stunning ivory. The spiral structure gives it the appearance of twisted taffy – no wonder it was sold in the middle ages as unicorn horn!

    Baffin Island highlight: Live like the locals

    Baffin Island Inuits live on the largest island in the Arctic Archipelago and in the territory of Nunavut, Canada. Baffin Island has been inhabited by the Inuits for thousands of years. As descendants of the Thule, who expanded eastward across Canada from Alaska in the 12th and 13th centuries, Baffin Island Inuits (like other modern Inuit) share biological and cultural links with their Thule ancestors.

    The Baffin Island Inuit display considerable regional diversity in both dialect and culture. Those in the far north belong to the Iglulik (Igloolik), who also live on the mainland. The remaining groups often collectively referred to as the South Baffin Island Inuit are concentrated along the rugged east coast. Regions include Cumberland Sound and Frobisher Bay, and along the north shore of Hudson Strait. The latter share many cultural traits with the Labrador Inuit on the other side of Hudson Strait, which was frequently crossed for trading purposes. The use of oral history and traditional knowledge provided by Inuit groups and elders helps to clarify their unique perspectives on pre-European modes of life.

    Local Inuit cultures
    Stand on top of the world!

    North Pole highlight: You can only go South

    Imagine standing on the only spot on the planet where no matter which direction you step it will always be South. The North Pole is the northernmost point on Earth. It is the exact point of the intersection of the Earth’s axis and its surface.

    At 90 degrees north, it’s only possible to travel south and all lines of longitude meet there. With Polaris, the North Star directly overhead of the North Pole it has been a central navigation point throughout the centuries. Lying in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean the North Pole is usually covered with ice making landing possible.

    Wrangel Island highlight: Home of the mighty Polar Bear

    The last place on earth where mammoths are said to have survived. Lying in the Arctic Ocean on the 180° meridian between the Chukchi Sea and Eastern Siberian Sea is Wrangel Island. Remote and isolated its closest neighbour is 60 km to the east is the rocky Herald Island.

    In 1976, Wrangel Island was established as a Nature Reserve by the Russian Government. The declaration as a Nature Reserve allows the protection of colonies of Snow geese, Polar bears and walrus that flourish on the Island. The Reserve is one of the most treasured sanctuaries in Russia.

    Wrangel Island is inhabited by approximately 100 Eastern Siberian Yupik and Chukchi people in a small village called Ushakovskoe. The village also serves as a base camp for up to 30 seasonal reserve staff. A strict protocol has been established for entry into the Reserve, with only official personnel and invited guests being allowed to enter, ensuring the Reserves protection and the sustainability of this precious region.

    Best during May, Jun & July
    Wildlife

    Polar Bear

    It could be said the Polar beat epitomises the Arctic. The sight of such an impressive silky white bear wandering the frozen Arctic seas in search of seals symbolizes the cold, remote nature of the Arctic. Polar bears are marine mammals because they spend so much of their lives away from land. In the high Arctic where there is sea ice to travel on, Polar bears range over ice floes in the pack ice hunting seals all summer. In areas like the southern Hudson Bay and southern Svalbard they are simply forced to come ashore. Polar bears rarely venture inland.

    Fact:

    While Polar bears appear to have white fur, it is actually transparent and their black skin give the impression that their fur is white. They are the largest of all land-based carnivores and exceptionally fast able to travel at speeds of up to 40kph.

    Musk Ox

    Aside from the Polar bear, the Musk ox is probably the most truly Arctic of the northern land mammals. It is often said to be an artifact species surviving from the late Pleistocene and the last ice age. Of course, all living Arctic animals are somehow survivors of the last ice age, but the Musk ox looks the part more. Musk oxen have historically been associated with the hunting cultures of early mankind. Their meat and hides have been used for food, clothing, and shelter, while their horns and bones were carved to make tools and crafts. Currently natural populations exist in Arctic areas from northern Canada to Greenland at very high latitudes, and introduced populations exist in northern Europe, Russia, and Alaska.

