Home About Us Responsible Tourism Contact Us  

 
In the UK
 
Sarah’s passion for the Arctic began with an expedition to Greenland in 1992 and has been growing ever since. Her expertise ranges from glacier travel and boating to creating culinary delights with fresh Arctic ingredients. The Polar People was born from her desire to share the wonders of the Arctic - with a little bit of comfort.
Jim works behind the scenes for The Polar People. He also makes radio programmes and gives lectures about polar things www.jimmayer.co.uk. His adventures in cold places have included major expeditions in Greenland, Iceland, Spitsbergen, Northern Sweden and a season in Antarctica with the British Antarctic Survey.
Elaine is the latest addition to our office team. She has a new-found passion for the wilder parts of Finnish Lapland, snow-shoeing, ice-fishing and talking to reindeer!
In the Arctic
 
One of the best things, throughout the Arctic, is its people. When we visit new places we are always touched by the warm welcome we receive. Our small-group Arctic holidays are hosted by the wonderful friends we’ve made there over the years. They are all experts in their fields and happy to share their local knowledge - as well as their unique perspective of the Arctic as ‘home’.
Olav Henke and Inga Dansberg live in Norwegian Lapland with their baby son and 15 Alaskan huskies. They host our dog-sledging holidays, either based from a snug chalet close to their house or venturing into the wild mountains of the Dividalen National Park. They also guide our tailor-made cross-country ski holidays.
The Reimer & Morberg Families own a clutch of wilderness lodges in Manitoba and run exceptional guided wildlife holidays from them. This is a real family business with a warm welcome and delicious gourmet meals.
Charles met Natasha in her home-town of Archangel where his classic yacht Goxsheim was being refitted and they haven’t looked back! Together they explore the top of Norway in comfort and invite you to join them. Northern Lights, Midnight sun, skiing, walking, fishing and of course wonderful hands-on sailing.
Olivier Pitras is skipper of the expedition yacht Southern Star. He left France about 20 years ago to sail the world and hasn’t looked back. He was the first French skipper to carry out the Arctic Ocean crossing under sail and invites you to join him in Spitsbergen, his summer playground!
The Swanson Family have been cruising Alaska’s south-western coast since 1981 with their classic motor yacht Discovery. They have built up an un-rivalled knowledge of the wildlife and waterways of the region and have a real passion for preserving it. Join them to see whales, glaciers, bears and breathtaking fjords lined with miles of virgin forest.
Uta and Ingo Wolff have made their home in a tiny Greenlandic village on the shores of Disko Bay. They have established a super fish restaurant and a handful of wonderful self-catering Little Red Houses – stay with them for a holiday of ice-bergs, whales, kayaking, walking & fishing.
Åse Winsents grew up in the tiny hamlet of Veines on the edge of the Barents Sea and she can’t wait to introduce you to the seals, birds and wild ocean that she loves. This has been her family home for generations and it’s unique character combined with Trygg’s traditional local recipes make this a place to return to again and again.
 
We work in partnership with Oceanwide Expeditions who run sailing holidays aboard the classic yacht Noorderlicht in Spitsbergen and Arctic Norway, plus expedition cruises with specially converted ice-strengthened ships in Spitsbergen, East Greenland and the North Atlantic Islands. All of these trips are accompanied by experienced, friendly and knowledgeable expedition leaders.
We are also authorised Agents for Hurtigruten who have an un-rivalled reputation for beautiful coastal voyages on working ships in Norway and have recently expanded into Greenland.
In the Antarctic
 
Hamish and Kate Laird, with their daughters Anna and Helen are an exceptional family, dividing their time between sailing the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans aboard ‘Seal’ their expedition yacht and home. Hamish has logged more than 100,000 sailing miles and 14 Antarctic voyages - and Kate has been compared with Ellen Macarthur! Their wealth of experience and warm family welcome make these outstanding voyages.
Oceanwide Expeditions were awarded the title ‘World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator’ in the World Travel Awards and we are proud to work in partnership with them on the Antarctic. The beauty of these trips is the small size of the ships (Max 52 passengers) which results in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere on-board and more time to explore ashore.
Hurtigruten (the Norwegian Coastal Voyage people) now offer voyages in the Antarctica too. Their exciting itineraries combine Antarctica with some of the wonders of south America such as Machu Picchu, Torres del Paine and the Atacama Desert.
What our clients have to say
 
Wal Newton (North Cape 2007 among others!)
"Very many thanks indeed for your very real help. You really are extraordinary!"
Steve & Sheri Russell (Orca Safari 2006)
" Love at first sight - stunning views - a lovely tray of munchies as we arrived late - staff were very helpful and not pushy".
Esmond & Jane White (North Cape 2006)
"Charles & Natasha were fantastic!"
Richard & Helen Vause (Orca Safari 05)
"All charming, professional and helpful.Well done, in particular to Anders and Jann, our walking guide."
Terry & Kate Gwinnett (Tailor-made adventure 2006)
"It was everything that we were hoping for."
Warwick Sweeney (Spitsbergen 2006)
We have seen the diminished glaciers and at a time when everybody (and I mean everybody) is beginning to think something has to be done. Well now the light has finally come on please make sure that you turn yours off!! :-) Thanks and Best Wishes, Warwick xx
Joan Bolger(Spitsbergen 2007)
"Excellent Service"
Mary & Simon (Orcas & Aurora 2006)
Wonderful! Not just the beautiful Orca but the amazing scenery - just wonderful. And the food! Fantastic. Thank you for a fabulous holiday - we have both really enjoyed it.
Graham & Honor Archard (Archards Arctic Adventure)
"What a wonderful holiday! ...I can't wait to go sailing again - unbelieveable. I loved the rough sea, snow, wind etc ...Loved Iceland with a passion...the glacial lagoon at Jokulsalon really took our breath away. ...we had an absolutely wonderful, wonderful holiday saddened only by the elusive northern lights...next time perhaps?"
David Boddy (Orcas & Aurora 2007)
"The whole experience was brilliant."
Rob Fox (Orcas & Aurora 2007)
Charles was the perfect host & a complete gentleman. Both he & Eric surpassed the call of duty to ensure that everyone was happy. Charles made every effort to find orcas, even when the chances were slim! A man who loves his country, a true viking! I can only sing his praises, as indeed all the norwegians that I met. Never having been to the artic before, I will return. Satisfied? Yes.


 
 Call us on: 029 20 704 987 Our Holidays are Trustee Protected 
© The Polar People 2008