Arctic Tours & Trip Packages

Arctic Tours & Trips

139 Arctic trips. Tours from 62 tour companies. 126 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

139 Trips match your criteria (81 - 100 shown)

Expedition to Greenland and the Canadian Arctic - Wilderness, ice and unforgettable adventure
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Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Ilulissat Icefjord

Highlights

  • Explore the world’s largest island, Greenland, begins your expedition with colourful tranquil Qeqertarsuaq
  • Zodiac ride by Cape York
  • Visit Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site
  • Explore to the great wonder still awaits you in the form of the world-famous Disko Bay

Themes

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

Trip dates & details
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Luxury Adventure to a Winter Wonderland: Norway's Arctic Islands
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Enjoying the distinctive scenery of beaches and mountains, open sea and sheltered bays, untouched lands and picturesque fishing villages
  • See the largest number of nesting sea birds in Norway
  • Enjoy the views of wild unspoiled white sand beaches, glacier valleys, granite mountains, and polar fishing villages
  • See local wildlife white-tailed eagles
  • Visit some of Tromso best museums.
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Themes

50 plus, Birding, High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Safari, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"I was scammed by this jacadatravel.com. They have stolen my money 40000USD in the name of investment. They asked me to deposit money at website called www.jacadatravel.com. I have submitted my money 40000USDT in the cryptocurrency. Then later they shifted to a new website called www.jacadatravel.uk. They told me that they have a new platform where I can login my own account. After that they again started asking for money around 28000USDT but I refused to give. Asked them to return my money but they refused to return my money. I tried to contact them on various social networking websites like facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin but they blocked me. On LinkedIn, I contacted Alex Malcolm; he also blocked me immediately. Then customer care at Telegram contacted me saying like Alex Malcolm is Merchant. They refused to return any money. They have opened jacada customer care at Telegram. where they will guide you how to pay and how much we need to pay. I will attach a screenshot of the evidence. In this whole process Alex Malcolm is involved. All the money is with Alex only. Thank you"

Trip dates & details
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Scandinavian Splendor
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bergen, Copenhagen, Stockholm

Highlights

  • Enjoy a walk around Frogner Park, decorated with the unique sculptures of Gustav Vigeland
  • The historical town of Voss with a scenic background of snow clad mountains.
  • Sightseeing tour to the Copenhagen’s treasures including the Little Mermaid guarding the port, the Royal Castle
  • Cross the Hardanger Fjord by ferry and continue along its shores to Bergen
  • Explore majestic Norwegian fjords
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"My clients loved their KeyTours planned independent trip. All the hotels were in the boutique style requested by the clients, and some special tours like cooking and winery were perfect. Thanks Esin for your good work."

Trip dates & details
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Highlights of Northern Europe: London to Copenhagen
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Hamburg, London, Stockholm

Highlights

  • Iconic Big Ben and Buckingham Palace in London
  • Antwerp’s Flemish charm
  • Charming canals and architecture of Amsterdam
  • Hamburg’s fascinating emigration port history
  • Copenhagen’s friendly locals and walkable historic center
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Themes

Cultural, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"I made a reservation last Thursday (11/16/2023) for a trip to Iceland from 12/02/2023-12/07/2023 and then I was told that I can’t have my refund back. When I called on last Thursday (11/16/2023) to place my reservation, the agent (Kathy) I talked to stressed about she "cannot" guarantee that I will be able to go on the trip. Before I provided the payment information, I specifically asked if I will be able to get the refund because the trip is coming up so soon. The agent ensured that I will be able to get a full refund back within 60 days if I decided to cancel the trip. I was also told that I am basically on a wait list and someone will contact me once I can go on the trip. No one contacted me about whether the agency was able to process my information at all, so I've been left in the dark about this trip since the beginning. I called the help line this morning (11/20/2023) around 9:00 Eastern Standard Time to cancel my reservation. I was informed by the agent that I will not be able to get my full refund back since it's too close to the trip date. Basically I was told that Kathy gave me the wrong information, so I will have to pay the cancellation fee. The only reason I provided my payment information is because Kathy specifically stated that I will be able to cancel the trip and receive a full refund. I've never been so frustrated with a traveling agency. I made sure to ask this agent regarding the refund policy twice before giving her my payment information, and she still couldn't provide me with the correct information. It's unbelievable that such a big traveling agency cannot uniformly train their employees with the correct set of information."