    Fact:

    So well adapted to the Arctic tundra, the Musk Oxen's hooves are so strong they can break through solid ice get to the water that lies beneath.

    Walrus

    The walrus is the largest pinniped in the Arctic and is nearly devoid of hair. It has distinctive tusks which are used as levers to move its heavy body on land, and as weapons. Walruses occupy a nearly circumpolar distribution in three distinct populations, the Atlantic, Pacific and the Laptev Sea. They are very easily recognized for their large tusks in both males and females. Male’s tusks are usually longer. Males are 3–4 times larger than females (about 1700 kg v. 400 kg). Only the two species of elephant seals are larger pinnipeds. Walruses also have very stiff beard bristles, called vibrissae, which grow up to 30cm in length. The vibrissae are important for foraging and get worn down fairly quickly and are regrown every year.

    Fact:

    Walrus love shellfish, it's is by far their most favourite food. Diving to the ocean's depths, they use their hyper sensitive whiskers to detect shellfish in the darkness. According to one study, Walrus can apparently consume upwards of 4,000 clams in one sitting.

    Arctic Tern

    Relatively small the Arctic Tern has light grey underparts, darker grey upper parts, and a black cap when in breeding plumage. Their long, forked tails and slender wings, provide them with exceptional manoeuvrability. With the ability to hover, they can quickly swoop in to collect food or steal it from other species. As the Northern winter falls the Tern’s set off on an epic migration from the Arctic to Antarctica.

    Fact:

    Arctic Terns have one of the long migration routes of all birds, travelling over 90,000 kilometers each year. So long are their migrations routes, that the Arctic Tern has mastered the art of gliding so well, that it can glide, sleep and remain on course.

    Blue Whale

    The blue whale is the largest animal to ever have lived on earth. The largest specimen measured was killed in the south Atlantic and processed at Grytviken in South Georgia. It was 31.4 m long and about 100 tonnes. Blue whales have a broad, mottled back with very small dorsal fin positioned far back. Due to hunting they are uncommon in the northern hemisphere, but good populations still occur along the central California coast and in the Gulf of St.Lawrence. They have a very tall and straight blow by which they can be identified at a distance.

    Fact:

    The Blue whale as we all know is the largest of all animals to have existed, however it is also one the loudest animal and in spite of its incredible size, its feeds off one of the smallest life forms on the planet, Krill.

    Harp Seal

    With the big black eyes and impeccable white coats, Harp seals are one of the most famous seals in the Arctic. Hunting of the young pups,pure white coats created considerable controversy during the 1980s. The ‘whitecoat’ hunting has been stopped, but other hunting continues.

    Harp seals are found in the Arctic Atlantic ranging from the waters surrounding Greenland and Newfoundland to the Cara and Barents Seas of Russia. During breeding they segregate into three very distinct populations based on where they breed.

    Fact:

    At around 7 years for the males and 12 years for the females a harp-shaped marking appears on the seals coat and this is where their names comes from.

  • Adventure Activities

    Arctic Kayaking

    Glide through the Arctic waters discovering dramatic fjords, majestic icebergs and a plethora of Arctic wildlife. Walrus, Seals, Arctic hare, massive Bowheads, playful Belugas and the elusive Narwhal ply the icy waters, while Polar bear, Musk ox, breathtaking flora and hundreds of migrating birds make their home on shore and in the cliffs.

    Best during Mar - Sep
    Best during Mar - Sep

    Polar Snorkelling

    It’s where the land, the sea, the air and the ice all meet. Allowing those who do not polar scuba dive to explore the Arctic sea from below is a unique adventure.

    Polar Diving

    Scuba diving in the Arctic is a unique diving experience; where icebergs, drifting pack ice, seal holes and the Arctic sea floor creates exception opportunities. The beauty of the Arctic extends far beyond its pristine white landscapes. Lying beneath the untouched white is a unique world that few have ever experienced.

