the arctic travel company

Discover the Arctic with Arctic Travel Company

Arctic Travel Company

The Arctic Travel Company can offer breathtaking outdoor experiences both at sea and on land.

They serve the Northern Norway destinations Tromso, the Lofoten Islands, Alta and Kirkenes. During the winter season, the guests can enjoy outdoor activities while the Northern Lights dance in the sky, and during summer, you can enjoy your activity under the Midnight sun.

They offer accommodations in Kirkenes and the Tromso area, and the majority are designed for your guests to enjoy the natural scenery, the Northern Lights, and the Midnight Sun.

In Kirkenes, we offer both the Snowhotel and cabins, and in the Tromso area, we offer accommodation in a Sami-tent (Lavvo) and different sizes of wilderness cabins. 

On their website, you can browse and discover their portfolio of outdoor land activities in the wilderness of Northern Norway. They offer fjord cruises with either a modern electrical hybrid tour boat for Day-cruises or a classical ship for both Day-cruises and Mini-cruises. During the winter season, their cruises visit the fjords of the Tromso area, including Whale safari in the area. During the summer season, our cruises are both in the Lofoten area, and they offer a Mini-cruise itinerary between Tromso and Lofoten.

Information

Lyngsfjord Adventure

Arctic Expedition - Tromsø

Brim Explorer

Kirkenes Snowhotel

Arctic travel destinations.

Lofoten Islands

About Arctic Travel Company

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WHERE TO STAY?

+47 94 13 01 28 +47 94 15 41 56

ADVENTURE TOURS TO SVALBARD

WINTER SNOWMOBILE TOURS

Explore the unexpected wonders of the North with our winter snowmobile adventures.

Embark on an authentic Arctic adventure spanning 2 to 7 days. Choose our longer tour for exclusive access to Svalbard's most thrilling and iconic destinations, unseen on shorter excursions.

Traverse the breathtaking landscapes, passing by canyons, mountains and magnificent glaciers and get the opportunity to visit the three main settlements of Svalbard - Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, and the legendary Pyramiden.

SUMMER TOURS

Embark on invigorating boat journeys through endless fjords, marveling at massive glacier walls. Hike along pristine paths, enveloped by the serene Arctic nature and encounter puffins, reindeers, seals, and polar foxes. Connect with the Arctic sea on kayaks and seize the opportunity to encounter whales in the wild.

On these tours you can visit all three settlements as well!

OUR SETTLEMENTS

Accommodation, Restaurants, Activities

Welcome to Norwegian Travel, where we believe that tourism is not just an opportunity; it's a powerful platform to inspire the world, fostering awareness of the treasures within the global eco-system and the pristine wilderness that still exists.

We've crafted an experience-driven journey that transcends the ordinary, embracing the new luxury in travel—centered around nature and personal experiences. Picture yourself sleeping in the enchanting Snow Hotel at Kirkenes, witnessing the dance of the Northern Lights, and silently observing majestic whales from an Eco-lighthouse certified high speed catamaran.

Immerse yourself in the unforgettable atmosphere aboard our expedition ship, Quest, with a comfortable overnight whale watching and northern lights experience, relish the gateway to the wilderness at Camp Tamok, and embark on thrilling adventures like snowmobiling or dog sledding. Our offerings are not just destinations; they are true bucket list experiences, surrounded by unspoiled nature, crisp air, and blissful silence. And let's not forget the cultural richness, delectable cuisine, and comfortable accommodations that complete your journey.

As you explore our curated experiences, indulge in a culinary masterpiece at Eggen Restaurant—the airiest restaurant in Norway, nestled in Romsdalen. Tour and admire the beautiful ice-art in the Ice Domes of Tromsø or travel through a desolate, wild, and beautiful landscape on Norway's most northerly railway, the Arctic Train in Narvik.

At Norwegian Travel, our objective is clear: to provide world-class services that redefine your travel experience from the moment you plan your journey to the enjoyment of your adventure. We are more than a travel company; we are the architects of memories, dedicated to crafting moments that resonate with the essence of Norway.

Our premium brand, Norwegian Travel, is the proud owner of a core business that collaborates seamlessly with sub-brands, offering a diverse range of activities and products. Together, we present a substantial portfolio with the goal of providing a comprehensive package, encompassing destinations, activities, and accommodations meticulously curated for those venturing into our selected areas.

Our ambition is to showcase the best of Norway, spanning from the serene fjords to the majestic mountains, sandy beaches to rugged cliffs, urban buzz to the serene stillness of ancient mountains. With unwavering passion, we build destinations, enrich seasons, create new opportunities, enhance distribution, and uphold the highest standards of quality. Our commitment to sustainable travel is non-negotiable, as we recognize that the delicate nature we love and depend on must never be compromised.

Explore the details of our sustainability measures here . We invite you to be inspired by the treasures waiting to be uncovered in Norway—whether it's going King Crab fishing in Snowhotel Kirkenes, chasing the Northern Lights in the wilderness, or ascending the Cable Car in Fjellheisen or Romsdalen for the view of the Arctic Capital or the spectacular fjords and majestic mountains of Åndalsnes.

Join us at Norwegian Travel, where every journey is an exploration of amazing nature, delectable food, and thrilling activities throughout the year. Your adventure begins with us—let's make it unforgettable.

Norwegian Travel is a premium brand aiming to offer high-quality experience-based tourism in selected unique destinations in Norway. From the fjords to the mountains. From the sandy beaches to the rough cliffs. From urban buzz to the massive stillness of the old mountains. We wish to inspire people to explore the treasures to be found in Norway. At our destinations you can explore amazing nature, good food and exciting activities all year round.

Full refund 7 day cancellation (NB! Does not apply for expedition cruises)

• Wide range of unique experiences
• Quick, safe and easy online booking

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Our activities

• Northern Lights
• Snowshoes and Skiis
• Fjords & Sea
• Accommodation
• Dog sledding
• Train Journeys

Your true Icelandic winter adventure awaits you. Book your tour now!

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Iceland Tours & Adventure Holidays

Popular activities

Choose from iceland's most popular activities.

Ice Cave Tours

Glacier Tours

Snorkeling Tours

Northern Lights Tours

Golden Circle Tours

Sightseeing Tours

Snowmobiling Tours

Hiking and Trekking Tours

Popular day tours, choose from iceland's most popular tours.

Snorkeling In Silfra Fissure

Magical Auroras - Small Group Northern Lights Tour

"Into the Glacier" Ice Cave Tour

Glacier Experience - Sólheimajökull Easy Glacier Hike

Katla Ice Cave (Under The Volcano) Tour

Snaefellsnes & Kirkjufell Small Group Tour

Classic Golden Circle Full Day Tour

South Shore Adventure

Popular multi-day tours, secure your seat on iceland's most sought after vacation packages.

6 Days Around Iceland Adventure

5 Day South Coast & Northern Lights Tour

3 Day South Coast & Golden Circle Tour

3 Day - Landmannalaugar Pearl Of The Highlands

2 Day South Coast, Ice Cave, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Tour

4-Day Trekking Tour in Laugavegur

8 Day - Iceland Northern Lights Tour

2-Day Tour to Snæfellsnes Peninsula & Borgarfjörður Fjord

Special offers.

Get up to 20% OFF for selected tours!