Trip dates & details
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Iceland: Reykjavik & the Golden Circle
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Blue Lagoon, Gullfoss, Reykjavík, Thingvellir National park

Highlights

  • Reykjavik’s vibrant art & music scene
  • The relaxing, rejuvenating Blue Lagoon
  • Great Geysir—namesake of all other geysers
  • Golden Waterfall—the most powerful in Europe
  • South Iceland’s stunning glaciers
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Themes

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I made a reservation last Thursday (11/16/2023) for a trip to Iceland from 12/02/2023-12/07/2023 and then I was told that I can’t have my refund back. When I called on last Thursday (11/16/2023) to place my reservation, the agent (Kathy) I talked to stressed about she "cannot" guarantee that I will be able to go on the trip. Before I provided the payment information, I specifically asked if I will be able to get the refund because the trip is coming up so soon. The agent ensured that I will be able to get a full refund back within 60 days if I decided to cancel the trip. I was also told that I am basically on a wait list and someone will contact me once I can go on the trip. No one contacted me about whether the agency was able to process my information at all, so I've been left in the dark about this trip since the beginning. I called the help line this morning (11/20/2023) around 9:00 Eastern Standard Time to cancel my reservation. I was informed by the agent that I will not be able to get my full refund back since it's too close to the trip date. Basically I was told that Kathy gave me the wrong information, so I will have to pay the cancellation fee. The only reason I provided my payment information is because Kathy specifically stated that I will be able to cancel the trip and receive a full refund. I've never been so frustrated with a traveling agency. I made sure to ask this agent regarding the refund policy twice before giving her my payment information, and she still couldn't provide me with the correct information. It's unbelievable that such a big traveling agency cannot uniformly train their employees with the correct set of information."

Trip dates & details
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Best of Scandinavia
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4.3/5 Great
9 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bergen, Copenhagen, Stockholm

Highlights

  • Remarkable experiences in Sweden, Norway and Denmark
  • Tour historic Bryggen and see composer Edvard Grieg's former home in Bergen
  • See The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen
  • See the historic City Hall and scenic Old Town in Stockholm
  • Visit Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo
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Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"My trip was the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Oct 2023. The balloon fiesta was fabulous. Mike the driver was awesome. Our tour manager Jolie started out great, however, as the days passed she encourage travelers to go off on their own which changed the touring times for everyone else. The last day was a disaster, one lady was left behind because Jolie didn't do a head count. More stops were added so other people could leave the tour and go places on their own. Twice in the afternoon Jolie lost track of how many people were on the bus, she told customers to look around and report if someone was missing. She laughed on the bus intercom about how she didn't know how many people should be on the bus. A Mayflower rep stated that she was a favorite manager so nothing would be done. Most of these tours are attended by seniors, we need responsable employees to keep track of who is on the bus and who is not. She encouraged travelers to leave the tour and lost the ability to keep track of customers. Reckless..."

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Natural Wonders Cruise - 20th - 30th August 2022
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5/5 Excellent
8 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • The ultimate Svalbard cruise on a small, capable expedition vessel with just 12 guests.
  • The focus on this adventure is to explore the beautiful natural wilderness of Svalbard during the summer months with 24 hours of daylight.
  • We will encounter calving glaciers, witness an abundance of wildlife, visit historical places, and spend time exploring ashore.
  • All this with 2 expert guides and just 12 guests.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I've always been drawn by the Arctic and being able to experience it first hand was a dream coming true. The guys at Secret Atlas know what they are doing, every detail has been perfect and I highly recommend talking to them before you book elsewhere."

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety

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Frozen Svalbard Photo Tour - 23rd - 30th April 2023
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5/5 Excellent
8 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Spitsbergen

Highlights

  • Early in the season gives us numerous opportunities to photograph Svalbard’s frozen landscapes as they emerge from the winter.
  • Explore the frozen North-west of Spitsbergen with a good chance of encountering polar bears.
  • Develop your photography skills in the field with a highly experienced Arctic photographer.
  • Learn about the area from an expert Svalbard guide.
  • Encounter the wildlife which could include polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, and whales.
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Photography

What travelers are saying

"I've always been drawn by the Arctic and being able to experience it first hand was a dream coming true. The guys at Secret Atlas know what they are doing, every detail has been perfect and I highly recommend talking to them before you book elsewhere."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety

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Arctic Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
126  Reviews
See all Arctic tour reviews
Excellent
44
Great
7
Average
2
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Wonderful adventure

This was a marvellous trip and a great way of seeing two wonderful areas of the Arctic. In Spitsbergen we saw polar bears and arctic foxes and sailed through the ...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Iceland Walking Explorer

An active walking trip through a diverse kaleidoscope of landscapes, from volcanic craters, green verdant hills to snow fields. An excellent way to experience natu...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

TSF 150801 - Iceland Fantastic !

