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 Active Ocean Cruise
Antarctica Classic in Depth
4.0 (5 traveler reviews)
"G expedition team members are very passionate, professional and knowledgeable!"
CHEN-WEI, traveled in November
Destinations
Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
up to 90 year olds
Ship
G Expedition
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
Duration
13 days
From
NZ$14,399
$3,240 now + easy payments of $1,080
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 01 Dec 2025
Pay today$3,240
12 easy payments$1,080
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 01 Dec 2025
Pay today$3,240
12 easy payments$1,080
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Polar Family Antarctica
Best of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer
4.3 (3 traveler reviews)
"The ship crew and expedition crew were wonderful and helpful. It was an unforgettable experience."
Aaron, traveled in January
Destinations
Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands,Antarctic Peninsula+1 more
Age Range
12 to 99 year olds
Ship
Ocean Endeavour
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
Duration
11 days
From
NZ$16,220
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Polar Family Ski, Snowboard & Snow
6 day Yellowstone Winter Wonderland Tour
Destinations
Bozeman, Mammoth, Gardiner, Yellowstone National Park,West Yellowstone+1 more
Age Range
12 to 99 year olds
Regions
Western USAYellowstone National ParkRocky Mountains+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Bindlestiff Tours
Duration
6 days
From
NZ$6,710
$339 now + easy payments of $460
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 29 Jan 2026
Pay today$339
14 easy payments$460
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 29 Jan 2026
Pay today$339
14 easy payments$460
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Polar Antarctica Ocean Cruise Christmas & New Year +1
South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula - Ocean Victory & Ocean Albatros vessels
5.0 (5 traveler reviews)
"It's a different world down there. It's a different world down there."
Jose, traveled in November
Destinations
Ushuaia, Drake Passage, South Shetland Islands,Antarctic Peninsula+1 more
Age Range
12 to 80 year olds
Ships
Ocean Victory Ocean Albatros+1 ship
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Albatros Expeditions
15% Off
Duration
10 days
From $13,597
NZ$11,557
$3,528 now + easy payments of $1,058
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 29 Jan 2026
Pay today$3,528
10 easy payments$1,058
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 29 Jan 2026
Pay today$3,528
10 easy payments$1,058
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Polar Family Antarctica Sightseeing +1
Antarctica: The White Continent (Buenos Aires to Ushuaia)
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Drake Passage,South Shetland Islands+1 more
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
15% Off
Duration
12 days
From
NZ$11,549
+$2,600 upfront costs
$349 now + easy payments of $1,709
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 13 Jan 2026
Pay today$349
11 easy payments$1,709
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 13 Jan 2026
Pay today$349
11 easy payments$1,709
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Polar Arctic Northern Lights Intl. Flights Included +1
Sweden & Norway: Arctic Dreams at the Arctic Circle
4.5 (4 traveler reviews)
Destinations
Stockholm, Kiruna, Jukkasjärvi, Narvik, Tromso
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
journaway
14% Off
Duration
8 days
From $3,480
NZ$3,005
$600 now + easy payments of $376
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 03 Dec 2025
Pay today$600
11 easy payments$376
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 03 Dec 2025
Pay today$600
11 easy payments$376
- Flights included
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Polar Active Antarctica
Crossing the Circle via Buenos Aires, Operated by Quark
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"it was fantastic, exceeded my expectations. We had a very unique experience."
Lily, traveled in January
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, King George Island,Antarctic Peninsula,Hornos Island+2 more
Age Range
18 to 99 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
19% Off
Duration
14 days
From $37,169
NZ$30,180
$10,228 now + easy payments of $3,409
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 06 Jan 2026
Pay today$10,228
9 easy payments$3,409
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 06 Jan 2026
Pay today$10,228
9 easy payments$3,409
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Polar Active Antarctica Ocean Cruise Christmas & New Year +2
Antarctic Explorer via Buenos Aires, Operated by Quark
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"Expedition team were good. Food was very good."