Glacier snowmobiling from Skjól or Reykjavik

Golden Circle, Super Truck & Snowmobiling

Adventure tour types, explore the wonders of iceland.

Multi-Day Tours

Self-Drive Tours

Private tours

Our new tours in 2024, experience something different this year.

Golden Circle, Glacier Snowmobiling & Northern Lights

Whale Watching Akureyri Tour

Evening Lava Tunnel & Northern Lights Tour

Jet Ski Tour Around Bay of Reykjavík

Our Sustainable Values

Our mission statement is simply: “Nature is the adventure.” We have tailored our tours in such a way that there will be no harm to or impact upon nature. We show our clients how nature can be treated with respect, we can pass through it without leaving a mark and take away only photographs and memories.

1. Take nothing but pictures.

2. Kill nothing but time

3. Leave nothing but footprints.

4. Make nothing but memories.

Shuttle bus transfer in Iceland

Book your scheduled shuttle bus transfer with us. Bus transfers to and from Keflavík International Airport, Reykjavík and the Landmannalaugar.

Flybus - Bus transport from KEF airport to Reykjavik

Bus From Landmannalaugar To Reykjavik

Reykjavík - Blue Lagoon Transfer

Arctic Adventures is the biggest adventure tour operator in Iceland. Our primary goal is to utilize our passions and strengths to bring you an incredible experience and a long-lasting impression of our beloved country. We operate many of our tours from the headquarters in Reykjavik but also have operation locations in Skaftafell, Akureyri, Drumbó and Skagafjörður. Our roots lie back to the first rafting tour on the Hvítá river in 1983. We wanted to give others the same adventure we experienced and became the first adventure company founded in Iceland.

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The Arctic is Calling

Immerse yourself in breathtaking views and unforgettable adventures. With gorgeous Arctic wilderness right outside the city, Tromso is the perfect destination for the holiday of your dreams.

This is what we came for!

This trip was one of the highlights of my stay in Norway. Beyond amazing! The lights were dancing; they covered the sky! It was like nothing I’ve ever seen in my life.

Amazing experience everyone was extremely nice. We are blessed to see eagles seals and even orcas! The whole crew made sure we could enjoy this natural show.

A must see. We did a combined tour and it was a great way to finish the day. Beautiful carvings and I will definitely be back for a sleepover.

Explore Tromso's Main Activities

Ice domes visit.

Treat yourself to the magical winter wonderland of Tromso Ice Domes Snow Sculpture Park. The snow and ice is carved out by professional ice carving artists with details lighting up in different, magical colours. ‍ Tromso Ice Domes is placed at our Wilderness Camp, and there are lots of other activities taking place. Whether you want to join a snowmobile safari, try dog sledding, visit the reindeer, go skiing, or take part in various Northern Lights tours- we have it all. ‍

Northern Lights Visit

The magical northern lights attracts people from all over the world, continuously season after season. Have you ever dreamed of experiencing them in person? The aurora frequently occurs over the magnetic poles, high in altitude. The area that surrounds Tromso sits directly on the center of a magnetic field, which means it is one of the best places in the world for aurora sightings! Join us at Camp Tamok, we will provide warm winter clothing and a thorough presentation about the Aurora Borealis and how to photograph this natural phenomenon. We will also serve a hot meal in a traditional North Norwegian setting around the open fire.  ‍

Whale Watching Safari on a high-speed catamaran

Our high-speed, modern catamaran brings you on an exhilarating journey to the heart of the whale’s feeding ground. The humpback and killer whales migrate to Northern Norway to feed on the Atlantic herring throughout the winter months. We’ll spend approximately 2.5 hours up close with the whales. On the way to the whales you can relax in our spacious lounge and enjoy the scenic view from our panoramic windows. Throughout the tour our knowledgeable guides offer insightful information about the whales and local history.

Northern Light Photo Cruise

snowmobiling, whale & arctic wildlife safari, reindeer sledding, cross-country skiing at aurora alps, arctic truck, dog sledding, northern lights chase by bus, tromso ice domes, whale & arctic wildlife safari, aurora dinner cruise, want to recieve more information about this, welcome to the top of the world.

You are invited to take part in the arctic adventure of your dreams. Explore a huge range of experience-based activities and create the holiday you’ve always dreamed of. Escape to the wilderness by snowmobile or let a team of huskies lead the way.

Go cross-country skiing at Aurora Alps. Join a whale safari and watch the majestic killer whales play in the waters. Enjoy spectacular views of the Northern Lights and have a traditional North Norwegian meal over the fire. Your dream, your choice – It’s all up to you.  

Paris of the North

Dubbed the Paris of the North, Tromso offers the best of both worlds – a vibrant city life and breathtaking nature sights . With cafés, coffee shops and restaurants on every corner you have plenty of options to try local delicacies like herring, whale, stockfish, cod tongue and reindeer.

Combine this with an epic arctic scenery and a huge range of adventurous activities and you’ll soon realize why Tromso is the perfect base for the holiday of your dreams.

Check out our activity categories

Follow the arctic dream.

Imagine a city set amongst impressive mountains and beautiful fjords with streets full of restaurants and shops. At the same time the arctic wilderness is just around the corner. In a matter of days you can experience a vibrant city life, gorgeous nature sights and go on a huge variety of different tours while the Northern Lights dance above you. Everything is set for experiencing a proper Norwegian holiday. Don’t let your arctic dream remain a thought. ‍ Bring your Arctic dream to life!

Experience the Arctic Wonders of Northern Norway

Experience the arctic wonders of northern norway, overnight northern lights & whale watching safari.

Join us for an unforgettable overnight adventure cruise! Venture out in search of orcas, humpbacks, and other majestic sea creatures as we journey through the Arctic fjords, far from city lights.

Experience an unforgettable overnight adventure safari!

Includes all meals from Arctic Kitchen Cuisine

Welcome to the ultimate Arctic adventure

The arctic coastal kitchen, a taste of the arctic, truly unique possibilities.

Northern Lights Chase

Whale Safari

Fjellheisen Cable Car

Arctic Train

Sami Culture

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Arctic TRIPS

Iceland & Greenland

Duration: 9 days

East Greenland, Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis, Long Hikes

Witness the Northern Lights at Scoresby...

North Atlantic Isles

Duration: 12 days

Expedition North Atlanctic

A true arctic adventure

From Svalbard to Greenland

Duration: 23 days

23 Days Ultimate Arctic Discovery Voyage

Northeast Greenland, Jan Mayen and Farthest...

Duration: 17 days

Follow the Northern Lights

Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

Duration: 14 days

Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Long Hikes

A classic three island voyage: Ice...

Duration: 18 nights

From Svalbard to Northeast Greenland on Rembrandt van Rijn

Inuit culture, remoteness and Aurora Borealis.

Alaska Land Tours

Duration: 8 days

Grand Denali Rail Tour

This trip offers Flexible Bookings!

FEATURED TRIP

Duration: 11 days

Kangerlussuaq to Reykjavik with The Polar Travel Company

Discover the edges of the world

Svalbard, Greenland & Iceland

Duration: 15 days

Jewels of the Arctic - Svalbard, Greenland & Iceland

A full arctic trip visiting Svalbard,...