This was a super trip that didn't disappoint in any area. It did exactly what it said in the itinerary. The scenery was fantastic we had a mixed bunch of nationalit...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2016

Provided byExodus Travels

Outstanding trip!

This was a wonderful holiday which way surpassed my expectations. We were probably lucky in that the weather was warm, dry & clear most of the time &amp...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2016

Provided byExodus Travels

ICELAND WALKING EXPLORER

An exciting, challenging and informative trip. The power of Dettifoss, the beauty of lake Myvatn and Bakkagerdi at midnight, my first ever walk on a glacier. Kristi...

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Arctic Tour Selection Trips

  • While Iceland, northern Scandinavia, and northern Canada are easily accessible by air from the United States; Greenland and some other Arctic areas are not-- so the best way to explore the Arctic regions is often by small, expedition-style cruise ships.
  • If you’re cruising the Arctic, plan well ahead - as far as up to two years - to get your top choice of ship. Many of the cruises follow similar itineraries, so the main difference is the ship itself - take time to explore the varying amenities, passenger count, workshops, naturalists on board, etc.
  • While any trip to the Arctic is adventurous by nature, you don't have to rough it. Some ships come with five-star amenities, while some land-tour operators offer luxury tent camping. 
  • Pay attention to timing of your Arctic travel. If you must see the Northern Lights and are excited by the prospect of cold-weather activities, aim for October through May. If you’re seeking Midnight Sun, visit June through September.
  • While there are few "cheap" voyages to the Arctic, look for value adds such as included airfare, helicopter flights into the interior, and gratuities for the ship’s crew.
  • Prices do vary considerably by length of trip, cabin, ship amenities, month of travel, and other factors.
  • Some Arctic land tours - primarily those that fly into the interior - offer adventurous options such as camping, skiing, mountaineering, and trekking.
  • To see many of the 17 different types of whales that are found in the Arctic waters, consider centering your travel on Nunavut in the Canadian Arctic, a top whale-watching destination.
  • No matter which Arctic cruise or land tour you choose, keep an open mind. There is no guarantee of wildlife sightings, Northern Lights, landings at certain spots - this is the Arctic, after all, so remember, it’s about the journey and the fact that you made it here, to the top of the world.

Additional details

What Countries Are Included in the Arctic Region?

So, you want to travel north - far north - to the Arctic Circle. There are eight different countries that have land within the Arctic Circle, though some of these regions are more interesting (and more accessible) to adventure travelers than others.

The Arctic region countries include Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the United States (by way of Alaska), Canada (including Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut), Denmark (Greenland) and Iceland (on its offshore island of Grimsey).

What and Where is the Arctic Circle?

It’s going to be impressive enough when you tell your friends you’re traveling to the Arctic for your next vacation. Now, here are a few fun and interesting facts about the Arctic Circle and the Arctic region to throw around with friends and colleagues before you depart:

  • The invisible Arctic Circle marks the area where Midnight Sun occurs during the summer and where, in winter, the sun does night rise.
  • The North Pole is the very center of the Arctic Circle.
  • If you travel to Scandinavia, you can witness natural phenomena any time of year - the Midnight Sun, the Northern Lights and polar nights (when the sun does not rise).
  • The Arctic Circle location changes a little bit all the time, based on the earth’s movement -  it is 1,650 miles south from the North Pole to where the line is located, and it is 66° 33′39″ north of the Equator.

Should I Avoid Arctic Travel in Winter?

If you’re seeking the Northern Lights, dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice hotels and other cold-weather Arctic activities, then by all means, don’t shy away from the Arctic region during the winter months. The sun may not appear much during the cold-weather months, but the Arctic Circle shines from November to March in terms of outdoor adventure.

One of the best times to visit the Arctic is right at the tail end of the Arctic winter - March and April, when you can dogsled on firm, snow-packed surfaces, experience the region’s ethereal “blue light” and long shadows, still glimpse the Aurora Borealis (the more north you are), go skiing in East Greenland and Spitsbergen, glimpse Arctic foxes and other awakening wildlife and embark on some of the first expedition cruises of the Arctic sailing season.

This being said, the long hours of darkness may mess with your internal body clock, so veteran Arctic travelers suggest planning your outside activities for the middle of the day when the limited sunlight is shining, then heading inside for museum visits in the later afternoon and early evening.

Packing List for the Arctic

A trip to the Arctic isn’t the time to scale back your packing efforts - you are going to want every layer, every extra pair of socks and every spare phone or camera battery you can possibly fit into your suitcase.

