Travel to the most remote pockets of the world – and access to experiences that are out of this world – offer a welcome form of escape, especially when such an escape is harder to come by in heavily touristed destinations. The newly launched Alchemia Journeys by Sarah Casewit, a collection of one-of-a-kind travel experiences, promises to take holidaymakers to such places. Its inaugural itinerary? An Auroras & Orcas trip set in the Arctic Circle.
Looking at the major trends of astrotourism and Arctic tourism, it’s clear there’s a common theme: what are these forms of travel if not outlets for escapism, a chance for reprieve from daily life in places that make us feel small? When such experiences are combined with a chance to make a positive impact on the planet, they represent a real luxury for responsible travellers. This is just what travel consultancy Sarah Casewit’s Alchemia Journeys series, which was co-designed by experts in various fields to bring travellers to some of the most remote areas of the world, seeks to do.
The first in the series is the Auroras & Orcas itinerary, set in northern Norway. During this minimum six-day journey that can be extended if desired, travellers will explore the rugged wilderness of the Arctic Circle, using the ultra-private Lodge Havnnes as a home base. Activities listed on the itinerary blend adventure and immersion in Arctic culture – everything from meeting Sami reindeer herders and visiting the world’s northernmost distillery to chasing the northern lights and swimming with humpback and orca whales.
The mention of getting in the water with whales certainly gives us pause. No matter how thrilling it sounds, whale swimming can easily veer toward perpetuating the human legacy of interacting with wildlife in a purely self-serving manner, taking away just what makes these creatures ‘wild’ for the sake of entertainment. In destinations where human-whale interactions go unregulated, the presence of boats carrying tourists to visit whales interferes with the marine creatures’ ability to hunt using sonar, sometimes with disastrous effects. It’s also worth noting that Norway itself is no beacon of ethical wildlife management: the country is known for its controversial whaling policy that allows the hunting of the minke species, a practice that whale conservationists and animal rights activists continue to fervently campaign against.
Awareness of these ethical implications is important, but thankfully, the Auroras & Orcas journey promises to take a conscientious approach to whale encounters. That’s because Sarah Casewit co-created the itinerary with Tyson Sadler, a whale expert who is the founder and lead guide of Waterborn Expeditions, a company dedicated to environmental stewardship that is responsible for Alchemia Journeys’ ocean safaris in Norway.
When asked how the team plans to handle the whale encounters, Sadler offered: “We operate on their terms, and encounters with the whales are never guaranteed. We don’t use bait or sonar, and we never chase. The animals are never approached aggressively or intrusively, and if the orcas aren’t receptive, we don’t get in the water. Our team monitors behaviour closely and prioritises the animals’ well-being over guest expectations. The orcas decide if they wish to interact. We are visitors in their world, and the encounter must begin with their consent. If they come, it’s by their own will”.
It’s reassuring that Waterborn Expeditions takes its responsibility toward the natural world seriously. After all, such up-close wildlife encounters are some of the most humbling and awe-inspiring travel experiences available, which is deeply intertwined with their power to have a positive impact. By experiencing whales first-hand, travellers have a chance to understand more viscerally why it’s so important to protect these species. And at a time when wildlife conservation is more critical than ever, every bit of awareness counts.
Trips that involve gazing at the stars or visiting the world’s last untouched places are a satisfying antidote to wanderlust, but the best-crafted travel experiences take that a step further, leaving travellers with a personal appreciation for the world’s natural wonders and a devotion to their stewardship.
Photography by Tyson Sadler and courtesy of Sarah Casewit
