10 Reasons to Visit the Arctic

Author : Unwild Planet

If you dream of touching the mysterious wilderness, refuge to the remotest corner of the earth where animals roam freely and co-exist with humans on the same land, frozen land and inky ocean beneath an aurora-lit sky, Arctic is the place for you. Embark on an unforgettable journey to the northernmost part of the world filled with adventure, uncertainty, and new learnings.

Where is the Arctic?

The Arctic is a unique and vast region that covers parts of eight countries, including Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and the United States (Alaska). The region is known for its long, cold winters and short, cool summers, with significant variability in climate across the Arctic. It is characterized by its harsh climate, diverse landscapes, and abundant wildlife, making it a popular destination for luxury travelers, explorers, photographers, and adventurers.

How would people travel to the Arctic?

The most popular way of travelling through the Arctic is by cruise. You can choose different types of cruises, like large vessels, small ships, and boats, according to your travel goal. There are separate ports for the Arctic Adventure departure. Depending on which country you’re traveling to, you can go to the nearest airport and travel by road or small chartered flight to the port. In Alaska, Canadian highlands, and Svalbard, you can also travel on the mainland by car. Conveyance, like dog sleds, is particularly popular in remote villages.

Ten Reasons Why You Should Visit The Arctic?

1. Not only Polar Bears! There are More!

We know that with the name ‘Arctic,’ you automatically map ‘Polar Bears’ to it, and we won’t blame you for that. These gigantic, ever-curious, and apparently cute carnivores are major attractions in this region.
Norwegian Svalbard and Hudson Bay of Canada are among the most popular places for polar bears.
But there is more to the wildlife of the Arctic. It has vast marine wildlife and other land animals, such as muskoxen, reindeer, Peary caribou, and arctic fox and hare.
Marine mammals like bowhead whales, beluga whales, narwhals, ringed seals, bearded seals, and walruses live around the Arctic.

2. Lands of Birds, too:

The Arctic is the land of migratory birds where millions of birds return to the seashore in the mating season. Most of the birds are found around the cliffs.
East Greenland’s Scoresbysund cliffs are one of the places where you can witness these chunks of whirling birds above the ocean cliffs.
Thick-billed murres, glaucous gulls, arctic terns, and black-legged kittiwakes are among the species you may see.

3. Literally Top of The World:

Being ‘Top of the World’ won’t be only a mere expression for you; live this dream by exploring the North Pole.
Voyage in the icebreaking ships and watch to break your way through the frozen Arctic Ocean by crushing the ice, walking on the ice, or enjoying the white land from up above from a hot air balloon.
You can also travel to the North Pole from the nearest land by helicopter. The North Pole offers adventure in every step you take.

4. Magical Aurora & Endless Sun:

The Arctic is a place of prolonged darkness during the winter and never-setting sun during the summer.
Immerse in the beauty of the flooding northern light in the pitch-black sky from the snowy, arctic land.
Greenland, Svalbard Archipelago, and North-West Passage Canada are the best places to experience the Aurora Borealis.
You can witness Aurora in a clear, pollution-less winter sky from an ice igloo in Lapland.

5. Yes! People Live There! Experience Unique Culture:

While it is unlikely to think about any constant human habitat due to the extreme roughness of the region, people still live there, and that too from an ancient age.
Canadian North-West Passage is the home of the Inuit community known as Inuit Nunagat.
The Inuits speak the same language in different dialects in the different parts of the Arctic and thus identify themselves differently in different countries like Greenland, Alaska, and the Russian Arctic.
Learn about their lifestyle and livelihood, which differ from mainland urban lives in so many ways.
The Scandinavian and Norwighwan Arctic have scattered towns with local and touristy settlements. Longyearbyen has a university, a sports center, one of the largest wine cellars in Europe, and a few lit cafes.
You can also explore the mining town, evacuated whaling stations, and hunting and trapping camps dotted in the Svalbard Archipelago region.

6. Dive into the History of Arctic

The Arctic has a rich history that has fascinated humankind for centuries.

