From One Pole To Another: The Difference Between An Arctic and Antarctic Voyage

Both are ‘chilly’, blessed with twenty-four hour daylight in the summers and are home to an array of beguiling and unusual wildlife.  Yet the differences between the Arctic and Antarctica are striking.  They each offer a unique beauty found nowhere else on earth but offer almost completely different experiences. If you’re not sure which direction to head to this year then take a read of our guide to the Poles.

On Top of the Earth in the Arctic

With the summer months approaching and sunlight returning to the Arctic Circle, the best, if not only, time for an Arctic cruise is June through to August.  Although the days are cool, the summer months on Franz-Josef Land or in the Canadian Arctic are crisp and clear, with beautiful blue skies melting the receding ice. 

Similar to its southern twin, wildlife is what everyone heads north to see.  But as opposed to the animal-rich southern continent, the pursuit of wildlife encounters is just that in the north: a pursuit.  After centuries of human activity, from the whalers of the 17th century to the Arctic explorers of the 19th, the animals of the Arctic Circle have much to recover from.  But they’re making an admirable effort.  With Blue Whales now spotted regularly and Walruses returning in force, there is hope for this landscape that was described in the early 1900s as completely desolate.  Yet a tranquil Zodiac cruise through the pack ice, eyes peeled for seals or a husky-sledge ride on Greenland while learning about the unique Inuit culture, is a reminder of just how far reaching and influential the human race has been.  But this combination of, often, shocking human history with the genuine thrill of catching sight of a Polar Bear in pursuit of its prey is what makes an Arctic voyage truly unique.

An ocean surrounded by continents, the variety of holidays is also notable.  All northern journeys are odysseys in their own right, requiring seven nights in the very least to do this region justice, and we offer a variety of Arctic exploration.  Our seven to thirteen night Around Spitsbergen holiday allows travellers to experience the magnificence of this northern archipelago, from Polar Bear spotting, to kayaking alongside ancient glaciers and magnificent ice-flows.  A dream for many Arctic historians, the fourteen night Into the Northwest Passage follows in the footsteps of Barrow’s boys who, in the 1800s, sought to map this illusive western route.  It allows you to get up close and personal with the lifestyle of the Canadian Inuit, who live alongside the Polar Bear and Caribou in one of the harshest places on the planet.  Or travel the Greenland Explorer, a thirteen or fourteen night cruise that dips into the isolated beauty of Greenland’s fjords while watching out for the unusual Mus kox.

Getting Way Down Under in Antarctica

Coming from Ancient Greek and literally meaning ‘ante-bear’, you know from the outset that Antarctica is going to be something very different from what you get in the far north.  A continent devoid of land predators and touched only relatively recently by human history, the wildlife here is as easy going as it is prolific.  Try as you might, it’s difficult to keep your distance from the endless penguins who, paying you no mind, go about their lives building nests and raising their young.  Only taking note of you when their own curiosity drives them to investigate, many visitors report close encounters with the friendly Gentoos, who poke, climb and sometimes even fall asleep on their new human friends.  With Elephant Seals lazing on the shore-line and Fur Seals posturing at each other for dominance of the beach, it’s clear why many have named this the ultimate wildlife experience. 

Best seen in the southern summer, from November to March, the season here is long and a holiday this far under demands at least six nights to get acquainted.  In waters that are alive with whales, seals and birdlife, a cruise is the most popular method of exploration and the nine to twelve night Classic Antarctica is definitely one of our most popular.  Under the guidance of naturalists, who love the intriguing residents as much as you will, the chill in the air is the last thing on your mind as Humpbacks breach alongside and Chinstrap Penguins march through this icy wilderness.  There are also a couple of escorted, fly-in holidays for those who want to stay on solid ground.  Flying into the interior of the continent, the six night Antarctic Odyssey takes you to the very heart of Antarctica, introducing you to the midnight sun and showing visitors just what life was like for Scott, Amundsen and others who challenged themselves to reach the very bottom of the Earth.  But if you have plenty of time on your hands, the ultimate Antarctic voyage is definitely the nineteen to twenty night Antarctic Circle, the Falklands and South Georgia.  By far the most comprehensive Antarctic experience, you will witness not only the stunning wildlife on South Georgia, but the controversial history of the Falklands and oceans bedecked in icebergs as you push further south.