Expedition Kvit�ya

Towards Svalbard's most remote outpost

Disko Bay 2025

Canadian Arctic

Arctic Express Canada: The Heart of the Northwest Passage

The quest for trade routes to...

Canadian Arctic and Greenland

High Arctic Explorer: Arctic Canada to Greenland

Journey in comfort from Qausuittuq (Resolute...

Northwest Passage to Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg Islands

Canada�s Remote Arctic. Historical Exploration

Arctic Odyssey - Iceland, Greenland & Svalbard

A complete Arctic Voyage.

Best of Svalbard (Flights Incl)

Svalbard & Polar Ice Edge

Duration: 7 days

North Spitsbergen Explorer - Into the pack ice

The best opportunity to experience deep...

Northwest Passage: Epic High Arctic

Unforgettable.

Canada Land Tours

Duration: 6 days

Classic Churchill Polar Bear Adventure

Experience life in the Polar Bear...

Arctic Saga

Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and...

Duration: 20 days

Best of Western Arctic: Canada & Greenland

On the Best of the Western...

Duration: 13 days

Crossing the Arctic Circle

British Isles, Jan Mayen & Svalbard

Svalbard in Depth - Land, sea and ice

Experience the wild raw beauty of...

Last Frontier Adventure

Designed for guests seeking more time...

Alaska's Islands, Whales and Glaciers

This expedition is ideal for travelers...

Greenland & Wild Labrador: A Torngat Mountains Adventure

Follow the route of Leif Erikson...

Out of the Northwest Passage

Sailing the passage at the top...

Duration: 10 days

Iceland Circumnavigation

Viking stronghold. Land of fire and...

North Spitsbergen, in the realm of Polar Bear & Ice - Birding, Summer Solstice

The best opportunity to spot the...

Iceland Land Tours

Maravillas de Islandia

In the Wake of Eric the Red - 11 days

Join on an expedition cruise from...

Arctic Odyssey - Svalbard, Greenland & Iceland

Natural Wonders of Greenland

Cruise the Wonders of Iceland and...

Duration: 11 nights

East Greenland - Scoresby Sund - Iceland, Aurora Borealis, Fly & Sail

Sail through Earth�s largest fjord system...

Iceland to Greenland: In the Wake of the Vikings

Witness spectacular icebergs, glaciers, fjords, and...

Northwest Passage: In the Footsteps of Franklin

Winding your way through the icy...

Greenland Adventure: Explore by Sea, Land and Air

Based in and around Southeast Greenland�s...

Gems of West Greenland

Fjords, Icebergs, and Culture

Duration: 18 days

Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland and Iceland: four arctic islands

Four Arctic Islands. Perfect for first-time...

Duration: 19 days

Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland, Fly & Sail

A classic three island voyage: Ice,...

North Norway, Aurora Borealis: Hike & Kayak & Sail.

Experience the shores, seas, and lights...

Spitsbergen: realm of the polar bear (Au)

Discover the thrill of seeing walrus,...

Expedition Svalbard 2025

Join us on an extraordinary Arctic...

80� North into the Arctic circle

With the expeditionary tradition of the...

Duration: 7 nights

Alpine Peaks of Spitsbergen, Ski & Sail

Climb snow covered alpine mountains and...

North Norway, Aurora Borealis & Whales - New Year

Explore the beauty of northern winter

15 Days Ultimate North Norway Ski & Sail Voyage

Deep fjords and remote mountains with...

Tromso Highlights in 6 or 2 days

Whale Watching, Northern Lights, Dog Sledding...

Duration: 16 days

Disko Bay � The Heart of Greenland -1-

This voyage begins and ends in...

Duration: 26 days

Northwest Passage � In the Wake of the Great Explorers

Be among an elite few to...

The Ultimate Fjord and National Park Expedition -2-

Sail the most incredibe deatures of...

Disko Bay � The Heart of Greenland -2-

Get to know the charming scencery...

Best of British Isles

British Isles

British Isles & Faroes

Wild Islands & Lands of Legends

Four Arctic Islands

This epic journey combining the four...

Far North Greenland Expedition Cruise

Expedition Cruise to Disko Bay and Uummannaq

Join a majestic adventure in Greenland...

Vikings Of The North Sea

Expedition voyage following in the wake...

Svalbard, last stop before the Pole

Enjoy the immense beauty of Svalbard...

Heart of the Arctic

Meet local artists and buy one-of-a-kind...

Atlantic Island Odyssey

Sable Island, Cape Breton, Newfoundland, and...

Newfoundland Circumnavigation

Scotland, The Faroe Islands, & Iceland: North Atlantic Saga

This expedition charts a course unlike...

Scotland Slowly

Scotland, like good whisky, is best...

Duration: 9 -10 days

Natural Wonders of Svalbard (Micro-cruise)

An Expedition Micro Cruise with 12...

Frozen Svalbard Photo Tour

Land on frosty shores and witness...

Svalbard Pioneer Cruise

Svalbard Circumnavigation Micro Cruise (12 guests)

Disko Bay Explorer

An essence of this voyage is...

Disko Bay Explorer with Uummannaq

Disko Bay is an area of...

Springtime in Svalbard

Experience the Arctic spring on a...

Ulysses Expedition: Greenland

The human exploration of Scoresbysund is...

The Norwegian fjords, Bear Island & Svalbard

Join us on an extraordinary adventure,...

Abenteuer Spitzbergen

Join us in this german-speaking adventure!

Disko Bay Exploration - Ice, whales & mountains

Disko Bay to Uummannaq - Remote at heart

Unique geological formations, deep fjords, springs...

British Columbia

Explore the vast wilderness of British...

Expedition Svalbard 2024

Join a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in one...

Svalbard Adventure

The midnight sun reigns supreme, the...

Spitsbergen Land Tours

Hunt for the Arctic

Visit Barentsburg, Pyramiden and Longyearbyen

Best of Alaska

Explore Alaska from Anchorage through the...

To the North Pole

The Geographic North Pole

Push the limits of sailing with...

Iceland Complete Self Drive (2023)

For the Road Trip Lovers, a...

Iceland, Jan Mayen and Svalbard

From the lush green mosses and...

Iceland: Circumnavigating the Land of Fire & Ice

Explore the �Land of Ice and...

Duration: 24 days

Arctic Complete � Svalbard, Greenland & Iceland 2024

From Reykjavik, embark on a voyage...

Land of Fire and Ice Trek

In true expedition style we encourage...

North West Svalbard

The trips in the Arctic spring...

Norway: The Cruise North

Discover the best of Norway�s rugged...

Duration: 25 days

The Northwest Passage onboard Le Commandant Charcot 2023

Explore the expanse of the Arctic...

Alaska Kenai & Denali Adventure

For travellers looking to explore a...

Churchill belugas and bears explorer

Alaska Journey

Embark on an unforgettable voyage in...

Northwest Passage - In the Wake of the great Explorers (Itinerary 1)

This expedition cruise sails from Iceland...

Northwest Passage - Cambridge Bay to Halifax Adventure (Itinerary 2)

Join us on a thrilling expedition...

Belugas, Bears and Blooms

Beluga whales by the thousands, colourful...

Svalbard: cruise to the edge and beyond

Join us as we explore the...

Duration: 5 days

Fantastic North Iceland

Self Drive Tour

Duration: 9 nights

Iceland to Svalbard Cruise

Explore the amazing wilderness of Svalbard...

