north pole trip cost from india

North Pole Cruises

Amazing north pole cruises for 2025, the geographic north pole.

• Explore Longyearbyen
• Discover the Geographic North Pole
• Admire Scoresby Sund
• Sailing the heart of the ice floe

Transarctic, the Quest for the two North Poles

• Set sail through the ice floe
• Exploration of Svalbard
• Watch the arctic wildlife
• Experience brand new activities

The Geographic North Pole & Scoresby Sound

• Visit the Reykjanes peninsula

Traveling to the North Pole

Le commandant charcot.

• Arctic Overview

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Top places to visit in the arctic.

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Best Arctic Expedition Cruise Lines

• Comparing the Two Polar Regions: Antarctica and Arctic Cruising

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• Cruise the Arctic Svalbard Islands
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All you need to know about Northern lights tour from India

Posted on By Blog Admin

A Picturesque natural phenomenon

Chasing the northern lights or experiencing the aurora borealis in the polar latitudes on a dark freezing night is a once-in-a-lifetime magical experience. It’s as if the heavens open up and celestial lights flash across the skies leaving you mesmerized. The colours most often associated with the aurora borealis are pink, green, yellow, blue, violet, and occasionally orange and white. Long winter nights are good to experience the auroras, but not necessarily the best time for a northern lights tour. In March and September near the equinoxes, the Earth’s magnetic field lets solar particles interact with the atmosphere, creating the aurora seasons!

Which month is best to see the Northern Lights?

The winter season is the best time to witness the Northern Lights and November to February are the best months in most countries.

Best Places to see Northern Lights

The best places where you can witness the Northern Lights are:

• Alaska- Coldfoot, Fairbanks and Barrow.
• Sweden- Kiruna, Sky Station in Abisko and Jukkasjarvi.
• Finland- Rovaniemi, Luosto and Nellim.
• Iceland- Reykjavik, Thingvellir, Threngsli, Seljavallalaug Pool and Hvammsfjordur.
• Norway- Lofoten Islands, Alta and Andoya.
• Greenland- Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk, East Greenland, Disko Bay.
• Russia- Kola Peninsula, Arkhangelsk, Naryan-Mar, Novaya Zemlya, Taimyr Peninsula and Yamal.

Read More: The Ultimate Guide: Discover the Best Nordic Country to Visit for Unforgettable Adventures!

What is the best location to see the northern lights?

Fairbanks, Alaska is the best location for witnessing the Northern Lights as it has the perfect location and weather. Other amazing countries where you can see Northern Lights are Finland, Russia, Norway, Greenland, and Iceland.

How much is the cost of the Northern Lights Tour Package from India?

The price of the tour packages of the Northern Lights starts from INR 1, 90,000 per person.

Where can I see the northern lights?

Here are some of the top destinations for a Northern Lights tour

1. Fairbanks, Alaska

Experience arctic wilderness in the wonderful Denali National Park in Fairbanks where you can watch the beauty of the northern lights.

When to go to Alaska?

Late August to mid-April the best time for travelers.

2. Tromso, Norway

The best place to chase the northern lights is the village of Ersfjordbotn, 12 miles from Tromso, the Lofoten Islands and the far northern towns of Alta, Nordkapp, and Kirkenes.

When to go to Norway?

Mid-September to late March is the best time to travel to Norway for Indians.

3. Lapland, Finland

How about living in a glass igloo and making the most of the travel experience of the Northern lights in Santa’s Hotel Aurora in Luosto. This quaint resort town is about 70 miles north of the popular town of Rovaniemi. It is nestled within the pleasing landscape of Pyhä-Luosto National Park.

When to go to Finland?

Between September to March is the best time to travel to Finland.

4. Orkney, Scotland

A few places to see the spectacular light show include the Wideford Hilltop, along the coast in Birsay or on the beach at Dingieshow.

When to go to Scotland?

Anytime between the end of autumn to Easter is a good time to visit Orkney.

5. Yellowknife, Canada

Head up to the Wood Buffalo and Jasper National Park to watch this natural phenomenon.

When to Go to Canada?

Mid-August to late April is the best time for Indian tourists.

6. Reykjavik, Iceland

For optimum viewing, away from light pollution, head to Öskjuhlið. The best spot is by the Grótta lighthouse, on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula

When to go to Iceland?

September to April is the best time to chase the aurora borealis in Iceland’s  northern lights tour from India .

Top 5 Northern Lights Cruises for Tourist

Quite a few cruise lines offer Northern Lights sailings with stopovers at Arctic Circle hotspots to chase the Aurora. Here are some of the most recognized Northern Lights cruises handpicked by travel experts:

1. Viking Cruises in search of the Northern Lights

The cruise takes you to several Aurora hotspots in Norway including Stavanger, Bodo, Tromso, and Alta offering some of the chances of seeing the northern lights.

2. Olsen’s Northern Norway

This 14-night sailing includes nights at Arctic Norway, Tromso and Alta. There will be plenty of opportunities to spot the Norwegian Fjords as well, as a bonus.

3. P&O Cruises’ Norway and the Northern Lights

This 12-night cruise takes you to some of Norway’s gorgeous spots including Andalsnes, Tromso, Alta and Stavanger for best views of the northern lights.

4. Hurtigruten’s 100% Aurora Guarantee cruises

Hurtigruten offers a 100% Aurora Guarantee – if you don’t see the Northern Lights during your trip, you get another voyage for free. The guarantee runs across 12-night sailings.

5. Cunard’s Norway and Northern Lights

Sailing from Southampton this cruise will take you to Alesund, Tromso, and Narvik offering breathtaking views of the Northern lights and Norwegian Fjords.

Northern lights Tour Package From India – Itinerary

Here are two special handcrafted itineraries for your northern lights holidays, one from Finland and the other from Norway:

1. Finland Northern Lights Holidays

You begin your holiday in Helsinki with a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city. Explore the historical center with Senate Square, the Presidential Palace, City Hall, the Parliament building, Finlandia Hall, and the Opera House. The 1-hour 45-minute tour is an audio-visual experience, where you get to listen and look around. There are also sound effects to bring the sights to life and tie them in with the history of the city. Some of the highlights include the beautiful Senate Square, the historical Presidential Palace, Uspenski Cathedral, City Hall, the Opera House and Finlandia House. The next highlight of the trip is a train ride to Rovaniemi, where you visit the ski resort at Ounasvaara.

• Go for the Snowmobile Safari
• Experience a thrilling husky ride and learn about the life of the husky farm.
• In the evening, go for an Aurora sighting tour.

While you are here, you can opt for the Santa Claus tour.

• Discover the wonder of meeting the ever-delightful Santa and his delightful elves!
• Spend a couple of hours in Santa’s Post Office
• Shop around a bit and enjoy a lovely lunch.
• Enjoy local travel to the reindeer farm and enjoy interacting with the small group of lovely reindeers.
• Go on a reindeer sleigh ride, take part in a special “Crossing of the Arctic Circle” ceremony.
• After an amazing fulfilled day, drive back to where you started from on a special snowmobile before getting back to the city by bus.
• Your special prize will be a “Crossing the Arctic Circle Certificate” given to you at the end of the safari. Spend the night at a hotel in Rovaniemi.

In Finland, you can choose to stay at an Igloo hotel where you get to enjoy spectacular views of the Northern Lights from the comfort of your Glass Igloo.

2. Norway Northern Lights Holidays

• Begin your holiday in Oslo.
• Visit The Vigeland Park and the sculpture museum that houses the works of Gustav Vigeland.
• If you are keen on learning more about the history and culture of this country and the Vikings, visit the Fram Polar Ship Museum, Kon-Tiki Museum, Norsk Folkemuseum, and the Viking Ship Museum.
• Norway in a Nutshell tour is also a good way to discover the country and one of its attractions is a ride on the famous Flåm Railway and a fjord cruise on Aurlandsfjord and Næroyfjord.
• You can go for a snowshoeing tour up in the mountains near Flåm and later cruise on Aurlandsfjord and Næroyfjord.
• As part of this holiday explore the Bryggen, an iconic row of colourful wooden houses along Bergen’s old Hanseatic Wharf.
• Go on a funicular up to the top of Mount Fløyen, to enjoy a view of Bergen and the Seven Mountains.
• For lunch or dinner, head down to the Fish Market for some super fresh seafood.
• Fly to Tromso. Go for cross-country skiing or dog sledding. At night, if the weather cooperates, sign up for your first Northern Lights tour!
• While you are here, visit the Arctic Cathedral, an iconic building in Northern Norway.
• The Fjellheisen aerial tramway up above Tromsø should not be missed to get the best view in the city.
• Check out the Polar Museum, which offers a fascinating look into Arctic trapping and hunting and the early polar explorers.
• For an afternoon adventure, go on a Tromsø Beer Safari, which includes tasting some local beers.
• Go for a snowmobile safari up in the Lyngen Alps, an Arctic fishing adventure, a Sami culture and a lovely reindeer experience, that will teach you a lot about Norway’s native reindeer herders.
• After a week and a half of seeing Norway’s winter highlights, it’s time to head home.

15-Days Travel Itinerary for Iceland and Norway

Day 1 : Arrival at Oslo Welcome dinner at the hotel

Day 2: Oslo

Stop 1: Visit the National Theatre (home to Ibsen’s famous plays)

Stop 2: The Parliament

Stop 3: Visit the Royal Palace (the residence of Norwegian monarchy)

Stop 4: Trip to the Frogner Park to witness sculptor Gustav Vigeland’s amazing artistry

Stop 5: The City Hall (famous for the Nobel Prize ceremony award each year)

Day 3: Oslo, Heddal, Vemork and Telemark

Stop 1: Visit the medieval aged wooden church at Heddal Stave Church.

Stop 2: A guided trip to the UNESCO heritage site of Vemork (celebrating the heroism of Telemark heroes)

Stop 3: A stroll through the villages of Telemark

Day 4: Telemark, Låtefoss, Hardangerfjord, Bergen

Stop 1: From Telemark towards the lush green Hardangervidda mountain plateau

Stop 2: Twin waterfalls at Låtefoss

Stop 3: Go across Hardangerfjord by ferry for fruit orchards at Steinstø

Stop 4: Towards Bergen after lunch

Day 5: Bergen, Voss and Stalheim

Stop 1: Explore the colourful Bergen

Stop 2: Exploring the beautiful Voss by Lakeside, riding the Flåm train towards Stalheim

Stop 3: Arriving at Stalheim

Day 6: Stalheim, Sognefjord, Nærøyfjord, Fjaerland, Loen

Stop 1: Cruise at rivers Sognefjord and Nærøyfjord

Stop 2: Visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum and watch a panoramic movie

Stop 3: Spend some time at the Lake Jølster and the spectacular Våtedalen Valley at Fjaerland

Stop 4: From Nærøyfjord, Back at Loen

Take an adventure ride on the cable car, Loen Skylift above Mt. Hoven

Day 8: Loen, Geirangerfjord, Dalsnibba, Lom, Lillehammer

Stop 1: A cruise over lake Geirangerfjord

Stop 2: Watch Mt. Dalsnibba from the Geiranger Skywalk

Stop 3: Visit the Stave Church at Lom

Stop 4: Arrival at Lillehammer, the host for the 1994 Winter Olympics

Day 9: Lillehammer, Eidsvoll, Oslo

Stop 1: A guided trip about Norway’s cultural history at Lillehammer. Trip to Maihaugen, the Open-air museum here

Stop 2: Drive towards picturesque Eidsvoll Return to and celebratory dinner at Oslo

Day 10: Towards Reykjavik, Iceland

Arrival at Reykjavik from Oslo

Day 11: Reykjavik, Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Stop 1: Visit the Rift valley at Thingvellir

Stop 2: Hot springs at Geysir. Bread tasting (made from the heat of geothermal springs) at a restaurant here along with other local delicacies

Stop 3: Trip to Gullfoss waterfall

Stop 4: Back at Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Day 12: Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón lake

Stop 1: Skaftafell National Park

Stop 2: Explore Jökulsárlón lake (Site for a James Bond Movie)

Day 13: Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Reykjavik

Stop 1: Drive alongside the scenic Skogafoss-Seljalandsfoss waterfall

Stop 2: Geothermal power station at Hellisheiðarvirkjun

Stop 3: Back at Reykjavik

Day 14: Reykjavik

Stop 1: Whale watching

Stop 2: Trip to Blue Lagoon

Stop 3: Special Dinner at Hotel

Day 15: Departure from Reykjavik

Customized tours for other Northern Lights

Northern Lights tour package from india can also be conducted from other destinations as well. We offer customized tours for the following destinations:

1. Russian Northern Lights

You can spend 2 nights in Moscow, 2 nights in Murmansk, and 2 nights in St. Petersburg chasing the northern lights.

2. Icelandic Northern Lights

A holiday in Reykjavik for 4 nights would be great to chase the Northern Lights.

3. Canada Northern Lights

Head to places such as Yukon for 2 Nights, Alberta for 2 Nights and Yellowknife for 2 Nights for your Northern Lights trip to Canada.

