Midnight sun, ethereal natural light shows and preening polar bears – welcome to the edge of the map.
A pristine Eden of mountain peaks, glacial structures and pretty much every shade of blue known to man, this winter wonderland sometimes seems too beautiful to be real. Polar bears, whales, reindeers and walruses dot the ice-strewn land and seascapes while wildflowers bloom on the inland plains. Come the seasonal equinoxes, Aurora Borealis throws up its dazzling display of lights. On some summer nights the sun never sets. Enchanting, stark and about as remote as you can get while crossing parts of eight countries – Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Greenland (Denmark), Russia, Canada and the USA – the Arctic Circle really is poles apart from the typical travel experience. Set sail on a cruise to the Earth's tip top - The Arctic.
Our tours in the Arctic
14 Days
From
30950
Take the ultimate expedition and voyage to the North Pole. Stand on top of the world at...
20 Days
From
17050
Embark on an Arctic expedition to remote parts of Canada and Greenland – in search of...
17 Days
From
16050
Take a 17-day polar expedition with Intrepid from Toronto via western Greenland through...
17 Days
From
16050
The Northwest Passage, Smith Sound, the islands of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland –...
22 Days
From
15750
Polar deserts, shimmering glaciers and unique wildlife – the Arctic has it all.
16 Days
From
11800
Discover the exquisite wilderness of the Russian Arctic on this 16-day exploration.
12 Days
From
10950
Head north on a 12-day Arctic expedition towards Canada’s most northerly islands,...
15 Days
From
10750
See all the highlights of the east, south and west coasts on this Arctic voyage around...
Tailor-Made trips
Take two or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
15 Days
From
10750
See all the highlights of the east, south and west coasts on this Arctic voyage around...
14 Days
From
10550
Grab your camera and capture the incredible wildlife and landscapes of Svalbard on this...
14 Days
From
10550
Grab your camera and capture the incredible wildlife and landscapes of Svalbard on this...
14 Days
From
10500
Departing from Oslo, explore incredible Spitsbergen in search of polar bears, reindeer...
14 Days
From
10500
Departing from Helsinki, explore incredible Spitsbergen in search of polar bears,...
12 Days
From
10460
Traverse the untamed coastline of Greenland and Northern Canada on board the Ocean...
12 Days
From
10145
Explore the wild coastline of Northern Canada and Greenland on board the Ocean...
15 Days
From
9850
From Oslo, experience the wonders of Spitsbergen, East Greenland and Iceland on a 15...
15 Days
From
9850
From Helsinki, experience the wonders of Spitsbergen, East Greenland and Iceland on a...
14 Days
From
9200
An Arctic expedition through East Greenland and Iceland is the perfect opportunity to...
14 Days
From
9200
An Arctic expedition through East Greenland and Iceland is the perfect opportunity to...
9 Days
From
8350
Discover the fjords of Southern Greenland on this nine-day expedition, flying in and...
9 Days
From
8350
Embark on an expedition that seeks the essential sights and sites of the Canadian High...
9 Days
From
8350
Discover the fjords of Southern Greenland on this nine-day expedition, flying in and...
9 Days
From
8350
Embark on an expedition that seeks the essential sights and sites of the Canadian High...
12 Days
From
8050
Discover the Arctic wonders of Svalbard on this polar cruising adventure around...
32 Days
From
7815
A truly original 32-day itinerary, through Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and...
14 Days
From
6750
Embark on an Arctic expedition to Scotland, Denmark and Spitsbergen.
14 Days
From
6750
Embark on an Arctic expedition to Scotland, Denmark and Spitsbergen.
10 Days
From
6600
Breathe in the crisp Arctic air and discover Spitsbergen, the largest island in Norway...
21 Days
From
5795
A 21-day tour through the best of Scandinavia, including Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen,...
7 Days
From
5050
Take a voyage across the Arctic Circle via the Svalbard Archipelago and north-east...
7 Days
From
5050
Take a voyage across the Arctic Circle via the Svalbard Archipelago and north-east...
26 Days
From
4816
Travel through northern Europe on a tour from Oslo to Vilnius. Visit Norway, Sweden,...
15 Days
From
3452
This 15-day journey through Sweden, Denmark and Norway begins in stylish Copenhagen....
15 Days
From
3300
Discover Scandinavia on a trip to Norway, Sweden and Finland. Travel to Norway and...
9 Days
From
3280
Discover Iceland’s geological wonders and welcoming people on an all-encompassing...
9 Days
From
2248
Explore northern Norway starting in Oslo and ending far above the Arctic Circle in...
8 Days
From
2084
Explore Iceland and hunt for the northern lights on a Premium adventure from Reykjavik...
8 Days
From
1924
See Iceland on this eight-day tour that travels to Reykjavik, the Golden Circle,...
5 Days
From
1352
Set off on a five-day circuit from Reykjavik, stay on a sustainable working farm and...
6 Days
From
1216
Discover the unique beauty of Iceland. Visit the Gullfoss waterfall, touch the...
7 Days
From
1020
Check out Iceland’s chilly treasures on a trip through Reykjavik, Hvolsvollur,...
5 Days
From
748
Tour green Iceland on a five-day Lonely Planet Experience, visiting Reykjavik, the...
Why choose Intrepid
Custom-built ships
Each vessel is purpose-built for polar conditions, well-equipped and fitted with modern conveniences to create a home away from home. Each ship also boasts a team of professional chefs preparing high-quality meals around the clock, a crew of experienced sailors and expedition leaders to chart a course.
Expert leaders
Travel with polar experts in a range of fields – glaciology, ornithology, marine biology and natural history – who provide invaluable context and insight to the region. Trained guides in Arctic terrain ensure you can travel with peace of mind onboard and during onshore activities.