Northwest Passage

The icy and labyrinthine channels of...

Iceland at a Glance

Norway: The Cruise South

From Kirkenes to bergen

Norway: The Roundtrip Cruise

Discover the entire original coastal route...

Norwegian Discovery Cruise

11 days from Bergen to Kirkenes

Iceland Complete

Come join us on our best-selling...

Winter Fantasies and Northern Lights

Svalbard Circumnavigation 2025

During the adventure we will enjoy...

Natural Wonders of Svalbard Photography Tour

Explore Northern Svalbard on a Svalbard...

Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis

Polar Bear Migration Fly-in Safari

Safely see polar bears up-close: an...

Cruise from Canada to Iceland

Cruise from Iceland to Svalbard

Board our boutique expedition ship in...

Arctic Ocean Expedition, Aberdeen - Fair Isle - Jan Mayen - Ice edge - Spitsbergen - Birding

Sail the East Greenland ice edge...

North Spitsbergen Explorer � Polar Bears , Bowhead Whales & more

This expedition focuses on spotting whales,...

East Spitsbergen, Home of the Polar Bear - Summer Solstice

Discover the highest peaks, largest seabird...

Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq (11)

South and East Greenland - Aurora Borealis

Experience Viking history, dazzling glaciers, and...

Iceland: Ice, Fire and Auroras

Duration: 8 Nights

East Spitsbergen and Bear Island, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice, Cleaning the Shores, Including Long Hikes

See Spitsbergen�s dramatic east coast and...

Greenland Photo Tour

Wild North-west Greenland & Disko Bay...

Baffin Island and Greenland

Circling the Midnight Sun

Intro to Spitsbergen: Fjords, Glaciers and Wildlife of Svalbard 2023-24

Spitsbergen Explorer: Wildlife Capital of the Arctic 2023-24

On this longer tour of the...

Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief 2023-24

In just a week, you�ll cruise...

Spitsbergen in Depth 2023-24

Big Island, Big Adventure. We venture...

Iceland Explorer

9 Day Arctic Cruise

Spitsbergen Photography: polar bears

In Search of Polar Bears

Three Arctic Islands 2023-24

Iceland, Greenland, Spitsbergen

South & West Greenland and Disko Bay

Welcome To The Land Of Vikings

Three Pearls of the Arctic

Crossing the Arctic Circle, Jan Mayen...

Polar Bear Express -Into the Ice

Northern Odyssey: from Scotland to Svalbard 2025

The Wild Side of Greenland, Into the National Park

Discover one of the world's most...

Polar Bear Mother and Newborn Safari

Through The North Atlantic From Scotland To Iceland

There are few wilder, more magnificent...

In The Wake Of Eric The Red - From Greenland To Iceland

Spring Polar Bears and Icebergs of Baffin Safari

Baffin Island Dive Safari

Arctic Iceland

Wander the spectacular landscapes and charming...

Narwhal & Polar Bear, a Floe Edge Safari

Experience the classic spring floe edge...

Duration: 12 nights

Iceland, East Greenland and Northern Lights

Iceland & Eastern Greenland

Spitsbergen - Greenland - Jan Mayen - Spitsbergen

A unique voyage to the remotest...

Roundtrip cruise to the edge of the Arctic

Embark on this incredible 10-day Svalbard...

Duration: 13 nights

The Wild Arctic: cruise from Svalbard to Iceland

Duration: 12 d�as

Southern Greenland Discovery

Northeast Greenland � Scoresby Sund, Nansen Fjord

Explore fjords, glaciers and wildlife in...

Nansen Fjord, Scoresby Sund � Northeast Greenland

Iceland in Depth

Arctic Ocean Expedition, Fair Isle - Jan Mayen - Ice Edge - Spitsbergen - Birding

Northeast Greenland � Ile de France, Aurora Borealis

North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer - Summer Solstice

Watch for wildlife in iconic Arctic...

Around Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer

Full Spitsbergen Circumnavigation

North Spitsbergen, Along the pack ice, Bowhead Whales and Polar Bears, Summer Solstice

Duration: 16 nights

Canadian Northwest Passage & Northern Lights

Voyage on this unforgettable 17-day High...

Duration: 15 nights

Canadian Arctic and Northern Lights

Trace a path along the Northwest...

Svalbard & NE Greenland National Park

Icebergs, fjords, polar bears and arctic...

Duration: 10 nights

Greenland in Depth

Greenland Discovery: 11 Day Arctic Expedition...

Across the Arctic Circle

On this expedition, three unique worlds...

Duration: 22 days

Northern Lights Explorer

Sail in the region renown for...

Greenland Odyssey

Experience the enormity of Greenland, the...

Duration: 30 days

Traversing the Northwest Passage

On this epic voyage inspired by...

Svalbard in Depth

On this extended exploration of the...

Iceland, Jan Mayen, Svalbard 15 days

Svalbard Odyssey 2024

Enjoy the best of Svalbard, a...

Svalbard Odyssey 2025

Kangerlussuaq to Reykjavik 2025

Follow the Midnight Sun

West Svalbard & Polar Ice Edge

Round Voyage: Bergen, Kirkenes, Bergen

Every single nautical mile along the...

Greenland Adventure: Explore by Sea, Land and Air 2023

Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords

Begin your voyage in Bergen, famous...

St. Lawrence River in the Heart of the Boreal Winter

Inuit spring of Ammassalik

The Geographic North Pole - Reykjav�k

Heading for 90 degrees North!

The Geographic North Pole - 18 days

Expedition to the edge of the Ice Sheet

You will follow the Vikings' route,...

Baffin Bay Secrets

You will embark in Kangerlussuaq for...

The Northwest Passage, in the wake of Roald Amundsen

Sail the mythical Northwest Passage, a...

Natural wonders of Greenland and Canada

Succumb to the charms of this...

Northeast Greenland's unexplored sea ice

Le Commandant Charcot opens the way...

Svalbard, last stop before the Pole 2025

Exploring the Northeast Greenland National Park

Welcome to the world�s largest national...

In the ice of the Arctic

From Greenland to Svalbard

The Northwest Passage onboard Le Commandant Charcot 2024

Greenland of Great Explorers

You will follow in the footsteps...

Expedition to the Thule Region

From the ice cap to the...

Expedition along the East Coast of Greenland

Discover the East coast of Greenland ...

Greenland & Canada via Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Greenland Explorer onboard Ultramarine

Whales and Wonders

The Whales and Wonders voyage set...

Arctic Spring

North west Svalbard

Polar Bear Express -Southeast Svalbard

Footsteps Of Whalers

16 Day Circumnavigation

Around the whole Island

The Northwest Passage, in the wake of Roald Amundsen 2023

The Northwest Passage: From Greenland to the Bering Sea 2023

Embark on an extraordinary expedition through...

Voyage North: Bergen to Kirkenes

Sail with new, environmentally friendly ships...

Alaska Coastal Discoveries & Culture

The unparalleled seaworthiness and performance, coupled...

Alaska�s Glacier Bay & Island Adventure

Journey through Southeast Alaska�s most abundant...

Remote Alaska Adventure

Experience premier wildlife viewing, beautiful wilderness...

Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq (10)

Explore the scenes made famous in...

