4 ultimate icy adventures
![4 ultimate icy adventures](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
4 ultimate icy adventures
![4 ultimate icy adventures](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Hiking the Torres del Paine in Patagonia
The W trek is so called because the path you tread is in the shape of the 23rd letter of the alphabet. That may feel a tad fruitless but the snaking trail takes you ever closer to the torres you came for – towers that loom over the lakes, the glaciers, the entire park, in fact. On the first day of the trek save your camera battery for Lago Grey – basically, grey lake. Translucent blue icebergs sit throughout the lake, beacons amid the pallid water and slate mountains. The icebergs are a chip off the block, the iceblock that is Glacier Grey. This frozen hulk is so jagged from a lifetime of pressure that it looks like the crests of waves or for the sweet tooths, stacks of meringues. The light catches the ice on different angles so its appearance is never the same twice. Further on, Lago Nordenskjold is a milky emerald that reflects more light than the often overcast skies are willing to part with.
This journey will take a minimum of four days to complete but you can do it without the burden of camping supplies if you stay at the carefully staged refugios, mountain cabins to you and I. The weather is renowned for its vitriol and the wind feels like it would blow you away if it weren’t for the weight of your backpack. The higher you get the more likely it is that it will snow. Then again, while the park may be bathed in golden sunlight, the weather is entirely unpredictable. Rivers, streams, waterfalls and lakes abound and they are all pure enough to drink from. You may even be joined by guanacos, wild llamas that trot about the mountains.
Trekking glaciers in New Zealand
A glacier is one of nature’s fossils, a testament to millennia of alpine snowfall compressed into a frozen blue valley complete with caves, crevasses and cracks. New Zealand claims two great glaciers that are kind to travellers thanks to their location in a temperate climate. Where the ice ends, rainforest grows in one of nature’s great contradictions. The mechanics of it are this: the ice forms at high altitude and is pushed into lower altitudes where you wouldn’t expect to find it. This stunning contrast occurs only in New Zealand and Argentina.
Massive tongues of ice furrow into steep river valleys. You can hike, climb or helicopter your way onto the glacier. The Fox glacier is 13km in length and 300 metres deep when it reaches the river valley. It is always evolving and shifting due to melting ice at the base of the glacier, which presses the chunk forward. The Fox glacier therefore moves ten times faster than other valley glaciers and is matched in speed only by the Franz Josef glacier.
Kayaking with orcas in Canada
You will feel tiny as triangle fins and shiny blubber backs curve above the water’s surface, making the sea kayak sway from side to side – just enough to thrill, not quite enough to topple. Johnstone Strait, off Northern Vancouver Island in Canada’s British Colombia, is home to the world’s largest pod of orcas, with around 200 travelling the passage. This number consists of around 16 pods and sightings of mothers and calves are frequent. The dorsal fin looks like a big black corn chip and when they swim underneath your kayak their white patches reflect the light. The orcas here eat salmon and the best time to see the whales dovetails with peak salmon season in July when the fish are swishing their way back to streams to spawn.
Johnstone Strait has an aura of mystique thanks to frequent fog as well as the snow that lies in rivulets on the mountainsides. The water is calm and still, making the burst of a blowhole all the more dramatic. Often kayak expeditions offer hydrophones, an underwater microphone, so you can hear the startling sonar vocals below the water – the full gambit ranges from clicks to squeaks. What’s surprising is the speed at which they move given their size.
Occasionally pods will swim close to beaches and can be sighted from land but to really experience the majesty you need to grab a paddle as watching from a large engine-driven boat doesn’t offer the immediacy or the vulnerability of sea kayaking.
Tracking polar bears in Norway
Polar bears are only found in the Arctic Circle and the region of Svalbard is exactly in line, situated between Norway and the North Pole. Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago which translates as cold coasts and is locally known as the realm of the polar bear. The largest island in the archipelago, Spitsbergen, is home to 3000 polar bears, however they have a habit of playing hide and seek so you must be patient. You may catch one leaping between ice floes and don’t be shocked to find their white fur stained red after a meal of seal.
