For most travelers, a simple mention of the word “Arctic” instantly conjures up images of snow, ice and extreme cold “somewhere in the north.” Of course, wander-lusters will encounter ice-covered landscapes, deep pristine snow, vast glaciers and icebergs on Arctic expeditions all across the remote islands, mountain peaks and land masses that fall within the boundaries of the Arctic Circle.
But they’ll also encounter deep fjords (some reaching 110 kilometers long), lush green valleys (especially in Greenland—hence the name), vast tundra where multicolored Arctic flowers push through the windswept earth, fishing villages dotted with brightly-painted houses, and remote settlements where Indigenous cultures have thrived for centuries.
Where precisely will you find these diverse, magical Arctic landscapes?
• The Canadian High Arctic
• The Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, of which Spitsbergen is the biggest and most popular island
• Greenland, the largest island on the planet and home to the massive Greenland Ice Sheet
• Significant portions of Finland
• The northernmost stretches of Iceland
• As well as parts of Alaska (the 49th state of the United States of America) and remote Russia.
- Quark Expeditions guests get a close-up view of a tabular iceberg in Svalbard. Photo: Acacia Johnson
So what are some of the best Arctic adventures you can plan? Here are 15 ideas to help you prepare for a memorable Arctic expedition.
Where is the Arctic region located?
The Arctic is not confined to one specific nation. With the North Pole at its centre, the Arctic stretches across the northernmost parts of the globe. Technically, the Arctic is defined as the area of the planet that’s north of approximately 66.5°N latitude—the Arctic Circle.Above this boundary, visitors and inhabitants experience a 24-hour hour period of daylight in the summer, and the equivalent 24-hour stretch of darkness in winter. Canada, Russia, Greenland, Norway, and the United States (Alaska) all have lands within the Arctic. So, too, in fact, does Iceland, though only a small part of that small island nation is technically above the Arctic Circle. Anything south of 66.5°N latitude is considered sub-Arctic.
What to expect from an Arctic vacation
A mama polar bear and her cub caught on camera during an Arctic voyage with Quark Expeditions. Photo: Quark Expeditions
The Arctic attracts a diversity of travelers ranging from extreme adventurers and bucket-listers to those who simply want to learn with like-minded enthusiasts. Your unique experience is largely determined by how—and with whom—you choose to explore the Arctic. No one sets off on their own. Most people join a polar operator, such as Quark Expeditions, which takes travelers on voyages through the Polar Regions on small polar vessels that can navigate where larger cruise ships are not able.
A past guest of Quark Expeditions summarized their Arctic expedition experiences in A Traveler’s Guide to the Arctic, which can give you an idea of what to expect from an Arctic expedition.
Arctic cruises with Quark Expeditions feature a huge range of experiences, both on- and off-ship. The itineraries themselves are designed to totally immerse travelers in a specific region through such activities as Zodiac cruising, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, helicopter-supported adventures, visits to local communities, photography walks, onboard presentations by polar experts, as well as a range of amenities and spa experiences, which vary from ship to ship.
How to get to the Arctic
Most adventurers will have a choice between flying and/or sailing to—and within—the Arctic.
The standard way to explore within the Arctic—once you get there—is on an ice-strengthened polar ship, the smaller the better. Ideally, you want to embark on a ship that has fewer than 200 guests. Polar sturdy, small polar vessels have greater navigation ability to explore deep fjords, remote bays, rugged coastlines and, especially, ice-laden water ways.
To actually get to the Arctic, in order to embark on a ship, you need to reach an Arctic port city that accommodates expedition cruise ships. Some of these include: Longyearbyen, which is located on Spitsbergen; Reykjavik, Iceland; Resolute, Nunavut; Kangerlussuaq, Greenland; even Aberdeen, Scotland, which is a starting point for those joining a summer Arctic cruise to the Faroe Islands and onward to more remote regions of the Arctic.
Choose your Arctic voyage: Tips on getting started
But, first, you need to choose a specific Arctic cruise after you select the area you wish to explore. A helpful resource is Planning An Expedition Cruise to the Arctic. Another excellent resource is Quark Expeditions’ Arctic destination page, which outlines the specific regions you can consider for your once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
When to go on an Arctic Expedition
The best time to visit the Arctic is from May to late-September when ice, wildlife, weather and other atmospheric conditions enable you to have an Arctic summer to remember.
