When is the best time to visit polar regions?

The timing depends on where you're heading. Antarctica welcomes visitors from November to March, with the warmest and brightest days falling between December and February when you'll get more than 20 hours of daylight and temperatures around 32-35°F (0-2°C). If you're interested in the Arctic, plan your trip between June and September when temperatures are mild at 35-50°F (2-10°C). Summer in places like Disko Bay, Greenland gives you clear skies, plenty of whale sightings, and the unique experience of the midnight sun.

What wildlife will I see?

You'll see different animals depending on which pole you visit. In Antarctica, you'll spot several types of penguins including Gentoo, Adelie, Chinstrap and King penguins waddling about. Keep your eyes peeled for seals lounging on ice floes - Weddell, leopard, and elephant seals are common sights. In both polar regions, you might spot whales like humpbacks, minkes and orcas, plus lots of seabirds. One TourRadar traveler shared their excitement about "watching six whales doing a synchronized performance" during a Zodiac boat trip.

How much exploring can I do off the ship?

Most days you'll have two chances to leave the ship, usually for 2-3 hours each time, using small Zodiac boats to get around. The weather plays a big part in what's possible each day. If you're visiting the Antarctic Peninsula, you'll likely spend 4-5 days going ashore to check out wildlife and landscapes. Arctic trips often mix nature exploration with visits to small communities like Itilleq or Qeqertarsuaq, giving you a taste of local life.

You'll need waterproof pants, warm layers, waterproof gloves, sun protection, and a camera with extra batteries. Many ships provide boots (usually US sizes 4-16) and expedition jackets as part of your trip. Pack for temperatures between 20-35°F (-6 to 2°C) in Antarctica, or 35-50°F (2-10°C) in the Arctic summer. The key is bringing clothes you can layer - you'll want to add or remove layers as conditions change throughout the day.

How rough is the sea journey?

The roughest part is usually crossing the Drake Passage to Antarctica - sailors joke it's either the "Drake Lake" when calm or the "Drake Shake" when rough. While ships have stabilizers to help smooth things out, you might experience some rocky moments. The good news is that ship doctors have effective seasickness medication if you need it. The Arctic waters around Greenland's Disko Bay tend to be calmer, especially in summer.

What's included in the trip cost?

Your ticket covers your cabin, three daily meals plus snacks, guided trips off the ship, educational talks, expedition gear (boots and jackets), and transfers. Some companies, like Albatros Expeditions, include flights between Copenhagen and Greenland. You'll need to budget extra for your flights to the departure point, travel insurance, optional activities like kayaking (about $345-400), and anything you buy on the ship. Most trips cost between $7,000-40,000 depending on how long you're traveling and what kind of cabin you choose.

Polar Tours & Trips

250+ tours

View Map
Polar
Southern Patagonia: El Calafate, El Chalten & Ushuaia
4.5 (2 reviews)
"The tours themselves were good and the guides were good."
Cari, traveled in December
Duration
10 days
Destinations
El Calafate, El Chalten, Perito Moreno Glacier, Ushuaia,Tierra del Fuego National Park+1 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
People Travel and Experience
From
US$2,895per person
Price based on Private Double Room
Sign up and save
View tour