A Human History of the Arctic

A region touched by human activity for centuries, the Arctic is an area with a unique and diverse history. Here we share with you some of the basics about the region’s various residents who have helped to shape the north.

The Arctic…a place that stirs images of Polar Bears, Walrus and the elusive Narwhal. But how many of us picture the planet’s far north as a site of human activity? Certainly we imagine fields of white interrupted only occasionally by the track of a husky-sledge, or perhaps a lone Inuit hunter in pursuit of the wildlife around him. But the idea that the Arctic is anything other than an untouched wilderness is hard for some of us to grasp. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Arriving in Canada and Greenland in the 11th century from Russia, the continuous habitation of the Inuit in the often unforgiving northern climes has made them an Arctic fixture for over ten centuries. Many of us would imagine a lifestyle in the north to be one of bare necessities. However, art has traditionally played a large part in Inuit society, with small sculptures of animals and human figures being carved from ivory or soft stone. Many still live a traditional lifestyle today, in which husky-dogs and hunting are cultural staples. You can step into their world on a thirteen night autumn holiday to Greenland and Labrador, one of the best trips to experience the untouched cultural beauty of the modern Inuit. Welcomed by a group of eager huskies and sharing in the hunt you will experience a traditional northern life that has survived in one of the harshest places on Earth.

But no one has had as much influence on the modern north as European whalers and hunters. Early reports of seas overflowing with life turned eyes northward to Spitsbergen, all seeking fuel for the lamps of Europe’s growing population. The consuming competition between the English and the Dutch intensified the hunt and pushed the archipelago’s whale population to the verge of extinction only one hundred years after the area’s discovery. The hunters then moved in, pursuing the fur of the Polar Bear and Fox until at the turn of the twentieth century the archipelago was described as almost completely devoid of life. Fortunately, limitations and bans are helping the wildlife to make an admirable recovery, making the area a favourite destination for cruises full of wildlife lovers. Focusing on Spitsbergen’s west coast, where most human activity has centred, the ten-night Spitsbergen Explorer is one of the best voyages to witness the area in the midst of June’s midnight sun. It’s a holiday that takes in both the remains of whaling and hunting stations, but also comes face to face with the fantastic wildlife that is returning to the islands.

The most famous human visitors to the Arctic region must be the explorers such as Nansen, Amundsen and Franklin, who dedicated their lives to the exploration of this unknown corner of the world. The North Pole was a highly sought goal and 1908 marked Frederick Cook’s claim to the accomplishment. A year later another explorer, Robert Peary, made a competing claim and for years there was debate about which man had done it first…if either had at all. Generally agreed now that neither man made the pole, it wasn’t until 1969 that the first man, Wally Herbert, undisputedly walked across the pole…only four months before Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon. But now a Voyage to the North Pole is possible for anybody. On a thirteen night journey aboard an icebreaker, you will travel high into the pack ice before stepping foot on the spot that so many had tried – and failed – to reach. You’ll get to celebrate on the ice with your fellow passengers – and will genuinely be on top of the world!

A Polar Bear On the Prowl

Last week Natalie Swain, part time marketing executive at Discover The World/part time Polar Guide, shared a Humpback encounter. This week, she recalls her incredible experience witnessing a Polar Bear on the hunt on the pack ice north of Spitsbergen.

A grey light permeates the air. Off the bow, the liquid silver of the Arctic Ocean disappears as dozens of slabs of ice huddle together on its surface, until in the distance all you can see is the expanse of pack ice that stretches all the way to the North Pole. Floating on an Arctic cruise north of Spitsbergen, you’ve got one thing on your mind – Polar Bears. As the day grows brighter, suddenly you can make out one or two grey dots on the ice. Soon, as the ship draws nearer, they double and triple in number until there are dozens of grey dots that you can only hope are the favourite food of the Arctic predator, the Polar Bear.