    Best during Mar - Sep
    Best during Mar - Sep

    Arctic Photography

    Expeditions’ create a lifetime of memories, helping you to immortalise these on camera are photography guides.Technical advice and hints will be given in the field, lectures during the voyage and in pre-departure workshops. These expeditions are suitable for the amateur photographer to the more experienced.

    Swim with Orca!

    There are very few places you can swim with Orcas. Our expeditions from Norway operates when the herring are migrating bringing these beautiful mammals to the region. These expeditions operate in the Northern hemisphere winter with the light giving way to excellent photography opportunities in the crystal clear water. This is a truly remarkable adventure and expedition.

    Best during Mar - Sep

    Please consider

    Our polar adventure activity programs are meticulously prepared by some of the world’s most experienced guides. All expedition adventure activities are subject to weather and environmental conditions. Adventure activities are not available on all expeditions or regions and will be operated at the discretion of the expedition leader

  • Gallery
  • History & Facts

    Did you know?...

    The vastness, remoteness and wildness of the Arctic evoke different images for different people. You may immediately imagine an ice-covered polar waste, perhaps with a polar bear ambling along. Others may think of the Inuit, the Sámi, or the Pomor who are the people of the north. Perhaps the image will be of adventure and exploration reaching back to the Viking age or more recently the race for the North Pole along with its subsequent controversies.

    To the Greeks, Arktis was the constellation of the Great Bear (Greek arktos = bear) – a constellation that was always found in the northern sky. Eventually the name of that constellation came to refer to the far north as a geographical region, the Arctic.

    The Arctic is not so easily defined as the Antarctic. There is no polar continent as in the south. Instead an ice-covered polar ocean is surrounded by North America and Eurasia. Consequently, there is no political definition of the Arctic. Eight different countries have sovereign territory within the area: Canada, Denmark (Greenland-Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States.

    There are various ways to define the southern limits of the Arctic. Geographically, the Arctic Circle (66° 33’ north) is one of the most common ways to define the Arctic. Because we are interested in the environment and the wildlife, the best way to describe the Arctic may be with environmental criteria. The northern limit of trees is a convenient border of the Arctic – the transition where the forested areas of the south give way to the unique, treeless tundra of the north.

    This largely coincides with areas with an average July temperature of 10°C. So far north, ice in the form of glaciers, sea ice, or permafrost in the ground shapes the land and affects the lives of all plants and animals. Using the tree line as a definition, the Arctic extends as far south as 52° north by Labrador and the Aleutians and just touches the mainland of Norway, at about 71° north.
    It is this physical connection with the continents to the south – their plants, their wildlife and their people – that has made the Arctic such a fascinating mixture of the familiar, the unusual and the spectacular.

    What are the Northern Lights?

    Answer:

    The Northern Lights, are poetry, they are natures’ light show varying from faint streaks of pale colour to vast shimmering curtains of light spreading from one horizon to the other, they are quantum leaps in the atoms and molecules in the atmosphere. They are manifestations of elementary particle physics, as well as the source of superstition, mythology and fairy tales. They have filled people with wonder and inspired artists. They have frightened people to think the end is at hand. More Info...

    The aurora is caused by charged particles from the sun streaming along the earth’s magnetic field. The charged particles are channelled by the earth’s magnetic field so that they approach the earth’s atmosphere along lines of force near the magnetic poles. As the particles encounter the atmosphere (between 100 and 300 km above the ground), some of them will collide with molecules of oxygen or nitrogen in the atmosphere and cause the molecules to
    glow-just as the neon gas in a neon light glows when excited by electricity.

    Because of the shape of the magnetic field, the particles stream toward earth in a pattern that is called the northern lights oval. It is a belt of greatest auroral activity (with little activity in the middle) that is centred on the magnetic pole.

    The northern lights oval sweeps across northern Scandinavia and along the far north coast of Russia, from there it covers part of northern Alaska and swings south across Hudson Bay in Canada. The oval covers only the southern quarter of Greenland and sweeps over Iceland to complete the oval over Scandinavia. It is generally believed that the frequency of the northern lights increases with latitude, but this is not true. The chances of seeing an aurora in Svalbard is less than seeing one in Iceland, Southern Greenland, or the mainland of Norway.