Jewels of the Arctic - Svalbard, Greenland & Iceland 2025

Exploring Svalbard Cruise

Admire the striking scenery on a...

Cruise from Svalbard to Norway

Discover remote islands within the Arctic...

Arctic Islands Hopping (RL)

Arctic Discovery: Iceland, Jan Mayen &...

Arctic Islands & Fjords (LR)

Sailing with the Vikings

Svalbard Circumnavigation and Kvit�ya

In-Depth Exploration in the Land of...

Northeast Greenland � Scoresby Sound in Depth 2023

Polar Bears and Glaciers of Baffin Island

Duration: 4 days

Guided Northern Lights getaway

Taste of the Arctic Summer

7 nights from Tromso to Longyearbyen

Expedition to remote destinations

Longyearbyen Roundtrip 11 nights

Longyearbyen to Reykjavik

Sailing Lofoten Islands (6)

Scoresby Sund Northern Lights and Wild Landscapes Photo Tour

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Oslo - Reykjavik

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Voyage South: Kirkenes to Bergen

Across the Wilderness

Explore Iceland�s hidden highland beauty as...

Inuit spring at the edge of Scoresby Sund

The Geographic North Pole & Scoresby Sound

Push the boundaries of navigation and...

Duration: 21 days

Transarctic, the quest for the two North Poles

Ocean Voyage: Brest - Reykjav�k

from France to Iceland

Iceland Complete Winter � The Northern Lights Edition

Wild, Woolly and Wow: Best of Glacier Bay

Adventure Cruising for the Active Traveler.

Northern Passages & Glacier Bay

Alaska Fjords & Glaciers

Alaska's Glacier Country

Inside Passage & Glacier Bay Wilderness

Prince William Sound Explorer

Longyearbyen Roundtrip 9 nights

Epic west Greenland and Baffin Island

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Reykjavik Roundtrip 2

Reykjavik Roundtrip 3

Kangerlussuaq to Reykjavik

Alaska Highlights

North Atlantic Expedition

A true Arctic Adventure

Voyage to the Northwest Passage

Sailing Lofoten Islands (4)

Arctic Circle Crossing

Duration: 3 days

Winter Skrei Fishing

Svalbard to East Greenland Micro Cruise

Alaska's Inside Passage Sojourn

Explore Southeast Alaska, from its northern...

Alaska Bear Country and Wilderness Expedition

North Spitsbergen: Basecamp, Free kayaking, Hiking, Photo Workshop, Cleaning the Shores

The best activity voyage in the...

Alaska by Train

Alaska Wildlife Safari

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Alaska's National Parks by Rail

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Alaska by Daylight

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Arctic Fall

Now autumn is in the air...

Around Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet

Around Spitsbergen, in the realm of the Polar Bear & Ice

North Spitsbergen - Arctic Spring - Hike & Ski & Sail

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Three Arctic Islands 2022

Check three different Arctic regions off...

North Spitsbergen - Arctic Summer

North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife 2024

Into the Northwest Passage

One of the world�s greatest voyages...

Best of Svalbard

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Had a fabulous time doing the ice dip &…

Had a fabulous time doing the ice dip & sauna! Mait gave us a good laugh! 10/10

Date of experience : December 05, 2021

We recently returned from Alaska having…

We recently returned from Alaska having booked everything with Seb, it all ran smoothly and we were blown away by the Lodge choices which were perfect for us. Nothing was too much trouble and the response to emails and calls was much faster than any other agent, having done some research with several people before booking.

Date of experience : October 19, 2019

Cannot believe this is the first time I…

Cannot believe this is the first time I have been to this amazing area -everything was planned perfectly and I loved the special touches added such as the ice dining and night tours looking for the Northern Lights. We weren't lucky this time, and so I cannot wait to head back to the arctic to hunt for them again. Sweden was amazing and we cannot thank The Luxury Arctic team enough.

Date of experience : January 29, 2020

Exceptional from start to finish

The Luxury Arctic Travel Company made our trip a holiday of a life time. They were charming to deal with and nothing was ever too big an ask. We arrived feeling fully prepared for our trip and left feeling desperately sad it was over! Much looking forward to organising another trip with The Luxury Arctic Travel Company soon.

Date of experience : November 04, 2019

Incredible!

Magical holiday to a magical place... all made possible by The Luxury Arctic Travel Co. You need experts to help you navigate this part of the world and these guys are exactly that. Thinking of everything, knowing what we wanted yet able to make so many suggestions we wouldn’t have thought of. Thank you so much - we’ll be back!

Date of experience : December 06, 2019

A genuine 7-star service

I only leave reviews for really bad or truly excellent experiences. Thankfully this is one of the times it’s the latter. The Luxury Arctic Company were faultless - Seb, especially, delivered a level of service we have never experienced before. It was more like personal concierge than a travel company. Our tour of Norway was exceptionally well planned and we really couldn’t fault any of it. However, I’m confident that where ever you choose to go with The Luxury Arctic Travel Co it would be equally as brilliant. A genuine 7-star service - if only I was in Dubai to review it.

Date of experience : October 21, 2019

Can’t thank The Luxury Arctic Travel…

Can’t thank The Luxury Arctic Travel Company enough. Had an incredible trip to Iceland, made even better by such an organised and helpful team. Will definitely be booking another trip soon!

Date of experience : February 27, 2020

What a special and incredible holiday

What a special and incredible holiday, one we will never forget and all made possible by Seb at The Luxury Arctic Travel Company. We loved every minute of our trip. Thank you

Date of experience : January 26, 2020

The company to use!

I recently took my family to a trip to Sweden which was organized by The Luxury Arctic Travel Company. They were incredibly professional, efficient and no request was too much. Everything was seamlessly organized and their selection of locations and properties was top notch. I can't recommend them highly enough.

Date of experience : September 19, 2019

Trip of a lifetime!

Brilliant Swedish Lapland tour with the whole family over Christmas - everything from reindeer to huskies and snowmobiles - faultless arrangements, would definitely use again.

Date of experience : February 19, 2020

LOVED THIS - so exciting to stay in the Snow Hotel in Norway - and then head over the border into Northern Sweden - found The Luxury Arctic team to be very quick to respond to any questions before booking, and the whole experience was perfectly arranged - every transfer on time, every person we met was lovely.

Incredible company, we had the best time!!

My boyfriend and I had the most amazing time in Iceland, somewhere I have been dying to go to for years and The Luxury Arctic Travel Company were brilliant from start to finish, the itinerary was imaginative and busy but not so busy that we didn't come back refreshed which is always a sign of being well thought through. The team were a delight to work with and we felt they really took into consideration what we wanted, making it a truly bespoke and special experience, we will definitely be booking with them again!

Date of experience : September 30, 2019

The 5 best Arctic cruise itineraries, from someone who has tried them all

There is an emptiness to the Arctic that is mesmerizing.

Traveling across it by ship, you'll encounter patches of snow-covered ice that stretch for miles, an endlessly white landscape punctured only by the occassional seabird and, if you're lucky, the sight of a far-off polar bear.

In some parts of the Arctic, there are rocky islands so windswept and desolate that you'd think you're on the moon; in other areas, there are islands covered with the most spectacularly beautiful mountains and glaciers. The common theme between them all is that they are rarely visited by humans.

