North Pole & High Arctic
Experience the land of the Inuit and beyond to the North Pole, with specialist Arctic photographer Bryan Alexander
This one-week tour to the absolute Top of the World gives you a glimpse of the peoples and culture of the high Arctic. We will be flown by experienced Kenn Borek aircrews from Resolute Bay via Ellesmere Island and Discovery Bay to 90ºN - the North Pole, across a harsh landscape of shifting pack ice and windblown snows. On our return flight south, we will stop at the remote Greenlandic community of Qaanaq and visit Canada's Grise Fjord, among the world's most isolated villages!
Any trip to the North Pole is an exciting and challenging endeavour. We are delighted to have as our escort, Bryan Alexander, a photographer and writer with over forty years of experience working with Arctic peoples. Bryan's insight into the remarkable people and culture of the north will add immeasurably to this epic journey to the North Pole.
Bryan Alexander is British photographer and writer. He has spent more than 10 years living in isolated native communities around the polar north and 40 years documenting the life of indigenous peoples of the Arctic. Bryan has written widely and, with his wife Cherry, operates a photo library that specializes in the Arctic. Their latest book 40 Below describes the seasonal cycle of life of the Arctic’s hunters and herders and is a unique record of traditional life in the Arctic from 1971-2011.
Activity Level
Easy
Easy trips offer comfortable adventure under normal polar conditions. They include gentle activities like scenic tours, short treks, talks and skills sessions. If you want more adventure, we can offer that too! You can participate at your own pace and to be as active or relaxed as you wish.
Dates & Rates Notes
This Experience is sold in combination with our South Pole Flights Experience and is operated by our travel partner, The Great Canadian Travel Company
Please contact us for dates, rates and other booking information.
What's included
- Two chartered Twin Otter aircraft from Resolute Bay to the North Pole and back to Eureka.
- One Twin Otter aircraft from Eureka to Qaanaq, Greenland, back to Grise Fjord and Resolute Bay.
- Accommodation throughout, with all meals provided in Eureka, Resolute bay and Grise Fjord.
- Services of an experienced tour manager
Experience DOES NOT include:
- Travel costs to Ottawa Canada
- Personal equipment and clothing
- Meals, accommodation or other expenses in Ottawa
- Additional costs for accommodation due to inclement weather
- Insurance cover (required)
Day 1 Ottawa to Resolute Bay
Meet at the airport in Ottawa, Canada. Fly north via Iqualuit to Resolute Bay, where we will overnight.
Day 2 Eureka
Our two chartered Twin Otter aircraft will head north to the Canadian government weather station at Eureka, our staging post for the journey to the pole.
Day 3 The North Pole
The aircraft will depart in the early morning, one for passengers and the other with fuel. We will land at Discovery Bay for refuelling before heading north to 86ºN where we will fuel again. Then we will fly the final 276 miles to the North Pole where we will land, weather permitting, to record this unique journey. Finally, we will fly south via 86ºN and Discovery Bay to Eureka where we will overnight.
Day 4 Eureka
We build a spare day into the itinerary at Eureka to offer some buffer against poor weather, always an issue in the Arctic. Depending on conditions and the group’s wishes, we may be able to continue to Greenland one day earlier.
Day 5 Qaanaq
Only 280 miles away from Eureka lies the Greenlandic hamlet of Qaanaq where we will spend two full days and a night staying at the lovely Hotel Qaanaq. Our guide Bryan Alexander has spent over two years in this part of North Greenland and his familiarity with it will bring to life your journey to this beautiful and isolated Inuit community.
Day 6 Grise Fjord
Back to Canada today, and time to explore the remote and lovely community of Grise Fjord lying on the southern shores of Ellesmere Island.
Day 7 Resolute Bay
The final leg on board our Twin Otter aircraft as we head back to Resolute Bay for the last overnight of the trip.
Day 8 Return to Ottawa
A long haul south as we cover the 2,289 miles from Resolute Bay to Canada's capital city of Ottawa where our tour ends.
Schedule and Itinerary
How is the North Pole different from the South Pole
The North Pole is different in almost every way from the South Pole, from its geography to its seasons. In fact you could say they are 'polar opposites'!
The South Pole lies on the continental landmass of Antarctica. The continent is covered by glacial ice miles deep and the South Pole is at an elevation of 9300ft (2835m). The best travel months are November, December and January - the austral summer - when temperatures are warmest and there is 24 hr daylight. South Pole Experiences depart from southern Chile, in South America.
In contrast, the North Pole lies in the middle of the frozen Arctic Ocean, amidst drifting pack ice. The ocean is about 13,000ft (4000m) deep at the North Pole and most areas are covered with 6-9ft (2-3m) thick ice floes. The best travel month is April - the boreal spring - when temperatures begin to warm, but the sea ice remains frozen. The lands surrounding the Arctic Ocean support human habitation and a vibrant northern culture.
We offer North Pole Experiences departing from Spitsbergen, Norway and from Ottawa, Canada.
Skills and Training
No special skills or training are required for this Experience. Just normal health and fitness. You should expect to walk on uneven snow and ice.
If you are able to fly on regular commercial flights, you should have no problems on any of the programmed flights. The DHC-6 Twin Otter is an extremely reliable twin-engine aircraft, used throughout Canada's Arctic to reach remote communities and off-strip locations.
Challenges
- Temperatures to -4ºF to -25ºF (-25ºC to -30ºC)
- Uneven snow and ice surfaces
Forms
Please contact us for forms and other booking information.
ANI’s mission is to set the highest possible environmental standards and to use best practices. We believe in responsible and sustainable tourism where our guests leave Antarctica with a greater appreciation of its remarkable natural values.