    The 11 year cycle of sunspot activity affects the frequency and intensity of auroral activity. The plasma expelled by the sun bathes the entire earth in its stream, so both the north and south magnetic poles are associated with the aurora. In fact, it has been shown that auroras are linked in the two hemispheres. The aurora occurs at night or day, but the brightness of the sun during the Arctic summer overwhelms the weaker light produced by the aurora. It is only seen when the sky is dark.

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    What do Polar Bears eat?

    Answer:

    Polar bears are the top predator in the Arctic marine ecosystem.Because the polar bear's body requires a diet based on large amounts of seal fat, they are the most carnivorous member of the bear family. Food can be hard to come by for polar bears for much of the year. The bear puts on most of its yearly fat reserves between late April and mid-July to maintain its weight in the lean seasons. The food-free season can last 3 to 4 months -- or even longer in areas like Canada's Hudson Bay. As the Arctic warms due to climate change, the ice pack is forming later in the season, and bears must wait longer to begin hunting again. More Info...

    Seals are a particularly energy-rich food source, especially for hungry mothers and their growing cubs. Polar bears can devour huge amounts of fat from seals when this prey is abundant. Polar bears largely eat ringed and bearded seals, but depending upon their location, they may eat harp, hooded and ribbon seal.

    A 121-pound seal can provide 8 days worth of energy - but the bear needs to eat much more in order to store up reserves.

    When there are plenty of seals, adult polar bears only eat the fat, leaving the carcass for scavengers such as foxes, ravens and younger bears.

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    Are there penguins in the Arctic?

    Answer:

    No, penguins live in Antarctica not the Arctic. However, the term “penguin” derives from an Arctic species, whose scientific name is Pinguinus impennis, know as the Great auk. This bird was distributed from temperate latitudes in the North Atlantic to the Arctic. It was a seabird of great stature, exceeding 50 cm, and, like penguins in the Southern Hemisphere, flightless and very agile in the water but extremely clumsy on land and therefore highly vulnerable to hunters and those who stole their eggs from their nests. More Info...

    Interestingly though, various penguin species have lived in the Arctic through the ages. During the 19th century, several research groups tried to introduce penguins into the Arctic environment. Unfortunately, the penguins were unable to protect their eggs from the predators of the North and the introduction subsequently failed.

    Often referred to as the Penguin of the North, the Great Auk became extinct in 1844. Interesting the term is derived from the Great Auks scientific name - Pinguinus impennis. At a height of 50cm, flightless, agile in the water, yet clumsy on land, the Great Auk had many attributes likened to today’s penguin species, however it was never consider an office species of penguin.

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    Inuit or Eskimo: Which Names to Use?

    Answer:

    Although the name ‘Eskimo’ is often used to refer to all Inuit, Greenland, and Yupik (Bering Sea coastal people) native people of the world, the name is considered derogatory in many places because it was given by non-Inuit people and was said to mean ‘eater of raw meat’. Linguists now believe that ‘Eskimo’ is derived from an Ojibwa word meaning ‘to net snowshoes.’ However, the people of Canada and Greenland prefer other names. ‘Inuit’, meaning ‘the people’, is used in most of Canada (one individual is called an ‘Inuk’) and Inupiat in Alaska. Other local designations are used as well. The Inuit people of Greenland refer to themselves as ‘Greenlanders’ or ‘Kalaallit’ in their language, which they call ‘Greenlandic’ or ‘Kalaallisut’. The language is called ‘Inuktitut’ in eastern Canada and ‘Inupiat’ in Alaska. Most Alaskan natives continue to accept the name ‘Eskimo’, particularly because ‘Inuit’ refers only to the Inupiat of northern Alaska, the Inuit of Canada, and the Kalaallit of Greenland More Info...