Fellow passengers are grouped around you, the sense of anticipation hanging like icicles from the deck plates. Finally the ship’s ‘Polar Bear expert’ announces what you had wanted to hear: they’re definitely seals. And there are thousands of them, hauled out on the pack ice! And that means there will be Polar Bears. The boat moves closer and you can make out the seals with the naked eye now, some grouped together, others floating alone in the frigid waters, while others still lie asleep, alone, and completely unaware. 

Those are the ones you know to watch. And soon enough the people around you begin mumbling in excitement. There’s a Polar Bear, a big one, and he’s coasting in the waters around th e seals. A marine animal, he is as at home in the water as they are, but he knows that it’s on land, on the surface of the ice, where they’re most vulnerable. He chooses his prey, a seal on his own, a little away from the group. Part of your conscience wishes you could warn him, but from up here on deck you know that this is the hard reality of life above the Arctic Circle.

The sun is bright and for a moment the bear disappears. Everyone falls silent. And it’s his sudden movement that breaks the calm, springing from the water and grabbing the seal with a casual cruelty that makes you shiver, even as you stare in wonder at the sheer power of the animal. Shutters click, people mumble in astonishment and, as the bear begins to feed on the thick fat that will help him survive the coming winter, you marvel at all that the Arctic wilderness has in store.

Although I was lucky enough to witness this while working on a twelve night Around Spitsbergen holiday, Polar Bears are visible across the Arctic. But whether on a two night Polar Bear Country Adventure in northern Manitoba, or on a ten night Spitsbergen Explorer holiday, seeing a Polar Bear is always an amazing experience…even for those of us who spend the whole season up north in search of them!

Whale-Watching on Humpback Feeding Ground

Natalie Swain, part time marketing executive at DTW/part time Polar Guide (lucky girl!), shares her experience of Humpback encounters in the Arctic.

There is nothing quite like the sight of a Humpback whale on the horizon, the jet of air shooting high into the Arctic sky. As our vessel approached closer, pressing through small pieces of ice that sparkled in the midnight sun, it was well past our bedtime, but no one on deck was thinking of going to bed. As the ship got closer we could see the rising hump of the appropriately named Humpback, followed by a clean show of his tail. Each tail is distinct and after a close inspection we could all see that this whale was different from the one who came up a few minutes before. In another minute, a third whale surfaced, this time breaking the surface entirely and showing off its long, lean body in a breach before coming down hard in a belly flop on the ocean’s surface. 

As our ship came alongside, cameras snapping and travellers gazing in wonder, the rising bubbles of the humpback’s breathe preluded the sight of their bodies, shadows that twirl beneath the ocean’s surface as they follow the air-bubbles to the surface. This is a common Humpback hunting technique and by working in pairs and releasing bubbles in a long, even breath, the magnificent animals trap the resident fish within the helix of air through which the little animals can’t swim. The large mammals then circle underneath and swim through the bubbles, mouths open, and enjoy a feast of fresh seafood.

These magnificent animals can be seen pole-to-pole and displays of this kind can keep polar travellers on deck for hours as the magnificent sea creatures play and feed until memory cards are full. This was exactly what some of our 2012 visitors to Spitsbergen witnessed last year while sailing on a ten night Around Spitsbergen odyssey and I’ll be heading north again this year eagerly hoping for a similar encounter. You can also these aquatic wonders down South on the nine-night Antarctic Whale Safari. But regardless of where you go in pursuit of these amazing animals there is no doubt that viewing them at sea is one of the most rewarding wildlife encounters I have ever experienced.

New Polar Voyages for 2013!

As the year draws to a close and the temperature outside is feeling decidedly polar, it's time to look ahead to 2013 and start planning the next adventure! We're very excited to introduce some brand new itineraries in the Arctic and Antarctica, so why not book a holiday with a difference for 2013?

Our Arctic offerings now include the Greenland Explorer, an extensive journey around the island's west, south and east coast, with the chance to visit remote Inuit communties and marvel at the untouched wilderness in between. Greenland also features in our new Scotland to Greenland voyage, which travels via the Faroes and Iceland on a discovery of Celtic, Norse, Viking & Inuit cultures as well as a wealth of birdlife.

