The Arctic Travel Specialists
RichardThe Arctic Specialist01993 838 624
Polar Bears are magnificent animals but you will have to keep your distance so travel with a good camera and a long lens.
The Arctic travel specialist - Richard
Practical Information
Whichever part of the Arctic you visit, be it to the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago which includes Spitsbergen and is the most popular and easily accessible part, or Greenland, or the Canadian Arctic, a trip is an astonishing experience.
Generally best experienced on an expedition cruise, your trip will be breathtaking, educational and challenging, and a journey of this magnitude needs to be perfectly planned. These vast and remote regions are largely ice-bound for much of the year and all but the hardiest would find it impossible to survive long in this harsh environment. For a few short weeks however, the Arctic summer makes travel here possible.
Specialist knowledge
This is where Audley comes in, our specialists can guide you through the myriad of options, giving advice based on their own first-hand knowledge of the Arctic regions. We appreciate the subtle differences in the vessels and the cruise itineraries, and can advise on the benefits of each Arctic destination, depending on what you wish to get out of the trip.
Cruise operators and vessels
We recommend a small selection of expedition vessels for Arctic cruising. These are polar expedition boats which spend our winter in the southern hemisphere plying Antarctic waters, they then sail to the Arctic for our summer. The cruise companies operate a selection of trips ranging from short and relaxed Spitsbergen trips, to adventurous and remote Greenland exploration.
Useful tips
Camera batteries will run down much more quickly in the cold weather. Take a spare with you on your landings and recharge the spare in your cabin. Pack a hairdryer if it is important to you. Ships do not generally have them.
Under The Skin
Read
'The Future History of the Arctic' by Charles Emmerson. A vivid look at all of the Arctic, the forces that have shaped it both geologically and anthropologically, but most of all a look at its emergence onto the main stage of global affairs.
Listen
To the walruses grunting.
Watch
'Arctic with Bruce Parry' which sees the adventurer living with many of the indigenous people of the people of the region.
Eat
Whale, if you do as the locals do.
Drink
Hot chocolate. Not typical so much as warming after a couple of hours on shore.
Word
Stunning.
Trademarks
The magnificent polar bear.
Fluffy polar bears from any airport in the region.
