Arctic / North Pole Arctic Cruises & Tours
Explore a wide diversity of Arctic adventures through Arctic / North Pole. We have 118 cruises that vary from 3 days to 31 days. With the greatest number of departures in December, this is also the most popular time of the year.
10 best Arctic / North Pole Arctic trips
Compiled by
MelissaArctic / North Pole travel expert at TourRadar
- Top of Scandinavia with Arctic Circle
- In the Realm of the Polar Bear
- Polar Nights in Northern Norway - 5 days
- Glaciers & Wildlife of Svalbard
- Spitsbergen Circumnavigation: A Rite of Passage, Operated by Quark
- Wild Wonders of the Arctic - 8 days
- Lapland & the Arctic Circle - 5 Days
- Lapland & Husky Highlights - 5 Days
- Finland Wilderness Discovery - 5 Days
- North Spitzbergen Explorer
The Arctic Circle journey takes you to Rovaniemi, reaching Europe's northernmost point at North Cape Hall, with stops at husky farms in Luosto. Traditional Sámi settlements in Karasjok and Tromsø's iconic Arctic Cathedral round out this northern adventure.
Duration 10 days Destinations Helsinki, Oulu, Rovaniemi, Ivalo, Karasjok, Honningsvag, Alta, Tromso Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From $3,772
4% Off- US$3,622+$327 upfront costs
Duration 10 days Destinations Longyearbyen, Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park, Nordre Isfjorden National Park, Ny Aalesund, Smeerenburgfjorden Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Poseidon Expeditions From $10,295
15% Off- US$8,751
Polar Nights in Northern Norway - 5 days
“The weather was on our side and we were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights 3/4 night.”
Ana, traveled in February
Traditional reindeer sledding awaits at Sami camps 230km above the Arctic Circle. Visitors tour Tromsø's Polar Museum and join Arctic Light Campfire sessions on Sommarøy's beaches. Optional activities include Sea Eagle safaris and Northern Lights cruises from Tromsø harbor.
Duration 5 days Destinations Tromso, Sommaroy Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $3,155
20% Off- US$2,524
Duration 14 days Destinations Oslo, Longyearbyen Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $23,245
20% Off- US$18,624
Duration 14 days Destinations Oslo, Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Svalbard Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $18,290
9% Off- US$16,611
Wild Wonders of the Arctic - 8 days
“Excellent tour, staff went above and beyond to make the tour as memorable as possible.”
Lynette, traveled in June
Remote Nordaustlandet's rocky coastline and Sjuøyane islands reveal Arctic wonders. Wildlife including polar bears, seals, and nesting seabirds thrive here. Visitors navigate through pack ice while discovering historic whaling settlements and pristine glacial landscapes.
Duration 8 days Destinations Longyearbyen, Nordaustlandet Island, Sjuoyane, Kongsfjorden, Ny Aalesund, Oslo Age Range Ages 12+ Operator On The Go Tours From
9% Off- US$9,890
The Arctic Circle comes alive with visits to Santa's Village in Rovaniemi. The Scandic Rovaniemi Hotel serves as your base for traditional reindeer farms and Northern Lights hunting. Optional husky sledding and snowmobile safaris available with expert Arctic guides.
Duration 5 days Destinations Rovaniemi Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $2,095
15% Off- US$1,781
Lapland & Husky Highlights - 5 Days
“Going to Lapland in winter was always a dream. This did not disappoint. Loved the day trips we did and the accommodation was amazing.”
Claire, traveled in January
Pure Arctic wilderness stretches from Rovaniemi, featuring 60-minute husky sledding through snow-laden forests and thrilling snowmobile safaris. A Lappish ceremony in traditional tepees and optional Aurora Ice Floating showcase Finnish Lapland's natural wonders.
Duration 5 days Destinations Rovaniemi Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $2,575
15% Off- US$2,189
A thrilling 5km wild husky run cuts through Rovaniemi's pristine snowscape. Local kennels provide expert mushing instruction before you drive your own sled. Traditional Finnish 'kota' teepee offers warmth after reindeer safaris, with Aurora Borealis viewing opportunities.
Duration 5 days Destinations Rovaniemi, Vaattunki Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $1,595
15% Off- US$1,356
Duration 8 days Destinations Longyearbyen, Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park, Monacobreen Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Inventia From
15% Off- US$4,993
What our customers ask about Arctic / North Pole Arctic Cruises & Tours
When is the best time to visit the Arctic region?
The prime Arctic travel window spans June through September with moderate temperatures and extended daylight. Wildlife watching peaks in July and August especially around Spitsbergen and Greenland where travelers regularly spot marine mammals and Arctic birds. Late August marks the start of Northern Lights viewing with locations like Scoresby Sound in East Greenland offering clear night skies. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Great experience seeing whales glaciers icebergs icefjords and even visiting with native Inuit Greenlanders in their homes."
What cultural experiences are available in the Arctic?
The Arctic presents opportunities to connect with indigenous peoples including the Inuit communities of Greenland and the Sami people of Norway. Visitors can explore traditional settlements such as Qassiarsuk in South Greenland where local families welcome guests into their homes. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Visiting with a native Inuit Greenlander in her home was so educational. We saw handcrafted clothing made from sealskin and beads and learned about their traditional way of life."
What types of accommodation can I expect on an Arctic tour?
The Arctic offers diverse sleeping arrangements from modern glass igloos to remote wilderness lodges. The Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort features special glass-domed rooms for Northern Lights viewing while the Treehotel in Harads offers elevated accommodations overlooking the Lule River valley. The ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi maintains consistent temperatures between -5 to -8°C providing thermal sleeping bags and reindeer hides for guest comfort.
What weather conditions should I prepare for in the Arctic?
The Arctic climate shifts considerably across seasons and locations. Summer in West Greenland brings temperatures between 5-15°C (41-59°F) while winter in places like Inari Finland can see temperatures drop below -30°C (-22°F). From the Northern Lights & Wildlife in Swedish Lapland tour a traveler reports: "The Arctic is surprisingly comfortable with proper gear - warm waterproof clothing is essential but tour operators often provide specialized Arctic clothing for activities."
How close can we get to the North Pole on Arctic tours?
Most Arctic expeditions don't reach the geographic North Pole but travel well into the high Arctic regions. Svalbard cruises regularly reach 80° North exploring the pack ice edge. A traveler on the Ocean Albatros expedition shared: "Reaching the northernmost point of our journey at 80° North was thrilling - we were closer to the North Pole than any mainland European point."
Can I see polar bears on Arctic tours in Scandinavia?
Polar bears don't roam freely in Scandinavian countries like Finland or Norway. For polar bear sightings travelers need to book specific expeditions to Svalbard. A TourRadar traveler from their Spitsbergen expedition shared: "We saw polar bears in their natural habitat during our cruise along Svalbard's coast - a completely different experience from mainland Arctic tours."