2 Weeks in Arctic

What You Should Know Before Going On A Arctic Tour

What Countries Are Included in the Arctic Region?

So, you want to travel north - far north - to the Arctic Circle. There are eight different countries that have land within the Arctic Circle, though some of these regions are more interesting (and more accessible) to adventure travelers than others.

The Arctic region countries include Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the United States (by way of Alaska), Canada (including Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut), Denmark (Greenland) and Iceland (on its offshore island of Grimsey).

What and Where is the Arctic Circle?

It’s going to be impressive enough when you tell your friends you’re traveling to the Arctic for your next vacation. Now, here are a few fun and interesting facts about the Arctic Circle and the Arctic region to throw around with friends and colleagues before you depart:

• The invisible Arctic Circle marks the area where Midnight Sun occurs during the summer and where, in winter, the sun does night rise.
• The North Pole is the very center of the Arctic Circle.
• If you travel to Scandinavia, you can witness natural phenomena any time of year - the Midnight Sun, the Northern Lights and polar nights (when the sun does not rise).
• The Arctic Circle location changes a little bit all the time, based on the earth’s movement -  it is 1,650 miles south from the North Pole to where the line is located, and it is 66° 33′39″ north of the Equator.

Should I Avoid Arctic Travel in Winter?

If you’re seeking the Northern Lights, dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice hotels and other cold-weather Arctic activities, then by all means, don’t shy away from the Arctic region during the winter months. The sun may not appear much during the cold-weather months, but the Arctic Circle shines from November to March in terms of outdoor adventure.

One of the best times to visit the Arctic is right at the tail end of the Arctic winter - March and April, when you can dogsled on firm, snow-packed surfaces, experience the region’s ethereal “blue light” and long shadows, still glimpse the Aurora Borealis (the more north you are), go skiing in East Greenland and Spitsbergen, glimpse Arctic foxes and other awakening wildlife and embark on some of the first expedition cruises of the Arctic sailing season.

This being said, the long hours of darkness may mess with your internal body clock, so veteran Arctic travelers suggest planning your outside activities for the middle of the day when the limited sunlight is shining, then heading inside for museum visits in the later afternoon and early evening.

Packing List for the Arctic

A trip to the Arctic isn’t the time to scale back your packing efforts - you are going to want every layer, every extra pair of socks and every spare phone or camera battery you can possibly fit into your suitcase.

Be sure to pack these essentials for your Arctic cruise and/or Arctic region land tour:

• Favorite cotton t-shirts and long-sleeved shirts
• Casual pants
• Wool sweaters
• Fleece jacket
• Long-underwear top and bottom
• Thick, insulated parka
• Waterproof jacket
• Thick wool socks for hiking and being outdoors for long periods
• Wool or cotton socks for indoor time or inside the ship
• Windproof, waterproof pants
• Pocket handwarmers and toewarmers
• Waterproof gloves
• Winter hat - snug-fitting so it doesn’t blow away!
• Scarf or balaclava
• Comfortable, sturdy hiking or trekking shoes or boots
• Loungewear for inside
• Sunscreen and lip balm with sun protection
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Bathing suit (you never know!)
• Inside, slip-on shoes
• Daypack
• Battery chargers for all of your electric devices
• Seasickness medication, if you are prone
• Camera, tripod, etc.
• Spare camera batteries
• Refillable water bottle

Your Arctic cruise or tour operator will also usually provide you with a complete packing list, depending on how long, where and by which mode you’ll be traveling throughout the Arctic countries and waters.

Common Arctic Cruise Routes

Considering so much of the Arctic region is comprised of the Arctic Ocean, cruising in the polar region is a popular way to see a lot in a short period of time.

If you have up to two weeks and want to get the most out of an Arctic experience, consider a longer, upscale polar cruise - one of the safest, easiest ways to explore the Arctic Circle and give you more than a little to write home about, we promise. It’s even possible to stand at the North Pole these days - get there by rugged icebreaker and feel like a true Arctic adventurer, or take an exhilarating helicopter ride to the top of the world.

The cruise season in the Arctic is from May to September, during the time of the Midnight Sun or 24-hour daylight. This is a popular time to spot colorful Arctic flora, as well as northern wildlife and their young, and to cruise in areas inaccessible during other points of the year.

(Keep in mind that if your goal is to see the Northern Lights, you’ll have to visit during the polar winter and - while not widely available - there has been an increase in the sailing to the very northern parts of Norway during the winter in order to glimpse this magical natural phenomenon.)

Remember, the Arctic region covers a vast area, so spend some time reviewing various polar cruise options and base your choice on how much time you have and what time of year you’ll be sailing. One of the most accessible Arctic cruise routes is to sail along the coast of Norway into the Arctic Circle. And, for the best polar bear viewing, consider Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Greenland or the Canadian Arctic.

Some of the most common Arctic cruise routes include:

1. Svalbard

Halfway between Norway and the North Pole, the Svalbard Archipelago is centered around its largest island, Spitsbergen. Cruises in this high Arctic wilderness allow for exploration of glaciers and fjords, crossing 80º N, where you’ll be just 600 nautical miles from the North Pole, searching for polar bears during the long days of Midnight Sun, seeing Edgeøya and Kvitøya and venturing ashore for hiking and wildlife-viewing expeditions.

A Svalbard cruise has the added benefit of time in Longyearbyen, with its Svalbard Museum, rugged mountain vistas and opportunities for dog sledding and glacier walks.

2. Northwest Passage

Follow in the wake of some of the earliest adventurers - including Franklin, Peary and Amundsen - to see the Arctic region as you sail the route through the Canadian Arctic archipelago that links the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. This is one of the best places in the world to see polar bears - Nunavut is the polar bear capital of the Arctic - and you will likely have the chance to explore some of Canada’s thriving Inuit communities.

3. Greenland

Fjords, whales and some of the purest air you’ll ever breathe - a Greenland cruise is a highly sought adventure travel destination. From the abundant whales and massive Ilulissat Icefjord of Disko Bay to the Inuit history and culture of Nuuk, there’s so much beyond the icecap in Greenland.

4. North Pole

Check it off the bucket list and stand at the North Pole. You’ll sail by rugged icebreaker to get there, bullying its way through the icy, freezing waters to deliver you to a destination to which few have traveled.

5. Russia

Perhaps the best-known Russian Arctic cruise destination, Wrangel Island can almost guarantee polar sightings for you. Rumor has it that the island boasts the world’s highest density of polar bear dens and an incredibly high number of cubs are born here in the remote region of Chukota.

Russia Arctic cruises are expedition cruising in every sense of the word - this is a polar region that is not often visited, isolated, rugged, wild - an Arctic adventure opportunity full of bird and marine life and the opportunity to learn from indigenous groups who are eager to share their lifestyle and culture.