Reasons To Visit The Arctic
Don’t fill up your camera on the first iceberg you see: changing hues with countless shades of blue, icebergs can be stunningly beautiful. Every visitor soon becomes something of an expert in identifying different iceberg types, from low-lying ‘growlers’ that hover about the ship’s waterline to flat-topped tabular icebergs freshly broken from pack ice. Only a tenth of any iceberg can be seen above the water.
Some trips in the European or Canadian Arctic have the chance to see the Northern Lights, although this would be at the end of the summer season when there are some nightimes again after a summer where the sun does drop below the horizon.
The symbol of the Arctic, these magnificent bears, who could kill you with a single swipe of their paw, are the highlight of a trip to Svalbard. Lone males roam around looking for food, and mothers fiercely protect their young cubs. Your sightings of these amazing but endangered creatures will be a highlight of your trip.
A cruise around Svalbard will give you the opportunity for a lot of bird-watching, from the noisy colonies of guillemots and auks to the predatory skuas that patrol the skies around them, plus kittiwakes, glaucous gulls, ivory gulls, puffins and arctic terns to name but a few.
The waters of the Arctic are home to whales such as minke, fin, blue, beluga and bow, and standing on the deck of your boat searching for them is bound to be fruitful.
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Canada, Alaska & The Arctic
A walrus in the Arctic
The awe-inspiring polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctic, are amongst the most beautiful and captivating in the world. Irrespective of which region you choose, visiting one of the world’s ultimate travel frontiers should prove to be a truly unforgettable and enriching experience.
A very comfortable way to see the sights of the Arctic, the Antarctic Dream is a Chilean ice-reinforced ship with just 39 external cabins over three decks.
The Peregrine ships will give you a true expedition voyage with excellent guides who really know their subjects. The ships also operate an open-bridge policy; this is a great place to spend time wildlife-spotting or watching the Captain and his officers at work.
Having recently undergone a two-year refurbishment, the M/V Plancius launched in November 2009 and will be providing expedition cruises of the highest quality in Antarctica and the Arctic.
As working scientific vessels the ships are not luxurious but have been comfortably adapted for passengers.
Inuit settlements, sites of European exploration and a wonderful variety of wildlife, all set amongst fantastically remote scenery on a truly epic scale.
120 Passengers
110 Passengers
7 hours (to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen)
GMT + 2 hours
Travel is not recommended.
A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of.
The best time to travel.
Travel is possible, but this is not the best time of year.
Snow or ski season.
Further reading:When to GoArctic CruisesThings to DoAccommodationAbout The ArcticCountry Guides
Other countries in The Polar Regions:Antarctica