Be sure to pack these essentials for your Arctic cruise and/or Arctic region land tour:

  • Favorite cotton t-shirts and long-sleeved shirts
  • Casual pants
  • Wool sweaters
  • Fleece jacket
  • Long-underwear top and bottom
  • Thick, insulated parka
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Thick wool socks for hiking and being outdoors for long periods
  • Wool or cotton socks for indoor time or inside the ship
  • Windproof, waterproof pants
  • Pocket handwarmers and toewarmers
  • Waterproof gloves
  • Winter hat - snug-fitting so it doesn’t blow away!
  • Scarf or balaclava
  • Comfortable, sturdy hiking or trekking shoes or boots
  • Loungewear for inside
  • Sunscreen and lip balm with sun protection
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Bathing suit (you never know!)
  • Inside, slip-on shoes
  • Daypack
  • Battery chargers for all of your electric devices
  • Seasickness medication, if you are prone
  • Camera, tripod, etc.
  • Spare camera batteries
  • Refillable water bottle

Your Arctic cruise or tour operator will also usually provide you with a complete packing list, depending on how long, where and by which mode you’ll be traveling throughout the Arctic countries and waters.

Common Arctic Cruise Routes

Considering so much of the Arctic region is comprised of the Arctic Ocean, cruising in the polar region is a popular way to see a lot in a short period of time.

If you have up to two weeks and want to get the most out of an Arctic experience, consider a longer, upscale polar cruise - one of the safest, easiest ways to explore the Arctic Circle and give you more than a little to write home about, we promise. It’s even possible to stand at the North Pole these days - get there by rugged icebreaker and feel like a true Arctic adventurer, or take an exhilarating helicopter ride to the top of the world.

The cruise season in the Arctic is from May to September, during the time of the Midnight Sun or 24-hour daylight. This is a popular time to spot colorful Arctic flora, as well as northern wildlife and their young, and to cruise in areas inaccessible during other points of the year.

(Keep in mind that if your goal is to see the Northern Lights, you’ll have to visit during the polar winter and - while not widely available - there has been an increase in the sailing to the very northern parts of Norway during the winter in order to glimpse this magical natural phenomenon.)

Remember, the Arctic region covers a vast area, so spend some time reviewing various polar cruise options and base your choice on how much time you have and what time of year you’ll be sailing. One of the most accessible Arctic cruise routes is to sail along the coast of Norway into the Arctic Circle. And, for the best polar bear viewing, consider Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Greenland or the Canadian Arctic.

Some of the most common Arctic cruise routes include:

1. Svalbard

Halfway between Norway and the North Pole, the Svalbard Archipelago is centered around its largest island, Spitsbergen. Cruises in this high Arctic wilderness allow for exploration of glaciers and fjords, crossing 80º N, where you’ll be just 600 nautical miles from the North Pole, searching for polar bears during the long days of Midnight Sun, seeing Edgeøya and Kvitøya and venturing ashore for hiking and wildlife-viewing expeditions.

A Svalbard cruise has the added benefit of time in Longyearbyen, with its Svalbard Museum, rugged mountain vistas and opportunities for dog sledding and glacier walks.

2. Northwest Passage

Follow in the wake of some of the earliest adventurers - including Franklin, Peary and Amundsen - to see the Arctic region as you sail the route through the Canadian Arctic archipelago that links the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. This is one of the best places in the world to see polar bears - Nunavut is the polar bear capital of the Arctic - and you will likely have the chance to explore some of Canada’s thriving Inuit communities.

3. Greenland

Fjords, whales and some of the purest air you’ll ever breathe - a Greenland cruise is a highly sought adventure travel destination. From the abundant whales and massive Ilulissat Icefjord of Disko Bay to the Inuit history and culture of Nuuk, there’s so much beyond the icecap in Greenland.

4. North Pole

Check it off the bucket list and stand at the North Pole. You’ll sail by rugged icebreaker to get there, bullying its way through the icy, freezing waters to deliver you to a destination to which few have traveled.

5. Russia

Perhaps the best-known Russian Arctic cruise destination, Wrangel Island can almost guarantee polar sightings for you. Rumor has it that the island boasts the world’s highest density of polar bear dens and an incredibly high number of cubs are born here in the remote region of Chukota.

Russia Arctic cruises are expedition cruising in every sense of the word - this is a polar region that is not often visited, isolated, rugged, wild - an Arctic adventure opportunity full of bird and marine life and the opportunity to learn from indigenous groups who are eager to share their lifestyle and culture.

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