Summary
Kangerlussuaq, Grundarfjördur, Longyearbyen, Kivitoo... If there are city and village names that evoke the Far North, they are indeed those of Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Canada. Icebergs, ice seas, volcanoes, polar bears: going on a cruise in the Arctic is letting oneself be carried away into a world where man is a spectator of a sovereign nature.
3 reasons to explore the Arctic
It is said to be mythical, at least as much as its opposite, Antarctica. The most isolated regions are rarely known and that is what makes it irresistible. However, the Arctic includes eight countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the United States, Canada, Denmark and Iceland) and even more wonders to discover. Here are three reasons to go to the Arctic.
Meet local communities
Spread across Greenland, Alaska and Canada, the Inuit communities have perpetuated their traditions for over 4,000 years. In the vast icy expanse of the Far North, their ancestral way of life commands respect. Their daily lives are dictated by the tides and the state of the ice, with their activities revolving around hunting and fishing. Skilled artisans, they create true works of art by sculpting ivory from walruses or narwhals and working with the furs and skins of marine mammals. Eager to pass on their heritage, the Inuit people welcome travellers warmly to share their customs, dances and traditional music.
Witness magnificent nature
In the heart of the ice of the Far North or the primeval forests of Alaska, the Arctic reveals its majestic landscapes. Colossal icebergs drift in deafening silence, glaciers alternate with the ice floe, impressive geysers and volcanoes rise towards the sky, lakes, rivers, and coniferous forests stretch as far as the eye can see... These places are home to exceptional wildlife. In the waters of Spitsbergen or the Baffin Sea, humpback whales, rorquals, narwhals, orcas and seals offer a breathtaking spectacle. On land, it is the polar bears, walruses, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, or Svalbard reindeer that are observed with emotion. In the air, countless species of birds, including Arctic terns, puffins, sea eagles, northern gannets, and bald eagles share the horizon as far as the eye can see.
Follow in the footsteps of the great explorers
Throughout history, the Arctic has attracted the intrepid in search of adventure. From the territory of Ultima Thulé, the mythical kingdom of the Vikings, to the North Pole, men have pushed themselves to the limit. They have defied the elements and pushed all boundaries. We still recall the exploits of James Cook, who explored the coasts of Alaska in 1778, Roald Amundsen, the first man to cross the Northwest Passage at the beginning of the 20th century, and Paul-Émile Victor. The latter set sail for the first time in 1934 with the famous Jean-Baptiste Charcot, heading towards Greenland. In 1936, he crossed it from west to east by dog sled: a remarkable feat! He then spent 14 months alone with an Inuit family in Kangerlussuaq. His stories shed light on these populations and their traditions, previously unknown in Europe.
The must-sees of the Arctic
An Arctic cruise is the perfect opportunity to combine the dream of adventure and unique encounters in magnificent settings. From Greenland to Svalbard, passing through the Canadian Arctic or Iceland, here are the must-see destinations of the Far North.
- Watch whales in Greenland
- Seek out polar bears in Spitsbergen
- Admire the Kirkjufell volcano in Iceland
- Explore the Aleutian Islands
- Cross the Northwest Passage like a true explorer
- Discover the Sea of Okhotsk
- Navigate in the Baffin Sea
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