View Map
Polar
Patagonia Dreams: From Bariloche to the Icefields of El Calafate
4.3 (3 reviews)
Duration
7 days
Destinations
San Carlos De Bariloche, El Calafate,Perito Moreno Glacier,El Chalten,Mount Fitz Roy+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
People Travel and Experience
From
US$1,715per person
Price based on Private Double Room
Sign up and save
View tour
View Map
Polar
4 Day - Ushuaia, End of the world
5.0 (2 reviews)
"Very satisfied with the whole process from enquiry to booking. Loves both the accommodation arranged in El Calafate and Ushuaia."
Cheah, traveled in September
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Qwerty Travel Argentina
From
US$855per person
Price based on Private Double Room
Sign up and save
View tour
View Map
Polar
Adventures in Patagonia
4.5 (39 reviews)
"The highlights were the W hike and that certainly surpassed expectations."
Timothy, traveled in November
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Isla Martillo,Tierra del Fuego National Park,Punta Arenas,Puerto Natales,Mylodon Cave Natural Monument,Torres del Paine National Park,Cerro Castillo,El Calafate,Los Glaciares National Park,Perito Moreno Glacier,El Chalten,Mount Fitz Roy+11 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
4% Off
From $7,980
US$7,700per person
Price based on Private Double Room
Sign up and save
View tour
View Map
Polar
Antarctica Classic in Depth
4.0 (5 reviews)
"G expedition team members are very passionate, professional and knowledgeable!"
CHEN-WEI, traveled in November
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
G Expedition
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
35% Off
From $11,199
US$7,279per person
Price based on Shared Room
Sign up and save
View tour
View Map
Polar
Northern Lights (from Iceland)
5.0 (1 review)
"Overall experience was excellent with great guides, well-organized activities each day."
Jennifer, traveled in September
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Qaqortoq, Qassiarsuk, Tasiusaq, Igaliku, Itilleq,Narsarsuaq,Tasersuatsiaq,Narsaq+3 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Tasermiut
35% Off
From
US$3,475per person
+$297 upfront costs
Price based on Shared Room
Sign up and save
View tour
View Map
Polar
Journeys: Discover Patagonia National Geographic
4.6 (9 reviews)
"The excursions were amazing, and for the most part, the logistics were well planned and executed."
Katherine, traveled in October
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Buenos Aires, San Carlos De Bariloche, Puerto Varas,Chiloe Island,Vicente Perez Rosales National Park,Osorno Volcano,Puerto Natales,Torres del Paine National Park,El Calafate,Los Glaciares National Park,Perito Moreno Glacier,Ushuaia,Isla Martillo+10 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
National Geographic Expeditions with G Adventures
10% Off
From $7,899
US$7,109per person
Price based on Private Double Room
Sign up and save
View tour
View Map
Polar
Mountains and Glaciers: Perito Moreno and Torres del Paine
5.0 (3 reviews)
"The excursions were excellent with knowledgable English speaking guides and hard working drivers."
Graham, traveled in February
Duration
7 days
Destinations
El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chalten,Puerto Natales,Torres del Paine National Park,Punta Arenas+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
People Travel and Experience
10% Off
From
US$2,330per person
Price based on Private Double Room
Sign up and save
View tour
View Map
Polar
Patagonia Express: Buenos Aires, El Calafate & Ushuaia
5.0 (2 reviews)
"The people were lovely and there were zero issues."
F, traveled in December
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier, Ushuaia,San Antonio de Areco+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
People Travel and Experience
10% Off
From
US$2,860per person
Price based on Private Double Room
Sign up and save
View tour
View Map
Polar
4 Day Winter Minibus Tour: Blue Ice Cave, South Coast, Golden Circle, Snaefellsnes & Northern Lights
2.8 (4 reviews)
"The pace of the trip was exhausting (12-14 hour days), but totally worth it."
John, traveled in March
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Arnarstapi, Djupalonssandur,Kirkjufell Mountain,Geysir,Gullfoss,Thingvellir National Park,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon+9 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
South Iceland
Operated in
English
Operator
Troll Expeditions
10% Off
From
US$1,289per person
Price based on Private Double Room
Sign up and save
View tour
View Map
Polar
Antarctica Classic
4.7 (33 reviews)
"Fantastic hotel staff. Went in early April and the weather and wildlife experiences were second to none."
Simon, traveled in March
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
G Expedition
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
25% Off
From $9,599
US$7,199per person
Price based on Shared Room
Sign up and save
View tour
View Map
Polar
12 Days - Classic Argentina
4.7 (9 reviews)
"I wouol like to recommens."
Myung, traveled in July
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Puerto Iguazu, Ushuaia, El Calafate
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Qwerty Travel Argentina
25% Off
From
US$1,799per person
Price based on Private Double Room
Sign up and save
View tour
View Map
Polar
Exploring Full Patagonia Argentina & Chile
4.8 (2 reviews)
"Great people and gorgeous natural sights!!"
Leslie, traveled in November
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego National Park,El Calafate,Perito Moreno Glacier,Puerto Natales,Mylodon Cave Natural Monument,Cerro Castillo,Torres del Paine National Park,Puerto Varas,San Carlos De Bariloche,San Martin de los Andes+9 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Qwerty Travel Argentina
25% Off
From
US$3,089per person
Price based on Private Double Room
Sign up and save
View tour
View Map
Polar
South Greenland Grand Adventure - 6 Days
5.0 (1 review)
"The scenery of the fjords, icebergs, glaciers and valleys carved out by the ice were amazing and from another world."
Chia, traveled in July
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Qaqortoq, Narsarsuaq, Narsaq
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
GJ Travel
25% Off
From
US$3,971per person
Price based on Private Double Room
Sign up and save
View tour
View Map
Polar
Argentina: Ushuaia, Calafate, Bariloche, Puerto Madryn & Buenos Aires - 11 days
4.6 (5 reviews)
"The trip was amazing! Overall great trip and would do it again."
Kristin, traveled in March
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego National Park, El Calafate,Perito Moreno Glacier,Los Glaciares National Park,San Carlos De Bariloche,Puerto Madryn,Valdes Peninsula,Puerto Piramides,Punta Tombo National Reserve,Buenos Aires+8 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Patagonia
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Aborigen Tours
15% Off
From $1,369
US$1,164per person
Price based on Private Double Room
Sign up and save
View tour