The beach recedes behind as you hike up and onto the ridgeline. The busy movement of small boats and larger groups of people left down below. As your boots carry you along the ridge, the cloud lifts, and the air clears. An exposed rock platform appears in the snow, and the walkers pause to rest. In the crevices, small arctic plants grow in this most unlikely of places; the tiny purple flowers a sudden flash of colour in the monochrome of snow and stone. Beyond your group of like-minded travellers, the open water is suddenly in view; your ship at anchor in the cove, the gleaming icebergs drifting past in currents unseen beneath the dark waters. 

Hiking in wild places is one of the reasons many people join expedition cruises. One of the joys of this style of travel is the ability to get further from your vessel, experience the landscape in small groups, and find a sense of exploration. 

With good understanding and expectations, a little gear, and solid preparation, your expedition can be a journey into the wilderness you’ll never forget. Let’s unpack a few of these subjects and learn a little about what hiking can be from an expedition ship.