from €31,000* per person	14 Days	April
Luxury accommodations		Exertion level: 3
Operator: PolarExplorers		12 people max

Long days, arduous conditions and difficult terrain. Sound like fun? We think so! As our most popular polar expedition, our North Pole Last Degree Expedition is an adventure in every sense of the word. Traveling across the dynamic polar pack ice requires patience and agility, not to mention a flexible attitude to deal with the many diversions that pop up over the course of each day. From open water "leads" to huge pressure ridges of ice, there are many obstacles on this expedition that make reaching the North Pole all the more satisfying.

This expedition begins in the remote, yet modern village of Longyearbyen, Norway, well above the Arctic circle at 78 degrees North. Most team members particiapte in our Polar Shakedown Training and they arrive feeling as prepared, excited, and ready for a great journey. We plan for one day in town to review your equipment, ready our kits and take care of last minute details. On this day we'll issue your team anorak embroidered with an expedition patch and your name (yours to keep) as well as all group equipment and gear. We'll review safety procedures and all aspects of the expedition.

From Longyearbyen we'll make our way to approximately 89 degrees north latitude via a charter flight and possibly an additional helicopter lift. Depending on conditions and the time of our arrival we'll either set up camp or strap on our skis and sleds and head off toward our goal - the geographic North Pole. Skiing 7-10 hours a day over the dynamic pack ice, we'll encounter many challenges and breathtaking scenery. If conditions are good, our route will take us across large pans of flat ice that present few obstacles. When conditions are less than ideal, we'll have to maneuver around open water "leads" and over pressure ridges that can range from 1-5 meters in height. Families and friends can follow your daily progress and send you messages via our online expedition blogs.

As with all of our expeditions this is a "hands-on" experience. You'll be participating in all aspects of the expedition, including setting up camp, cooking, tracking our progress, etc. Give us a call and let us tell you more about what skills you should have prior to the expedition, and what skills we will be teaching you prior to our departure. Our shakedown trip is an ideal way to learn all the skills that are necessary for an expedition of this magnitude.

To ensure that you have the best possible experience, we'll help you with all aspects of your pre-expedition preparations, from choosing the right clothing to learning how to pack your sled.

When we finally reach 90 degrees north - the North Pole, we'll celebrate with champagne, dozens of photos to document your arrival, and calls home from the top of the world. Time permitting, we'll spend a night at the North Pole. The following morning a helicopter pick-up and charter flight take us back to Longyearbyen where a hot shower, celebratory dinner, and comfortable night in a lodge complete the expedition.