The landscape is mostly featureless, an expanse of white, so when the polar bears do appear it mostly comes as a surprise. Look out for yellow patches in the distance – that’s a clue signalling their approach. Polar bears are the largest and strongest carnivore on land so their fearsome nature cannot be underestimated. They are clever and inquisitive, however humans are food to them so whichever tour you are on you are bound to be protected by distance or metal. If you hop on a cruise it will most likely take in Moffen Island which has glaciers, fjords and arctic huts.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Latest News
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash
It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024
AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Journey Beyond launches first brand-led campaign during Paris Olympics
Journey Beyond is pushing the boundaries. On The Ghan, you can't even see them!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Ascott Australia partners with Hotels for Trees
Hoteliers can take a 'Lyf' out of this book and improve their green credentials.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Victoria’s TAC Top Tourism Town Award winners for 2024
Keep looking in our own backyard. There are plenty of places to go.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Uniworld partners with Camilla Franks with Egyptian-inspired collection
We are in de-Nile about making puns combining Crocs and leopard prints, given this luxe partnership.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Aussies at Paris Olympics anxious about travel risks, with incidents already recorded
Fortunately one of our biggest gold medal hopes still held onto his pedals.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Banyan Tree Seaview Villas elevates Laguna Lang Co
If you've ever played golf in the tropics, start early. LIke way early. It's hot! Damn hot.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales
Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Wendy Wu unveils new Japan travel brochure and itineraries
Get outta town! Off-beat Japan will be a lot less congested we figure than the usual tourist hotspots.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
UK and Europe event organisers look to venues with sustainability integrity, ICC Sydney survey finds
Here in Sydney, you can even eat the table centrepieces. Although we advise they be cooked first.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Renos Rologas new general manager ANZ for FCM Travel
Two decades in the travel game! Let's hope Renos is in for the long haul at FCM.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Untamed Escapes to offer Cultural Day Tour from Port Lincoln in partnership with Maba Idi
International visitors travel thousands of kilometres for this experience. Time to share.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Luxe Finish Line Penthouses offer the best vantage point for the finish of the Sydney-Hobart
Long have we been following the yachts leavings Sydney Harbour and one day, we will see the finish, from this place!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
In a busy world, proximity to nature is the new luxury
Forget Raffles, treat your nearest and dearest to a stay at the local campsite. They'll be super close to nature.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Circular Quay welcomes new Korean dining experience to Sydney Place
We once took Korean-American chef David Chang around Koreatown, Eastwood. Not happy about driving rain, loved the food.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
MSC Cruises unveils a new outdoor kid-friendly attraction on World America
Drop your kid down the jaws of a shark and they come out 11 decks below. Sounds good to me.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy
Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Australian travellers abandon peer-to-peer stays and gravitate back to big hotels, survey finds
Doom scrolling Airbnb for the best-possible stay options two days out from departure was wearing us down, apparently.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Quark Expeditions launches the Ultimate Summer in the Arctic sweepstakes for travel advisors
Summer in the Arctic still means it's freezing. But hopefully a winning sweepstakes tickets will warm your cockles.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘I bet it smells weird’ – Internet divided over floating restaurant in China
I you are still feeling peckish at the end of your meal, their fish tank is full. But can you eat koi?
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘Turn up in the Northern Territory this Spring’ campaign deals
Agents and airlines get all hot and sweaty over these enticing deals. Or did someone just turn the air-conditioning up?
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘Like nothing on earth’: Saudi Arabia’s new Treyam resort set in a Star Wars-style landscape
As long as Jar Jar Binks is not there, we would like a seat at the Mos Eisley Cantina please.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to open in Tokyo in 2028
Time to get your vision boards at the ready! Raffles is landing in Tokyo!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘A true honour’ – Andrew Stark wins Flight Centre Director’s Award for the second time
Congratulations Andrew! If you're a fan of British reality TV you might notice a familiar face.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Club Med debuts travel agent portal 2.0 with bonus prize for tops sales
See those people by the pool. That could be you. Start selling through the portal people!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Envoyage announces 2024 Australian Icons and rewards event in the Maldives
We were going to edit our name into the list but we chickened out.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
HIF Global signs collaboration agreement with Airbus on eFuels
We know it's a good thing but can a jet fuel geek out there send in a diagram explaining this please.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Crystal announces release dates for 2026 itineraries
If you have started collecting 2026 itineraries then here is another one for you.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Cairns Airport unveils display of support for FNQ youth
If you were craving some winter sun now you have a cultural reason for booking a flight to Cairns.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Viking announces six new cruise itineraries
Now's the time to start learning Putonghua, Nihongo and Lhasa. Or maybe even know where these are spoken.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Join Qatar Airways, Celebrity Cruises & Klook – Showcase Your Brand at Click Frenzy Travel August 2024!
Clicking calmly will also be welcome when it comes to this particular deal. Click calmly here to find out more.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
InsideAsia Tours launches new incentive that doubles agent commission
Double commission! We like the sound of that. Hope their system doesn't crash as a result.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Push to revive Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre into entertainment destination
Long have we wished for this iconic heritage cinema to be revived as a tourist destination. Still waiting.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Qatar Airways signs an expansion to Boeing 777-9 aircraft order
Known as a quiet rural town in England, the entire global aviation industry now has its eyes on Farnborough.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Flight Centre shares down following revised profit guidance
The stock market moves fast. What will the rest of the week hold for Flight Centre?