Jhansi, traveled in December
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, King George Island,Antarctic Peninsula+1 more
Age Range
18 to 99 year olds
Ship
Ocean Endeavour
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
23% Off
Duration
11 days
From $32,329
NZ$24,800
$7,706 now + easy payments of $2,890
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 27 Dec 2025
Pay today$7,706
8 easy payments$2,890
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 27 Dec 2025
Pay today$7,706
8 easy payments$2,890
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Polar Antarctica Ocean Cruise
Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition, Operated by Quark
4.7 (12 traveler reviews)
"The whole trip was an incredible experience from start to finish, but for me the highlight was the afternoon spent kayaking in Paradise Bay."
Karen, traveled in March
Destinations
Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
18 to 80 year olds
Ship
RCGS Resolute
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
23% Off
Duration
14 days
From
NZ$40,030
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Polar Ocean Cruise
Essential Patagonia: Fjords & Torres del Paine, Operated by Quark
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Puerto Natales,Torres del Paine National Park,Marta Island,Punta Arenas,Santiago+4 more
Age Range
18 to 80 year olds
Regions
Chile AustralPatagoniaAndes Mountains+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
23% Off
Duration
15 days
From $30,550
NZ$23,470
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Polar Antarctica Ocean Cruise
Antarctica Classic
4.6 (25 traveler reviews)
"It is truly a once in a lifetime experience."
Leena, traveled in March
Destinations
Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
up to 90 year olds
Ship
G Expedition
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
23% Off
Duration
11 days
From
NZ$13,499
$3,160 now + easy payments of $790
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 30 Jan 2026
Pay today$3,160
16 easy payments$790
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 30 Jan 2026
Pay today$3,160
16 easy payments$790
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Polar Active Antarctica Ocean Cruise +1
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica: Explorers and Kings, Operated by Quark
4.4 (19 traveler reviews)
"Visiting Antarctica, The Falklands and South georgia was a humbling experience... Rolling mountains, hearing the roar of avalanche, watching whales swim past the boat."
Poonam, traveled in January
Destinations
Argentina Falkland Islands England Chile
Age Range
18 to 99 year olds
Regions
Antarctica / South PoleFalkland IslandsSouth Georgia Island+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
23% Off
Duration
20 days
From
NZ$58,950
$14,738 now + easy payments of $8,843
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 13 Nov 2025
Pay today$14,738
5 easy payments$8,843
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 13 Nov 2025
Pay today$14,738
5 easy payments$8,843
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Polar Antarctica Explorer Ocean Cruise Christmas & New Year +2
Antarctic Explorer, Operated by Quark
4.8 (20 traveler reviews)
"The most amazing trip, far exceeding the expectations that I had held for a lifetime! Each experience seemed to surpass the last."
Enid, traveled in March
Destinations
Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula,Hornos Island+1 more
Age Range
18 to 99 year olds
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
10% Off
Duration
11 days
From $21,549
NZ$19,395
$6,928 now + easy payments of $2,078
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 23 Jan 2026
Pay today$6,928
10 easy payments$2,078
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 23 Jan 2026
Pay today$6,928
10 easy payments$2,078
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Polar Antarctica Wildlife
King Penguins of the Falklands and South Georgia - Expedition
Destinations
Uruguay Falkland Islands Chile Argentina
Age Range
16 to 99 year olds
Ship
MS Expedition
Regions
Antarctica / South PoleFalkland IslandsSouth Georgia Island+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
10% Off
Duration
22 days
From
NZ$25,850
$2,585 now + easy payments of $3,324
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 22 Oct 2025
Pay today$2,585
7 easy payments$3,324
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 22 Oct 2025
Pay today$2,585
7 easy payments$3,324
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Polar Arctic Northern Lights
Swedish Lapland: The Northern Lights
5.0 (19 traveler reviews)
"The experience was perfect. We had a wonderful time."
babbogol, traveled in January
Destinations
Stockholm, Abisko National Park
Age Range
18 to 35 year olds
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Yes-Trips
10% Off
Duration
6 days
From
NZ$1,330
$668 now + easy payments of $42
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 22 Jan 2026
Pay today$668
16 easy payments$42
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 22 Jan 2026
Pay today$668
16 easy payments$42
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