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

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10 best Polar tour packages

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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
From
US$1,289per person
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Polar
Scandinavian Capitals, Fjords & Arctic Wonders | Scenic Flåm Railway, Daily Breakfast & Sightseeing Included
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen, Tromso
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Wanderful Holidays LLC
13% Off
From $5,899
US$5,132per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Arctic Winter Explorer | Ice Road to the Arctic Sea
5.0 (3 reviews)
"All I hoped for to travel by road from Whitehorse to Inuvik and on to the Arctic Ocean."
PHYLLIS, traveled in February
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Whitehorse, Dawson City, Tombstone Territorial Park,Eagle Plains,Inuvik,Tuktoyaktuk,Aklavik+4 more
Age Range
Ages 7+
Regions
Dempster HighwayYukon and Northwest Territories+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Arctic Range Adventure
13% Off
From
US$3,870per person
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Polar
Quest for the Antarctic Circle
4.3 (13 reviews)
"Antarctica was unreal and from organisational side everything was extremely well prepared."
Marta, traveled in December
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
G Expedition
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
30% Off
From $14,899
US$10,429per person
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Polar
Legends of the North: The Tromsø & Senja Expedition
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Tromso, Senja Island, Lyngseidet
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Norwegian FjordsArctic / North PoleNorthern Norway+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Worldee
30% Off
From
US$803per person
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Polar
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent (Ultramarine), Operated by Quark
5.0 (2 reviews)
"Expedition team were good. Food was very good."
Jhansi, traveled in December
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, South Shetland Islands,Tierra del Fuego National Park+1 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Ocean Endeavour
Regions
PatagoniaAndes Mountains+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
14% Off
From $18,592
US$16,030per person
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Polar
Antarctic Peninsula: Crossing the Circle, Operated by Quark
5.0 (2 reviews)
"it was fantastic, exceeded my expectations. We had a very unique experience."
Lily, traveled in January
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, South Shetland Islands
Age Range
Ages 18+
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
10% Off
From $30,742
US$27,820per person
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Polar
Realm of Penguins & Icebergs
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
Ages 6+
Ship
M/V Sea Spirit
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Poseidon Expeditions
10% Off
From
US$11,795per person
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Polar
Ultimate Chilean Fjords, Glaciers & Antarctic Wildlife Explorer
Duration
31 days
Destinations
Chile Argentina Falkland Islands
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Eclipse
Regions
PatagoniaAndes Mountains+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
14% Off
From $54,275
US$46,700per person
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Polar
Rovaniemi Winter Experience - Christmas Edition
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Rovaniemi, Ranua
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English, Italian,French,Spanish+2 more
Operator
V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia
14% Off
From
US$1,859per person
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Polar
Antarctica Classic
4.7 (33 reviews)
"The food more than excellent. The pinguins. Whales and seals all showed up for us in large numbers."
Aleksandra, 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
20% Off
From $9,399
US$7,519per person
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Polar
Kayak and Ice Trekking Expedition 8 days (from Iceland)
5.0 (2 reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Qaqortoq, Narsaq, Maniitsoq
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Tasermiut
20% Off
From
US$3,538per person
+$302 upfront costs
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Polar
Trip Through the Lofoten Islands
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Narvik, Svolvær, Henningsver, Ramberg, Reine, Hamnøy,Nusfjord,Senja Island+2 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Regions
Norwegian FjordsArctic / North PoleNorthern NorwayLofoten Islands+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Worldee
20% Off
From
US$994per person
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Polar
Helsinki to Kirkenes - Beyond the Arctic Circle
4.5 (2 reviews)
"The itinerary for the tour was great and utilized the 10 days for maximum activity experience."
Jessica, traveled in March
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Ivalo, Inari, Kirkenes
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Carisa Travel Group
20% Off
From
US$4,984per person
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Polar
Beyond the Arctic Circle: Tromsø to Svalbard
5.0 (1 review)
"Enjoyed with knowledgeable and professional staff."
Hersh, traveled in June
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Tromso, Svalbard, Longyearbyen
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
20% Off
From
US$6,999per person
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