Further afield in the Canadian Arctic we are offering two new expedition voyages for 2013, the Arctic Explorer and Into the Northwest Passage. Follow in the footsteps of legendary polar explorers, in search of polar bears, narwhales, bowhead whales and more!

Heading south, our Antarctic season kicks off in November 2013 as the austral summer commences. New for our 2013/14 collection we are very excited to introduce South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula, which as the name suggests takes in the very best of these two incredible destinations. Enjoy the chance to see vast king penguin colonies and pay homage to Shackleton at his grave in Grytviken, before continuing to the Great White Continent where you will fine spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife.

Also new for January 2014 is our Antarctic Peninsula East & West, which is a comprehensive exploration of the Peninsula. Taking in the highlights of both the western side and the lesser-visted Weddell Sea side, this voyage will reveal vast icebergs, volcanic islands and fascinating adelie penguin rookeries. Finally, for a truly epic adventure, why not consider our 23-day Antarctic Circle, Falklands & South Georgia expedition voyage? From the wildlife-rich islands of the Falklands and South Georgia to the spectacular icy backdrop of the Antarctic Peninsula, your journey will continue far south until you cross the Antarctic Circle at 66° 33’S.

As always we continue to offer small ship expedition voyages, and by working with a number of different polar partners we are able to offer a wider choice of vessels and itineraries, to suit all requirements – whether it’s your first time to the polar regions, you have a specific interest in wildlife or polar history, if time is limited or if you’re looking for a more in-depth exploration, we can help!

Speak to our Polar Experts for advice on the best option to suit your own specific interests and budget, and make 2013 a year to remember!

You can view our full range of Arctic 2013 polar voyages here
And our Antarctica 2013/14 holiday collection can be found here

Polar Expedition Cruising... on the Thames!

Last week London had an unusual visitor in the shape of one of our favourite ice-strengthened polar vessels, the Sea Spirit. The impressive spectacle of her cruising under Tower Bridge was followed by an opportunity for some of our Polar Specialists to climb on board and explore the ship. They were all suitably impressed, as Senior Travel Specialist Jo Cooper explains:

"I was pleasantly surprised with the suites which were much more like proper hotel rooms than ship cabins. They were very elegant with wooden panelling and large comfortable beds, and the balconies in the deluxe suites would be fantastic to sit out on with a glass of wine watching icebergs float past! 

You could live in the Owner's Suite with its huge bed, large bathroom with sunken spa bath, dining table and chairs, sofa and flat screen TV - and an amazing view out from the top of the ship. It was impressive enough looking out over the Thames, but Antarctica's icebergs, mountains and wildlife would be even more spectacular!

The restaurant, lounge and bar areas were large and comfortable, and the food was absolutely amazing. Just a shame we couldn't stay on board while the ship heads south to Antarctica!"

The Sea Spirit sails in both the Arctic and Antarctica and right now you can SAVE on a selection of itineraries.

Choose a last minute trip to Antarctica this 2012/13 season and you can stay in the Owners Suite that impressed Jo so much - book by 28 September and save up to £1600 per person on a range of Antarctic itineraries.

Or start planning ahead for next year - with 15% off all summer 2013 Arctic voyages on board the Sea Spirit, now is the ideal time to book your adventure to Spitsbergen or Greenland.

And last but not least - book now and save up to 25% on our brand new Antarctica 2013/14 season!!

Please see our website or call our team of polar specialists for full details.

More Arctic Adventures

The one thing that never ceases to amaze me is just how much can be packed into a polar expedition voyage. It's only a couple of days since I last wrote, but in that short space of time we've seen some more whales from the ship (including around 200 belugas this morning), paddled past immense calving glaciers in the company of bearded seals and walrus, watched thousands of thick-billed murre chicks take their first flight under the hungry eye of an Arctic fox - and even sighted our first polar bear!

A visit to an abandoned marble mine at Ny London (on the island of Blomstrandhalvoya, just off Spitsbergen) provided historical content and then for something completely different we went for a swim in the Arctic Ocean. The word 'swim' may be a slight exaggeration,there was a lot of splashing and screaming though and that's enough to qualify for a successful polar plunge!

