The High Arctic circles the top of the globe from Russia’s Far East to Svalbard. Covered in sea-ice for most of the year, it is only during the short summer months (May to September) that it is possible to witness stunning scenery, incredible and diverse wildlife and interesting indigenous communities.  On your Arctic cruise you can explore by ship, zodiac, on short or longer tundra walks and for a few by kayak.

The High Arctic is best explored as the pack ice recedes and the temperatures rise and the race is on for all living creatures to make the most of the short summer. There’s a lot to see; Polar bears, walrus, seals, Arctic foxes, millions of seabirds, remote villages, icebergs and magnificent scenery and historic sites all make for an unforgettable holiday.

There are hundreds of sites of interest throughout the Arctic region. In many ways the High Arctic has glacial scenery to match Antarctica, with massive glaciers and Icebergs found all through the region (in particular on Greenland, Svalbard (Spitsbergen) and Baffin Island). On Greenland there are several Inuit communities where we learn of the ways of these hardy folk.

Here’s where a trip to the Arctic is quite different to Antarctica, perhaps with the exception of South Georgia. In the Arctic there are far more
species of fauna and, in particular, flora that you need to consider. It is a delicate environment, so please do all you can to leave it as you find it.
Birdlife is far more varied than in Antarctica with guillemots, razorbills, puffins, terns, gulls, geese, ducks, phalaropes, curlew, sandpipers, owls and falcons. Other wildlife includes: three species of seal, four species of whale, Arctic fox, Musk Ox, walrus, for the very fortunate Narwhal, and the stars of the show Polar bears.

Puffins