We recommend:

• Make sure you carry a decent camera when you go on a Northern Lights tour. Watching the lights through a long-exposure camera setting will give you a greater chance of a better sighting.
• The weather conditions can be too cold during your holidays so ensure you are well protected.
• If you miss witnessing the Northern Lights on your first day, do not be disheartened as you will get plenty of opportunities during your trip to chase the lights.

Cool facts about Northern Lights:

• Did you know that Aurora is the Roman goddess of dawn and Boreas is the Greek term for the north wind? We, therefore, have the name Aurora Borealis.
• No two light displays are the same, the color and patterns of the Aurora are always differing.
• Northern Light can also be viewed in Canada, Scotland, Russia, and Alaska.
• There are also the Southern Lights which offer a similar visual display and can be chased from South Georgia island, New Zealand, and the Falkland Islands.
• Studies have shown that other planets also have their own Auroras. Astronomers have seen lights on Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Jupiter.

Visa Applications for Norway and Iceland

Visa application for norway.

You will require a Visitor’s Visa which permits you to stay for 90 days in Norway and other Schengen countries.

The visa fee is 80 Euros for adults. Children under six years do not pay a fee. Children from the age of 6-12 years shall pay a visa fee of EUR 40

Visa application for Iceland

For Iceland trip too, you would require a Schengen Visa.

The Visa fees are 60 Euro.

For more details regarding visa application to the Nordic countries , please get in touch with us.

Northern lights trip cost from India

Exclusively customized all-inclusive northern lights holidays start from INR 1.9 lakhs per person on a twin-sharing basis .

Cost for Hotels in Norway for Indians

• Thief Spa- Avg. Price: INR 25, 750/ night
• Bergen Børs Hotel- Avg. Price: INR 13,800/ night-
• Hotell Refsnes Gods – by Classic Norway Hotels- Avg. Price: INR 10, 600/ night
• Clarion Hotel Admiral- Avg. Price: INR 10,500/ night
• Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel- Avg. Price: INR 9500/ night

Cost for Hotels in Iceland for Indians

• Hotel Rangá- Avg. Price: INR 23,500/ night
• Hotel Keflavik- Avg. Price: INR 20,180/ night
• Ion City Hotel- Avg. Price: INR 15,300/ night
• Hilton Reykjavik Nordica- Avg. Price: INR 10,050/ night
• Radisson Blu Saga Hotel, Reykjavik- Avg. Price INR 7200/night

This winter, gift your family the once-in-a-lifetime experience of the Northern Lights tour from India.

Frequently asked qustions about Norway tour

1. Is Norway Expensive?

Norway is considerably expensive since it is a wealthy country. But this country offers you great services to make your experiences memorable.

2: How many days should I spend in Norway during a trip?

To tour Norway, your trip timeline should depend on your budget and schedule. Take a note of the places you’d like to travel and fix your approximate budget. The rest will fall in place accordingly.

3: Are credit cards widely used in Norway?

Visa and MasterCards are accepted and in use throughout Norway.

4. How many hours of daylight will I find?

In Winter, the Southern part of the country which includes Oslo and Bergen gets about six hours of sunshine. In warmer June, hours of daylight increases to 19 hours. Further down South, hints of some sunlight lingers on, even during midnight in summer.

As you travel more towards the North however, the difference between Winter darkness and Summer sunlight becomes even more stark. Tromsø and Alta are two cities in the Northern end of Norway where you will see almost no sunlight from end to November to the middle of January while from May-end to mid-July you will find 24 hours of sunlight.

In Spring and Autumn, you will find that daylight and darkness will be spread more evenly, pretty much like most other countries of the world.

5: How is the food like in Norway?

Since Norway has been a fishing economy for years, you will be able to find an abundance of seafood there. You will find an abundance of cod, salmon and crabs to delight your tastebuds in Norway.

Apart from that, you will love the simple Norwegian fare of waffles and sandwiches at any place in the country.

Frequently asked qustions about Iceland tour

1. How cold does it get?

Temperature is bearable throughout the year with only a moderate rise or fall. Snowfall in Winter is intermittent only in parts of Reykjavík and the far North.

2. Do Icelanders speak English?

Most Icelanders currently speak fluent English, so it will not be difficult for you to communicate with them.

3. What kind of currency is used in Iceland?

The currency used is the Icelandic króna. You can exchange your currency at banks, airport and currency exchanges. There are plenty of ATMs throughout the country and Visa and MasterCards are accepted everywhere.

4. When is it daylight in Iceland?

If it is summer, you would hardly see sunsets in Iceland, and there is daylight almost throughout. Spring and Autumn mean that there are more hours of daylight while in winters there are only 5-6 hours of daylight.

Embassy Details of India in Iceland

Address: Tungata – 7, Reykjavik, Iceland.

Tel : 00354 – 5349955,

Fax: 00354 – 5349959

Embassy Details of India in Norway

Address: Niels Juels Gate 30, PO Box 4055 AMB, 0244, Oslo, Norway

Chancery Phone No. (+47) – 2411 5910 (General)

Fax No. (+47) – 2411 5912 (General)

Consular Section Phone No. (+47) – 2411 5916 / 2411 5914

Fax No. (+47) – 2411 5929 (Consular Section)

Get in touch with us

So, if you are all set to make plans for your next trip in Scandanavian countries , get in touch with one of the best International travel companies specializing in customized holidays at [email protected] and share your travel plans.

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Budget Tours & Trips to Arctic / North Pole

Discover a varied offer of Arctic / North Pole budget adventures that will take you through some of the most renowned destinations such as Narsarsuaq and Narsaq. Each affordable tour will provide you with great experiences for some of the lowest prices on the market.

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16 cheap arctic / north pole tour packages with 77 reviews.

• Hiking & Trekking

Wonders of Greenland (from Iceland)

Great experience and once a lifetime trip. Very knowledgeable, experience and fun guides who were able to bring the the beauty and depth of Greenland alive. :P

• Coach / Bus
• Christmas & New Year

Grand Lapland Tour, Finland, Sweden and Norway

I loved it! What an amazing trip, full of beautiful scenery and special touching moments with the huskies. The snow mobile ride was exhilarating. But best of all, the auroras were stunning, we were so lucky to see them several days in a row. Finally our guide Centti from Time travels was so funny and richly deserves a career in comedy. We love him.

• Food & Culinary
• In-depth Cultural

Wonders of Greenland (from Denmark)

Aurora Borealis in Inari, Lapland in Finland - 4 days

South Greenland Grand Adventure - 8 Days

• Northern Lights

Swedish Lapland: The Northern Lights

Northern Lights trip with Yes-Trips, what an amazing adventure! Perfectly crafted itinerary, breathtaking views and ultimate activities with the best guides and company ever to the end of the world. Thank you guys for this unreal experience, hope for more of these moments together :)

• Mountain Hikes

Arctic Villages

Kayak and Ice Trekking Expedition (from Iceland)

Kayak and Ice Trekking Expedition (from Denmark)

South Greenland Explorer (from Denmark)

South Greenland Explorer (from Iceland)

Kayak and Ice Trekking Expedition 2 weeks (from Iceland)

Northern Lights (from Iceland)

Northern Lights (from Denmark)

Magic Lapland Adventure

I did the 9 day tour that ended in Helsinki. The tour was amazing with once in a lifetime opportunities. We went dog sledding, saw the northern lights, snowmobiling, ice climbing, had a traditional sauna by the lake and got to see Santa claus in his official village. Great trip and met some great people also. Be prepared for the overnight bus rides though!

Budget Tours & Trips to Arctic / North Pole Reviews

This is an amazing tour, exploring the world largest island. I am the oldest in the group of young dudes from different parts of the globe. Being an old bloke in the group it’s not easy. Traversing and maneuvering the parched land of Greenland and trekking the icecap…whoa! that’s incredible to feat. Our tour expert Eva is amazing, she walks and talks with full of energy. She knows the area well enough that she could explain with gusto. If you’re looking for comfort tour, this is not for you. Transportation…majority by foot and speed boat. The group of ten bonded together. We’d amazing swaddled moments together. Sleeping in a tent in the middle of nowhere, very very cold, making pee in the middle of the night walking few hundred feet groping in the dark if no flashlight…that was fun, good luck if you trip. Eating our lunch anyplace, anywhere but place good enough to rest and eat. The only issue I’d was buying a few minutes of WiFi to use that didn’t work, waste of money. I want to write more but it’ll be a book….Anyway, thanks to the Tasermiut Tour team but Eva takes the lion’s share.

This trip was wonderful and empowering. The scenery was magical. The activities were fun and memorable. Elo and our drivers were excellent. I met some wonderful people. Christmas in Lapland was truly an experience I will cherish for a lifetime.

Wonderful experience! The organization made us do a lot of different activities, making the trip perfect in every aspect: the activities were various, the price was the best you can find and they are ready to help in every situation. Even in difficult moments they are able to find the best solution keep the travel amazing as they promised. The guides are also super friendly!! Super suggested experience

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Dreaming of the great north? It's time to take the next step.

Icetrek has curated the ultimate selection of Arctic adventures. We cover every imaginable polar environment - sea ice, icecap, glacier, frozen fiord, snow-topped mountain - all under the leadership of professional IPGA Guides. Whether it's an expedition to the North Pole, a crossing of the Greenland ice sheet or a polar training trip in Svalbard, we cater for every level of Arctic ambition.

People from all over the world come to Icetrek to fulfil their polar ambitions, from Australia, New Zealand, India, United Kingdom, Switzerland, China, Netherlands, USA, Canada, Norway, Latvia, France, Russia, Belgium, Morocco, Czech Republic, Japan...

Why don't you join us for your first, or next, Arctic adventure.

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North Pole Tours

We have a wide selection of North Pole cruise and tours. Take this trip to the top of the world where you will have an ultimate experience aboard our hand picked vessels. Along the journey you will encounter rookeries of Arctic birds, walruses and seals. Polar bears might get curious enough to approach and examine your vessel from a very close distance. Join this spectacular trip and it will sure become an unforgettable journey of a lifetime!

The great frozen North, the Arctic region is made up of parts of various countries including Greenland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Canada, and USA (Alaska). A cruise to the Arctic is a memorable experience, and our tour packages aboard hand-selected vessels will ensure that you receive the most enjoyable experience possible.

Many people venture to the Arctic in hope of seeing the majestic polar bear, but other Wildlife you can encounter include Arctic hare, lemming, reindeer, ox, and giant moose. Scan the snow for signs of the Arctic fox and snowy owl, or for the ocean witness narwhal, walrus, seal, whales and orca.

When you visit the Arctic you are stepping back in time into one of the most inhospitable environments on earth. Eclipse Travel officers a wide range of cruise options to help give you the best vantage point to enjoy the breathtaking scenery for Glaciers, Icebergs, and the strange experience of midnight Sun. Crushing through pack ice, the journey can take as long as a week, serving only to heighten your anticipation for this once in a lifetime trip to the North Pole. Whichever Arctic cruise you choose you’ll be sure to have an unforgettable journey.

The Geographic North Pole & Scoresby Sound

Push the boundaries of navigation and set sail for 90 degrees North! During this exceptional polar exploration, you will go…

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North Pole: The Ultimate Arctic Adventure

Embark on an arctic adventure and see the beauty of the north pole aboard the 50 years of victory.

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Experience the chill of a polar plunge

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The Polartours experience

Reach the North Pole!

Get unimaginable views of the polar regions from the air

Your booking contributes to our Conservation Project

Expedition Parka to take home

Live an incredible experience that few travelers have the chance to do in their lives: reach the North Pole. Travel to the top of the world where no matter which direction you look, you will be looking south. Take advantage of these two weeks of travel to experience the thrill of an Arctic dive, cross the ice floes as far as the eye can see, climb aboard a helicopter to photograph the icy ocean from the sky.

Stand at the very top of the world with this 14-day expedition cruise to the North Pole!

Your ship: 50 Years of Victory

Welcome aboard the 50 Years of Victory! Twenty years in the making, 50 Years of Victory is the first Arktika-class icebreaker to have a spoon-shaped bow. Designed with a stainless-steel ice belt 18 feet (5 meters) wide, the ship breaks through ice up to 9.2 feet (2.5 meters) thick! This is the world’s largest, most powerful icebreaker.

Complete with a helicopter for shore excursions, Victory is a ship unlike any other. It has the ability to go where other ships cannot. Enjoy your time onboard by chatting over cocktails at the bar, swimming in the pool or checking out the gym, library, and sau … Read more about 50 Years of Victory

Victory Suite

Double/Matrimionial + Sofabed

Max. occupancy :

More about this cabin

Arktika Suite

Fitness Center

Observation Deck

Zodiac Fleet

Observation Lounge

Helicopter Landings

Multi-purpose Sports Court

Medical Services

Open Bridge Policy

Food & Drinks

If there is one constant at sea, it is that you’ll enjoy delicious meals on daily basis. While meal times may change due to landings and wildlife encounters, you’ll always be served three meals a day. Hours of operation will be posted around the ship, and are subject to change based on the activities planned for each day.

Breakfasts and lunches are normally served buffet style, while dinners are served plated. À la carte meals are made at the time of your order, allowing the chefs to prepare each dish to your individual needs. Working in a small kitchen, chefs are able to monitor and control the quality of food being served, ensuring you receive top-quality meals during the course of your expedition.

