A vast, untameable wilderness where Polar bears prowl the ice under the midnight sun
Arctic Holidays
Arctic Tours
A pristine wilderness for only the most intrepid of travellers, an Arctic tour offers an adventure like no other. Filled with rugged landscapes, varied wildlife, Indigenous communities and incredible history, the Arctic offers something for everyone. Whether you pass through Greenland, Russia, Canada, Finland or Iceland, it’s an opportunity to uncover parts of the world that few others have visited.
Arctic trips are designed to be as flexible as possible, taking advantage of circumstances and events as they occur, as well as the wishes and interests of travellers. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly with expedition staff, including naturalists and polar experts, on hand. On top of this, you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with people from all over the world.
If you’re ready to start your booking, get in touch with our team of experts today.
Quark Expeditions Price Match:
We are proud to offer award-winning polar expeditions through our sister company Quark Expeditions. If you see a Quark voyage listed cheaper elsewhere, we promise to match the price like-for-like. Please contact our specialist polar sales team to discuss this. You can read our terms and conditions for more information
Our top destinations in arctic
Arctic Adventure Holidays
Arctic tour highlights
Spitsbergen: The remarkable islands of the Svalbard archipelago are part of Norway, lying high above the Arctic Circle. They cover around 62,000 square kilometres (about the same size as Ireland), mostly in the form of three larger islands – Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya. Combining a great variety of flora and fauna with stunning remote landscapes, a visit to Spitsbergen is a must for wilderness and wildlife enthusiasts.
Russian Arctic: The eastern seaboard of Russia dominates the North Pacific but is so remote that few ever visit it. This isolation has protected one of its most valuable assets – a vast wilderness inhabited by Kamchatka brown bears, whales and an astonishing array of birds. The pristine Wrangel Island, untouched by glaciers during the last ice age, is a treasure trove of Arctic biodiversity and is perhaps best known for the multitude of polar bears that breed here. A Russian Arctic tour promises an unforgettable experience.
North Pole: It doesn’t get more dramatic than a voyage to the North Pole, where you are – literally – on top of the world. Trips here will leave you feeling more than a little humbled as you take in the gargantuan glacial landscape from a place where all directions face south. You can perform the shortest possible circumnavigation of the globe before heading south to explore the remote Franz Josef Land. With its massive flat-topped islands and steep basalt cliffs, this archipelago is a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Greenland: Greenland is the world’s largest island, and home to a staggering coast-to-coast ice sheet that covers 80% of its land and reaches depths of three kilometres. Towns cling to its rocky coastline, pristine fjords eat into the landscape, and vast glaciers slowly carve their way through the mountains. In the short summer season, the Midnight Sun brings 24-hour daylight to the island. If lucky, you could spot polar bears, humpback whales, walruses, reindeer and more. Greenland offers excellent chances of seeing the Northern Lights during the winter months too.
Sheena Campbel Arctic Saga: Spitsbergen, Faroes & Jan MayenCan’t -it was magic!! So very glad l went.
gaynor sharp Spitsbergen Circumnavigation: A Rite of PassageEverything was perfect -food, expedition leader, guides, hotel staff. Perfect weather too. 8 polar bears and 8 blue whales too and all these rest. The trip was excellent through and through.
FAQs on Arctic Holidays
Can you travel to the Arctic Circle?
Yes, you can travel to the Arctic Circle by booking a polar voyage where you’ll board a ship built to withstand the harsh conditions. By booking an Arctic Circle holiday with a reputable travel provider, you can reach parts of the world that very few people have visited.
How do you travel during an Arctic tour?
During your Arctic holiday, you’ll be based on one of Quark’s polar-class vessels fitted with spacious cabins, private bathrooms and dining rooms. They’re well-qualified for polar waters and can travel to areas that other ships simply can’t access. For more information, see our Polar Fleet page.
The ships are kept warm, clean and comfortable with a wet and mud room to store your gear and boots.
What can you expect on an Arctic voyage?
Activities you can get involved in on an Arctic holiday include:
- Zodiac excursions
- On-shore excursions
- Presentations with expedition leaders and polar experts
- Sea kayaking
All Arctic tour itineraries should be treated as a guide only – it is possible that the capricious nature of wind, visibility and ice, plus other factors, may lead to adjustments to the route published.
A holiday to the Arctic Circle can be a demanding trip with harsh conditions. For example, on-shore excursions require ‘wet’ landings, where you’ll slide into ankle-deep waters (wearing wellington boots) before walking onto dry land. There are, of course, no paths, so be prepared for slippery, rough terrain and, sometimes, fairly deep snow.
What is the weather like on an Arctic holiday?
Our Arctic tours tend to take place during the summer months and into early autumn. Typically, temperatures range from -10°C to 10°C during this period. You will also encounter longer daytime hours during this period. The melting of the sea ice makes it an ideal time to set off on an Arctic tour.
Check your itinerary to see which countries you pass through on your adventure, as temperatures may vary slightly.
What should you wear on an Arctic holiday?
An Arctic holiday means you’ll be exposed to polar climates – in other words, it will be extremely cold! On the longer Zodiac cruises, you’ll be sitting still for most of the time with the potential for sea spray and a cold headwind. We can provide you with rubber boots and a parka suited to the extreme temperatures.
You should pack a hat, scarf and at least two pairs of gloves, plus plenty of warm socks – it’s recommended that you wear two pairs during your expedition.
When it comes to clothing, you’ll need waterproof trousers, fleeces and thermal tops to help stay warm. Comfy shoes and clothes are recommended for when you spend time on the vessel.
You can find a full list of equipment in your Arctic holiday trip notes.
What else should you pack for a trip to the Arctic?
Alongside suitable clothing, we recommend you pack your camera and binoculars to get a better glimpse at the wildlife. We also recommend SPF, sunglasses, plug adapters and a first aid kit to make sure you’re on top form during your Arctic holiday.
What are the differences between holidays in the Arctic and Antarctica?
Geographically speaking, holidays to the Arctic Circle are more accessible for those travelling from the UK. The Arctic landscape also has more variety, including snow-capped peaks, glaciers and tundra land masses with snow that melts during the summer months. This means the wildlife tends to be more varied too.
How healthy should you be for a trip to the Arctic?
While it isn’t necessary to be of a certain level of fitness, it’s recommended that you feel fit enough to make the most of the daily excursions. You need to be able to get in and out of the rubber zodiac boats, for example.
Our Arctic tours are rated as ‘leisurely’ and we recommend reading our activity level guidelines to find out more.
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