We are often asked what makes an expedition so different, or so special, compared to a holiday.
A true expedition is not built around a fixed itinerary. It is a mindset.
On expedition, plans remain flexible, and that can feel unfamiliar at first. I remember a day when we had planned a landing for a hike in the Canadian Arctic. Conditions looked promising, and guests were eager to step ashore. We were selected as the scout team and went to shore to check for any polar bears. Then, just before our call of ‘all clear,’ something started moving out of a dip in the raised beaches.
A polar bear.
Within minutes, the plan dissolved, and no one was disappointed. Instead of going ashore, we observed the bear from a respectful distance as it moved slowly across the tundra. No dramatic action. No perfect photographs. Just a rare privilege: witnessing an animal completely at ease in its own world.
This captures the essence of expedition travel: not “What do we want to do today?” but “What is nature giving us today?”
True expedition travel pays close attention to animal behaviour rather than rules or distances. Wildlife can change in seconds, and extraordinary events like a baitball forming in the ocean, can appear and vanish just as quickly. We read these signals of the animals continuously, adjusting position, speed, and distance to respect the animals while allowing space for unforgettable encounters.
Some of the most memorable moments happen in small groups. Smaller ships allow guests to move quietly, linger longer, and access places that feel untouched. I have seen strangers fall silent together during a walk on a beach where walruses were sleeping, later sharing hot tea and photo’s on deck. Laughter, surprise, and shared awe create a sense of connection that lasts far beyond the voyage.
We also bring small personal touches to enhance these experiences. On zodiac trips, when we find a truly special spot among sea ice or at the edge of a glacier, we gently tie our two zodiacs together and play music from our Spotify Polar Glacier playlist. Before doing so, we ask guests to put cameras away: “Not to take photos. Just to take in the moment.”Music deepens the connection to the place and creates a memory that lasts. Guests often tell us that hearing the same piece at home instantly transports them back. As we believe: “Sound anchors memory in a way images never can.”
Patience, presence, curiosity, and respect for nature define the journey. Every landing, every zodiac ride, and every shared experience is shaped by the environment and the people around you. The anticipation before a sighting, the laughter during a zodiac ride, or the subtle awe of a group observing wildlife together, these are the moments that stay with you.
These experiences, more than any itinerary or checklist, are what make an expedition special. It is not how far you travel, but how deeply you connect.
At Wild-Encounters, we believe an expedition should make you feel fully alive, connected to nature, to others, and to yourself.