Luxury Arctic Holidays

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Cruise, hike, ski, kayak, snow mobile or dog sled around this unforgiving but magical land

northern_lights_svalbard_unsplash_zrhhxx Travel to Svalbard between October and February if you're searching for the Northern Light

The Arctic conjures images of Peary, Amundsen and Rasmussen, intrepid, fur-clad explorers battling the elements in a quest to conquer this extreme environment. Those early explorers were treated to wildlife like nothing else on earth, to awe-inspiring landscapes carved into the bedrock by the expansion and retraction of ice through the ages and to the ice itself forming impenetrable sheets, shifting bergs and mammoth glaciers. They encountered endless days of 24-hour light in the summer and ceaseless darkness during winter, broken only by the swirling colours of the aurora borealis above them.The Arctic has lost none of the magic or intrigue that attracted these initial pioneers; however, we are now lucky to be able to visit with ease and explore in a myriad of ways.One of the most popular ways to visit this environment is on one of the luxury small-ship cruises that can cross harsh seas easily and nimbly, meandering between the countless inlets and fjords.In an environment that often forms the case study for the influence of climate change on the planet, we only work with a carefully selected group of operators who carry out their operations in the most responsible, sustainable fashion possible.Accommodation options aboard range from basic, sharing cabins to luxurious suites, but all voyages come with an experienced team and expert naturalists to inform you about the area and its inhabitants. They often depart to and from the town of Longyearbyen, which is the main administrative centre of Svalbard, on its only permanently inhabited island of Spitsbergen. Stick to a cruise around the many islands of Svalbard in search of polar bears, reindeer, whales and walruses or head further afield on one of the longer voyages into Franz Josef Land or follow in the footsteps of those boundary-pushing explorers before you to the North Pole.Longyearbyen itself is certainly worth spending some time, as well as being the branching-off point for cruises between May and August. Throughout the year, it is a hub of activity, and there are many options to explore the surrounding arctic environment. During the polar night, take a guided snowmobile or dog sledge trip deep into the wilderness to see the northern lights from the Trapper's Station or enjoy a cosy Scandi-inspired outpost such as Isfjord Radio for saunas, storytelling and hikes. It is a land still full of further surprises; you will even find Michelin-star cuisine and a globally important, future-proofed seed vault. The Arctic certainly has something to offer everyone.

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Featured Arctic Trips

With such a large and diffuse area as the Arctic, we have chosen to stick to trips which explore the areas we know well and with suppliers on the ground who do so in a fashion that matches our core ethos of responsible travel. We think that they offer enough variety, choice and exploration of the region to suit most travellers and we look forward to discussing which would work best for you. Most trips start and finish in the town of Longyearbyen on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. However, the cruise to the reach the North Pole goes to and from Murmansk in Russia.

When to go to the Arctic

The Arctic has extreme seasons, and although certain areas can be visited throughout the year, it is important to understand that many activities and accommodation options are seasonal. For cruise ships, much of the Arctic is inaccessible for part of the year, and in general, trips only run in the summer between late May and late August. Trips to Longyearbyen and the island of Spitsbergen can be done at any time of year with connecting flights available from the Norwegian mainland. Aurora borealis hunters might want to visit during the period of 24 hours of darkness between mid-November to late January. Early March to mid-May is a beautiful time to visit the lodges of Spitsbergen, as the sun creeps back, and it is possible to explore on foot, by dog sledge, snow-mobile or kayak.

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Find out more and tailor your perfect trip with the help of our specialist team

Lotte Nash
Lotte Nash

Luxury Travel Specialist

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Read what our customers say about their trip with Wayfairer

“This is the second time Wayfairer has planned a trip, the first being a Safari and we will definitely have them plan another trip. Our journey to Antarctica exceeded our expectations".
"This was a dream trip I had thought about for years and somehow they managed to exceed what I had hoped for. Could not have asked for more."
"An outstanding experience with Wayfairer, Cat and Juan helped to organise, and manage, an amazing safari for a group of six. Their meticulous planning, endless enthusiasm and huge knowledge of the area meant that we had a truly unforgettable experience, we even had a fabulous birthday party in the middle of the Mara. The highest recommendation is that we plan to use Wayfairer again and again!"
"This was my second trip with Wayfairer - my first (to Africa) was so amazing, I was worried that I would be disappointed.....not a chance. Once again, the itinerary, the guides, the little touches, were superb. I am already thinking about what trip I will have Wayfairer plan next! For anyone trying to decide where to go - Peru was absolutely amazing! It may be one of the most under-rated countries. Machu Pichu was breathtaking, but there was also so much more to see and do....let Wayfairer take you on amazing journey!"
"Our trip was a dream come true. The arrangements made by Wayfairer exceeded our expectations. The accommodations were as good or better than the descriptions in our trip documents. The staff at each camp were wonderful and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly. We will highly recommend Wayfairer to any of our friends who are considering an adventure vacation."
"Wayfairer are absolutely superb - from our initial consultation, the advice on destination, the booking process, the concierge service, the recommendation of hotels, organisation of transport, advice on activities to the friendliness of stay it could not have been better. We will look to book all big holidays with Wayfairer from now on and will recommend them to everyone."
"Incredibly helpful service and access to the best facilities and great rates. Don't book anywhere else."
"Recently returned from an amazing safari trip inc Vic falls, Chobe, Okavango Delta and the Kalahari desert. Right from the first engagement with Wafairer and all the way through the trip has been so smooth. The recommendations and attention to detail on the itinerary were incredible. Thankyou on this once in a lifetime trip."
"Wayfairer and Juan assisted planning our trip to South Africa. They were very knowledgeable and professional. Juan was very responsive with answers when I had any questions at all. It was very nice working with Juan and will definetly use this company again. I have recommended them to friends and family. The vacation was perfect thanks to Juan and Wayfairer."
"Excellent service throughout. A wonderful trip and truly a holiday of a lifetime. Thank you."
"We just returned from a fabulous Kenya vacation for our family..ages 3 thru 70. Jess gave us great advice, offered wonderful accommodations, was really flexible, was willing to work with our budget. June helped us implement the trip. Thanks to both of them."
"Wayfairer organised our trip to Tanzania & Zanzibar. From initial contact Leonie and the team were very professional & informative. They listened to our requirements and put together an amazing itinerary within our budget. We were kept informed every step of the way. The holiday was amazing and all went smoothly. We felt confident that Wayfairer were only a call away should an issue arise. We wouldn't hesitate to use Wayfairer for our next holiday!"
We booked our honeymoon to Tanzania with Wayfairer. Tom gave us excellent suggestions for accommodation and itinerary and organised it all, including transfers. It all went very smoothly and the trip was fabulous. We stayed at Lake Manze in the Selous game reserve, an open safari camp with very knowledgeable and helpful guides and managers, followed by all-inclusive at the Sea Cliff Resort in Zanzibar. The Sea Cliff was wonderfully relaxing and welcoming. Thanks to Tom for an incredible honeymoon experience. We would definitely use Wayfairer again and have already recommended to friends.
I wanted to take my aging father on a safari in Kenya, but the task of organizing the trip seemed daunting. I wanted to make sure he was comfortable and that we chose the right tour to go on. Wayfairer stuck with me every step of the way, patiently asked all my questions and worked with me through several last minute changes. I recommend them highly.
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99% of reviewers recommend Wayfairer. (4.9* rating & 335 reviews on Reviews.IO)

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