The North Pole isn't just for those looking to catch a glimpse of Santa's workshop. It's an incredibly challenging environment for humans, but for those with the means and desire, a journey to the North Pole can leave an unforgettable mark on your life. Here are some tips on where to start.
Part 1
Step 1. Consider how you'll get to the North Pole.
Think about how you'll get to the North Pole. You can either fly there or take an icebreaker ship.
Step 2. By Air:
By Air: Most flights to the North Pole depart from Longyearbyen in Svalbard (an archipelago in Norway) in April, when the Arctic night has ended, but the ice is still solid. Regardless of which flight you choose, it will land close to the North Pole, so you will need to reach it by skis, snowmobiles, or dog sleds. Many flights may not land but instead fly low over interesting sights and landmarks.
Step 3. By Icebreaker:
By Icebreaker: There are icebreakers that depart from Murmansk, and there are tours starting from Helsinki or Moscow. In both cases, you'll enjoy luxurious conditions, so be prepared to sell a limb, a kidney, or maybe even your house, as the cost of such a trip can be up to $25,000 per person!
Step 4. Participate in a Marathon:
Participate in a Marathon: Each year, a marathon is held at the nearby Barneo polar station, which includes a short helicopter flight to the geographical North Pole.
Step 5. Join a Race:
Join a Race: You can take part in the North Pole Race or the Polar Challenge to reach the North Magnetic Pole. Participation in such events usually costs tens of thousands of dollars, but they include preparation and support during the competition.
Step 6. By Skiing:
By Skiing: For the more hardened travelers, there are a variety of "land-based" travel options (on the ice-covered ocean): skiing, sledding (called "nartas"), and camping on the ice. You can opt for an "extreme difficulty" ski tour, where you'll be dropped off by helicopter 105 km from the North Pole, and you'll need to ski there over 1-2 weeks at a cost of approximately $20,000 or more. However, there are even more challenging expeditions that start from the shores of Canada or Russia, where travelers spend months reaching the North Pole over the ice. The prices, correspondingly, are not small.
