Over the last few years, the interest and number of travellers exploring the Arctic has increased. When it comes to planning a trip, tourists are looking north to spend time exploring remote destinations in the Arctic. Whether you are travelling through Denmark’s Faroe Islands, flying to Canada’s northern territories or sailing along the coast of Greenland, here is a quick guide on where to go to travel to the Arctic this year.
Start your Arctic adventure in Alaska
Alaska seems to be a destination popping up on almost everyone’s travel bucket list. Plan your trip there in the winter to catch a glimpse of the northern lights in Alaska or your summer vacation hiking through Denali National Park and Preserve. However, ice fields like the Mendenhall and Wolverine Glaciers are retreating at an alarming pace due to global warming. This means that you should book a flight to Alaska to travel to the Arctic as soon as possible to see this northern state in all of its glory.
Explore Canada’s Northern Territories
Things to do in Yukon
Yukon is Canada’s most accessible northern territory. From Canada, there are direct flights to Whitehorse from Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa and Yellowknife. There are also direct flights from Frankfurt, Germany as it is a popular destination for R.V. exploration in the warmer months.
Yukon is filled with lakes, rivers, mountains, glaciers, tundra, and boreal forest. This territory is known for its natural wonders of the northern lights in the autumn and winter and the midnight sun in the summer. Book a night or two at a cozy chalet in Yukon’s Watson Lake and have a stargazing experience you’ll never forget.
In town, Whitehorse has plenty to do or see to keep you busy. To learn about the region, visit Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, MacBride Museum of Yukon History or Yukon Wildlife Preserve. For those feeling adventurous, go flight-seeing over Kluane National Park and Reserve or heading for a dip in the Takhini Hot Pools.
Things to do in Northwest Territories
The most popular reason why tourist come to the Northwest Territories is to see the Northern Lights. Remote sky-watching lodges have become quite popular for visitors to see the Aurora Borealis accessible only by a smaller plane and often situated in remote natural areas. However, it is still possible to catch a glimpse of the dancing lights in town in Yellowknife on a dark, clear night.
Make your way down to the Old Town to visit one of the many galleries or get crafty at Old Town Glassworks. For food, dine with the locals Bullock’s Bistro or The Wildcat Cafe. Further uptown, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is a great introduction to the history and culture of this region.
When visiting the Northwest Territories, your best option is to fly into Yellowknife with a direct flight leaving daily from Edmonton with Air Canada.
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Sail through the Faroe Islands
A common misconception is that Denmark’s Faroe Islands are in the Arctic. However, their proximity to Iceland has put them in the same category as other cold weather destinations. Like Iceland, many of the most popular activities in the Faroe’s are best enjoyed in the spring and summer months.
For nature lover’s, be sure to explore the Islands’ largest lake Sørvágsvatn and one of the highest waterfalls Fossá. To learn more about the culture of the Faroe Islands, visit the Listasavn Føroya, the National Gallery of the Faroe Islands and the National Museum of the Faroe Islands in Tórshavn.
Spend some time in Greenland
Flights to Greenland’s capital city Nuuk only operate seasonally and can be quite expensive. It is worth it to search Skyscanner for cheap flights to Nuuk to try and snag a flight deal to travel to the Arctic.
Begin your trip in the cosmopolitan city of Nuuk. Then, sail along to the colourful seaside houses that line the coastline of Greenland. While there are many reasons to visit Greenland, discovering the unique Nordic culture is a must.
Find deals on places to stay in the Arctic and begin planning your trip!
Norway’s Lofoten and Svalbard Islands
The Lofoten and Svalbard island archipelagos are only a short flight from Oslo but feel like they are a world away. They are well worth the journey to get the chance to travel to the Arctic.
The Lofoten Islands are closer to mainland Norway. They are known for their fjords like the Trollfjord and picturesque fishing villages including Nusfjord. To learn more about this region, visit cultural sites like the Lofoten Museum.
Whereas, the Svalbard Islands are located more than 1,000 miles from Oslo. They are also home to some of the most dramatic Arctic scenery. During your visit, kayak through the Adventfjorden and take a polar bear safari through Tempelfjorden. For inspiration, visit the North Pole Expedition Museum.
Discover Mainland Scandinavia
There are a few great spots on mainland Scandinavia that offer a spectacular Arctic travel experience accessible by plane. Fly to Kiruna in Sweden, Rovaniemi in Finland or Tromsø in Norway as a gateway to travel to the Arctic.
Whether you visit these destinations in 2019 or add them to your travel list for future explorations, the Arctic is quickly becoming one of the most sought after travel regions to explore in the world. To help you start planning your next trip travel to the Arctic, take a peek at the latest flight deals on Skyscanner.
