Top 10 Reasons to Travel to the Polar Regions

Do you feel an inner calling to travel to the polar regions?

Nowhere else on Earth can you see the most awe-inspiring natural scenery. Whether you dream of seeing polar bears in the wild or experiencing the magic of visiting the White Continent, the polar regions await you.

If you haven’t travelled in the polar regions before, this article will offer you an insight into some of the reasons you may want to explore the Arctic or Antarctica on your next trip. I will also highlight how polar travel differs from other forms of travel and include some tips on the differences between destinations.

It comes with a warning! Travelling in the polar regions is highly addictive, and many travellers return time and time again.

With Polar Escapes, you can search for and book the largest range of polar tours and expedition cruises and get free expert advice to help you plan your trip.

Here are my top 10 reasons to travel to the polar regions:

1. Polar Wildlife

The polar regions are teeming with unique species adapted to the cold and found nowhere else on Earth. It’s not surprising one of the main reasons people visit the polar regions is to see these magnificent animals for themselves.

Polar bears roam the pack ice in the Arctic, including Svalbard, East Greenland, and the Northwest Passage. For many visitors, seeing a polar bear in the wild is a dream come true and the ultimate goal of their trip.

The Arctic, of course, has more to offer than polar bears. Walruses, Arctic foxes, Arctic hares, whales, reindeer and a wealth of birdlife are some species you will likely encounter on an expedition cruise.

Antarctica is one of the best places on Earth to see penguins in the wild. Observe different species, such as Gentoos, Adelie, and Chinstraps, navigate the icy waters and return to the shore to feed their young in the bustling rookeries.

Each year, whales migrate to Antarctic Peninsula’s nutrient-rich waters to feed, making it one of the best places in the world for whale watching in an awe-inspiring natural setting.

A polar expedition cruise is a great way to experience some of Earth’s most incredible wildlife watching as it allows you to travel to places that would otherwise be inaccessible.

To learn more about the wildlife of the polar regions please see our guide to Arctic Animals and Antarctica Wildlife.

2. Polar Scenery

The awe-inspiring scenery of the polar regions is second to none and a photographer’s paradise. Vast landscapes without any sign of human touch, colossal glaciers, and icebergs the size of cathedrals await the intrepid explorer.

I have been fortunate to travel to all the polar regions, each with distinct scenery.

Svalbard has over 2,000 glaciers, spikey mountain tops, and lots of sea ice early in the season. The Northwest National Park is picturesque, with multiple glaciers calving into the sea.

Greenland is home to the longest fjord on Earth, Scoresby Sund, the most enormous iceberg in the Arctic, and jaw-dropping scenery at every turn. For landscape lovers, I highly recommend the remote coast of East Greenland, where the scenery stretches into the infinite.

Antarctica has it all, from epic mountains to calving glaciers and enormous icebergs. The Lemaire Channel, framed by cliffs on either side, is one of Antarctica’s most iconic sites.

An expedition cruise is the perfect way to experience polar scenery. It allows access to otherwise inaccessible places due to the absence of infrastructure.

3. Follow Famous Polar Explorers

One of the reasons I was first drawn to polar exploration was reading historical accounts of Early explorers. The polar regions are packed with history, from tales of reaching the Poles to ill-fated attempts to explore the Northwest Passage.

In the Arctic, you can traverse the Northwest Passage and visit the sites of early expeditions, including the graves of Franklin’s men. You can also choose Svalbard, which played a key role in the race to the North Pole. In Ny Alesund, the airship mast still stands today, where Roald Amundsen set off to become the first to reach the North Pole.

Antarctica is full of stories of survival. It’s possible to visit Scott and Shackleton’s huts in East Antarctica or see Point Wild on Elephant Island, where Shackleton and his men were marooned when their ship, the Endurance, sank in the Weddell Sea.  

A highlight of a polar trip includes learning about the unique history through guides and visiting sites of historical interest.

4. Explore Remote Places

A part of the adventure of visiting the polar regions is seeing places few go to. The polar regions are some of the planet’s least explored and inhabited parts. Exploring the Arctic and Antarctica on an expedition cruise ship with a small group of guests is the perfect way to experience them.  

Expedition cruises offer a great way to encounter the environment personally. Stepping off the main ship and onto a Zodiac is a great way to get up close to raw nature and feel part of it. Calving glacier faces, giant icebergs, and snow-covered mountain peaks are all part of the backdrop.

5. It’s Time To Unwind

Can you imagine a better place to escape the business of everyday life? With no mobile phone reception, it’s time to step away from your screen and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. It’s the perfect place to get back to nature and do a digital detox. Relax in the raw nature and hit the reset button.

6. Adventure Activities

Are you ready to take a polar plunge? Or kayak amongst icebergs? Activities are a great way to connect with nature and add to the adventure. Choose your adventure from a list of options, including camping in Antarctica, polar snorkelling and diving, or stand-up paddleboarding.

Kayaking is one of my favourite activities as it immerses you in nature.

Many polar cruises offer paddling excursions or sea kayaking for more advanced kayakers. Meeting a penguin or a friendly seal on a kayaking expedition is a memorable experience.  

7. A sense of achievement

Whether standing on the world’s most remote and only uninhabited continent for the first time or reaching the Geographic North Pole, polar travel comes with a deep sense of achievement. After all, very few people explore the polar regions, so no matter what adventure you choose, you will be rewarded with a feeling that only travel can bring.

8. Experience A Different Way Of Life

From exploring remote communities in Greenland and the Northwest Passage to visiting a research station in Antarctica, travel is all about gaining insights into other people’s way of life.

On my travels, I visited Ittoqqortoormiit, a remote settlement in East Greenland home to just 428 people. I was fortunate enough to meet villagers and gain a deeper understanding of their Arctic way of life in a village that is locked by sea ice for most of the year. Meeting the people who live there and seeing their village was one of the most memorable experiences I have had in the polar regions.

9. Scientific Learning and Conservation

Polar cruise ships have onboard scientists who conduct necessary research and marine biology from data collection to ice sampling. A part of an expedition cruise is learning about the scientific and conservational work taking place. During the evening, scientists and biologists deliver onboard lectures so guests can learn in-depth about the polar regions.

10. Be Part Of An Active Expedition

Expedition cruises are active. Led by an expedition leader and team of guides, they explore new places every day. Travel in the polar regions is aimed at adventurous travellers who want to spend time outside exploring.

On a smaller expedition ship, you can expect to do two shore landings or Zodiac cruises per day. I always recommend the smallest ship size to get the best experience.

How To Travel To the Polar Regions

Travelling to the polar regions is easy. At Polar Escapes, we offer the largest selection of polar cruises and tours. Please see our Arctic Cruises or Antarctica Cruises to choose your cruise and browse departure dates.

Our team of expert travel advisers has years of firsthand knowledge to help you plan your perfect adventure.

If you have any questions or need some friendly advice, please contact us.