
North Pole
Why Visit
Standing at 90° North latitude, you’ll understand why so many explorers pursued the North Pole for so long. There’s just something awe-inspiring about reaching the top of the world, white ice extending for miles in every direction. Perhaps most notable is what’s not there—no geographic landmarks, no great mountain peaks, not even land beneath your feet. You’re standing on the Arctic Ocean—frozen into a changing, moving ice floe that’s accessible on foot, dogsled or skis. Stand in the same place for an hour and you’ll be in a different spot.
Although it took centuries of explorers braving wind and weather to reach the pole—aboard everything from hydrogen balloons to dogsleds—your cruise to the North Pole takes place in the comfort and safely of a nuclear-powered icebreaker ship. Along the way, you’ll spot polar bears, ringed seals, Arctic birds and even a whale or two.
Enjoy exciting sightseeing expeditions from a helicopter. You’ll marvel at the remote, fascinating landscape at the same time you watch your ship effortlessly cut through the ice pack.
Travelers who’ve been to Antarctica will feel a sense of completion after a trip to the North Pole—like they’ve literally been to the ends of the earth and back. Although both destinations might seem similar on the icy surface, each offers a unique glimpse at different landscapes, wildlife, and local culture. At the South Pole, penguins are king. Here at the North Pole, the mighty polar bear reigns supreme.
For the truly courageous traveler, there are few experiences in life more exhilarating than the “polar plunge.” Here’s your chance to become a member of the most extreme Polar Bear Club on Earth by jumping into water that reaches 12,000 feet deep and a chilly 28° F.
In a land where the sun rises and sets only once per year, you’ll have the unique opportunity to stand at the top of the world. Travelers often celebrate this achievement by holding a special memento they’ve brought from thousands of miles away. Others have a champagne toast and a bite to eat. How will you celebrate your victorious expedition?
History
The history of humankind’s race to the North Pole is a storied one. Just 450 nautical miles from Greenland, this point on the map eluded brave explorers until recent times. As early as the sixteenth century, people correctly believed that the North Pole was in a sea. Early expeditions used whaling ships, which were already common in the Arctic. Many expeditions throughout the centuries met with disaster—some crushed by ice, others thwarted by insubordination and poor leadership. Some made attempts on skis, others by airship, balloon or dogsled.
There is some disagreement over who reached the North Pole first. American explorer Robert E. Peary claimed to have been the first in 1909, traveling by dogsled. Another American, Richard E. Byrd, claimed to have reached the pole by airplane in 1926. Both of these claims were later disputed—some controversy remains ongoing. An international expedition of Roald Amundsen, Lincoln Ellsworth and Umberto Nobile indisputably reached the North Pole by airship three days after Byrd’s attempt in 1926. On this expedition, they became the first to reach the pole and the first to traverse the polar region—from Svalbard to Alaska.
The first surface expedition to travel to the North Pole was in 1968, when America Ralph Plaisted led a team there on snowmobiles. This group was airlifted home from the pole. The first surface expedition to travel to the pole and back without resupplying didn’t happen until 1986 by dogsled. It was also in 1986 that the first woman reached the North Pole—American Ann Bancroft.
No country owns the North Pole. While the South Pole is located on land, the North Pole is located in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, frozen over much of the year. The ice is constantly moving and changing, making it difficult to construct any permanent stations like those found near the South Pole. Research in the area is conducted year-round by several Russian-built drifting stations that study the ice, ocean, weather and other aspects of the Arctic. Scientists speculate that within decades, the North Pole could become seasonally ice-free due to global warming.
Although wildlife at the North Pole is scarce, the surrounding region is home to polar bears, ringed seals, arctic foxes and birds like the snow bunting, northern fulmar and black-legged kittiwake.
Adventurers on trips to the North Pole often note the spiritual quality of the area and its mystical solitude. In fact, the otherworldliness of the North Pole has inspired mythology since before humans began searching for it. In Greek mythology, it was thought to be the abode of God and superhuman beings. Ancient Islamic tradition speaks of Mount Qaf, “the farthest point of the Earth,” that is often identified as the North Pole. And, of course, everyone knows that Santa and his workshop of industrious elves live there, too.