The dress code on the ship is casual, though some may choose to dress up a little for the Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions.

Assortments of fresh-baked cookies and/or pastries are offered each afternoon. There is also a selection of hot and cold snacks available in the lounge during cocktail hour.

The well-stocked bar on the ship is open to enjoy with your fellow shipmates in the late morning, afternoon, and evening. Soft drinks, juices, and water are available at no cost, and beer and wine are offered with dinner. A selection of liquors, spirits, and premium beer, wine, and champagne is available and can be charged to your shipboard account.

Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.

Your incredible Antarctic adventure starts in Helsinski

Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its extraordinary architecture and design scene and intriguing mix of eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.

Fly to Murmansk, Russia, and Embark

From Helsinki, you’ll join your fellow passengers on the charter flight to Murmansk, Russia, where you’ll embark on your voyage to the North Pole and get acquainted with 50 Years of Victory, a nuclear icebreaker.

At sea towards the North Pole

The crossing from Murmansk to the North Pole can take us anywhere from four to six days, depending on the ice conditions. This means you’ll have plenty of time to get to know your shipmates and be treated to presentations and discussions with your Expedition Team while looking out for wildlife.

Stand at the top of the world, the North Pole, 90° North!

Ship and Zodiac cruising

Ice edge and pack ice

The anticipation reaches a climax as you arrive at the North Pole! Many travelers find themselves overcome with emotion, while others are in a festive and celebratory mood. Take photos, call your family, wave a flag—just be sure you enjoy your moment at the top of the world!

Later, everyone will celebrate with a toast and a barbecue on the ice. If the opportunity allows, you have the option of taking a polar plunge into the icy waters around the North Pole. We’ll also attempt to launch passengers high above the Pole in our hot air balloon to commemorate this great moment (weather dependant, extra cost).

Ringed Seal

Humpback Whale

Purple Sandpiper

Black-legged Kittiwake

Red Phalarope

Snow Bunting

Arctic Tern

Little Auk (Dovekie)

Bowhead Whale

Sail back south towards Franz Josef Land

The remote Arctic archipelago of Franz Joseph Land has only been available for exploration since the 1990s. Following the Second World War, the Soviet Union placed great importance on Franz Joseph Land as a military asset, treating it as "an unsinkable aircraft carrier" in the Arctic ocean.

Swathed in secrecy, and only accessible to military personnel, the archipelago remained a mystery until only 30 years ago. Now, Arctic expedition cruises can visit this remote land of glaciers and rugged hills that lies only 550 miles from the North Pole.

While still home to a fully-operational and quite active military base (Russia's northernmost), the archipelago is also a haven for wildlife and is a designated marine mammal sanctuary. Species readily encountered here include harp seals, walrus, and bearded seals. A particular highlight is the critically endangered bowhead whale, for which Franz Joseph Land is an important habitat. If you are lucky, you may also see a Narwhal, that is scarce in Svalbard. In contrast, there are no reindeer here. As with Svalbard, Franz Joseph land is a good place to look for Polar Bears.

Most of the cruise ships that head up to the North Pole pass through Franz Joseph Land.

Glaucous Gull

Parasitic Jaeger

Bearded Seal

Black Guillemot

Explore Franz Josef Land, an archipelago of 200 islands

Jackson Island

Victoria Island

Rudolf Island

Hall Island

Cheysa Island

Alger Island

Northbrook Island

Apollonov & Stolichkiy Islands

Hooker Island

Wilczek Island

Champ Island

Hvidtenland

Northern Fulmar

At sea towards Murmansk

The Northeast Passage is the name given to the little-used maritime polar shipping route between the Bering Sea in the North Pacific and Northern Europe via the Russian Arctic coast.

First successfully navigated in 1878, the route is not frequently used by commercial vessels due to the sea ice that makes the route unusable for much of the year. It's precisely the difficulty of traversing the Northeast Passage that makes it such a wonderful destination for adventure cruises.

From the remote and still mainly unexplored polar desert of Severnaya Zemlya ("Northern Land") - an archipelago discovered in 1913 and only finally mapped in 1930 - to the remote tundra plains of Chukotka, and the largest city north of the Arctic Circle, Murmansk, the Northeast Passage offers an unlimited variety of landscape and wildlife.

The NE passage is a vast area to explore that can be divided into the different sea regions and island groups on route. Furthermore, the species encountered will vary along the route according to their distribution. If sea conditions allow, landings by Zodiac will bring you to encounters with polar bears and walruses, and from your ship, you will see bowhead whales, beluga, and narwhals, as well as large concentrations of many species of seabirds.

For the birdwatchers some of the potential highlights include the Ross's Gull and the Steller's Eider.

Disembarkation in Murmansk and Fly to Helsinki

Returning to Russia’s most northerly city, you’ll have time to bid farewell to the 50 Years of Victory. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your charter flight to Helsinki, Finland, to enjoy one final night with your newfound friends.

Your incredible Arctic adventure comes to an end in Helsinki

After breakfast, your journey comes to an end. We do encourage you to spend time exploring Helsinki, and its surrounding areas.

Single Cabin Supplement

When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you.

What's included

Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities

All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program

All shore landings as per the daily program

Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping

All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)

Beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock

Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled

A photographic journal documenting the expedition

A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions

An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep

Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin

All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program

All luggage handling aboard the ship

Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person

Russian invitation letter for visa application provided after final payment

What's not included

Mandatory Transfer Package of $1,995 USD (your polar Travel specialist will provide you with all the information about this package)

International airfare

Arrival and departure transfers in Helsinki

Passport and visa expenses

Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above

Meals ashore unless otherwise specified

Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended

Excess-baggage fees on international flights

Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned

Laundry, bar and other personal charges unless specified

Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)

Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew

Hot air ballooning at the North Pole

Should I Cross the Drake Passage by Ship or Fly to Antarctica?

When it comes to traveling to Antarctica, one of the first questions that often arises is, "Can I fly to Antarctica?". The answer is: Yes, you can. Most trips start in Patagonia (Ushuaia and Punta Arenas) and cross the Drake Passage by ship, but there are also trips that use planes to cross that infamous sea passage. Here are the Pros and Cons for each method:

Flying to Antarctica:

Pros: Flying to Antarctica is the quickest way to reach the continent. It offers convenience and is often the choice for those with very limited time.

Cons: There are limited commercial flights to Antarctica, and these are primarily reserved for research and expedition purposes. Tourist accessibility is limited, and it can be costly. Also, as not many trips include flights, you'll be limiting your choice a lot if you decide to only look for such trips.

Crossing the Drake Passage by ship:

Pros: If you choose to cross the Drake Passage by ship, you embark on an incredible adventure. This journey is not just a means of transportation; it's an expedition in itself. The crossing takes 1.5 - 2 days, which are filled with scientific lectures that prepare you for the experience. You'll witness diverse wildlife, including penguins and whales, as your anticipation starts building up. To us, the crossing is a quintessential experience of a true Antarctic explorer.

Cons: Crossing the Drake Passage takes some time, and the seas can be rough. It's not the quickest way to reach the continent, and you need to allocate more time for your expedition.

In conclusion, when it comes to traveling to Antarctica, you have these two choices. Flying offers efficiency and direct access, perfect for specific purposes. Crossing the Drake Passage by ship provides an unmatched adventure and connection with Antarctica's unique environment. Consider what truly matters to you, and you'll find the Antarctic transportation choice that suits your goals and spirit of exploration.

What activities can I expect on a Polar Cruise?

All cruises in the polar regions operate to itineraries that are more-or-less fixed. We say "more or less", because wildlife (breeding, seasonality) and weather always play an important role in routing. Most cruises will offer a range of land-based and water-based activities that you will enjoy at various points in your cruise, including:

• Land excursions (including hiking trails, visitor centers, time relaxing on beaches, observing animals, etc.)
• Bird Watching
• Snorkeling (from ship or beaches)
• Dinghy rides
• Diving (on ships with diving itineraries)
• Naturalist presentations. These usually take place every evening - on board the bigger ships also with help of projectors, microscopes etc.

All boats carry English speaking, scientifically trained guides. They will lead you on your excursions, allowing you to learn as much as possible about the unique wildlife and habitats of the Polar Regions.

How to choose the right ship?

Choosing the right ship for a cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic seems difficult, but it doesn't have to be. Our fleet is over 30 vessels, we are sure that there is the perfect one for you. Please, follow these simple steps, and you will be able to find your ideal ship:

• Determine your budget and desired level of comfort: Are you looking for luxury or more budget-friendly options? On our website you can set the price range.
• Consider ship size: Large ships offer more amenities and facilities, but they can also feel crowded and impersonal. Smaller ships offer a more personal experience, but may not have as many amenities.
• Look at the cabins: Although you probably won’t spend much time in your cabin, look at the photos and read the descriptions to make sure you're happy with the one you choose.
• Consider the activities on board: Are you interested in kayaking, camping, diving or a photography workshop? Or maybe you want to take part in a Citizen Science Program? These activities can enhance your overall experience. See what our ships have to offer .
• Read customer reviews: Learn about other travelers' experiences by reading reviews.
• Ask your Polar Specialist: Feel free to contact your Polar Specialist. They are happy to share their knowledge and are always ready to help.

In addition: We work with responsible partners who provide a great experience for their passengers. All of our providers are committed to sustainability and to preserving the beauty of the polar regions. You don’t need to worry about the impact of your cruise, because we’ve already taken care of it .

What is the booking process for a Polartours Cruise?

We love to help people find their dream vacation to the Arctic and Antarctic. Whether you give us a call, contact us via email, or use our website inquiry form, one of our Polar travel experts will be more than happy to answer any questions, recommend ships and itineraries, and walk you through the whole process!

Step 1: Find your perfect trip. If you have already started looking for Polar Cruises, you will have quickly noticed that the sheer amount of options can be quite overwhelming. To help you navigate the countless departures and itineraries that our fleet offers, we have put together a great filter page for Antarctic and Arctic Expedition Cruises . Use this page to filter all trips by price, date, ship category, and even destinations you wish to visit. We update all dates, prices, and availabilities daily, and are proud to host what is doubtlessly the world's most complete collection of information.

Step 2: Found something you love? We'll hold your spaces, free of charge! If you find a cruise you like, you can either inquire directly with us or make an unbinding booking online. We will then reach out to the shipowners to put a hold on your spaces for a limited time, free of charge. Once we have confirmed your block with the ship, we will send you a written confirmation of your reservation and include full payment details in an invoice. Typically, we are able to hold unpaid reservations for up to 1 week*. This gives us time to clarify all your remaining questions, and also ensures that no other passengers can book your spaces, while we continue our conversation.

Step 3: Confirm your booking. In order to confirm your booking, we ask for a deposit payment. You can pay via bank transfer or credit card. Keep in mind, that we can only hold your spaces for a limited amount of time. If we don't receive your payment after this time, we can no longer guarantee that the places will be available or that the price won't increase. To prevent disappointment, we will automatically cancel your reservation if we don't receive your deposit by the due date stated on your booking reservation.

Step 4: Booking confirmation & Payment. As soon as we have received your deposit and a completed passenger information form, we will be pleased to send your booking confirmation and updated invoice, along with your trip itinerary, important information, and other great tips for your cruise.

Step 5: Final payment. In your initial invoice, we will define a final payment date by when you need to pay us the remaining amount of your trip. Once we have received your final payment we'll send you your cruise documents and voucher. As your trip approaches, we make sure to pass along all necessary information, so you feel super prepared and stress-free.

*For last-minute bookings, we might not be able to hold your spaces for so long. We will also require the full payment of your cruise upon booking.

When is the best time to book?

An expedition cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic is a big deal! Most people plan for this type of trip at least 8 months in advance. This means the earlier you book, the better chance you'll have to reserve your prefered cabins. Early bird discounts are also popular and a great way to get 10-30% off your cruise.

Most expedition cruises offer optional activities like camping and kayaking, but the spaces are limited. A cruise with 120 passengers can have only 10-15 spaces for kayaking. These are reserved on a first come first served basis. The earlier you book, the higher your chance of grabbing a spot.

Even though last minute deals do occur, keep in mind that the airline prices will be much higher if you purchase them last minute. You may save a few hundred on your cruise, but you may end up paying the most for airfare.

What can i do to avoid seasickness?

If you are prone to motion sickness then here are a few hints to help you.

Firstly, book a cabin in the middle of the ship. The middle of the ship will move less, both in roll and in pitch. Secondly, chose a larger ship. Bigger vessels typically are more stable, and some of them are even equipped with "stabilizers", fins under water that remove the rolling in the swells. Thirdly, take medical advice on anti-seasickness medication. Some traditional remedies are said to be very effective, such as taking ginger or using commercially-available acupressure wristbands.

Watch this informative video about life onboard an expedition ship and seasickness from our expert guide and Polartours Brand Ambassador, Kevin.

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This is how you could visit the North and South poles

They'll be harsh conditions whatever Pole you go to but there are rewards

© Christian Pondella/Red Bull Content Pool

You may see a few polar bears if you're lucky

© Martha de Jong

Gear: what you need for a polar expedition

Tourists enjoy a visit to the geographic North Pole

© Christopher Michel/Wikimedia Creative Commons

Get dropped in by a helicopter and leave by the same mode of transport

© North Pole Marathon

Last-degree ski

Dog sledding.

