Antarctica & the Arctic Moderate Tours & Trip Packages

Antarctica & the Arctic Moderate Tours & Trips

269 Antarctica & the Arctic trips. Tours from 111 tour companies. 222 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

115 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Moderate
Adventure in Iceland
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3/5 Average
2 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Blue Lagoon, Glacial River Canyon National Park, Hraunfossar Falls, Lake Myvatn, Reykjavík, Thingvellir National park

Highlights

  • Explore the natural beauty and geological wonders of this amazing island.
  • Massive glaciers, powerful waterfalls, volcanoes, spouting hot springs.
  • Visit Thingvellir National Park, where the world’s oldest parliament was established.

Themes

Birding, Cultural, High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"My wife and I were on the Smithsonian Journeys Splendors of Australia and New Zealand between April 13 and May 2, 2018. Smithsonian is rated by this site as Luxury travel. However, Smithsonian "farms out" the logistics for their trip to Odysseys Unlimited. Odysseys booked within country air travel with the lowest cost air carriers. Flights were cancelled from Ayers Rock to Sydney and from Queenstown New Zealand to Rotorua. Another flight was significantly delayed so that we did not arrive at our Christchurch destination until 2:00 am, making for a really tired next day. Odysseys Unlimited compensated us $400 per person for missing a day in Sydney and paid for an excursion in Auckland for missing Rotorua. This was wholly inadequate, given that these were highlights of the trip. In addition, our tour guide was rude to several people on the trip. If Smithsonian Journeys is truly a luxury travel outfit, as we had believed, then they would not be farming out travel logistics to such a chinch company as Odysseys Unlimited. We will think twice about traveling with Smithsonian again, and so should others."

Trip dates & details
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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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15 Day Antarctica Cruise with Buenos Aires (MS Fridtjof Nansen)
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3.7/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Buenos Aires, Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

Trip dates & details
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Antarctic Whale Journey
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands

Highlights

  • Unspoiled wilderness, uninhabited by man, where the penguins, seals, whales and seabirds are the true rulers.
  • Experience the White Continent and encounter an incredible variety of wildlife.
  • Take in the Sub-Antarctic South Shetland Islands and the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula.
  • Admire breathtaking scenery such as icebergs, glaciated mountains and volcanoes.
  • Enjoy daily zodiac excursions and on-shore landings.
Show more

Themes

High Adventure, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Everything organised by Karen at Chimu Went as planned which we were very grateful for. The only drama was the tight scheduling of some of our flights and having to run to get to next gate on time. Latam airline did very well and all our luggage arrived on time . The cruise on OceanEndeavour was truly amazing; the ice, the wildlife and the professional enthusiastic crew made our experience very memorable. Thanks Chimu"

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety

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Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula

Highlights

  • Take part on an unforgettable journey with legendary and iconic singer-songwriter, Paul Kelly, as you venture together to the magnificent beauty of the Frozen White Continent.
  • Marvel at the incredible scenery and enormous king penguin colonies of South Georgia
  • Visit the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleon and the historic whaling stations of Grytviken and Stromness
  • Explore the penguin colonies, famous sites and glaciers of the Antarctic Peninsula"

Themes

High Adventure, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Everything organised by Karen at Chimu Went as planned which we were very grateful for. The only drama was the tight scheduling of some of our flights and having to run to get to next gate on time. Latam airline did very well and all our luggage arrived on time . The cruise on OceanEndeavour was truly amazing; the ice, the wildlife and the professional enthusiastic crew made our experience very memorable. Thanks Chimu"

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

Health Safety

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Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Explorer
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • Unspoiled wilderness, uninhabited by man, where the penguins, seals, whales and seabirds are the true rulers.
  • Take in the Sub-Antarctic South Shetland Islands and the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula.
  • Discover the top wildlife destination in the world where you can see penguins, seals, whales and albatrosses.
  • Admire breathtaking scenery such as icebergs, glaciated mountains and volcanoes.
  • Enjoy daily zodiac excursions and on-shore landings.
Show more

Themes

High Adventure, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Everything organised by Karen at Chimu Went as planned which we were very grateful for. The only drama was the tight scheduling of some of our flights and having to run to get to next gate on time. Latam airline did very well and all our luggage arrived on time . The cruise on OceanEndeavour was truly amazing; the ice, the wildlife and the professional enthusiastic crew made our experience very memorable. Thanks Chimu"

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

Health Safety

More

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15 Day Antarctica Cruise with Buenos Aires (MS Fridtjof Nansen)
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
3.7/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Antarctic Peninsula, Buenos Aires, Shetland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Ushuaia

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

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
Show more

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."

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Moderate

Antarctica & the Arctic Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
222  Reviews
See all Antarctica & the Arctic tour reviews
Excellent
66
Great
9
Average
3
Disappointing
1
Terrible
0
A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

Exodus and Quark had the perfect recipe for the adventure of a lifetime. Helpful and efficient pre-trip planning. The Vavilov, a great vessel for th...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

What can I say?! The most amazing trip, far exceeding the expectations that I had held for a lifetime! Each experience seemed to surpass the last , and I hold...

A

Anonymous

Jul 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

WE had a wonderful experience in the Antarctic and also spending a few days in Ushuaia before our departure on the Clipper Adventurer.    ...

A

Anonymous

Jul 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

Our trip to the Antarctic Peninsula was simply 'mind-blowing' Any description of Antarctica is always full of 'expletives'. Quite honestly where do you start? ...

A

Anonymous

Jul 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

ANTARCTIC EXPLORER

Wonderful trip.  Well worth the effort despite some stressful moments in the beginning.  Antarctica is a very special place.  Cannot be compared to ...

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Antarctica & the Arctic Tour Selection Trips

  • In most cases, the best way to explore the polar regions is by small, expedition-style cruise ships.
  • While any trip to the polar regions 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. 
  • While there are few, if any, "cheap" trips to the polar regions - especially Antarctica - look for value adds such as included airfare, helicopter flights into the interior, and gratuities for the crew.
  • Prices do vary considerably by length of trip, cabin, ship amenities, month of travel, and other factors.
  • Cruise ships that carry more than 500 passengers are not allowed to make landings on Antarctica, so to set foot on the continent itself, you need to take a smaller vessel.
  • The shortest - and most popular - sea crossing to Antarctica goes from Ushuaia, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula, via the often (but not always) tumultuous Drake's Passage.
  • The Drake's Passage crossing may take from 24 to 48 hours, and seasickness is common - though waters in Antarctica itself are generally calmer.
  • While most Antarctica tours go by ship, you can also fly in and/or out via the South Shetland Islands to shorten your trip and/or avoid Drakes Passage.
  • Polar tours can be as short as a few days or as long as three weeks or more. Figure at least 10 to 12 days to complete a typical tour by ship.
  • Some polar tours - primarily those that fly into the interior - offer adventurous options such as camping, skiing, mountaineering, and trekking.

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