Arctic

Connect with nature in one of the last untouched places on the planet

THE ARCTIC AT A GLANCE

We invite you on a journey to the most extraordinary untamed wilderness areas of Canada, Alaska, and Iceland. In the Arctic you might find yourself breathless one moment while in the presence of bears or gliding across the ice under the spectacular northern lights, and completely relaxed the next as you soak in a geothermal lagoon or sip on a cocktail by a roaring fire, reflecting on the high octane activities of the day. The possibilities for adventures are endless – you can sit back and watch the world go by from the seat of a train or from the back of a dogsled. Expeditions by helicopter allow us to drop you down in the middle of the wilderness to ski or fish. Explore the curious artist’s retreat and stunning architectural wonders on Newfoundland’s remote Fogo Island. Paddle alongside beluga whales, kayak between great blue icebergs, and roam the icy lands in a Super Jeep or a snowmobile. Try ice fishing or fly fishing. Bear witness to one of the natural phenomena unique to this part of the world: the great salmon run where salmon swim upstream into the mouths of hungry waiting bears, or the great caribou migration when the herds move toward calving grounds to birth their babies and then continue forward in their quest for survival.

Seeing polar bears in the wild is a primary goal for many Arctic travelers, and there is nothing more beautiful than visiting the magnificent creatures in their own habitat. These furry and ferocious predators are perhaps the crowned kings of the Arctic but the various ecosystems in Canada, Alaska and Iceland are also home to various other species of bears including grizzlies and brown bears, as well as powerful elk, caribou, and moose; snow white foxes and hares that blend into the snow; and Icelandic horses. The marine life at the floe edge – where the ice meets the sea – is just as diverse, with belugas and orcas, wrinkly walruses and playful seals, and exotic narwhal whose massive tusks inspired their nickname “unicorn of the sea.” In the presence of so much wildlife you’ll gain a newfound appreciation for the fragility of our world and how important it is to continue the fight against climate change. At The Legacy Untold we aim to inspire awareness and action to support a healthy future for the planet. One of our exclusive offerings is arranging for our travelers to hike a glacier with a climate scientist to learn about glacial retreat.

In the Arctic, luxury means both the level of accommodation and service at hotel properties but also the incredible detail in their design. A few of our favorite beautifully atmospheric properties include an isolated family owned chalet that sits in the shadow of Mount Denali and is only reachable by helicopter, an architecturally stunning modern inn situated in the remote artists’ community of Newfoundland’s Fogo Island, and a hotel in Iceland where you can step out of the door of your suite into a private corner of the famous Blue Lagoon. Let us take you there.

 

Take me there

THE ARCTIC WITH THE LEGACY UNTOLD

We carefully choose the best experience providers and hotel properties in each destination to give you the ultimate combination of active adventures and creature comforts in beautiful surroundings, suited to your preferences. Whether you want to see the northern lights from the back of a dogsled or from behind floor to ceiling windows in a luxury hotel, we’ll make it happen for you.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP

The further away from the equator you go the more extreme the seasons. In the farther reaches of our Arctic destinations, you’ll experience 24 hours of daylight at the height of summer and 24 hours of darkness for a brief time in winter.

Choosing when and where to go in the Arctic will depend on what adventures and wildlife sightings you’re looking for. In a harsh environment like the Arctic, wildlife is affected by the weather and some species either migrate or hibernate, so timing and location is key.

When can you see polar bears? Polar bear safaris are typically possible from March through November. In the springtime mothers and their cubs emerge from their dens and head toward the sea ice.

When can you see the northern lights? The longer the night, the better your chances. Prime viewing begins later in the fall and ends at the end of the winter but it’s possible to see the Aurora Borealis from September to April, depending on where you are.

Iceland is very much a year round destination, whereas many lodges in Alaska and northern Canada close in the winter (December – March).