Sled dogs are a traditional mode of transport in the Arctic

© Oliver Pelling

Experience an epic Arctic adventure on Red Bull TV

An extreme marathon if there was ever one

Full distance ski-trek

Sometimes the only way forward is to crawl

© Eric Larsen/Last North Expedition

Go for a cruise, polar style

Incredible views from a plane

© Hedwig Storch/Wikimedia Creative Commons

Watch Will Gadd explore the glaciers of Greenland in Beneath the Ice

Can an ice climber help a glaciologist conduct better research find out why the answer is yes by watching the beneath the ice film right here..

US explorer Colin O'Brady at the Geographic South Pole

© Colin O'Brady

That ceremonial sphere. Good for selfies

© Sean Swarner

Fly to the South Pole

© U.S. Department of State/Wikimedia Creative Commons

Ski sledding can be quite the physical challenge

Coast-to-pole ski

Stefan Glowacz pulls his sled across a crevasse

© Klaus Fengler

What It Costs

Cost Benefit Analysis of Everything in Life

Travel to the North Pole – Prices & Cost

Ballpark Estimate: $15,500 to $87,500

Early expeditions to the North Pole were difficult, if not impossible, to verify. The generally accepted claim that Robert Peary’s 1909 expedition was first to arrive at the Pole remains somewhat in doubt and, even today, the 1926 over-flight of the Pole by Richard E. Byrd is questioned by some. However, for better or worse, a trip to the North Pole is now available to anyone with a well-loaded credit card.

Where and When to Go

While the Magnetic North Pole is currently situated near Ellesmere Island in northern Canada, the Geographic North Pole is located at 90°N – the top of the world – on a frozen section of the Arctic Ocean. The North Pole is a warmer, somewhat friendlier place than the frigid South Pole. Winter temperatures at the North Pole can range from about -15°F to -45°F, but summer (June – August) temps sometimes reach a balmy 32°F. During the winter months, there is 24-hour darkness, while the summer months enjoy 24-hour daylight. Consequently, tourist cruises, flights, and most expeditions take place during the summer. If you plan to take part in an extended skiing expedition, however, you’ll depart earlier in the season.

The Arctic Ocean beneath the North Pole is about 2.5 miles deep; the ice floes at the Geographic North Pole average between 7 to 10 feet thick.

If you will be flying to the North Pole, you’ll most likely leave from Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard, on the island of Spitzbergen, Norway.

• $2,120 to $3,815 – Round trip from New York City (LGA) to to Longyearbyen (LYR)
• $1,635 to $5,510 – Round trip from Chicago (ORD) to Longyearbyen (LYR)
• $2,080 to $5,860 – Round trip from Los Angeles LAX) to Longyearbyen (LYR)

If you choose to go through a Russian tour company, you’ll fly to the North Pole from Moscow.

• $1,245 to $3,145 – Round trip from New York City (LGA) to Moscow (MOW)
• $1,380 to $5,525 – Round trip from Chicago (ORD) to Moscow (MOW)
• $1,370 to $6,000 – Round trip from Los Angeles LAX) to Moscow (MOW)

If you plan to travel to the North Pole on board a nuclear icebreaker, you’ll leave from Murmansk, Russia. You’ll fly from the United States to Moscow first, and then either fly or take the train to Murmansk. There’s a new, budget airline in Russia with fares to Murmansk for under $200 .

While all icebreaker cruises leave from Murmansk, some Finnish companies depart from Helsinki, Finland. The flight from Helsinki to Murmansk is included in the cost of the cruise.

• $1,150 to $1,600 – Round trip from New York City (LGA) to Helsinki (HEL)
• $1,150 to $1,475 – Round trip from Chicago (ORD) to Helsinki (HEL)
• $1,290 to $1,740 – Round trip from Los Angeles LAX) to Helsinki (HEL)

Gear and Clothing

Depending on the travel package and company you choose, you may have to bring your own cold weather clothing and gear, or the company may provide you with everything you need, from long underwear to skis and poles.

Passports and Visas

A valid passport is required for all international travel. While it is not necessary for citizens of the United States to obtain a visa to enter Finland and Norway, a visa and other paperwork are required to enter Russia. Cost for a 30-day visa is $131

You can find flights to the North Pole through American, Norwegian, British, or Australian guide services, flying out of Longyearbyen, or Russian tour groups, flying from Moscow. All tours land on the blue ice runway at the Russian research base, Ice Station Borneo, located at 89°N.

North Pole in a Day

This tour is open to people of “any age and any health condition.” You fly from either Moscow or Longyearbyen to Ice Station Borneo. From there, you board a helicopter and fly about 40 minutes to the North Pole. You are allowed about two hours on the ground to take pictures, build a snowman, or “hug the terrestrial axis” – a pole that Russian tour operators install in the ice for that purpose. You then return to Borneo for lunch, champagne, and your return flight. Cost: $17,600 to $18,000

Overnight at Borneo

You fly to Ice Station Borneo and, weather permitting, you immediately board a helicopter and fly to the North Pole where you spend about two hours on the ground. You return to Borneo for a celebratory dinner, spend the night in heated tents (sleeping on bunks and mattresses), and then fly home the next morning. Cost: $18,500

Two Days at Borneo

You fly to Borneo, immediately take a helicopter to the Pole, spend 2 hours there, return to Borneo, and stay for two more days at the ice station. You will live in heated accommodation tents, sleep in bunks with mattresses, eat good food and socialize with other tourists and adventurers. Cost: $18,900 to $19,500

Overnight at the Pole

You fly to Borneo, spend the night, and then fly by helicopter to the North Pole. Once there, your guides will set up camp and everyone will help cook an evening meal on camp stoves. There will be champagne and hot drinks, along with warm sleeping bags, provided by the guide service. The next morning, a helicopter will return you to Borneo where you will have lunch, and then leave by plane for home. Cost: $23,300 to $24,000

Six-day Visit

This British-sponsored trip flies from London to Longyearbyen to Ice Station Borneo. You take a helicopter directly to the North Pole, stay an hour, and then return to Borneo where you relax at the Ice Station for four more days, socializing and sightseeing before returning by plane to London. Cost: $24,000

Over Land – Ski Trips

3-hour ski to the pole.

You fly to the Borneo Ice Station, have lunch and dinner in the dining tent, and sleep in heated “accommodation tents” (with bunk beds). The next day, you have a 35-minute helicopter flight to within 3-5 km of the Pole. Your group skis “slowly” for 3 hours to the North Pole where you set up camp and spend the night. The next day, a helicopter picks you up and returns you to Borneo for a champagne lunch, followed by your plane flight back to Longyearbyen. Cost: $24,750 to $26,800 .

2-day Ski to the Pole

Your first day is spent at the Borneo Ice Station, getting used to your equipment and skis. You will sleep in expedition tents, but will be close to Borneo where you can pop in for a hot cup of tea in the dining tent, if you’d like. The next day, a 30-minute helicopter flight takes you within 10-15 km of the North Pole. Your group will ski about 6-7 hours, set up camp, and sleep in tents on the ice. The next day, you’ll continue to ski, reaching the Pole by afternoon. You camp there overnight, make a satellite phone call to a loved one, build a snowman, etc. and you’re picked up the next day and flown, by helicopter, back to Borneo for a champagne dinner. You leave that evening by plane, for Longyearbyen. Cost: $27,250 .

40 to 50 km Ski to the Pole

(5 days/4 nights on the ice) – You fly to Borneo and then take a helicopter to within 40-50 km of the Pole. Each member of the group pulls a lightweight sled loaded with a small amount of supplies. This trip gives skiers a great North Pole adventure ski experience, but distances are much shorter and the pace is much easier than in longer, more serious expeditions. You will sleep each night in expedition tents, but your food is of a higher quality and your exposure to the cold during the day isn’t as intense. The entire trip has a rather lighthearted feel to it. You are guaranteed an overnight campout at the Pole, along with a satellite phone call and a group snowman construction. The next day, you fly by helicopter back to Borneo for champagne and a celebratory meal, followed by an evening flight to Longyearbyen. Cost: $28,560 .

Ski the Last Degree

(12 day trip; 9 days on the ice) – This trip is identical to the trip described above, except that you ski from the Borneo Ice Station (89°N) to the North Pole, a distance of 69 miles, over 7 to 8 days. You will haul heavier loads and the expedition requires better physical conditioning, skill, and stamina. All equipment, clothing, food, etc. is supplied by the tour company. Cost: $29,300 .

Ski Last Two Degrees

(23 day trip; 22 days on the ice) – Some tour companies call this their “North Pole Extreme” trip. You meet your guides and group in Longyearbyen, where you are outfitted with gear. Included in the price of your trip are tents, sledges, stoves, fuel, skis, boots, poles, backpack, major expedition clothing (windproof insulated coats, head and hand gear, pants, etc.), and much more. The expedition clothing and backpack will be yours to keep. Also included in the cost is the use of a satellite GPS, a 2-minute satellite phone call to a loved one, your professional guide, all food while in Antarctica, ski lessons, and many more services. Cost: $27,850 to $30,200 .

You fly to Ice Station Borneo where you board a helicopter and fly south to 88°N – approximately 138 miles from the Pole. Each member is harnessed to his or her own heavily-laden (85-110 lbs.) sled. Depending on the structure of the trip, you will spend anywhere from 8 to 20 days on the Arctic ice, living from the supplies you have brought along. You will have no outside support . Teamwork is essential to the success of this trip, and everyone helps out with cooking, route finding, and watching out for polar bears. You will experience complete isolation until you reach the North Pole. Once there, depending on weather and timing, you may camp overnight before a helicopter arrives to take you back to Borneo. After the 40-minute flight, there will be a champagne ceremony. You may spend the night at Borneo (hot meals and warm bunks) before flying back to Longyearbyen.

Unsupported Trips

(Unsupported) – Even for $15,500, you are very much on your own on this trip. The company will fly you from Moscow to Ice Station Borneo. You, however, are responsible for all your own supplies, sleds, fuel, food, stove, radio, etc. If you feel you need a guide, the company can supply one for an extra fee. Starting date should be between April 15 – 18, and the company allows you 5 to 7 days to ski to the Pole. They will eventually send a helicopter to fly you back to Borneo. While you’re on the ice, you must supply your own support group (doctor and radio operator who stay at the ice station). In fact, the company suggests that you bring along “a friend or girlfriend to control your movements along the route.” Cost: $15,500 .

Extreme Expeditions

For those who want to truly test themselves in the Arctic, one of the most extreme North Pole expeditions attempts to cross the Arctic Sea, from Siberia to Canada, on skis. You will have to find your own sponsors for this trip – no commercial company offers it. Cost: $25,000+ .

Short of that, there are expeditions originating in Canada (Ward Hunt) and Siberia (Cape Arktichevsky) that attempt to ski the 480+ miles to the North Pole. You are advised to start no later than the beginning of March. You can choose one of two styles for your attempt: “autonomous” (you haul everything with you on sledges) or “merciful” (you haul a limited amount of food, fuel, and supplies, and the rest is delivered by helicopters or parachuted from aircraft as needed). Either way is extreme and dangerous. Route-finding is a challenge, and the list of hazards, from terrain to polar bears, is intimidating, to say the least. Depending on the amount of support you require, this trip could cost at least $25,000 per person – much more if you require search and rescue – and you must purchase all gear, food, clothing, fuel, and supplies separately.

By Water and Ice – Nuclear Icebreaker Yamal

Powered by a 75,000 horsepower engine, the Russian icebreaker Yamal is the very latest in ice breaking technology. The ship leaves from Murmansk, Russia, and is the only icebreaker currently taking tourists to the North Pole.

• $23,000 to $39,000 depending on occupancy (standard, double, private) – These 16-day trips (mid-June to early August) leave from Murmansk and cross the Barents Sea, breaking into Arctic pack ice up to 5 meters thick. You’ll see polar bears, walrus, beluga whales, sea birds, and other wildlife, and helicopter tours are available from the ship. Once you get to the Pole, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a bit and then return via Franz Josef Land, an archipelago of 191 mostly unexplored islands.
• $23,000 to $39,000 depending on occupancy (standard, double, private) – This is the same trip as above, for the same price. However, this trip leaves from Helsinki, Finland. Round trip flights from Helsinki to Murmansk are included in the price.

Dogsled and Ski

• $37,500 – 12-day Last Degree Trip
• $44,500 – 17-day Last Two Degrees Trip

Both trips include either a 5-day dog sled training course in Minnesota in January, or a 3-day dog sled training course in Longyearbyen just prior to the expedition. The cost also includes guides, food, a satellite phone call home, and all group gear. You are responsible for your own cold-weather expedition clothing and gear: skis, boots, poles, sleeping bag, etc. Everyone helps drive the sleds, prepare food, set up camps, and care for the dogs. Once you arrive at the North Pole, the group celebrates with champagne, pictures, and an overnight campout. The next day, you’re picked up by helicopter, returned to Borneo Ice Station, and then flown back to Longyearbyen.

