{"id":31369,"date":"2018-12-27T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2018-12-26T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures?p=31369&preview=true&preview_id=31369"},"modified":"2025-07-10T23:09:42","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T13:09:42","slug":"what-to-expect-on-an-arctic-expedition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/what-to-expect-on-an-arctic-expedition\/","title":{"rendered":"What to expect on an Arctic expedition"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article originally appeared on The Wanderer<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Almost everyone’s familiar with the Arctic<\/a>\u00a0these days, thanks to the combined forces of the BBC and David Attenborough.\u00a0<\/span>We\u2019ve all seen those images of polar bears hunting across the sea ice, or cute ringed seal pups taking their first dive into the water.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

But what is it really like to journey to the frigid north? While we often associate polar adventures with rugged explorers, frost bite and questionable food, the truth is that an Arctic expedition doesn\u2019t mean roughing it.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to expect on an Arctic adventure<\/h3>\n
\"Arctic

Photo by Justin Meneguzzi<\/p><\/div>\n

1. Be ready for wildlife to appear at a moment’s notice<\/h3>\n

Each Arctic expedition is inevitably bound by the unexpected. The itinerary is dependent on the ebb of the tide, the growth and retreat of sea ice, and random encounters with wildlife \u2013 especially in summer, when around-the-clock daylight means a sighting can happen at anytime. You never know when a polar bear might decide to turn up for dinner, an orca could pop up alongside the ship, or a herd of reindeer might patiently watch you drift by while they chew cud. Your best tactic is to always keep your camera and jacket nearby, just in case a surprise visitor makes an appearance.<\/p>\n

EXPLORE OUR RANGE OF POLAR ADVENTURES HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

2. Gain a new appreciation for our environment<\/h3>\n

Yes, there\u2019s the incredible mountain vistas, glaciers stretching from one end of the horizon to the next and jagged ice sheets that put on a cracking show. But there\u2019s much more to the Arctic than just a pretty picture. All ocean currents lead to the Arctic, bringing with them a wide range of international rubbish. It\u2019s only when you arrive on land to find chocolate bar wrappers from Japan that it hits home just how delicately in tune our global ecosystem is and the role the Arctic plays in it. You\u2019ll also discover bones and remains scattered about the islands, revealing the constant tension between life and death in this challenging environment.<\/p>\n

Experience the icy north on our 8-day Premium Iceland in Winter Adventure<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"A

Photo by Justin Meneguzzi<\/p><\/div>\n

3. Get as fat as a polar bear<\/h3>\n

Your body must put more energy into keeping warm than it normally would when it\u2019s faced with the freezing conditions of the Arctic. Thankfully there\u2019s a small army of chefs onboard ready to fuel you for the day with tasty meals. Expect a buffet breakfast and lunch each day, followed by a three-course dinner in the evening and a constantly changing roster of desserts (plus tea and biscuits in between). There\u2019s no room to feel guilty when you\u2019re plating up that extra serve of lasagna, pumpkin soup or Black Forest cake. Just think of it as necessary for your survival, like a polar bear readying for winter.<\/p>\n

4. The polar plunge is exactly as cold as you think<\/h3>\n

There\u2019s always room for healthy skepticism \u2013 surely the marathon can\u2019t be\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0tough, the chilli\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0spicy or movie\u00a0that\u00a0<\/em>scary. Well, I\u2019m here to assure you the water\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0that cold. But the polar plunge wouldn\u2019t be much fun if it wasn\u2019t a challenge. At some point in your expedition the crew will halt the ship, lower the gantry at the dock, and invite the daring (or stupid) to participate in the polar plunge. You\u2019ll clip on a safety belt, which is attached to a line, and then do your best to look brave for the cameras as you jump out into the Arctic Ocean. With water temperatures hovering around -1 degree Celsius (34 Fahrenheit), expect a shock to the system and a mad dash back to the boat to throw on a bathrobe and gulp down a shot of vodka. You\u2019ll get a photo to take home afterwards and some serious bragging rights too.<\/p>\n

RELATED: WHAT IT\u2019S LIKE DIVING INTO THE ANTARCTIC SEA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

Photo by Justin Meneguzzi.<\/p><\/div>\n

5. Become a wildlife expert<\/h3>\n

With an expedition ship packed with historians, ornithologists, glaciologists and marine biologists, every Arctic exploration comes with its own walking, talking encyclopedias. Their expertise is brought to life when you\u2019re off the boat investigating walrus remains that have washed up on shore, or an abandoned puffin nest along the cliffs. Each expert\u2019s passion for their subject is infectious, and before long you\u2019ll be able to pick a kittiwake from an ivory gull, and tell everyone you know how walruses use their whiskers to find molluscs.<\/p>\n

RELATED: OUR TOP 6 ARCTIC WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

6. Join the ranks of polar obsessives<\/h3>\n

There\u2019s something about polar travel that people take to heart and wear as a badge of pride. It might be the camaraderie of joining a community of people who have seen a place that few ever get to see, the knowing nod when the polar plunge comes up in conversation, or the shared passion for wildlife, but polar travel seems to have a way of drawing people together. On any Arctic expedition you\u2019re guaranteed to have someone who has been to the opposite pole, or has done multiple polar expeditions. Ask them and they\u2019ll tell you it\u2019s because this environment gives them something intangible that nowhere else does. Once you disembark from your first expedition, it\u2019s only a matter of time before your mind starts to wander towards the opportunities\u00a0in the south<\/a>.<\/p>\n

SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID\u2019S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL TIPS, COMPETITIONS, GIVEAWAYS & MORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Now you know what to expect, go ahead and browse our range of Arctic expeditions<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Feature photo by Justin Meneguzzi.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While we often associate polar adventures with rugged explorers, frostbite and questionable food, the truth is that an Arctic expedition doesn\u2019t mean roughing 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