    Inuit cultures extend from Alaska, to Greenland and Canada.

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    Is there an Ozone Hole in the Arctic?

    Answer:

    The ozone hole over Antarctica is a well known annual phenomenon and research into its formation led scientists to look for an ozone hole in the Arctic. The phenomena that result in the formation of an ozone hole are present at both poles, but several key factors must come together to deplete the protective ozone layer. First, ozone-depleting chemicals such as chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) must be present in the stratosphere. Second, clouds of ice crystals must be present to provide a substrate for CFCs to participate in chemical reactions. Finally, the weather in the stratosphere must be stable enough so that all the factors will accumulate in the dark of winter and still be present in the spring when the sun returns and furnishes the energy needed to drive the chemical reactions. Such conditions occur every year over the South Pole, but only occasionally over the North Pole. More Info...

    Requiring signicant weeks during the winter months to be below -78 degress, for an Ozone Hole to be created. Currently the Arctic's winters are not cold or long enough to allow the formation of an Ozone Hole.

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    Are there fish in the Arctic?

    Answer:

    There are 189 fish species listed for Greenland and over 300 are found in the Arctic waters around the coast of North America and Iceland. During the short summer, when so much sunlight falls on the Arctic, the waters become very productive. That richness offers excellent conditions for so many species. About 10% of the species can be considered economically important. For example, Icelanders haul about 2 million tonnes of fish out of the ocean each year, about half of that is capelin. The main economy of Greenland is fishing and fleets from the USA and Canada harvest millions of tonnes each year from the north Pacific and Atlantic. The most important species for commercial operations in the North American Arctic are salmon, halibut, hake and king crabs. Around Iceland, cod is king. More Info...

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  • Map
    Complete arctic map

The Arctic Regions

Explore each of the Arctic's different and incredibly diverse regions below and discover a world rich in Inuit cultures, viking and maritime history, exception scenerary and of course prolific wildlife.
Ix   arctic circle
  • Russia

    Missing destination header image

    Description

  • Scotland

    Scotland

    Description

    Scotland is home to some of the most idyllic, remote and rugged Islands in the world. Explore the intricate coast of cliffs, towering stacks and secret waterways of this remote wonderland. Discover the vast history of northern Scotland firsthand, from taking in Neolithic sites to visiting the World Heritage island of St Kilda. Some of the largest seabird colonies in the world, including puffins, gannets, fulmars and arctic terns call Scotland home. There is the opportunity to kayak among the lochs, sea stacks and beaches of the remote Scottish Isles.
  • European Arctic

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    Description

    From the windswept coastline of Scotland, alive at this time of the year with seabird colonies nesting, to the Norwegian coastline dotted with historic waterfront towns, huge bird colonies, towering mountains and world famous fjords that will take your breath away. Sitting high above the Arctic Circle, the island archipelago of Svalbard home to lush tundra, Arctic seabirds, walrus, the mighty polar bears, active glaciers and delicate flora; these incredible islands offer sweeping landscapes and an abundance of wildlife. Carved from massive icebergs, Greenland lies halfway between Svalbard and Iceland, she is a land of history and legends, immense fjord systems, rich culture and magnificent scenery.
  • Norway

    Norway

    Description

    Norway’s profound natural beauty, is difficult to look past as one of the best coastlines in the world to explore from sea. Incredibly diverse geologically, Norway’s coastline is simply one of the most beautiful in the world, picture perfect coastal villages, incredible rock formations, a jagged coastline where fjords penetrate deeply into the country's interior, teeming wildlife and the opportunity to see the Northern Lights in all their magnificence from late August. On top of Norway’s natural beauty is of course their primeval history.
  • Greenland - East

     dm moutain view

    Description

    Forged by fire, carved by ice and settled by Vikings, this wild land offers the perfect beginning or a memorable end to three of our voyages. Spend a bit more time and be thrilled by active volcanoes, vast ice caps, raging waterfalls or the simple, soothing pleasure of natural spas and hot springs.
  • Svalbard