Ask yourself: What and how would you like to experience summer in the Arctic? Do you like water? Brace yourself for the Polar Plunge, a rite of passage for many polar travelers. Leaping into the water—safely tethered and under the watchful eyes of our safety-conscious expedition team—is an experience you’ll remember forever. Do you usually bike in the summer? We’ve got you covered especially if you’d like to try mountain biking in Arctic Greenland. Long quiet walks on the beach? Rest assured, you’ll encounter no sign of civilization or crowds—or noise—on our guided shore walks where you’ll set foot where few have ever walked. The only sounds you’ll hear will be the Arctic wind, a bird call, the ebb and flow of the ocean water hitting the shorelines and perhaps the call of the walrus, muskoxen or whale.
Summer in the Arctic is ideal for navigating by small polar ship as the ice has diminished under the seasonal summer sun, allowing vessels to go where the winter ice would have been an obstacle months earlier. Bird-watching in Arctic summer, with an experienced guide, puts you in touch with nature. Kayaking, overnight camping, paddling, biking, hiking… All of those things you typically enjoy in summer are possible in the Arctic—with a unique twist that you won’t experience anywhere else.
15 of the best Arctic vacation ideas
Now, what are some examples of the best Arctic vacation ideas you can experience? We've put together a list of some great opportunities to plan your own dream adventure in the Arctic.
1. Greenland Ice Sheet Experience
The Greenland Ice Sheet is the second-largest ice sheet on the planet, and it covers most of the southern coast of Greenland with shimmering thick ice that glows in the sunlight. Watch this video of the Quark Expeditions’ team documenting their approach by helicopter, and ultimately landing with guests on the Greenland Ice Sheet.
Quark Expeditions takes guests by helicopter to the Greenland Ice Sheet where they can set foot and walk on the second-largest ice mass
on the planet. Photo: Hugo Perrin
2. Camping at Tasermiut Fjord
Greenland is home to abundant fjords—some of the longest in the world—including the 70-km long Tasermiut Fjord along the southwest coast. This region is featured in Quark Expeditions’ Greenland Adventure: Explore By Sea, Land, and Air itinerary that takes you on a 9-day exploration of southern Greenland. You have the option of camping overnight along the fjord with local partners.
3. Inuit culinary experiences
As mentioned above, opportunities to interact with Indigenous people in the remote North is one of the rewards of an Arctic cruise with a polar operator which has longstanding partnerships with locals. It’s thanks to these decade-long relationships that Quark Expeditions was able to launch the first Inuit culinary experience called Tundra to Table in full partnership with Indigenous people. Local chefs serve Inuit food to small groups on select Arctic cruises to Greenland and the Canadian Arctic.
4. Witness the Northern Lights
Guests traveling with Quark Expeditions witness the Northern Lights in East Greenland. Photo: Acacia Johnson
The Auroral borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights, is one of the greatest natural light displays on the planet. But you can’t see them just anywhere. Wide open spaces, minimal humanmade light, clear skies and knowledgeable guides are crucial. Greenland, in particular, is one of the best places to witness the Northern Lights. Your expedition team leader will work closely with the captain of the ship to determine the best area to position the vessel to witness this phenomena that only a few get to witness in the Arctic.
5. Heli Flightsee Over Icebergs During Your Arctic Cruise
No doubt you’ve seen photographs of icebergs taken from ground (or water) level. But to witness these stunning, almost perfectly sculpted towers of ice from the sky is a rare experience—one that can only be witnessed in the Arctic with a polar operator that stations helicopters on its vessels. Quark Expeditions’ technologically-advanced shp, Ultramarine, is equipped with two twin-engine H145 helicopters.
6. Photograph polar bears
The Svalbard archipelago is one of the best places in the Arctic to witness polar bears. Entire families of polar bears roam across the islands as they hunt for food and shelter. Occasionally, you may see them swimming in the waters and along the ice edge. If this is the kind of Arctic cruise you’d like, consider Quark Expeditions’ Spitsbergen Photography: In Search of Polar Bears itinerary.
