Top 5 Arctic tips

For many, a voyage to the Arctic is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here are 5 top tips to enjoy the sight of towering snow-covered mountains riven with glaciers  that create a spectacular backdrop to drifting sea ice and an abundance of wildlife.

Tip # 1 – The ship.

Nudging your way into the different isles and inlets of the Arctic demands maximum flexibility and maneuverability. The ability to spin around at 180 degrees should a pod of whales suddenly be sighted is a definite plus. Twenty-four hour open bridge policy is another bonus allowing you to ‘come in from the cold’ when wildlife spotting on deck and yet still have the perfect viewing platform. Also ice-strengthen hulls are a must for any Arctic vessel!

Tip # 2 – Binoculars

This gadget will need to be umbilically attached. It’s a wildlife fest for birders as well as for marine and land mammal lovers. Arctic terns, diving skuas, northern fulmar, snow buntings and Svalbard rock ptarmigans are just a taster of what to expect. Field books are supplied but pencil and notebooks are encouraged and sightings can be added to the voyage list at the end of the day.

Tip # 3 – Eyes peeled

The more you survey, the more you see. Whether on land or zodiac cruising, keep watch for walrus, whales or narwhals. You might think that polar bears with their custard yellow coats can easily be picked out against the dazzling whiteness of ice but they are creatures of stealth and kings of camouflage. Keeping the world’s largest land carnivore at a safe distance is paramount. In advance of land excursion the area must be ‘swept’ by armed guides.

Tip # 4 – Boots

Lined rubber waterproof boots for those wet zodiac landings are perfectly comfortable for short hikes but for longer hikes your ‘old faithful’ hiking boots carried in your rucksack and swapped over once you are on land are recommended.

Tip # 5 – Layers, layers and more layers

Several breathable thermal layers finished off with water proofs will keep your core warm and the wind chill at bay. Two pairs of socks –  one thin, one thermal, two pairs of gloves –  a liner and a fleecy waterproof pair similar to ski gloves are recommended. Not forgetting layers of sunscreen to protect against the harsh Arctic sun.

Check out Ice Tracks Expedition’s latest voyages the Arctic:

 Spitsbergen and the Svalbard archipelago offer a tremendous wildlife and birdlife experience, as well as a fascinating lesson in glaciology. The Nordic Countries have so much to offer all year round from fjords to the Northern Lights, from dog sledding to the city lights. Greenland is the largest island in the world and lies off the east coast of Canada, surrounded by the Arctic Ocean. Sitting deep in the Arctic circle’s flow and pack ice are over 35 000 scenic islands – Baffin Island  (Canadian Arctic) being the biggest – well known for their scenic wilderness of fjords, icy peaks, glaciers, arctic wildlife, and a history rich with Inuit culture. The Russian Far East Arctic never fails to astound visitors with its sublime beauty. Some some of the most remote islands in the North Atlantic, including Scotland, Faroe Islands and Iceland.

To get a taste of the ultimate Arctic experience, by journeying to the top of the world: the North Pole is northernmost point on the Earth, lying diametrically opposite the South Pole.