     dm secondpb40

    Description

    On of the Arctic’s true wilderness regions, Svalbard is the essence of the Arctic! This small archipelago packs in everything that makes the Arctic, the Arctic. Waking from the depths of an Arctic winter, Svalbard comes alive in April/May, Polar bears rises from the dens, as seals and other animals of the Arctic give birth in the Spring. Vast icefields ply the open ocean and icebergs wonder. But Svalbard is much more than Polar bears, steeped in legends of Polar exploration, flora and fauna abounds during the Arctic spring and summer months and as summer draws to an end, the region is one of the best places to experience the Northern Lights.
  • Franz Josef Land

     at img 7794

    Description

    As the Arctic pack ice sweeps across the North Pole it engulfs the coast of Franz Josef Land. Breeding home to one of the world’s greatest concentrations of polar bears and walruses, these isolated islands remain locked in ice for ten months of the year. Franz Josef Land remains a geographical mystery even in the new millennium. Mirages, which played strange games with the minds of the early mapmakers, conjure new islands and towering mountains. In 1895 Fridtjof Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen trekked across the Arctic ice to the northern cape of Franz Josef Land after attempting to walk to the Pole. Few people have visited it since. The islands provide a haven for the once heavily hunted walrus, Polar bears and large numbers of migratory birds. With ice caps rising straight from the sea, this is one of the last true expedition frontiers left on the planet.
  • Iceland

    Iceland

    Description

    Forged by fire, carved by ice and settled by Vikings, this wild land offers the perfect beginning or a memorable end to three of our voyages. Spend a bit more time and be thrilled by active volcanoes, vast ice caps, raging waterfalls or the simple, soothing pleasure of natural spas and hot springs.
  • North Pole

    North pole

    Description

    Unlike the South Pole, the geographic North Pole is covered by nothing but a sheet of shifting ice on the surface of the Arctic Ocean. There is thus no permanent habitation nor even an official marker for the position, as the ice moves from year to year. Although it was once an elusive goal, our expeditions will take you to the only place on the planet where it is South in every direction.
  • Canadian Arctic

    2010 04 23 baffin 232

    Description

    Diverse wildlife, rich native culture and spectacular scenery, exploring deeply into the Canadian Arctic, crossing the Arctic Circle offers a taste of pure adventure. Stretching to the northernmost reaches of the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Canada's largest and newest territory, Nunavut. Ellesmere Island National Park covers the northern tip of this remote island, which boasts a landscape of vast untouched wilderness, fjords, glaciers and icecaps, culminating at Cape Columbia, the most northerly point of North America. The stark beauty of the interior's mountainous terrain is truly awe-inspiring. To the south is the smaller Cornwallis Island, where you will find one of the coldest inhabited places in the world, Resolute. Immense Baffin Island is Canada's largest island and the fifth largest in the world. Baffin Island's south coast fringes the Hudson Strait, separating the island from Québec. Wildlife can be found throughout the High Arctic, including Arctic fox, polar bear, Arctic wolf, barren-ground caribou and the Arctic hare.
  • Alaska

    Alaska

    Description

    With massive glaciers moving with massive force over millions of years ago, forged the wildlife filled fjords and lush island scenery now known as Alaska’s Inside Passage. The region is habitat for bald eagles, sea lions, porpoises and whales; its mountains are carpeted with majestic and ancient forests. The Passage is home to Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian Indians whose history is reflected in towering totem poles. Russian settlers left a legacy of onion-domed churches gleaming with icons.
  • Northwest Passage

    2010 04 23 baffin 232

    Description

    Alluring explorers, fortune seekers for centuries, is the sea passage through the Arctic regions of North America known as the Northwest Passage. The Northwest Passage connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the route weaves its way through explorer over-wintering sites, ceremonial grounds and ship graveyards. This remarkable journey will bring to life the endeavors of those who came before us, exploring the region that has claimed the curiosity, hearts and lives of so many.
  • Greenland - West