Ward Hunt to North Pole Trip

Billed as the “Everest of North Pole expeditions,” this trip is offered by NorthWinds, a company owned and operated by world-class polar guide and Baffin Islander Matty McNair and her two adult children, Sarah and Eric. The trip is priced at $350,000, to be divided equally among a maximum of four paying customers. You will leave from Iqaluit in March for a training trip, and then fly to Resolute and on to Ward Hunt (a small island just north of Ellesmere Island). From there, you will set off on the professionally-guided tour, mushing dog teams across 478 miles of windblown, shifting pack ice. You will ski 6 to 8 hours a day, and handling the dog teams and sleds will require enormous strength and stamina. You should allow 52 days to complete the entire expedition, including training and preparation time. Cost: $87,500

Novelty Trips

Skydive the north pole.

(3-6 day trip, depending on weather) – Clothing and gear are not included. There are almost no restrictions on skydiving at the North Pole. If you are experienced and have your own gear, you can jump solo. If you need a tandem dive, arrangements can be made, but give the company plenty of notice and be prepared to pay extra. If you go with the Russian company and your group is large enough to warrant a plane this size, you will fly 5 hours from Moscow in an Iluyshin-76, jump out over the Pole, spend a few hours there, and then a helicopter will fly you to the ice station. From there, you’ll take your plane back to Moscow. Cost: $14,750 (Moscow) to $25,800 (Norway)

Because the Borneo Ice Station is a Russian station, Russian guide companies take advantage of its blue ice runway and relatively “civilized” accommodations, offering a unique variety of North Pole experiences. North Pole Adventures, under the management of director Sergei Insarov, sponsors the following one-of-a-kind events.

• $14,750 per person – One Day Group Trip (10 to 40 people)

The price covers all expenses Moscow to Moscow, with a choice of intermediate points along with way: Murmansk, Archangelsk, Vorkuta, Norilsk, Khatanga, or the archipelagos. This is not your choice, though – the organizers choose the stop-off points, depending on weather and convenience factors.

You will be flown to the ice station and then, if all goes well, you will continue by helicopter to the North Pole. Your “guides” will use a GPS to locate the Pole, drive a stake (“terrestrial axis”) into the ice at that location, surround it with flags representing all participants of the current tour, and then photograph you “hugging” the axis. You will then be served vodka, champagne, sandwiches, vegetables, and fruit. They caution, “Everything but vodka freezes quickly, so toasts should be short.” After 2 to 4 hours, you return to the ice base, board your plane, and immediately leave for Moscow where you’ll have a banquet and be awarded a North Pole visitation certificate. However, NP Adventures mentions that delays at the ice station can occur for various reasons, in which case you will be accommodated in warm tents, and tea, coffee and hot food will be made available.

Hot Air Balloon Festival

Swedish engineer and explorer, Salomon Andrée’s ill-fated 1897 attempt to reach the North Pole in a hydrogen balloon was commemorated 100 years later, when the first North Pole Hot Air Balloon Festival was held. Every April since then, balloon teams gather at the Pole from all over the world. Sponsors are often sought for these flights – company logos are attached to balloons which are photographed flying over the Pole, anchored securely to the terrestrial axis. The fee covers your expenses from Moscow to Moscow, and ideally, this is a one day visit to the Pole, although you may have to wait at the ice base for good weather. Cost: $14,750 per person + $14,750 per balloon

North Pole Honeymoon Trip

For a truly unique honeymoon experience, this trip covers your Moscow to Moscow expenses and offers double-occupancy in a tent either at the North Pole or at the Borneo Ice Station for any length of time between April 10-25. “Food, drinks, and privacy” are included in the cost. If you’d like this experience but are not married or married before 2007, the cost is $29,500 (per couple) for a one week stay. Cost: $14,750 (per couple) for April 2008 newlyweds; $16,200 if married earlier in 2008; $26,500 if married in 2007.

Other Opportunities for $14,750

Ice Sculpture Festival – Cost covers all expenses Moscow to Moscow. You and other sculptors will stay 3 to7 days at the North Pole. Ice and snow blocks will be pre-cut for you, and you may choose the location for your sculpture. Accommodations are warm tents and dinners. At the end of the week, a new group of tourists arrives, and will photograph your sculpture “for posting on the Internet!” Returning from the North Pole, your plane will stop in the Russian town of Khatanga, where you are asked to participate in group ice sculpture projects for the local population.

Pilot the Pole

You and nine other passengers take turns at the controls of a Antonov-2 biplane for a 5-minute “around the world” flight, supervised by an NP Adventures co-pilot.

Booze at the Pole

North Pole Adventures calls this their Plus-minus 40 Degrees trip, “for those who can appreciate hard drinks not freezing even at minus 40 degrees Centigrade.” Your group will be flown from Moscow to the Borneo Ice Station and then on to the North Pole, where you will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drink as much vodka as you possibly can at the top of the world. Pickled cabbage and other vodka-appropriate snacks are served. Your “guides” will then help you back onto the helicopter for what may prove to be a truly nauseating 40-minute flight back to Borneo. Once there, you vomit copiously, board your plane, and return to Moscow, with a world-class hangover and a sheepish grin on your face.

All European Polar Weekend

Advertised for “Europeans and people all over the world,” this promises to be a highly social polar experience. You and 154 others leave in a big jet from Frankfurt, Germany. Passengers are then shuttled, by helicopters, to the Pole and back. Much vodka is served, many pictures are taken, and the terrestrial axis is enthusiastically hugged.

Fly for Free!

Yes, You Can Go to the North Pole

What's an intrepid adventure traveler to do when they've already visited all seven continents, climbed Kilimanjaro , hiked the Inca Trail , and sailed the Galapagos Islands ? Why, visit the North Pole of course!

Not many people realize that it is actually possible to make the journey to the very top of the world, but for those who are adventurous enough – and have plenty of cash – it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit a place that few other people ever get to see. It isn't easy of course, but the end result is an exciting adventure to one of the most remote places on the planet. A place that is quickly being altered by the effects of climate change. 

So how exactly does one get to the North Pole? Most visitors will actually sail there aboard ships specifically designed to cut through the crushing ice found in the Arctic Ocean. Others will go through a place called the Barneo Ice Camp , which is a temporary base built by a team of Russian engineers on a floating slab of ice each spring. Bareno is located just one or two degrees of latitude from the Pole, granting access to those who want to go. That camp includes a landing strip for aircraft and a small tent settlement where visitors stay while making their way to and from the Pole by helicopter. Both routes offer access to 90ºN, with various tour operators and guide services taking clients on epic adventures to a place seldom visited by man. 

Interested in making the journey yourself? Here are a few examples of trips that can take you there. 

North Pole Express - Polar Cruises (5 days)

Want to visit the top of the world in as short of a timespan as possible? Then this is the trip for you. Hosted by Polar Cruises, a company that specializes in polar travel, this five-day trip departs from Longyearbyen, Svalbard in Norway with a flight directly to the Barneo Ice Camp. Travelers spend the first night at the base located at approximately 89ºN before flying by helicopter to the Pole the following day. After making the trip to the top of the world, they'll later return to Barneo on day three, and back to Longyearbyen the following morning. Price:  ​$20,995

Expedition to the Top of the World - Poseidon Expeditions (13 days)

Arctic adventure travel company  Poseidon Expeditions  hosts several adventurous cruise to the North Pole each year. Those journeys begin and ends in the Russian port city of Murmansk. From there, travelers set sail aboard the  50 Years of Victory , the largest and most sophisticated commercial icebreaker ever built. Driven by two nuclear reactors, it is capable of slicing through ice 3 meters thick, while carrying 128 passengers safely across the frozen Arctic Ocean. They'll travel across the Berents Sea, stopping just short of the ultimate goal of the North Pole, where passengers disembark and make the rest of their way on foot. On the return trip, the ship even stops in Russia's remote and beautiful Franz Josef Land, before returning to Murmansk. Price: $29,995

Ski the Last Degree to the North Pole - Adventure Consultants (15-19 days)

Want to try something really adventurous? Why not travel to the North Pole on foot rather than by air or boat? A company called the Adventure Consultants offers Last Degree ski expedition to the North Pole, which takes a team of skiers across the frozen expanse of the Arctic Ocean. The journey covers approximately 60 miles (96 km) over a two week period starting at 89ºN and ending at the top of the world. This is a tough, demanding trip, but incredibly rewarding as well. Those who embark on this expedition don't just visit the Arctic, they actually live in it on their way to the top of the world. Price: $63,000

If skiing the last degree to the Pole still isn't adventurous enough for you, there is one last option to consider. Adventure Consultants also offers a trip called North Pole - All The Way , which is actually a 60 day journey that covers the full distance across the Arctic starting at Ward Hunt Island in Canada and ending at 90ºN. Travelers will then depart via helicopter to Barneo Ice Camp before heading home via Longyearbyen in Norway. This is one of the toughest, most adventurous trips on the planet, and not to be taken lightly. But, for those who do embark on it, legendary status awaits. Price: Contact the Adventure Consultants to find out. 

These are the most common ways to travel to the North Pole. There are other travel companies that can facilitate similar experiences, but these trips will give you a taste of what is available provided you have a spirit for adventure and a deep wallet.

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How to Get to the North Pole

Last Updated: March 13, 2024 Approved

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 24 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 328,929 times. Learn more...

Located in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, a visit to the North Pole will literally put you on top of the world. Whether you are visiting the geographic North Pole (i.e.the points at which all paths lead south, also know as "True North") or the magnetic North Pole (the point your compass points to), a trip there means a trip through a frozen wilderness. There are many options for trips to the pole during the spring months when the temperatures and darkness do not make it impossible, but the ice is still solid enough to walk on. This article provides an overview of the various possibilities you might consider for your arctic adventure.

Going by Air

• To fly from Norway, you should expect to pay between ten and twelve thousand dollars. Visit the Polar Explorers website, open the "expeditions" tab and pick "North Pole Flights." The information and forms you need to register for the trips are all located on this page.
• Chartering a flight from Canada can cost as much as ten times as much as trip from Norway. [2] X Research source For rates and booking, you'll need to contact Kenn Borek Air by phone, email, or fax. Contact information is available on their website. [3] X Research source
• Because of the harsh conditions at the North Pole, booking a trip there will require you certify that you are in good health, and also to purchase medical evacuation insurance.
• Other forms of insurance, such as trip-cancellation insurance are also recommended.
• If you just want to see the North Pole but don't feel strongly about actually standing on the spot, you can take a sight-seeing flight that will pass over the North Pole but will not actually stop there. This is a considerably cheaper option. [4] X Research source Flights are available from Berlin, Germany, and start from about $500 dollars. These flights can be booked through the Air Events website.

• Norwegian Airlines flies regularly to Longyearbyen from Oslo. You'll probably need to book two separate flights--one to Oslo from wherever you live, and then a second flight to Longyearbyen.
• You'll need to contact Kenn Borek Air to establish details as to where you'll fly out of. [6] X Research source

• Accommodations and meals at Barneo are provided as part of many North Pole visit packages.

• The helicopter ride is 20-40 minutes long, via an MI-8 helicopter that is stationed at Barneo.
• Polar Explorers will give you several opportunities to take pictures and typically provides a champagne toast to their North Pole travelers. However, because of the intensely cold temperatures at the pole, you'll only have about an hour to take it in before the helicopter takes you back to Barneo.
• Alternatively, you can ski in from Barneo, an adventure known as "skiing the last degree." Tour packages to do this with a trained guide will cost you roughtly $25,000. You can also go by snowmobile or dogsled.
• The Polar Explorers website has information about the itinerary and cost for each of these options, as well as the application forms you'll need to fill out. Visit the North Pole Expeditions page and select the option you are interested in.
• If you're an athlete, you also have the option to participate in marathon that departs from Barneo in April. This will cost you roughly $15,000 dollars, but includes a flight from Svalbard, Norway to Barneo (and back), as well as accommodations and a helicopter trip to the pole. Visit their website and fill out the online application to register for the race.