Not that there aren't any humans in the Arctic. There are some, including Inuit who have lived in the region for centuries. But huge swaths of the Arctic lack a human presence, and the wildlife is equally sparse. Spotting the most famous denizens of the Arctic — the polar bear and the Arctic fox — is a rare moment to treasure.

As someone lucky enough to have traveled by ship to almost every corner of the Arctic over nearly 30 years as a cruise writer, I can say that the region is one of my favorite places to visit — maybe my very favorite. But it's not for everyone. It offers a subtle sort of beauty that reveals itself slowly.

Depending on the itinerary, an Arctic cruise might include days of bumping through icy waters covered by a fog so soupy that all you see out the window is a light greyish bubble all around. For all you know, you could be in a simulation.

But give the Arctic a chance, and it can be life-changing.

If you're unsure how to begin thinking of which Arctic itinerary might be the right choice, take a look at my picks for the five best Arctic cruise itineraries, chosen after a lifetime of trying just about every possible route in the region. As is typical for Arctic sailings, they are all itineraries that can only be done on polar-class expedition cruise ships — a specialized type of small, hardy cruise vessel built for polar travel and carrying its own landing craft for exploring.

A circumnavigation of Spitsbergen

If you only have time for one Arctic cruise, this is the one I recommend. Consider it a sort of "greatest hits of the Arctic" itinerary. You'll get a little taste of everything the Arctic has to offer on a single, relatively easy-to-do sailing as short as a week or 10 nights.

On a voyage around Spitsbergen, the biggest of a cluster of rugged islands that make up the Svalbard archipelago, you'll likely see many of the Arctic's best-known wildlife — polar bears, whales (if you're lucky), walruses, and giant colonies of Brunnich's guillemots and other Arctic birds — over the course of a few days. Compared to some places in the Arctic, this region is relatively rich with wildlife.

Related: TPG's ultimate guide to expedition cruising

Spitsbergen is also about as scenic a place as you'll find in the Arctic, covered in mountains and glaciers. It's easily accessible by air through Longyearbyen, a settlement of about 2,500 people on the island's west side.

Located 600 miles north of the northernmost tip of Norway, which administers the Svalbard archipelago, Spitsbergen is also home to a few cultural oddities. Barentsburg is a semi-abandoned mining town operated by Russia under the terms of a century-old treaty, and Ny Alesund is a small mining camp that has been turned into a scientific research station. Spitsbergen itineraries sometimes include visits to both.

Ny Alesand, notably, was the spot where legendary explorer Roald Amundsen set off on a record-setting expedition flight to the North Pole by airship in 1926. Visitors to the outpost can see the still-standing remnants of the expedition, which include a tower that held the airship before it departed and a telegraph hut that broadcast news of the flight to the world.

Who goes there: Norway-based Hurtigruten is the best-known brand for Spitsbergen circumnavigations. It offers voyages out of Longyearbyen every summer. Most other expedition cruise operators, including Lindblad Expeditions and Seabourn, offer sailings to just a portion of Spitsbergen (usually the north and west coasts) combined with stops in Iceland and/or Greenland.

The west coast of Greenland

If you want to see icebergs and glaciers on a truly epic scale, a voyage along Greenland's west coast should be your pick.

It is home to what are, without a doubt, some of the world's most spectacular glaciers and snow-topped mountains.

On a trip down the west coast of Greenland, you will sail past huge icebergs that have shorn off the massive Greenland ice sheet on your way to visit at least a few of the coast's colorful Arctic settlements.

These settlements, notably, include Ilulissat, site of an iceberg-jammed fjord that is a marvel of the northern hemisphere.

Related: 8 things you need to know about Arctic cruises

If you're lucky during a visit to Ilulissat, you'll get to do two amazing things. One is to hike to an overlook near the town that reveals a massive pile-up of giant ice blocks that are slowly flowing down the fjord from a glacier. The other is a Zodiac ride to get close to some of the biggest icebergs that are stuck in the bay just offshore.

It is a landscape of icebergs at a scale that you can't imagine until you see it.

Who goes there: Seabourn, Lindblad, Silversea Cruises , Ponant , Viking and several other expedition cruise companies offer sailings down the west coast of Greenland. These voyages often include a visit to the eastern side of Canada's Northwest Passage or Iceland.

The Northwest Passage

For cruisers who love the history of exploration, a trip across the Canadian Arctic's Northwest Passage might be the ultimate Arctic adventure. That's because it offers a chance to follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest polar explorers of the 18th and 19th centuries, for whom finding the long-hidden Arctic route between Europe and Asia was one of the biggest (and deadliest) challenges of the age.

Stretching more than 2,000 miles from the Davis Strait near Greenland to the Bering Strait off Alaska, the still-often-iced-in Northwest Passage famously swallowed up the two-ship, 128-man Franklin Expedition of 1845 (a massive and massively equipped British exploratory party that disappeared into the ice, never to be seen again), as well as other explorers. It was finally conquered in 1903 by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen — who also was the first human to reach the South Pole.

Until just the last couple of decades, traveling through the Northwest Passage remained almost as daunting as it was during Franklin and Amundsen's time. But rapidly shrinking ice coverage across the Arctic, driven by global warming, has been making it more accessible. In recent years, half a dozen expedition ships or more have sailed into the passage annually during the warmest summer months.

Still, even now, only a handful of the hardiest expedition vessels make a full transit of the Northwest Passage in any given year, while other vessels only offer partial transits.

Related: I loved my 1st Arctic cruise — here's why

Note that the Northwest Passage is a relatively desolate part of the Arctic. A typical landing by Zodiac during a trip across the passageway might bring a visit to a forlorn, windswept island covered in boggy fields of lichen-covered rocks and low-lying grasses. That is, if the island isn't covered in drifting snow.

But such trips also include stops at iconic historic sites related to the region's early explorers. These include the ruins of the last known camp of the Franklin Expedition at snowy Beechey Island and the remnants of a short-lived Hudson's Bay Company outpost on Somerset Island.

Stops at Inuit settlements such as Arctic Bay and Gjoa Haven are also common.

Who goes there: Most major expedition cruise operators, including Ponant, Hurtigruten, Silversea, Seabourn, Lindblad and Adventure Canada (a specialist in Canadian Arctic trips), offer sailings that transit at least part of the Northwest Passage. Complete crossings are rare.

The North Pole

When it comes to bragging rights, it's hard to argue that any trip to the Arctic tops an expedition cruise to the North Pole.

The first undisputed expedition to reach the North Pole wasn't until 1926, when a team of explorers led by Roald Amundsen overflew the destination on the airship Norge. Even today, few humans have ever visited the northernmost point in the world — some put the number at just a few thousand.

Since the 1990s, working (and spartan) Russian icebreakers chartered by expedition travel companies have occasionally taken tourists in small groups to the world's northernmost spot. But since 2022, adventure-seekers have a more upscale option for a trip to 90 degrees north: A voyage on Le Commandant Charcot — the first built-for-tourists icebreaker.

Operated by Ponant, a French company known for upscale expedition cruises to far-off places, the 245-passenger ship is the first and only built-for-tourists cruise vessel capable of traveling to the most remote, ice-filled parts of the polar regions, including the North Pole.