In the ninth century, the Vikings made their first voyage north of the Arctic Circle, and in the twelfth century, Russia started to colonize and explore sections of northern Siberia.
The Arctic's indigenous peoples include Saami, Nenets, Khanty, Evenk, and Chukchi in Russia, Aleut, Yupik, and Inuit in Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. You can experience the Inuit culture of Greenland and Nunavut, Canada.
A significant portion of the Arctic was explored during the resource rush at the end of the 19th century for the considerable mineral resources in the region. While travelling to this region, learn about these interesting facts and feel more connected to the place.

7. Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells!

This is your time to fulfill your childhood Santa Claus dream. Lapland, the largest area of Finland in the Arctic, is believed to be the land of Santa Claus.
Travel during the December month to enjoy a vibrant yuletide celebration. Enjoy Christmas Eve, take a ride on a reindeer sled, post your wish from Santa’s post box, and rejuvenate your every childhood Christmas dream in Rovaniemi, Finland, the official home of Santa Claus.
Spend your night under the northern light and in a snowy realm in Kiruna, the northernmost city of Sweden. Enhance your winter experience further with adventure activities like sledding, snowmobiling, and many more in the Lapland.

8. Adventure Activities:

Give your adrenaline a rush by traveling to the top of the world! Different regions of the Arctic are now becoming hubs for adventure sports like glacier hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, cycling, etc.

Consider Kayaking along the Grundarfjordur and Isafjordur fjords in Iceland.
In Greenland, Mountain Biking is becoming famous on the trails around Ilulissat.
Hiking trails in Qeqertarsuaq, Greenland, or Svalvard’s Platåfjellet are top-rated for a panoramic view of Longyearbyen town. Northern Norway’s hiking trails in Svalbard are also worth exploring.
Skiing and skating in Sisimiut and Tasiilaq, kayaking through Scoresbysund in Greenland;
Try Sledging & hot air balloons at the North Pole; Nunavut (Baffin Island) in the Canadian Arctic is also becoming popular in various outdoor activities.

9. Photographers' Paradise:

From frozen oceans to gigantic fjords, glaciers, icebergs, colorful tundra, and sporadic human habitats, the Arctic is given a poetic touch.
For instance, Greenland's Ilulissat Icefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage site rich with polar wildlife like musk oxen, Arctic foxes, Arctic hares, and lemmings. So, if you're a photography enthusiast, you can snap breathtaking landscapes and diversified wildlife.
The Svalbard and Canadian Arctics are populated with polar bears, and catching a glimpse of whales in the North Atlantic Ocean is not uncommon.

10. Out of Your Comfort Zone:

The sheer remoteness of the Arctic region pushes you out of your comfort zone.

Encountering wild animals is not at all uncommon here. Being responsible around the wild and maintaining a safe distance from them is the way to explore the fragile ecosystem.
Extreme weather will challenge you to get out of your comfort zone. The prolonged darkness without the Sun is a new phenomenon you would love experiencing.
The Arctic is a snowy land with rough terrain. You might hike through it or take other means of transportation like sledding, to go from one place to another, which is a totally different experience from your urban conveyances.
Moreover, if you're into adventure activities, push your comfort zone by trying them in the Arctic region.

Things to Keep in mind while travelling to the Arctic:

While travelling to the Arctic, it’s essential to travel responsibly to preserve the fragile ecosystem there. Keep your safe distance from wild animals and pack according to your agent’s guidance for extreme weather. To maximize your Arctic experience, act safely and utilize your resources properly. Follow our other blog to learn more about the expectations for an Arctic expedition and the required precautions.

Why Travel To the Arctic with Us?

In UnwildPlanet, we promise to provide you with an impeccable experience of the Arctic.

We have spent countless hours exploring the Arctic and plan each journey with meticulous detailing.
We take you to unseen, untouched places in the Arctic to experience its grandeur at its pristine best through air, land, and sea.
Partners who are local experts: We empower local communities who help in advancing sustainable tourism & conservation efforts.

The Arctic's beauty is unparalleled, from breathtaking landscapes to thrilling wildlife encounters. Start planning your Arctic expedition today with us and discover why it's a must-visit destination for adventure seekers.