Going by Sea

• You should expect to spend a minimum of about $26,000 dollars for one of these cruises. Registering is easy: just visit the Adventure Life Website, select the "North Pole Ultimate Adventure" cruise, pick a departure date, and fill out the application. [10] X Research source
• Adventure life has options ranging from a simple room with a twin bed to several luxury suites. Prices for suites range from $40,000 to $45,000 for these luxury accommodations. [11] X Research source

• This flight is included in the travel package. [14] X Research source

• Expect to spend between five and eight days on board the ship as it travels through the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole.
• The 50 Years of Victory (the ship that sails to the North Pole) has a variety of amenities to keep you busy during the voyage, including a swimming pool and a bar. [15] X Research source

Going Overland

• There are several organized races to the North Pole, including the Polar Challenge and the North Pole Race, which take you 300 miles (480 km) over the ice to the magnetic north pole. [16] X Research source Starting in 2016, the Ice Race will provide a similarly grueling overland trip.
• Expect to spend roughly $35,000 dollars to participate in one of these expeditions. The cost includes training, flights, equipment, food, and insurance.
• Because these races are only open to a relatively small number of people, you'll have to contact the organizers for more information about registration, cost, etc. The Ice Race has an online form you can fill out, or you can email the organizer.
• Note that these races take you to the magnetic North Pole (the point the compass points to), rather than the geographical "True North" North Pole.
• Private guides can also be hired for an even longer trip from Russia or Canada. This 500 mile trek is known as a "full distance" North Pole expedition. [17] X Research source These expeditions typically depart in February. [18] X Research source
• The full distance trip is by far the most extreme and costly option, and is only open to those with the funds and experience to make the trek. You'll need to contact the company providing guides for pricing. [19] X Research source
• Adventure Consultants, one company that offers guides for full distance journeys, has a booking form on their website that you can fill out if you are serious about one of these trips. [20] X Research source After you fill it out, they'll contact you to let you know whether you are eligible and if they can accommodate your adventure.
• To even consider one of these overland trips, you should be in excellent health and must be able to certify that this is the case. Additionally, some guides for full distance trips require climbing experience and in some cases even prior experience with an ice axe and crampons. [21] X Research source

• Organized races typically start from Resolute Bay in the northern Canadian region of Nunavut. [22] X Research source Regularly scheduled flights from major Canadian cities such as Ottawa and Montreal are available through the First Air, Calm Air, and Canadian North airlines.
• Full distance trips typically leave from Cape Arktichevsky, Russia, or Ward Hunt Island, Canada. To reach either of these locations, you normally have to charter a private flight, which can be extremely costly. [23] X Research source If you take one of these trips through Adventure Consultants, however, they will organize a flight to Ward Hunt Island from Resolute Bay. [24] X Research source

• This journey is treacherous, and will require you to navigate over pressure ridges, search for routes around areas where the ice has melted, and camp on pans of ice. [25] X Research source
• At night, you'll take part in cooking dinner, and set up camp by building snow walls to block the wind. Temperatures can be as low as -40 degrees.
• If you are going with one of the race groups, expect to spend about four weeks on the ice.
• If you are going on a full distance trip, you should expect to spend roughly 60 days. [26] X Research source
• Some of the races and some private guides also have options for shorter trips that begin closer to the pole and only take about two weeks. [27] X Research source If you can't commit to a month or more on the ice, it may be worth considering one of these options.
• Upon reaching the pole, you'll either camp there for the night, or be picked up by a helicopter and taken to Barneo ice station to spend the night, depending on conditions.The next day, you'll enjoy a hot meal at Barneo before flying back to civilization.

Community Q&A

• The North Pole is very, very cold. If you aren't going on a trip that provides outerwear, bring all your warmest clothes: heavy coats, earmuffs, boots, warm pants, gloves, a hat and a scarf. If you don't already have garments designed for extreme cold, you will need to invest in some. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Specifically, the companies the take groups to the North Pole overland provide fleece clothing with windproof shells, as well as warm mittens, hats, and a facemask. If garments aren't provided for your journey, you will want to invest in similar cold-weather clothing. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you are not experienced with traveling in arctic conditions, consider one of the less challenging options for your visit to the pole. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Temperatures in the arctic are cold enough to kill you quickly if you aren't prepared to deal with them. Other hazards like polar bear attacks are also a real danger. If you are not prepared to deal with these risks, stay away from any of the overland options. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://thenextchallenge.org/how-to-north-pole/
• ↑ https://borekair.com/contact/
• ↑ https://borekair.com/about-us/
• ↑ http://www.gonomad.com/2923-visit-the-north-pole-aboard-a-russian-icebreaker
• ↑ http://www.adventure-life.com/cruises/ships/50-years-of-victory-160/north-pole-ultimate-arctic-adventure-2733
• ↑ http://www.adventure-life.com/forms/book-now?type=cruise&pos=calbook&ti=2733&travel_dates=2017-07-9
• ↑ http://www.adventureconsultants.com/adventure/north_pole_all_the_way_dates_prices/#expedition
• ↑ http://www.adventureconsultants.com/adventure/book-now/
• ↑ http://www.adventureconsultants.com/adventure/north_pole_all_the_way_faq/#expedition
• ↑ http://www.adventureconsultants.com/adventure/north_pole_all_the_way_itinerary/#expedition
• ↑ http://www.adventureconsultants.com/adventure/NorthPoleAlltheWay/#expedition
• ↑ http://www.adventureconsultants.com/adventure/NorthPoleLastDegree/

About This Article

To get to the North Pole quickly, book a flight with Norwegian Airlines from your location to Oslo, Norway and then another flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen. From Longyearbyen, you can charter a flight to Barneo, an ice station about 60 miles from the North Pole. Once there, you can charter a helicopter to make the 20-40 minute flight to the North Pole. When you finally reach the North Pole, you can take pictures and explore the area for about an hour before the helicopter takes you back to Barneo! For more tips, including how to reach the North Pole by land or sea, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Expert Review: Going to the North Pole

Hear from Adventure Specialist Taylor Cranney about what it’s really like at the North Pole in this review of her trip. See her impressions from 16 days at sea and who might be cut out for an expedition of this caliber.

ON THIS PAGE – North Pole Trip Review : North Pole or Bust From Open Water to Ice Breaking Reaching the North Pole What We Did at the North Pole Polar Bears Life on Board & At Sea Who Is this Trip for? What It’s Like – Reflecting on the Feeling

The eager anticipation of an approaching trip like the North Pole is really when the electric excitement of the expedition begins. This is one of those trips that often instills disbelief when you tell people where you are traveling to. Once you’ve convinced your friends and family that you’re not joshing, there are often many questions that follow, like “what do you do there?” and “what wildlife do you see?” All valid questions indeed. Below are my observations and experiences, which might help a curious traveler get a better understanding of what this trip entails, who this expedition is best for, and all the other magnificent details of what a trip to one of planet Earth’s most remote locations is like.

My chariot for this voyage was the acclaimed Le Commandant Charcot . At the time of writing this, this brand-new vessel is the only purpose-built expedition cruise ship that has been constructed with an ice class rating (PC2) that can reach the North Pole. This ship was spared no expense in sustainability practices, state of the art technology, luxury amenities and the ability to reach almost any ice-laden destination the Captain can dream up. I recommend reading more about this acclaimed vessel because it really sets the stage for the elevated experience of traveling aboard her for 16 days to and from the North Pole.

In addition to all the specs and general info you’ll find on our Charcot ship page , my colleague Lauren Pilholski has written a thorough Le Commandant Charcot ship review from our time aboard, providing further details on the ship as we experienced it together.

North Pole or Bust

Once we embarked in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, our primary objective was to get to the North Pole. Thus, we barely made any stops for excursions until we got there. All expeditions to the North Pole will spend some time cruising in open water until they reach the ice edge. For us, in late August, it took about one day of cruising to reach the ice edge. But this detail could change depending on the time of year you go, and what the ice conditions are for that year.

From Open Water to Ice Breaking

As we approached the ice edge, it was our first big milestone of the trip. Most everyone was out on deck, or by a big picture window to view our entrance into the land of ice. We watched our open water turn to sporadic dinner-plate-sized bits of ice, to satellite-dish-sized sheets and eventually into a seemingly endless horizon of ice.

Because we were traveling on a state-of-the-art PC2 ice breaker, this was where this vessel shined most. As we punched through ice sheets with regularity, you could feel its rumble all the way through the ship. The Captain said the vessel could safely travel 13-14 knots in conditions like this. However, he would keep our speed closer to 6-7 knots for the comfort of the guests. The faster you go, the more pronounced those rumbles are. While at dinner, it would sometimes rumble our table and glasses—reminding me of Jurassic Park when the T-rex is coming.

We watched our open water turn to sporadic dinner-plate-sized bits of ice, to satellite-dish-sized sheets & eventually into a seemingly endless horizon of ice.

It took us three more days of pushing through ice to finally reach the North Pole. One thing that surprised me about the ice is that it didn’t just stay as one thick layer once we passed a certain point. The ice characteristics changed often as we cruised: thicker vs. thinner, fragmented vs. solid, sometimes with small ridges vs. sometimes completely flat.

A navigational tool that the Captain used to travel more quickly through the ice was to chase “leads.” Leads were large fractures of open water found in between dynamically moving ice sheets. By connecting these leads, we could move faster, more efficiently and with less ice-clapping-thunder than if we broke through ice sheets constantly. The Captain had an advanced system of pooling data from many resources to best predict where these leads would be in order to follow the most effective path.

One thing some travelers don’t realize who have never been to the North Pole is that there is no land mass associated with it. The North Pole sits in the middle of the Arctic Ocean and the water underneath it reaches a depth of 13,123 feet (4,000 meters). The nearest land mass to it is a small island off the North shore of Greenland and is about 440 miles away. This means reaching the North Pole can only be done by ice-breaking vessel, and once you are there your off-ship excursions are solely done on sea ice.

If you have ever been to Antarctica, you might notice the ice in the Arctic to be very different here. The landscape is void of the big, towering tabular icebergs that have calved off of glaciers attached to land. Instead, the only ice around is relatively flat, frozen sea water, which floats on the surface of the ocean. Oftentimes these large swaths of flat ice will be covered with snow as well. Another feature of this Arctic sea ice are its “hummocks,” which are ridges that have been created by ice sheets pushing together.

These ridges give the otherwise flat terrain some personality and slight undulations. It is among these ridges where wildlife might take refuge from wind or weather—or perhaps attempt to hide from other wildlife.

Reaching the North Pole

We had been prepared earlier in the day that we would reach the North Pole by the evening. As the updates became more frequent and we knew we were getting close, there was a buzz of excitement around the ship. I found myself in the bridge, watching the Captain at work and making ever-quickening announcements as we grew closer. Eventually he asked everyone except for necessary personnel to leave the bridge and head down to the Heli Deck so he could concentrate.

The Captain announced each degree, minute and second once we got within proximity of the North Pole.

The Captain announced each degree, minute and second once we got within proximity of the North Pole. The Captain’s goal was to hit exactly 90.0000° N on his GPS reader. With the PA on, you could hear that we missed it and had to readjust course. This happened a couple of times before finally we caught the excitable ‘Oh? Oh!!!’. Which was accompanied by the sounds of slapping high fives and hoorahs.

Many of the crew had preemptively positioned themselves on the Heli deck with a flag parade, flare guns and road flares, which were lit immediately upon the Captain’s confirmation we reached the North pole. Orchestral music began to play, and at one point, the bay doors to the helicopter storage area opened, and up rose a table with Champagne buffet for all. There was even a guest who came out dressed as Santa Claus (which was a surprise to the crew as well). So naturally everyone wanted a picture with Santa. They even had the onboard opera singer come out and give an evocative performance from deck 7. The Captain said a few nice words and then sabered a bottle of champagne. The celebration continued on after dinner, with the Ponant Parka Party on the outdoor INNEQ Bar deck. This was the first time we had really utilized this outdoor space as part of the voyage. We had midnight sun, some lively music and danced the night away.

What We Did at the North Pole

The next morning, day 6 of the expedition, we awoke to announcements confirming our first off-boat excursion of the voyage, an exploration on the ice of the North Pole. We had incredible weather, at around 48 degrees Fahrenheit, intermittent sun and no wind. The plan was to have a morning outing. They would close the gangway for lunch, and when they reopened it in the afternoon, that is when we would do the polar plunge.

When we went out on the ice in the morning, they had a handful of stations we could visit as we explored freely. Naturally, we first walked to the “North Pole Post Office” to drop off our postcards so Santa could deliver them. Next we walked to a science station that housed the lovingly named “the baby,” which was an autonomous snow buoy our crew drilled into the ice to measure snow and atmosphere data as it drifts in the sea ice. You can track the buoy we placed here .

After stopping mid snowfield and getting a couple of shots with the AdventureSmith flag, we walked over to the floatboat.org installment and added our two wooden boats to the art piece, which was shaped like a heart with a 90-degree symbol in the middle (our boat numbers are #5148 and #5128). These boats are made in Seattle, and for our voyage were drawn on by Norwegian children and then given to our vessel to deploy at the North Pole. The boats will drift with the sea ice and eventually melt and float in the ocean with the ocean current. The idea is that the boat will eventually land on a beach somewhere and get picked up. Hopefully the person who finds it visits the website and logs their find, so the route of the boat can be tracked and viewed later.

After this stop, we had time for a few key photo opportunities like the North Pole sign, the signpost with distances to the nearest town, and of course some goofing-off jump photos with new friends.

There was also the opportunity to recreate this famous shot in front of Jean-Baptiste Charcot’s vessel Français , for its first Antarctic expedition. In this photo, Charcot and one of his crew are depicted enjoying a glass of Mumm Champagne in Antarctica on Bastille Day 1904.

Shortly after this, the crew gathered us to create our aerial 90-degree N sign. After that, we had just enough time to visit the inflatable furniture “Champagne room” and grab a glass of celebratory Champagne before they closed the gangway for lunch on board. After eating a quick lunch, we were eager to get back out there for more.

This time we walked up to the bow to admire this noble ship from a new perspective. A polar bear guard was stationed there with an original Norwegian ice-thickness-testing stick. The guard explained that you would use it to poke and probe the ice until you found a hole with water. Once you puncture it into the water, you taste it to see if it is salty or fresh. If it is fresh, it is just a melt pond. If it is salty, it is getting filled with sea water and it is time to move away!

There were spectators lined up on both sides of the aisleway to cheer us on.