Related: I just snowshoed at the North Pole — here's how you can, too

Named for a famed French explorer, Le Commandant Charcot is unlike any other vessel that has traveled across the polar ice cap. It has all the elements of the most elegant hotels on land: spacious suites, stylish lounges, fine dining (including a restaurant with a menu designed by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse) and a spa.

In other words, you'll not just be traveling to the North Pole, you'll be traveling to the North Pole in high-end comfort.

Who goes there: The only way for an American to reach the North Pole by ship is aboard the new Le Commandant Charcot, which is operating three or four trips to the destination each summer that are bookable through Ponant. Ponant also is chartering the ship to luxury tour company A&K in 2024 for a single North Pole sailing that is being sold through A&K. A Russian icebreaker that expedition travel companies have chartered in the past for such voyages, the 50 Years of Victory, still is occasionally making the trips, but it is not bookable for now by travelers from the United States and most other Western countries.

The Northeast Passage

A voyage across the Arctic's Northeast Passage is surely the most off-the-beaten-path Arctic cruise you can do — even more off-the-beaten-path than a trip to the North Pole.

Rarely offered and typically about 30 days long, these are true explorers' journeys across the almost unvisited Arctic territory that stretches across the top of Russia from Arctic Norway to Alaska.

These sailings cross five frigid seas — the Barents, Kara, Laptev, East Siberian and Chukchi — that in some parts traditionally freeze over during much of the year and only partially thaw during the late summer. Along the way, sometimes spread apart by hundreds of miles, are glacier-topped, often mountainous archipelagos and island groups that passengers can explore during Zodiac landings.

Highlights of these trips include seeing the Arctic's iconic wildlife — polar bears, Arctic fox, walrus, seals and musk ox — and historic sites related to the region's early exploration. Among them is Cape Amundsen, where you can still see the ruins of a small stone hut built by the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen during a failed attempt to reach the North Pole. Amundsen's ship became stuck in the ice at the Cape for more than a year.

Only true icebreakers or the toughest ice-strengthened expedition cruise ships can make a Northeast Passage journey. Historically, they have occurred only occasionally. (I was on what was only the fourth voyage by any expedition cruise ship across the Northeast Passage, and that was as recently as 2018.)

Alas, for now, such trips are on hold, due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The invasion has brought all cruising to Russia by Western companies to a halt. But, in theory, these expeditions could resume in the coming years.

Who goes there: While Northeast Passage voyages are on hold for now, the trips traditionally have been offered by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, an upscale German cruise brand that was a pioneer of expedition cruises in the Russian Arctic, and New Zealand-based Heritage Expeditions. The latter company traditionally chartered an ice-class Russian research vessel that can hold 50 people, the Akademik Shokalskiy, for the trips.

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Explore the Arctic Circle by Train

The unforgettable 12-day itinerary begins in st. petersburg with stops in moscow and murmansk…, robb report staff, robb report staff's most recent stories.

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You do not have to be a polar explorer to join a band of voyagers venturing far above the Arctic Circle on a hunt for the celestial aurora borealis or Northern Lights. Guests aboard the luxurious Golden Eagle private train will head north from St. Petersburg across the Arctic Circle on an unforgettable 12-day itinerary. The tour includes visits to the Snow Hotel, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the world’s first nuclear-powered icebreaker, the Arctic port of Murmansk, the open-air museum of Kizhi Island, the Golden Ring towns of Vladimir and Suzdal, and of course magnificent Moscow. For more information on the Arctic Explorer by Private Train voyage slated for December 29, 2015 – January 9, 2016, visit http://www.mircorp.com/trip/arctic-explorer-by-private-train/ or call MIR Corporation at 800-424-7289. The tour starts at $11,995.

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Days 1-3: St. Petersburg

Get to know Russia’s second city, with visits to the Hermitage, Catherine’s Palace, the famed Amber Room, monumental St. Isaac’s Cathedral and cosmopolitan Nevsky Prospekt. Board the private train and enjoy a signature caviar dinner as you head north

Days 4-7: Arctic Circle • Kirkenes • search for Northern Lights

Cross the Arctic Circle and learn more about the Northern Lights from a guest astronomer. Enter Norway by bus, arriving in the polar town of Kirkenes. Take a tour of the Snow Hotel, whose igloo-like rooms glow blue in the night. Search for the Northern Lights across the Aurora Borealis Zone on two consecutive evenings in the comfort of a cozy coach. Ride a dogsled behind a team of huskies and introduce yourself to a herd of reindeer. Re-board the train, keeping a continued lookout for an appearance of the Northern Lights.

Day 8: Murmansk • search for Northern Lights

Arrive in the port city of Murmansk, headquarters of Russia’s Northern Fleet; the warm waters of the Gulf Stream keep it ice-free for most of the winter. Board the world’s first nuclear-powered icebreaker, the Lenin. As the train rolls back south, there is still a chance to observe the Northern Lights.

Day 9: Petrozavodsk • Kizhi Island

Make a stop in Petrozavodsk on Lake Onega. Weather permitting, board a hovercraft and skim over to Kizhi Island’s UNESCO-listed open-air museum.

Day 10: Vladimir • Suzdal

Discover two of Russia’s Golden Ring towns, Vladimir and Suzdal, UNESCO Sites with some of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Russia.

Days 11-12: Moscow

Explore Red Square and the Kremlin, touring the Armory Museum where Russia’s historic treasures are on display.

About MIR Corporation

MIR Corporation, whose name means “peace” and “world” in Russian, has specialized in Russia (and neighboring countries) since 1986. Offering scheduled and custom journeys to Russia, along the Trans-Siberian and across the Silk Route, MIR’s Seattle-based experts design imaginative trips that take travelers far from the familiar, and work closely with local affiliates in Western Russia, Siberia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan to carry them out. MIR has twice been named one of National Geographic Adventure’s “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth,” and is a preferred operator for museum, alumni and special interest organizations across the country. http://www.mircorp.com

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The Luxury Arctic Travel Co

Available 7 days a week – once your enquiry has been accepted you will have phone/whatsapp/text access 7 days a week.

Minimum duration of 6 nights, and minimum spend of £7,500 GBP / $8,500 USD per person applicable to all bookings.

+ 44 (0) 203 761 7078

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Luxury Arctic Boat Cruises

The Inuits and Vikings first explored the Arctic circle and now its your turn. Our luxury arctic cruises and expeditions are the kind of experience which shapes you and leaves you mesmerised. Some of the sights and sounds you see in the Arctic circle are so surreal you are not sure they are real.

Our small luxury boats and yachts follow the Gulf Stream’s warm currents up Norways dramatic coastlines all the way to Spitsbergen . You can choose routes which take you to Greenland and Iceland , or take a more adventurous approach and head even further North on your luxury cruise, on our bespoke boat cruise to the islands of Franz Josef Land – where you can enter the Russian Arctic National Park where polar bears abound, and whales, walrus and seals dominate your marine life viewing. Tours this far North allow you to witness some exceptional bird roosting cliffs, and visit Fridtjof Nansen’s huts, used by many an explorer.

Many of our luxury Arctic boat cruises have experts on board, and all the staff are well versed in photography (a professional photographer will be available to guide you) – marine biologists, naturalists, conservationists and other experts are available to answer your every question, and often give informal evening talks on their specialist topic.