Today, North Pole tours offer small groups of adventure-seeking travelers a chance to access the top of the world by icebreaker ship or helicopter. Although tourism has grown, the North Pole remains a seldom visited yet historically significant region of the Arctic. It is a rare opportunity for those on a real quest for adventure.
How to Choose a Trip
When looking for an adventure to the Arctic, it’s easy to become confused by the many different options. Several factors come into play when you’re selecting a trip and knowing your preferences in each of these areas will help you narrow the field and select the trip that’s just right for you.
When to Travel
Voyages to Svalbard are generally offered from June through early August, with the best time for your chances of seeing polar bears being early in the season while there is still lots of ice.
Iceland, Greenland, and Canadian High Arctic expeditions are typically scheduled from July into September. Later voyages that explore the higher latitudes may give you the chance to see the magical aurora borealis!
Icebreaker trips to the North Pole begin in mid- to late June, and may be offered in early July. The window for travel to the top of the world is short, so there are usually only one or two trips per season.
Polar bear expeditions on Hudson Bay are operated from early October through mid-November. Over the course of the short season, the environment can change quickly. The tundra is generally bare until late October, when the first blanket of snow often arrives. Once the ice has frozen over, polar bears clear out quickly. The exact timing of the first snow and the departure of the bears is very difficult to predict, as weather patterns have changed significantly over the past several years.
Trip Options
The Svalbard Archipelago, also commonly referred to as the Norwegian Arctic or Spitsbergen (after the archipelago’s largest and most populated island), is situated high above the Arctic Circle and is one of the best places in the world to view polar bears out on the ice. Svalbard is easily accessed by daily flights from Oslo to Spitsbergen’s airport in Longyearbyen, where you board your expedition ship. These programs focus predominantly on natural history and wildlife.
Other areas of the Arctic—Iceland, Greenland, and the Canadian High Arctic—have some amazing wildlife and stunning scenery as well. Iceland is a wonderland of geologic activity, and is also easily accessed by flights from North America and Europe. Greenland and the Canadian Arctic are a bit more difficult to reach, but they have an interesting cultural element that adds depth to the experience. Expeditions embarking/disembarking in Greenland or the Canadian Arctic typically generally have charter flights arranged through the shipping companies.
North Pole expeditions generally embark/disembark in Murmansk, and require charter flights from Helsinki.
The land-based polar bear trips are centered in Churchill, a small hamlet in the Canadian province of Manitoba. As polar bears congregate on the shores of Hudson Bay in the fall, waiting for the ice to freeze over so they can return to hunting on the pack ice, there can be a large concentration of bears in the area. These expeditions begin in Winnipeg, which is serviced from several cities in the US and Canada. After spending a night in a comfortable hotel, you fly to Churchill to begin your adventure.
In the vast Arctic region, where there is little infrastructure, the very best way to explore most areas is by expedition ship.
Ship Options
An ice-strengthened vessel with an expert captain and expedition leader will get you into areas that are rarely seen by other travelers. There is a wide range of ships available, and accommodations range from dorm-like research vessels to luxury expedition ships. While some of your wildlife watching will be from the deck of the ship, especially when you’re viewing polar bears, small vessels provide the opportunity to get even closer to the action. Not only will you have the opportunity for Zodiac cruising, and but you’ll also have a chance to go ashore to view the tundra, wildlife, and remnants of human history up close. Hiking is offered in some locations, and select ships offer kayaking and/or snowshoeing opportunities.
To reach the North Pole, you’ll travel on a powerful icebreaker. They tend to be very basic, but they are fascinating and the ship itself is an integral part of your experience. Some Russian icebreakers have a helicopter and/or hot air balloon that can give you a completely different perspective at the top of the world!
On the shores of Hudson Bay, land-based polar bear expeditions can offer an up-close polar bear viewing experience. At night you stay in a simple hotel or train-like lodge on the tundra, but during the day you venture out for game drives in a well-outfitted Polar Rover. Depending on the conditions and the program you choose, dogsledding and flight seeing may be offered.
Let us help you
Let ExpeditionTrips take the guesswork out of selecting your Arctic trip. Our company is a crossroads for information and we can help you select the trip that will offer the kind of experience you are seeking. We’ll help you select the perfect trip for your journey to the dramatic and pristine Arctic!