7. Observe Puffin Colonies at Fair Isle
One of the opportunities to explore the Svalbard archipelago—and see thousands of puffins—embarks in northern Scotland before making its way to the remote island. Fair Isle is one of the first places you'll visit on the Arctic Saga: Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen voyage. Puffins are the star attraction on the island. It’s a photographer’s dream Arctic trip.
8. Visit Three Amazing Arctic Islands in One Cruise
Why limit your Arctic adventure to one destination when you could mix it up with several stops along the way? That's one of the main attractions of Quark Expeditions’ Three Arctic Islands: Iceland, Greenland, and Spitsbergen adventure. As the name implies, you'll travel from Iceland to Greenland and onward to Spitsbergen with plenty of opportunity to experience the Arctic landscape and wildlife in all three destinations.
9. Follow In the Footsteps of Franklin
The Canadian Arctic is made up of thousands of islands and natural wonders—including the legendary Northwest Passage. This is one of the main attractions of our Arctic Express Canada: The Heart of the Northwest Passage, a 9-day itinerary that takes you throughout the islands of the Canadian Arctic to experience what conditions were like for adventurers who first attempted to navigate those northern waters in search of the elusive Northwest Passage. Onboard polar experts will educate guests about Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated expedition of 1845-48 that claims the lives of all of his crew.
10. Explore the Wonders of Remote Baffin Island on an Arctic Cruise
Few travelers get to set foot on Baffin Island, the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest on the planet. of its High Arctic location, Baffin Island experiences almost 24 hours of sunlight in late June and early July. Baffin Island is home to about 18,000 Inuit, many of whom live a traditional way of life, hunting and fishing. Wildlife species that inhabit the island include polar bears, Arctic foxes, caribou, Arctic hares, seals, walruses, Arctic wolves and of course whales—narwhals, orca, beluga and bowhead. For inspiration, see our travel guide How to Get to Baffin Island.
11. Go on a wildlife safari
The Arctic has an impressive amount of wildlife, some of which you won't find anywhere else in the world. Take advantage of this opportunity by going on a safari to witness animals like seals, caribou, musk ox, and, of course, polar bears that all roam free in the wild.
Among the wildlife spotted during Arctic expeditions are herds of muskoxen. Photo: Quark Expeditions
12. Mountain biking in Greenland
Not all of the Arctic is covered in ice and snow. There are many areas untouched by those elements, including the mountainous regions of southern Greenland. For those who love to explore the land in greater detail during an Arctic cruise, a mountain biking adventure through this area could be the best experience you'll have in the far north.
13. Search for the Mummified Forests of Ellesmere Island
Ellesmere Island is in the far north of the Canadian Arctic, relatively close to Greenland. Due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle, the forests on Ellesmere Island are largely untouched by humans. One of the special features of the Ellesmere Island treescape are mummified trees. Millions of years ago the trees were buried beneath many layers of permafrost and peat, which helped preserve them in their almost original state. They are often called the petrified or fossilized forests of Ellesmere Island.
14. View Muskoxen in Greenland
Northeast Greenland National Park is the largest national park in the world, and one of the planet’s largest protected areas. The park, established in 1974 and now encompassing an area of approximately 972,000 square kilometers, is home to one of the largest muskoxen populations. An estimated 40% of the world's muskoxen are found in the coastal areas of Northeast Greenland National Park.
15. Visit the Graves of Fallen Arctic Heroes at Beechey Island
Beechey Island, maintained by Parks Canada as a national historic site, honors the memories of early Arctic explorers such as Captain William Edward Parry, the first European visitor in 1819, and of Sir John Franklin and his crew of the ill-fated 1845-48 expedition. Three of Franklin's crew (Petty Officer John Torrington, Royal Marine Private William Braine, and Able Seaman John Hartnell) are buried on Beechey Island. Their final resting spots are marked by small gravestones.
Choose Your Arctic Expedition
Every great vacation or adventure starts with a dose of inspiration. Watch this video “Why Travel to the Arctic With Quark Expeditions” to get the inspiration you need to plan your unforgettable Arctic cruise.
