antarctica & arctic
if ice and wildlife are your bread and butter, then the polar regions will be your jam
Imagine cruising past glaciers in search of polar bears in the wild. As you sail, you see bulky walruses haul out onto the ice, their bodies like giant russet potatoes on snow. In Antarctica, you stand among hundreds of thousands of penguins slipping about the ice and waddling in search of perfect pebbles.
The polar regions offer rare experiences so far off the grid that even the most well-seasoned travelers are swept off their feet.
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ANTARCTICA
How to get there
Reaching the end of the Earth is a long process. You must fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina, then take a 3-hour flight south to Ushuaia. There, you board your ship and embark on a 2-day journey to the Peninsula.
best for
Wildlife enthusiasts, adventure seekers, environment advocates, those seeking to reach their 7th continent
recommend trip length
Classic Peninsula trips require an average of 10 days on a ship. Added time for travel to and from South America makes it a 2-3 week trip in total.
Trips to the Ross Sea, which is accessed via New Zealand/Australia, are 25-30 days on the ship.
things to do
You will likely need a vacation after your vacation because these trips are active! You’ll enjoy zodiac cruises, short hikes, kayaking, nature walks, wildlife viewing, photography, onboard lectures, and more.
Average cost
BUDGET | $7,000 per person, shared cabin
MID-RANGE | $10,000-$12,000 per person
FANCY-PANTS | $15,000 per person, private suite
when to visit
Early Season | Nov-Dec
The region is waking up and is at it’s most pristine. November, in particular, is ideal to visit South Georgia as it offers some of the best wildlife encounters.
mid-Season | Dec-Jan
This is peak-season with penguins at their most active, more tourists, and long warm days.
late Season | feb-maR
There is less penguin activity as they head to sea, but it is great for whale watching and navigating further south to the Antarctic Circle.
the arctic
where to visit
CANADA | Icy landscapes, wildlife viewing, solitude
GREENLAND | Native culture, adventure activities, variety of landscapes
ICELAND | Epic landscapes year-round, adventure, culture, easy to visit
NORWAY | Beautiful fjords, cities, and landscapes
RUSSIA | Way off-grid, unique experience, wildlife viewing, various landscapes, hard to reach
SVALBARD | Classic High Arctic experience, icy landscapes, ample wildlife, best by ship
things to do
Like Antarctica, this region is active. Exact activities depend on where you are, but in each you will enjoy phenomenal landscapes. Photography, wildlife viewing, kayaking, climbing, city walking, hiking, cruising, and more are all on the table.
Average cost
Trips will vary based on length of time and destination. A week trip to Iceland can average $2,500 per person, while expeditions in the High Arctic average $8,000 per person.
best for
Those seeking solitude, wildlife viewing opportunities, and active adventure will thrive. Many areas offer history and culture as well.
when to visit the arctic
High arctic | Apr-aug
For a cruise to Svalbard, the season is from late-April to early-August. Early season will have more icy landscapes, while later season allows ships to explore farther north.
The best time to see polar bears in Svalbard and Russia is June and July.
low arctic | year round
April to August offers long days and is the best time for outdoor summer adventures in Greenland, Iceland, and Norway.
September to March is the long polar night, offering the chance to see the northern lights.
For polar bears in Canada, July and August are ideal, though in Hudson Bay, October/November is the only time to view them.