Moving quickly throughout our day we were up next for the polar plunge, which was being done from the ice and not from the side of the ship. The crew had set up a big inflatable tent shelter, which was chock full of fresh towels, mats on the ground and a liquor bar for a “bravery” shot. There were spectators lined up on both sides of the aisleway to cheer us on. An expedition guide attached a waistband and long rope and encouraged everyone to cheer me on by name as I went for my icy plunge. I actually enjoyed this plunge way more than the one I did on my Antarctica cruise because I had to walk outside to approach it. This meant putting on my gumboots, robe, parka, the whole shebang. It was just more of a process which added the excitement. Because our weather was sunny and calm too, I felt so warm after my plunge that I only wore my bathrobe for a while and just topped it with my parka to keep exploring.

After this, there was more free time given to roam the perimeter of the boundary, take more photos and just absorb the reality of being at the North Pole!

Surprise Trip Highlight: Polar Bears

After sailing aboard, I believe that traveling aboard Le Commandant Charcot is absolutely the best way to see polar bears in a marine environment. This vessel can get into corners of the icy Earth that no other cruise ship can. By being in these more remote and harder-to-reach areas, you have an optimal opportunity to view wildlife in their rugged habitat.

In addition to its ability to go deeper, this ship can also maneuver like an elite ballerina. Dancing with wind, open water leads, ice conditions and wildlife sightings so whimsical you’d think you had front-row tickets to Swan Lake.

On one particular bear viewing occasion, we had witnessed a female bear that was curious and came close to the ship. Most of the passengers were out on one of the many decks to view the bear and had taken their photos and gone inside when the bear lost interest and started to scamper off to the other side of the ice sheet. Instead of going inside with the rest, I decided to enjoy the setting from the comfort of one of the Charcot’s heated benches. As I sat there peacefully observing the bear from a distance, I realize the ship was moving completely sideways. No forward movement at all. Just pressing gently against broken ice sheets as we moved laterally towards the bear. This is an impressive feat for any vessel, and requires specific equipment to achieve it. It seemed the Captain had turned the azipods sideways, as well as a port side bow thruster to give us precision lateral movement.

The polar bear eventually noticed the ship from a distance and got curious again. The same bear came back up to the ship, even closer this time, but only about 20 of us were on deck to witness it. The captain did not announce it again because it was the same bear we had already seen. It was a special moment.

The same bear came back up to the ship, even closer this time, but only about 20 of us were on deck to witness it.

My colleague Lauren had been eating lunch at this time in the Nuna restaurant and had a surprise when she looked outside during her meal and saw the polar bear so close! This just goes to show there really is no bad place to watch the wildlife show. Polar bears were certainly the wildlife focus of our voyage. But there were opportunities to see other interesting Arctic wildlife as well. I saw an Arctic fox, reindeer, fin whales, ivory gull, Arctic terns and puffins. Some guests on my voyage saw other kinds of whales, seals and dolphins (though I did not).

Life on Board & At Sea

With so many days at sea on this itinerary, there is certainly no shortage of onboard programming. They made a concerted effort to fill every inch of our time with engaging events. At the beginning of the voyage there were many briefings to introduce us to the crew, activity orientations (like kayaking, polar hiking and polar plunge), science programming, etc. For the rest of the trip, we could choose our own schedule of programming pertaining to our preferred language and interests.

For the left-brain thinkers on board there was regular programming of the intellectual kind. Offerings in this category include lectures and documentaries pertaining to the science, wildlife and history of the Arctic. You could even sign up for a guided laboratory visit if you were so inclined. For more of the right brain thinkers, there were arts & crafts workshops on things like knot tying, origami bookmarks, create your own mandala, etc. We even had two renown photos ambassadors on board with us that would give lectures and workshops on topics like composition, histograms, shutter speed and aperture.

For those who revel in entertainment, there were daily events and offerings. Like clockwork each day would be live musical performances from one of the five musicians on board: saxophone, piano, violin, guitar, soprano singer. These performances would usually be during teatime in either bar on board, while they offered themed amuse-bouche to seated onlookers. There was also collection of performances offered in our nightly programing. This included things like piano recitals, jazz and opera performances, dance performances and sometimes a combination of multiple talents.

My colleague Lauren wrote a Le Commandant Charcot review , and went into more detail there about what it’s like aboard, including the incredible culinary experience. You can also find many more details on our Le Commandant Charcot ship page. Life on board is a BIG part of this itinerary because there are a lot of days just at sea, or on the ice, where you are not doing off-ship excursions. I think it’s important for anyone reading a review on this trip to understand, and to see what you might be doing with that idle time.

Who Is this Trip for?

I believe this trip to be best suited for the seasoned traveler who has interest in traveling to polar regions and has likely knocked off a few other bucket list items (Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia, Svalbard, Greenland, etc). You definitely need to be armed for the cold; while we were on the ice, it ranged from 14 degrees Fahrenheit to the high-40s on my trip.

What really impressed me about this expedition is that you enter a melting pot of incredibly interesting people with unique travel experiences. This comes with much opportunity to hear their stories and backgrounds, and to hear about their various professions or worldly pursuits. A natural element to traveling to the North Pole is that you spend a fair amount of time on the ship. But when you can fill your time having quality conversations with some of the most interesting people on the planet, it surely helps pass the time.

This expedition requires some flexibility from its travelers, who do not require a rigid & already defined itinerary.

This expedition also requires some flexibility from its travelers, who do not require a rigid and already defined itinerary. But instead, are inspired by the idea of being on an exploratory ship, which can reach areas in the ocean that are unreachable by most other ships, certainly by other passenger cruise ships. By the nature of this trip, with the uncertainty of ice conditions, weather and wildlife viewing stops… there is no home office, captain or crew member that can tell exactly what you will be doing and when. Instead, they ask for your trust in knowing their primary goal is provide a memorable experience for you. By accepting this you become a part of the process, the mechanism, the agency of your own adventure.

An example of this on my trip were expected activity options that changed course. But with that also came the unexpected: remote hikes scouted by the ship’s helicopters deep in Scoresby Sund Greenland. I liked Scoresby Sund because it felt wild! Greenland is a place I would love to spend more time exploring via our Arctic cruises that sail there on more dedicated routes.

It is also important for a prospective North Pole traveler to know there will be a fair amount of sea days, as compared to many other expedition-based itineraries. This means fewer off-ship excursions overall. But what you gain in its place is a sense of true adventure, and answering any looming internal questions about what it feels like to be at the North Pole. These extended days on ship are a good reminder to choose your ship wisely. For me, I was very happy to be on Le Commandant Charcot , which is a travel experience in and of itself. It’s the very first Polar Class 2 ice breaker that was purpose-built as a cruise ship. What that means is long gone are the days when you had to travel on a sparse, repurposed Russian research vessel. Now you can book passage on this luxury vessel to bring you to the intersection of the Earth’s axis and the Earth’s surface.

Think of it in terms of traveling on an old school bus vs a Rolls Royce limousine, or traveling with your 5 th grade science camp vs with a French monarch. The ship is remarkable and is everything it boasts to be (read more in our Charcot ship review ). There is undoubtedly no better way to reach the North Pole.

What Is It Like? Experience It, Then Tell Your Story

This trip is a truly extraordinary opportunity to achieve a bucket list travel goal. The sheer feeling of reaching the ice edge, and cruising through sea ice for multiple days on end carries an air of excitement and wonder. By achieving the goal of reaching the North Pole, you are automatically part of an elite club that is the vast minority of the human population. Only a select few of us get this opportunity in our lifetime. You can expect to have ample opportunities to entertain your friends back at home with stories of your trip, and answer all those mysterious questions about wildlife, weather, the how and when. Generations of your family will likely continue to tell your tales.

But mostly what it’s like is a feeling. Go to the North Pole and you will see “what is it like?” is a question that only those who have been can truly answer. It’s an emotion and achievement that will stay with you for your lifetime.

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“I also appreciate all the "extra" touches you used to make us much more entertained, comfortable and happy; especially the golf, dogsledding, skiing, treats, cheeses, and of course the wine and Grand Khaan vodka. The stories are fun to tell and it was all made so much better due to your wonderful organization and cheerful leadership. I had the best time....ever!” 

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Yes, it's possible to travel to the North Pole!  We've been guiding flights to the North Pole for nearly 30 years and it's one of our most popular North Pole tours. This polar expedition begins in the bustling Arctic village of Longyearbyen, Norway, which is accessible via Oslo by commercial air. From Longyearbyen we'll fly to the Barneo Icecamp, a drifting basecamp that will act as our home away from home while we are on the ice. "Camp Barneo" is one of the most unique basecamps in the world and the ideal base for this North Pole trip. After an orientation at Barneo we'll fly by helicopter to 90 degrees North - the Geographic North Pole. This 20-45 minute flight over the pack ice offers a glimpse into an environment that is rapidly changing. Ice extends as far as you can see in any direction. Pressure ridges and open water leads crisscross the frozen seascape. Upon landing at the North Pole you'll be able to explore the immediate area, take photos, meditate, celebrate, call home and bear witness to this remarkable place where the world literally comes together. It's beautiful and extreme, yet fragile and demanding of our respect and care. After spending time at the North Pole we'll return to the Barneo Basecamp for a night under the midnight sun in the comfort of heated tents. Then it's back to Longyearbyen, Norway where civilization awaits along with opportunities to explore this Arctic paradise. 

Dates & Rates

2024 Dates: 

Tentatively April 14 -17 , 2024

2024 Price: TBD

2023 pricing €25,500 per person

Inclusions:

Pre-expedition assistance with all your Long yearbyen bookings (accommodations, special activities, etc.)

Pick up at the Longyearbyen airport and transfer to hotel

Accommodations and meals at the Barneo Basecamp

Use of our Satellite phone to call make a call from the North Pole

Custom North Pole certificate and award

"Ready-to-give" North Pole Powerpoint presentation for your personal use. 

A 25% deposit will hold your space. Payment in full is due by December 1, 2021. Must arrive in Longyearbyen at least one full day prior to the first expedition activities.

Pre Expedition: Arrive in Longyearbyen.

The morning is yours to explore Longyearbyen or participate in a guided snowmobile or dogsled tour (ask us for recommendations). In the afternoon we'll check your gear if we haven't already so you have time to visit stores for anylast minute necessities.  A pre-flight briefing is scheduled for the early evening. 

Weather permitting, you'll fly to 89 degrees North and touchdown at the Barneo Ice Camp. You'll be invited into the heated tents and welcomed to Barneo. This is one of the most unusual basecamps in the world and its precise location various with the drifting ice. Your trip to the North Pole will take place via MI-8 helicopter that is stationed at Barneo. The 20-40 minute flight will land you as close as possible to the geographic North Pole, where all time zones converge and every direction is south. A  celebration will ensue, including champagne toasts, photographs to document your arrival and a call home from the top of the world. The duration of our visit is largely determined by weather conditions and will likely last between 45 minutes to 2 hours.

Read the full itinerary here.

Qualifications

Our North Pole Flights are for people who want to experience the North Pole, but don't have the time, energy or funding to do a full expedition.

People on our flights have ranged in age from 1 to 81 years! This North Pole tour requires that you can climb several stairs into and out of the plane as well as being able to walk across the uneven terrain of the pack ice. We can assist you as necessary.

Please  contact us  with further questions!

Upon registration, you will receive a comprehensive gear guide that explains the importance of each item as well as gear recommendations from our past participants. Please contact us for more information about your personal gear and group gear for this expedition.

Several items on our equipment checklist are available from our store. 

North Pole Flight Video

More pictures.

RElated Blog Posts

• Oct 11, 2022

All Expeditions Share These Three Phases - Expeditionary Phase

• Sep 28, 2022

All Expeditions Share These Three Phases - Preparatory Phase

• Sep 13, 2022

Being Recognized By Heads Of State

• Sep 9, 2022

Ask The Expert - How Your Expedition Can Make A Difference

• Sep 1, 2022

Briefing For Entry Into A More Harsh Environment by Morgan Hite

• Jul 20, 2022

Staying Comfortable In Extreme Conditions

Additional Videos

North Pole Last Degree Ski Details

North Pole Dogsledding with PolarExplorers

The Beauty of the North Pole.mp4

North Pole Flight - Everything You Need To Know

2018 Top of the World!

Skiing to the North Pole. Think you could handle the full North Pole ski expedition?

PolarExplorers North Pole Last Degree Ski Expedition Movie

Polar Explorers - North Pole Dog Sled Expedition 1993

Third Pole’s View on the North Pole – India’s Arctic Policy

• Asia Pacific
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and Security
• Other Regions
• 12 April 2022

Kanagavalli Suryanarayanan

The Arctic Policy of India, titled ‘India’s Arctic Policy: Building a Partnership for Sustainable Development’, has been published recently by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, and has drawn considerable global attention. India’s draft policy was open to public comments from December 2020 to January 2021. After receiving inputs from academia, scientists, strategic think tanks and the general public, India’s Arctic policy was released on 17 March 2022.

