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

12 Days From 34500

Head north on a 12-day Arctic expedition towards Canada’s most northerly islands,...

17 Days From 18000

Take a 17-day polar expedition with Intrepid from Toronto via western Greenland through...

17 Days From 16130

Take an Ocean Endeavour expedition to the Northwest Passage from Canada to Greenland....

14 Days From 15250

Circumnavigate Spitsbergen and more of the Svalbard archipelago, stopping by unique...

13 Days From 13800

Experience the majesty of Greenland’s soaring glaciers, gorgeous fjords and vast...

15 Days From 13650

From Helsinki, experience the wonders of Spitsbergen, East Greenland and Iceland on a...

13 Days From 12215

Traverse the untamed coastline of Greenland and Northern Canada on board the Ocean...

13 Days From 12215

Explore the wild coastline of Northern Canada and Greenland on board the Ocean...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

13 Days From 11150

Cruise the wild fjords of south Greenland and learn about Viking history. Spot whales...

14 Days From 11100

An Arctic expedition through East Greenland and Iceland is the perfect opportunity to...

13 Days From 10750

Set sail around Spitsbergen and head south toward Jan Mayen on an Arctic adventure. See...

12 Days From 10550

Join Intrepid on a 12-day journey along some of Greenland's most remote coastline,...

11 Days From 10400

Tick Greenland off your bucket list on this 10 day cruise along the country's...

14 Days From 10250

Embark on an Arctic expedition to Scotland, Denmark and Spitsbergen.

15 Days From 10040

Hop aboard the Ocean Endeavour ship for an exploration across the seas to Newfoundland,...

32 Days From 9625

A truly original 32-day itinerary, through Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and...

10 Days From 9100

Take a cruise through West Greenland’s glaciers, fjords and icebergs on a journey...

10 Days From 9050

Breathe in the crisp Arctic air and discover Spitsbergen, the largest island in Norway...

11 Days From 8900

From Reykjavik, Iceland, you’ll cruise the seas on the Ultramarine to Northeast...

26 Days From 7515

Travel through northern Europe on a tour from Oslo to Vilnius. Visit Norway, Sweden,...

21 Days From 7115

A 21-day tour through the best of Scandinavia, including Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen,...

10 Days From 6525

Take a Premium trip through Scandinavia, with epic stays and activities in Sweden and...

9 Days From 5791

Discover Iceland’s geological wonders and welcoming people on an all-encompassing...

15 Days From 5755

This 14-day journey through Sweden, Denmark and Norway begins in stylish Copenhagen....

7 Days From 5550

Take a voyage across the Arctic Circle via the Svalbard Archipelago and north-east...

15 Days From 5165

Discover Scandinavia on a trip to Norway, Sweden and Finland. Travel to Norway and...

9 Days From 3760

Explore northern Norway starting in Oslo and ending far above the Arctic Circle in...

8 Days From 3492

Explore Iceland and hunt for the northern lights on a Premium adventure from Reykjavik...

8 Days From 2893

See Iceland on this eight-day tour that travels to Reykjavik, the Golden Circle,...

5 Days From 1991

Set off on a five-day circuit from Reykjavik, visit thundering waterfalls, steamy...

5 Days From 1836

Set off on a five-day aurora-spotting circuit from Reykjavik, visit thundering...

7 Days From 1690

Check out Iceland’s chilly treasures on a trip through Reykjavik, Hvolsvollur,...

6 Days From 1680

Spot local wildlife and explore the islands and history of the Shetland Islands on an...

6 Days From 1512

Discover the unique beauty of Iceland. Visit the Gullfoss waterfall, touch the...

5 Days From 1195

Tour green Iceland on a five-day trip visiting Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, Vik,...

6 Days From 1004

Check out Iceland’s chilly treasures on a trip through Reykjavik, the Golden Circle,...

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

Group of travellers aboard zodiac get close to glacier in 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. 

Find out more

Mother polar bear and cub jump across the ice in Franz Joseph Land

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.

Find out more

hot air balloon rising over ice caps

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.

Find out more

A herd of walruses huddle on the ice on Kapp Lee

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.

Find out more

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

Travellers on board the expedition ship during an Intrepid tour in the Arctic

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.

View our fleet

FAQs

A group of travellers walking on land in the Northwest Passage on a sunny day

When is the best time to visit the Arctic?

The best time to visit the Arctic region is during the high summer season (between June and September) as the weather is warmer and it is more enjoyable to spend long periods of time outside.

Read more about the best time to visit the Arctic

The side of a boat as it sails through through the Northwest passage

What is the weather like in the Arctic?

It's generally cold in the Arctic but the summer season does see temperatures rise above freezing and most people find being outside tolerable and sometimes enjoyable.

Read more about weather in the Arctic

A group of travellers standing on the deck of the ship, looking out at the sunset over the Arctic

What should I wear in the Arctic?

Packing for the Arctic may seem daunting but as long as you pack heaps of layers, socks, gloves, beanies, and other cold weather clothing, you should be well prepared.

Read more about what to wear in the Arctic

A row of colourful houses and their freflections in Greenland on a clear day

Will my mobile work in the Arctic?

Your mobile phone won't work while you're at sea but there are various towns in the Arctic region where mobile coverage is satisfactory, even good.

Read more about mobile phones in the Arctic

The Arctic is located at the northernmost part of the planet, starting from the North Pole (yes, where Santa Claus lives) and extending out in all directions to the edges of the Arctic Circle. 

Click here to read more about the location of the Arctic

The Arctic is considered a polar region but it's made up of areas that belong to the Arctic ocean, a number of other seas and, of course, countries. These countries are Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Canada, Iceland, and the USA. 

Click here to read more about the Arctic

There are several animal species that call the Arctic their home including a variety of sea birds (puffins, common eiders, purple sandpipers and more), whales (minke, bowhead, beluga etc), polar bears, walruses, musk oxen, Arctic wolves, and reindeer. 

Click here to read more about the animals of 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.

A seal relaxes in the Arctic

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