Sunsets during the Arctic summer linger on and on, snowmelt feeds magical waterfalls and glaciers drop vast icebergs into the sea. The horizon is covered with hundreds of small and large icebergs making for a dramatic seascape that cannot fail to look beautiful. Our luxury Arctic cruises will take you via Norwegian fishing towns, to adventures in Longyearben, to Inuit villages and East Greenland – history and culture is as much a part of the trip as nature and wildlife.

Our Arctic boat cruise of volcanic island Iceland is incredibly exciting – most of this small island is totally uninhabited and made up of mountain peaks and lowlands. Volcanoes and waterfalls make for enchanting scenery, and a stop at the hot springs is a must. Kayaking, visiting the remote Westfjords, black sand beaches and Europe’s largest glacier Vatnajokull are just some of the excursions that a luxury Icelandic boat cruise entails. When boating through Husavik it is not unusual to see whales breaching, reindeer and seals are also often seen daily. Here you will be experiencing true Icelandic adventures, while always returning to your luxury boat or private yacht.

West Greenland also offers you a wonderfully remote and wild experience with access to the UNSECO World Heritage site Illulissat Icefjord. A luxury boat cruise here will take you through sparkling ice filled fjords to meeting local Inuits. The ice bergs here which calve off the glaciers are some of the largest in the world. Your luxury Greenland cruise will take you into Nuuk where you can marvel at mummies in the National Museum or learn more about the Inuit culture. This tour departs every May when the whales (up to 15 species) are most active, feeding on krill. Kayaking here is a highlight and included for you.

• Iceland By Luxury Cruise

Where: Iceland

Rooms: Never more than 50

What you can do: Explore remote parts of Iceland only accessible by boat, disembark with your expert guides to see some of Iceland's most remote and dramatic landscapes.

Open: Set departures throughout the year

• The Svalbard Odyssey Itinerary

Where: Svalbard, Norway

Rooms: No more than 50 rooms

What you can do: See some of the most dramatic sights, and the most endangered and rare wildlife in the world.

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Where: The Arctic

Rooms: Varies from boat to boat

What you can do: Explore all of the Arctic Circle.

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Russia’s Best Locations for the Northern Lights

Home / Russia Travel Tips & Essential Advice / Russia’s Best Locations for the Northern Lights

Only eight countries reach north above the Arctic Circle, but without a doubt, Russia reigns supreme. While this means freezing winters with uninterrupted nights that linger for weeks, it’s also the setting for one of the planet’s most awe-inspiring spectacles – the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights.

Here are 6 of the top unique destinations to view the northern lights in Russia: View map

Table of Contents

1. Murmansk, Kola Peninsula

Murmansk , in the extreme north-west near Finland, enjoys over 40 days of uninterrupted night, making it one of the world’s premier destinations for the Aurora Borealis, and with over 300,000 residents you can enjoy all the cosmopolitan comforts of civilisation amidst the serenity of the Arctic.

You can get to Murmansk by train (30h) or flight (2h) from Moscow or St Petersburg, what makes this region is easiest to get in order to experience the Northern Lights from late August to May, with the condition that the night temperature is below -10 ° C, so plan your trip for mid-September to mid-April.

The Northern Lights is a poorly predicted phenomenon and depends on the magnetic activity of the Sun. In other words, you have to wait and literally “hunt” it, which means it’s worth a week or more to go. You can diversify your vacation in the Kola Peninsula by skiing in the Khibiny Mountains or dog sledding in Kirovsk.

Check out this snippet of what to see on a tour in Murmansk, hunting the northern lights:

2. Arkhangelsk

There is a general rule for observing the Northern Lights in Arkhangelsk region – the heart of Russian North – the further from the large populated areas, the brighter the “dance of the sky” is. Severodvinsk city is where you’d like to go for the Aurora Borealis hunting from mid-September to mid-April. The radiance of the lights here is distinguished by a green shade and specific flicker. Aurora borealis lasts here from 10 minutes to several days. Well, while waiting for the sky to blossom, you may visit the open-air museum of wooden architecture “Malye Korely”.

The flight from Moscow to Arkhangelsk will take two hours, a journey by train – about 22 h.

3. Naryan-Mar

This forgotten northern outpost lost prominence when easier routes across Siberia opened through the Ural mountains, leaving it a preserved vestige of Nenets culture . Enjoy learning myths, legends, and indigenous lore (like not whistling during the northern lights) in a truly unique journey through Russia’s heartland.

The Aurora Borealis in the polar Naryan-Mar is very beautiful, it consists of several colours and is accompanied by a flicker, that turns the night sky into a fairy tale. The best time for observation is the season from November to March. This natural phenomenon is observed usually with a sharp change of weather. The flight to Naryan-Mar from Moscow takes slightly less than three hours.

4. Novaya Zemlya

Only reachable by special permit, this northern archipelago is one of the most extreme locations to view the northern lights. Watch the glow of lights bathe herds of reindeer in subtle greens as they stroll on islands stranded in a frozen sea during the polar night. Truly a once in a lifetime experience.

5. Taimyr Peninsula

Taimyr is called “the edge of the cold”, because the duration of winter here is from 235 days in the south, up to 285 days in the north of the peninsula. The climate is extremely stiff: in winter it’s from -40 ° C and to -60 ° C. Taimyr is also known as the land of rare amazing northern lights.

You can get to the peninsula by plane from Moscow to Norilsk (4h), and then to Dixon, Igarka or Khatanga villages by car. These villages are actually renowned for its bright white light show seen only during summer. But don’t get too excited – the year-round high never gets above +5C (43 F), so don’t forget to pack your coat.

The only “city” in the world located north of Arctic Circle, Salekhard in Yamal region thrives on the northern lights. Known for a specific tint of green local Nenets people call “Nger Harp – the light of the dead,” Salekhard is a city with its own unique connection to the winter light show.   The Nenets are the native people of the Yamal , and one of the largest native communities in Russia also called ‘Samoyeds’ – a nomadic people who used to live by herding reindeer and are close to the Scandinavia’s Sami (or ‘Lapps’).

If you spend a week out in the tundra or taiga at a nomad camp of Nenets, then you are likely to see the Northern Lights. In general, they can be viewed from August until April, but are most common from November to March and best of all in January and February, when nights are long and dark and colder temperatures bring about multi-coloured Northern Lights, rather than the green ones that appear when it’s “warmer”. To get to Salekhard you can by train from Moscow (45h) or by direct flight (2h).

In Russia, the Northern Lights can be seen even in the more southern areas – in, for example, Karelia, Valdai, St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg.

Northern Lights in comfort

See the Northern Lights in Russia, on a luxury train. This compelling 10-day itinerary offers a unique contrast between two of Russia’s most majestic cities and the remote, yet charming communities deep within the Russian and Norwegian Arctic Circle. Commencing in St. Petersburg, we visit some of the city’s most prominent historical and cultural sites before embarking on this remarkable Arctic adventure.

Below are our small group and private tours in the region for hunting Northern Lights:

• Quest for Aurora Borealis (4-day tour)
• Northern Lights Discovery (7-day tour)
• Aurora Borealis: Arctic Winter Magic (12-day tour)

For more information about all our Northern Lights Hunting tours in Russia, contact us via:

EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: +61 412 587 785

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