Arctic / North Pole Arctic Cruises & Tours

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."