In a unique collaboration with Hurtigruten Svalbard, Polar Permaculture and Ocean Sounds Norway, we set out to develop a tour that evoked all five senses. Extending the experience from the traditional 'sight'seeing, we wanted our guests not only to see but to hear, smell, feel and taste the Arctic!
The Arctic is endlessly fascinating. It is majestic like few other places in the world, but yet so vulnerable. We knew from the beginning that we wanted to make this tour special.
Silently cruising through the Arctic waters onboard our hybrid-electric ship we arrived at the Nordenskiöldbreen glacier. At the glacier we lowered the hydrophone into the icy waters and the guests could listen in on the crackling sound of the glacier and to chatting Beluga whales.
Did you know that many marine animals depend on sound in the same way that we depend on sight? That is one of the reasons why we do #silentsailing
In addition to feeling the crisp Arctic air on their skin we put together a collection of objects for guests to touch with their hands. From marine litter items to shells picked on the local beaches.
Our guests had by this point of the tour used four of their five senses to experience the Arctic and one important part still remained.... the taste of Arctic basil!
Our guests got to taste Polar Permaculture´s Arctic basil, grown from local compost. Through the sense of taste we sparked curiosity. "How is Arctic basil is grown?", "What do people in the Arctic eat?" and "What makes Arctic agriculture so unique?"
Because we wanted our guests to connect with the Arctic nature in a deep and meaningful way, and to work with the local community, supporting projects outside of traditional tourism.
We believe that a sustainable and holistic approach to tourism creates the changes we need to see and memories that are shared long after you return home.
We want to thank Samfunnsløftet and SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge for the funding that made the testing of tour and concept possible.