Tonight we continue south back towards Longyearbyen, with just one more day at sea left to enjoy - who knows what that may bring? In the meantime we're about to enjoy a BBQ on the deck, and I can't think of a better way to end an adrenalin-filled day!

 

On Top of the World

Liz is cruising Around Spitsbergen this week and sent us this report from the ship:

At the end of a fantastic day here in the Arctic, I think it's fair to say we're on top of the world in every sense...

Today started early with a 1am sighting of a blue whale - just enough time to grab a camera & chuck on some warm layers over our PJ's before heading out onto deck to see the world's largest creature. Quite a sight to behold, even from a distance. After a few short hours we awoke again to find ourselves cruising northeast of Spitsbergen, approaching the edge of the Arctic pack ice. As our ice-strengthened ship weaved its way through the sea ice, all eyes were peeled for wildlife - birdwatchers were thrilled to see little auks and ivory gulls, whilst the appearance of the occasional harp seal provided some distraction in the water.

After lunch it was announced that we would be taking a zodiac cruise through the ice - and those of us taking the kayak option would be paddling instead.

With fairly foggy conditions it wasn't long before we were out of sight of the ship and the zodiacs, just 3 kayaks gliding silently through the Arctic Ocean at 80 degrees north, exploring icebergs and floes of different shapes, sizes and trying to grasp the fact that now nothing lay between us and the North Pole. What an incredible experience. And just when we thought it couldn't get any better an inquisitive harp seal popped up to join us! On the way back to the ship we stopped to clamber out onto the floating ice, where we felt, quite literally, on top of the world!

The day ended as it had begun, with everyone on deck to enjoy another visit from a whale, this time a humpback close to the ship. And then to bed, wondering what tomorrow will bring...!

New Guide to the Northwest Passage

Travel author Tony Soper has just released a fascinating new book focusing on the legendary Northwest Passage. The search for a trade route linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans took countless lives over hundreds of years, with probably the most well-known expedition setting out in 1845 under the command of Sir John Franklin. This ill-fated voyage ended with the loss of both ships and all 129 men – with just 3 bodies and a handful of relics found as clues to what had happened. 

In the years that followed numerous search parties combed the area, in the process learning new skills from the local Inuits and gaining a better understanding of how to survive the Arctic's harsh conditions. As a result sledges became the transport of choice and hunting replaced the need to rely solely on supplies. Between 1850 and 1855, Captain Robert McClure led a search party for Franklin and became the first person to cross the Northwest Passage. He made the journey in stages, travelling by ship and on foot - but it wasn't until 1903 that Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first to travel the whole of the Northwest Passage by ship.

The journey today still inspires a pioneering feel and offers a wealth of experiences as you make your way through the Canadian High Arctic. In addition to the fascinating history of the region, highlights may also include the abundant wildlife (polar bears, narwhals, belugas, seals, caribou and muskox), majestic scenery and chance to visit remote Inuit communities for a real a taste of life in the Arctic.

For more inspiration read our Polar Specialist Lauren's accounts of her voyage through the Northwest Passage here and here, or start planning your own Arctic Adventure now!

'The Northwest Passage: Atlantic to Pacific - a Portrait and Guide' by Tony Soper is published by Bradt Travel Guides, available now at £14.99.
  

Doug Allan: Filming the Frozen Planet

We’re very excited to see cameraman Doug Allan about to embark on a series of talks about his ‘life behind the lens’. Responsible for bringing the incredible sights of the polar regions into our homes, Allan is the man behind a number of ground-breaking wildlife sequences filmed for the BBC including series such as Blue Planet, Planet Earth and Frozen Planet.

Allan will be sharing a wealth of stories based on his many years of filming, photography and unique wildlife encounters, with a ‘behind the scenes’ look at how his team were able to capture rare footage such as this fantastic clip from Antarctica for Frozen Planet:

The 'Life Behind the Lens' talks kick off in Henley on 19th February, and continue around the UK throughout February and March.  Tickets start from £15 and the complete list of venues and dates can be found here