    Kangertittivaq fjord gn per arnesen

    Description

    Vast swaths of beautiful, unfenced wilderness give you unique freedom to wander at will, whether on foot, by ski or by dogsled.
  • Northeast Passage & Wrangel Island

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    Description

    The Northern Sea Route, or the Northwest Passage as it is more commonly known, is a strategic maritime route controlled by Russia. With changes in the sea ice over recent years, a handful of vessels have been able to navigate the passage each year. On board our suitably constructed ice-breaker, we will be fortunate to explore this historic and fascinating route. We’ll visit indigenous Serbian communities and be given an insight into their unique way of life, as well, we hope to land at Franz Joseph Land and Wrangel Island. Wrangel Island is a wildlife hotspot and in particular, contains one of the highest densities of Polar bears in the world. It is a unique little island off the Siberian arctic coastline and will provide us with excellent wildlife opportunities.
  • British Isles

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    Description

Search The Arctic Expeditions

Arctic Spring, Hike & Sail | Rembrandt van Rijn | IExpedition

North Spitsbergen, Arctic Spring, Hike & Sail

s/v Rembrandt van Rijn
33
8 days

Explore the shores and seas of an amazing Arctic island

On sale

Traversing the Northwest Passage | Sylvia Earle | IExpedition

Traversing the Northwest Passage

Sylvia Earle
126
29 days

On this epic voyage inspired by Roald Amundsen’s historic expedition, we attempt to sail the full length of the Northwest Passage, carving our way west through the labyrinthine maze of waterways that hug the fabled islands of Arctic Canada until we reach the Beaufort Sea.

sea spirit spitsbergen polar bear cruise

In-Depth Exploration in the Land of the Polar Bear

M/v Sea Spirit
114
14 days

Onboard the Sea Spirit this remarkable Arctic cruise departs from the far northern settlement of Longyearbyen on the Norwegian Arctic island of Spitsbergen in the famed Svalbard archipelago.

On sale

ultramarine spitsbergen polar bear cruise

Spitsbergen Photography: Domain of the Polar Bear

Ultramarine
199
14 days

This unique 14-day voyage invites guests to embrace a true expeditionary spirit: rather than follow a set itinerary, together we’ll allow our search for polar bears and other wildlife to determine our route and shore landings in the pristine Norwegian Arctic. 

Ice Waterfalls, Wildlife & Arctic Colours Svalbard Autumn Photo Tour | MV Kinfish | IExpedition

Ice Waterfalls, Wildlife & Arctic Colours Svalbard Autumn Photo Tour

MV Kinfish
12
10 days

On this expedition, we will explore the east of Svalbard. Our aim of the expedition is to capture the meltwater waterfalls of the Austfonna Ice Cap.

On sale

Into the Northwest Passage (Westbound) | Sylvia Earle | IExpedition

Northwest Passage

Sylvia Earle
126
17 days

The labyrinthine channels of the legendary Northwest Passage have enchanted explorers and adventurers for centuries. Get a glimpse into the world that captivated early explorers such as Franklin, Amundsen and Larsen, by exploring a portion of the fabled Northwest Passage.

Available for booking

plancius polar bear cruise

Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

m/v Plancius
116
10 days

Onboard the Plancius on this Arctic cruise we chart a course for a complete Spitsbergen circumnavigation.

Natural Wonders of Svalbard Micro Cruise | MV Kinfish | IExpedition

Natural Wonders of Svalbard Micro Cruise

MV Kinfish
12
10 days

On this summer expedition, we will venture to the northern wilderness to explore the beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and glaciers of Northwest Spitsbergen with 24 hours of daylight.

On sale

Iceland Circumnavigation | Sylvia Earle | iExpedition

Iceland Circumnavigation

Sylvia Earle
126
11 days

Explore the ‘Land of Ice and Fire’ where snow-capped peaks rise above glaciers and active volcanoes rumble. It’s a land of spectacular geology that is rich in wildlife, culture and human history.