India’s Arctic Policy is released at a time of uncertainty when Russia still holds the chairmanship of the Arctic Council, but the seven other Arctic states, through a Joint statement [1] ,  have pressed the ‘pause button’ on the activities of the Arctic Council due to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. India has not sided with any of the major blocs, staying neutral since the Cold war period, and continues to adopt a similar position now. It is unclear if the timing of the release of the policy can be seen as a signal to maintain global peace and to continue cooperation in the Arctic region, or it may just be a coincidence, as the policy had been under preparation for some time.

India’s motivation for an Arctic policy is based on its need to focus on and strengthen its longstanding engagement in the Arctic region through its scientific research, but also to adopt a multi-dimensional and holistic approach beyond its research engagements in the region. Also, the other Asian observer states, such as China, Japan and South Korea, have already released Arctic policies or strategies; India, by releasing its Arctic policy, intends to demonstrate clearly its own interests and commitments towards the region.

India’s Arctic Policy

India’s Arctic Policy document refers to its historical and contemporary engagement in the Arctic region. Although India’s Arctic engagement began a century ago with the signing of the Svalbard Treaty in 1920 [2] , its more regular engagement with the region began in 2007, with the launching of its first scientific expedition in the Arctic.

India has shown a continuous commitment since then, with the establishment of a permanent International Arctic research base ‘Himadri’ at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, in 2008; deploying a multi-sensor moored observatory ‘IndArc’ in Kongsfjorden in 2014; and setting up its northernmost Atmospheric laboratory in Gruvebadet in 2016. India has also conducted 13 expeditions in the Arctic and currently has 23 ongoing key scientific projects. India is a member of the International Arctic Science Committee, Ny-Ålesund Science Managers Committee, University of Arctic, and Asian Forum of Polar Sciences, and plays an important role in the Arctic scientific community. India’s ties to the Arctic further deepened when it became an observer state in the Arctic Council at the Arctic Council meeting held at Kiruna in 2013 and renewed its status in 2019 in Rovaniemi.

The initial draft policy was structured on 5 pillars: Science and Research, Economic and Human Development, Transportation and Connectivity, Governance and International Cooperation, and National Capacity Building. An important additional pillar of ‘Climate Change and Environmental Protection’ is added, making it a total of 6 pillars on which the Indian Arctic Policy rests, showing its commitment to strengthening international efforts on combating climate change and protection, and harmonising polar research between the two poles and the Himalayan region.

Scientific Research, Space Science and Climate Change

India is home to a major part of the Himalayas, which, at times, is referred to as the Third Pole. The drastic melting of the glaciers, flooding of the plains, severe monsoon effects, and inundation of coastal cities due to climate change are serious concerns in India. India, in the policy document, speaks clearly about the impact of climate change on its economy and its effect on the yield of summer crops such as rice, pulses, and soybeans which contributes to almost 50% of India’s food output, which is totally dependent on the monsoon cycle and the glacial waters that feed its river system. India, with a population of 1.3 billion, cannot afford to risk its food security, water security, and economic security.

The Arctic Policy emphasises the need to study the linkages between the glaciers in the Arctic and Himalayas, citing the IPCC’s Special Report on Ocean and Cryosphere (2019). The National Center for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) is the nodal body that functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, which conducts research activities and various scientific expeditions in both the poles and also in the Himalayas. India sees itself as a ‘Tripolar state’, with its presence in both the poles through its research facilities, and in the Himalayas, through which it is able to contribute efficiently in the area of scientific and environmental research, especially in the area of climate change by harmonising the research conducted in the Polar Regions and the Himalayas.

India is also interested in working with the various working groups of the Arctic Council to contribute towards the conservation of Arctic flora and fauna, marine environmental protection, addressing environmental emergencies, search and rescue efforts, and more. The Policy focuses on further strengthening India’s scientific research through cooperation with Arctic states and other partners. To increase its capacity, India is planning to set up dedicated institutional funding support for Arctic research at the national level.

India has undertaken 13 expeditions to the Arctic and 41 expeditions to the Antarctic; yet, it has been chartering Polar Research Vehicles to conduct its research. In October 2014, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the acquisition of an icebreaker vessel [3] , but due to escalated cost and changes in design and technical specifications, it did not go ahead. India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on ‘Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change’ 2021-2022 has requested the allocation of funds towards the acquisition of Polar Research Vehicles [4] . India’s Arctic Policy document also stresses the urgent need to acquire ice-class Polar Research Vessels and to strengthen India’s domestic capability to build such vessels through the initiatives of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self Reliant India) and ‘Make in India’ – not least to bring India in line with other Asian observer states such as China and Japan.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is known for its cost-effective launching of satellites, and India is keen on sharing its expertise in ‘providing effective satellite-enabled communication and digital connectivity in remote areas in the Arctic’. India has launched a geostationary communication and meteorological satellite named South Asia Satellite (formerly known as SAARC Satellite) to support regional cooperation and to benefit its neighbouring states by providing support in areas such as telecommunication, meteorological forecasting and disaster management support, and India also supports the IMO through its regional navigation satellite system. The policy also discusses the US-India NASA-ISRO collaborative mission NISAR which will be launching a satellite to study earth-changing ecosystems, ice mass, sea-level rise due to climate change, and more, intended for ‘better management of the natural resources and hazards globally, including the Arctic’.

Although India’s focus till now was primarily on scientific research and climate change, the new Arctic policy has increased India’s engagement towards other areas such as its economic and strategic interest, international cooperation, and capacity building. India has tried to balance its energy needs, climate change and geopolitics through its Arctic policy.

Economic Cooperation and Human Development

A nation with more than a sixth of the global population needs to balance its energy needs as well as its environmental concerns. India is the third largest energy consumer in the world. However, as per its commitment at COP26, it is trying to reduce its dependence on coal. This can only be achieved by moving towards other renewable resources in the long term, and oil and gas in the short to medium term. India’s Arctic Policy acknowledges the fact that ‘The Arctic region constitutes the largest unexplored prospective area of hydrocarbons remaining on Earth. The region also contains large reserves of mineral deposits’. India’s Policy commits to collaborating with Arctic states, and respecting the rights of the indigenous communities, while engaging in living and non-living explorations in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

India’s Policy also focuses on partnering with Arctic nations in generating green energy, utilising capacities and creating more green and clean business. India and Denmark have entered into a green strategic partnership with cooperation in the areas of green technology, renewable energy, pollution control, waste management, and more. [5] There are currently not many investments in the Arctic region by private players from India. However, the Arctic policy encourages Indian companies to seek membership of the Arctic Economic Council and engage with the 5 working groups: responsible resource development; maritime transportation; connectivity; investment and infrastructure; and blue economy. India plans to develop a responsible strategy in creating alliances with Arctic states in sustainable resource extraction, keeping in mind its global commitments, the serious environmental implication, and the concerns of the indigenous community.

India shows interest in collaborating with the Arctic states in building low-cost digital networks in the area of education, food supply and health care, collaborating with indigenous communities in both the Arctic and Himalayan region in facilitating their exchange in traditional knowledge. India is home to many time-tested traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Yunani, and also provides telemedicine support to remote areas. There is abundant scope for improving interactions and exchange of knowledge between the indigenous communities.

Geopolitics

Russia’s coastline accounts for 53% of the Arctic Ocean coastline, and the country’s population in the region totals roughly 2 million people – that is, half of the population living in the Arctic region. Unlike Europe, India’s dependency on Russian crude oil is less than 1%. India’s oil imports are primarily from Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and it is also planning to increase its imports from the US from 7.3% to 11%. At the same time, it is keen on diversifying its imports. Russia, which India views as a strategic partner, is seen as a natural choice when it comes to increasing crude oil and LNG imports.

Following the visit of the Russian President to India in December 2021, in a joint statement, ‘Both the parties reaffirmed their commitment for increasing sourcing of Russian crude oil on long term contracts through preferential pricing, strengthening LNG imports to India, and the possible utilization of the Northern Sea Route for energy supplies’ [6] . There is increasing pressure on India to condemn the Russian invasion on Ukraine, but so far it has refused to choose sides. However, it has called for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. New Delhi, in the last two weeks, saw a flurry of visits from foreign ministers, securities advisors and other dignitaries from NATO allies, QUAD members and also the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi.

The UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who was also in India, was critical of India’s position on continuing to import heavily discounted Russian oil. In response, the Indian Foreign minister S Jaishankar replied that it was Europe that has imported 15% more oil and gas in the month of March from Russia, and India certainly will not be in the top 10 buyers of Russian oil in the upcoming days. [7] Although India currently is clearly not dependant of Russian oil, it plans to further diversify its imports in the future to secure its energy needs and to protect its ‘national interest’. India sees Russia as an important state in the Arctic region and vital for its connectivity to the region. India’s Arctic policy promotes a demilitarised and environment-friendly Arctic, which is crucial for the peaceful and sustainable development of the region.

The ‘China’ Factor

China’s engagements in the region have also increased drastically. Although the Arctic policy does not mention any of these issues, the elephant cannot afford to miss the dragon in the room when China is projecting itself as a ‘Near Arctic state’ and its interest in developing the Polar Silk Road. India might not have a similar interest in the NSR passage due to its geographical positioning but its Arctic policy acknowledges the potential of the Arctic Sea route and its future as an alternate route to the traditional Suez Canal route. India, as the third-largest sea-faring nation, does not want to be left out of the future opportunities in the region; hence, it looks forward to participating in environmental monitoring and regulation, safety, and building its capacity in the ice-covered region.

The Chennai Vladivostok Maritime Corridor, which passes through the South China Sea, is planned to increase Indo-Russia bilateral trade and at the same time counter the influence of China. The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal freight corridor, is promoted as an alternative to the Suez Canal route, and also the Chinese Polar Silk Road which is part of China’s Belt and Road initiative, by lowering the shipping cost and the number of days of transport. The Policy promotes the need for the INSTC for the ‘overall development of the hinterland and the indigenous communities, more than the East-west connectivity’. India understands the evolving regional and international geopolitical realities, the current crisis triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the shifting world order. These new realities will drive the future approach of India in the region.

Implementation

To date, the NCPOR handles scientific research, and the Ministry of External Affairs handles the geopolitical issues and interactions with the Arctic Council on behalf of the Government of India. To further deepen the engagement in the Arctic, several other ministries, departments, and research Institutes have been roped in. This shows India’s serious interest in the region. India’s Arctic Policy is planned to be implemented through a structured action plan, and the inter-ministerial-empowered Arctic Policy Group will look into the effective governance and review mechanism of the Arctic Policy. India’s Arctic policy is comprehensive but there should be a serious and concerted effort in implementing it. Also, there is a need for a timely and enhanced yearly budget allocation to support the implementation.

India’s Arctic Policy is a well-crafted document, and it adopts a holistic approach to addressing the issues at hand in the rapidly changing Arctic region. As former president of Iceland Mr. Olafur Ragnar Grimsson once said, “The future of India will be, to a large extent, determined by the Arctic and the future of Arctic will also be determined by what takes place in India and other Asian countries”; in an interconnected and interdependent world, mutual cooperation and responsible development will certainly benefit both. India’s Arctic policy focuses not just on just scientific research but also on international cooperation in the areas of business; sustainable development; establishing people-to-people contact; capacity building in legal, social, policy and governance issues, and more. India’s Arctic policy also quotes its Vedic philosophy, ‘Vasudeva Kutumbakam’, which means the world is a family. India’s focus on the Arctic will reflect this, at the same time balancing its own national interest in the region.

[1] Joint Statement on Arctic Council Cooperation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, < https://www.state.gov/joint-statement-on-arctic-council-cooperation-following-russias-invasion-of-ukraine/ > Dt 3, March 2022, accessed on 25 March 2022

[2] treaty between norway, the united states of america, denmark, france, italy, japan, the netherlands, great britain, and ireland, and the british overseas dominions and sweden concerning spitsbergen (the svalbard treaty 1920), [3] govt of india, moes ‘a polar research vehicle to be acquired at the cost of over rs 1050 crore rupees for research in antarctica, arctic and in the southern ocean region’ press information bureau, april 23, 2015   < http://pibmumbai.gov.in/scripts/detail.aspreleaseid=e2015pr1091 > accessed on 2 april 2022, [4] govt of india, rajya sabha ‘report 347-department-related parliamentary standing committee on science and technology, environment, forests and climate change’ march 8, 2021 pg 1,11 < https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/committee_site/committee_file/reportfile/19/147/347_2021_3_10.pdf > accessed on 2 nd april 2022, [5] ministry of external affairs: government of india,’ india–denmark joint statement during state visit of prime minister of denmark to india ‘(october 09, 2021)                                                                                                                                                                                                           < https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htmdtl/33069/joint_statement_for_indiadenmark_green_strategic_partnership> accessed on 26 march 2022, [6] govt of india, mea, ’india-russia joint statement following the visit of the president of the russian federation’ dec 06, 2021 para 37 < https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htmdtl/34606/india_russia_joint_statement_following_the_visit_of_the_president_of_the_russian_federation > accessed on 2 april 2022, [7] india-uk strategic futures forum, 31 march 2022 < https://www.youtube.com/watchv=il3otsziupa > accessed on 2 april 2022, kanagavalli suryanarayanan is a law graduate and gold medallist from pondicherry university and practices as an advocate in india. she specialises in intellectual property rights. she is  currently  pursuing her masters in polar law at the university of akureyri..

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