Onboard activities
When you’re not spotting wildlife from the deck, exploring onshore or taking part in an adventure activity, all our Arctic trips include educational seminars to learn about the region’s unique flora and fauna. On top of all that, there’s a library where you can do your own polar research or have some downtime in the lounge.
Full board
All cruises provide three meals a day, 24-hour tea and coffee, and activities including Zodiac excursions, onboard seminars and shore landings. Our chefs know just how to warm you up after your Arctic outing, just be ready for a second serving!
Safety
Our polar operators are the best in the business and make your safety travelling in this potentially hazardous region their number one priority, adhering to all international maritime and SOLAS regulations.
Sustainable travel
We strive to use travel as a force for good. That’s why we choose to give back to the communities we visit, carbon offset all our trips and take our social and environmental responsibilities seriously. We’ve been officially certified as the world’s largest travel B Corp, which means when you choose Intrepid Travel, you can rest assured you’re travelling to improve the planet.
Highlights of the Arctic
Zodiac through the Ilulissat Icefjord
One of western Greenland’s highlights is the Ilulissat Icefjord, a World Heritage-listed wonder of glaciers and icebergs. It's the perfect location to navigate in a Zodiac, gaining a perspective on the ice formations that you just can't get from on shore.
Search for polar bears in Franz Josef Land
This remote group of 191 islands, many covered in ice, forms the most northerly archipelago in Eurasia, lies entirely within the Arctic Circle and is part of the Russian Arctic National Park. Weather and ice conditions will shape your exploration, but this is one of your best chances to see polar bears.
Fly over the North Pole in a hot air balloon
Imagine being one of the few people in the world to get a bird’s eye view over the northern tip of the planet! Top off your experience at the top of the world with a champagne toast and a barbecue on the ice.
Watch walruses relax on Kapp Lee
This headland is a well-known walrus hangout, and one of our possible landing spots on Svalbard. Fun fact: walrus’s hides turn pink while they lounge in the sun as blood is pumped to the surface of their skin to aid cooling, similar to what happens to hippopotamuses in Africa.
Wildlife
Spanning eight countries above the Arctic Circle, and part of three continents, the Arctic is one of the most diverse regions in the world. Here’s a glance at some of the wildlife you might encounter on your northern cruise.
Find out more about animals in the Arctic here.
Your home on the sea
We know you want to be as comfortable as possible while on board, which is why we’ve chosen vessels equipped with modern conveniences along with luxurious touches that make each voyage a true pleasure. Each ship boasts onboard chefs to prepare a range of hearty, quality meals, and onboard experts to ensure you spend more time seeing the sights and less time thumbing through a guidebook.
FAQs
When is the best time to visit the Arctic?
What should I wear in the Arctic?
What country is the Arctic in?
What is the weather like in the Arctic?
Will my mobile/cellphone work in the Arctic?
What types of animals live in the Arctic?
For more information about our tours in the Arctic, and answers to common queries, see our Frequently Asked Questions.
Responsible travel
Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling. Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to being the best travel company for the world.
How we're giving back
In Nuuk, Greenland, we stay at a local hotel that uses 100 per cent sustainable energy, because, as a travel company, we know we have a responsibility to protect the places we visit. That’s why we’ve been the world’s largest carbon neutral travel company since 2010, and we have reached our goal to become climate positive in 2020. You can learn more about our climate policy here.
Read more about the Arctic
May 29, 2018
The Arctic vs. Antarctica: How to...
There are many similarities between the Arctic and Antarctica, but there are...
Dec 26, 2018
What to expect on an Arctic expedition
While we often associate polar adventures with rugged explorers, frostbite and...
Nov 19, 2019
How to spend 48 hours in Longyearbyen...
Reading Time: 5 minutes Don’t make the mistake of thinking Longyearbyen is simply...
Dec 17, 2018
What to pack for an Arctic adventure
Reading Time: 5 minutes As one of the last untouched stretches of wilderness, the...
May 01, 2019
8 things you need to know before your...
So you wanna go on a polar expedition? First thing you need to know is that it...
Mar 18, 2019
Why Greenland might just be the next...
While Iceland attracts over two million tourists a year, Greenland only sees about...
Jan 15, 2019
The most important trait you need on...
The scouts spotted a polar bear, so plans changed. And not for the first time...
Jan 13, 2019
An icy encounter: meeting a polar...
Pounding heart in my throat, I raced up the stairs two at a time with my camera...
Jan 06, 2019
Your essential guide to polar...
For all its natural beauty, the Arctic and Antarctica present a unique challenge...
Dec 03, 2018
The true north uncovered: Visiting...
In all my travels I’d never made it to the north of my own country, and, well, my...
Dec 10, 2017
Norway for nature lovers: 5 essential...
Fjords and waterfalls and Northern Lights, oh my.
Jun 21, 2017
5 ways to get more out of your...
Dr Melanie Windridge has a PhD in fusion energy and wrote a book on the Northern...
Apr 22, 2016
Best of Instagram: want to know what...
Svalbard is about as close as most mortal are going to get to the North Pole. So...
Apr 19, 2016
Life in the north: our top 6 Arctic...
One thing the Arctic does have is wildlife. Lots of it. On a size and scale that...
Sep 08, 2015
Total eclipse of the heart: one...
First contact saw a massive cheer erupt and the special eclipse viewers we’d been...
Mar 25, 2015
Ask The Experts: The Planet D’s guide...
Deb and Dave, collectively known as The Planet D, are kind of a big deal in the...
Feb 27, 2014
What you probably don’t know about...
The Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is a fantastic location for seeking...