THE TOP OF THE WORLD
Luxury Arctic Expeditions from the UK
The High
ARCTIC
Polar Bears
& PACK ICE
ATOL
PROTECTED
Why The Arctic
6+
HAND-VETTED PROPERTIES
The Top of the World
The High Arctic is a realm of pack ice and polar bears, of fabled passages and Inuit cultures clinging to the edge of the inhabited world. Beyond our dedicated Greenland and Svalbard journeys, this is the wider Arctic — the legendary Northwest Passage, the vast Canadian High Arctic, and the wildlife of the frozen north, explored by small expedition ship.
At HighStreet Holidays we don't simply book the Arctic — we match the right voyage and vessel to you, advising honestly on which regions are realistically accessible, with the flights, charters and logistics handled.
With access to a carefully vetted portfolio of expedition ships, we build a High Arctic journey of ice, wildlife and genuine exploration — and we point you to our Greenland and Svalbard pages for those specific adventures.
The Arctic is exploration in its purest form — the Northwest Passage that defeated generations, polar bears on the pack ice, and Inuit cultures at the edge of the world.
Signature Experiences
Moments That Linger
A High Arctic expedition is a journey into genuine wilderness. These are the experiences our clients come home remembering.
The Northwest Passage
The fabled sea route through the Canadian Arctic that defeated generations of explorers — now navigable in the brief summer, retracing one of history's great quests.
Polar Bears & Pack Ice
The Arctic's great icon — polar bears hunting and roaming the sea ice, watched safely from ship and Zodiac in their vast frozen domain.
The Canadian High Arctic
Baffin Island's fjords, towering cliffs and remote communities — dramatic, rarely visited scenery at the very top of North America.
Inuit Culture & History
Encounters with Inuit communities, the sites of the doomed Franklin expedition, and the human story of survival in the harshest inhabited places on earth.
Arctic Wildlife
Walrus, beluga and narwhal, musk oxen, Arctic foxes and vast seabird colonies — the surprising abundance of life in the brief Arctic summer.
The North Pole
The geographic North Pole is reached only by Russian-operated nuclear icebreaker, which currently carries real constraints for UK travellers — we advise honestly on what is realistically bookable.
Featured Properties
Where You'll Stay
Every expedition vessel and lodge we feature has been carefully vetted by our specialists — the small ships and addresses our clients return to, year after year.
Recommended Packages
Curated for Every Occasion
Every package includes return flights from your nearest UK airport (lowest fares ex-London), transfers and the expedition voyage or lodge stay — tailored by your specialist.
Most Popular
9 Nights
High Arctic Expedition
- Fly to the gateway port (Reykjavik, Longyearbyen or Resolute, depending on route)
- 9-12 day Arctic expedition voyage (Canadian Arctic, Franz Josef Land or high-latitude route)
- Polar bear & walrus spotting, tundra landings, Inuit cultural encounters
- Full board on ship | expedition cabin | parka & boot hire included
- Zodiac cruises | guided landings | midnight-sun polar lecture programme
- Return flights from London airports + gateway flights
Signature Journey
12 Nights
Arctic in Style
- Fly to the gateway port - luxury pre-voyage hotel night
- 12-15 day luxury Arctic expedition (Northwest Passage segment or Franz Josef Land)
- Premium suite + butler + helicopter or Zodiac excursions (ship-dependent)
- Full board with fine dining & premium drinks | all-suite accommodation
- Polar bear tracking | Inuit community visits | photography programme
- Return flights from London airports + gateway flights
Ultra Luxury
13 Nights
Voyage to the North Pole
- Fly to Helsinki & Murmansk for the nuclear icebreaker departure
- 13-15 day voyage to 90 North aboard '50 Years of Victory' (the world's most powerful icebreaker)
- Reach the Geographic North Pole | optional helicopter & hot-air-balloon flights
- Full board, all-inclusive | suite categories available
- North Pole celebration | Franz Josef Land landings | polar bear territory
- Return flights from London airports + all expedition flights
Looking for something different? Enquire below or call us on 020 3322 7866 and we'll curate a The Arctic journey around you.
Best Time to Visit
When to Go
THE SUMMER WINDOW
June to September
The only practical season — the sea ice retreats enough to navigate, the midnight sun lights the long days, and wildlife is at its most active. Voyages are tightly limited to these months.
EARLY SUMMER
June to July
Abundant pack ice, dramatic icescapes and the best polar-bear viewing on the ice, with the midnight sun at its height — the most pristine early-season conditions.
LATE SUMMER
August to September
The most open water and the best window for the full Northwest Passage transit, with active wildlife and the first hints of autumn colour on the tundra.
OUT OF SEASON
October to May
The Arctic winter closes the passages with sea ice and darkness — expedition voyages do not run. (For winter aurora and dog-sledding, see our Greenland and Svalbard pages.)
Sample Itinerary
A 12-Night Northwest Passage Expedition
Every itinerary we create is bespoke — this is simply one way a High Arctic voyage unfolds.
1
DAYS 1-2 — TO THE NORTH
Gateway & Embarkation
Your flights reach the Canadian Arctic gateway, often via Canada by charter, to embark your expedition ship at the edge of the inhabited world.
2
DAYS 3-6 — INTO THE PASSAGE
The Northwest Passage
Sail the fabled route through the Canadian Arctic — Zodiac landings, towering cliffs, ice and the sites of polar history.
3
DAYS 7-10 — WILDLIFE & ICE
Bears & Communities
Polar bears on the pack ice, walrus and beluga, and visits to remote Inuit communities — the wildlife and human story of the High Arctic.
4
DAYS 11-12 — THE FAR SHORE
Final Exploration
Continue the passage with daily landings as ice and weather allow — every Arctic voyage is shaped by the conditions of the day.
5
DAY 13 — DEPARTURE
Homeward
Disembark and fly home via your gateway city.
Make an Enquiry
Tell Us About Your Trip
Fill in the form below. Your specialist will be in touch within 2 hours — or first thing the following morning if you're enquiring out of hours.
1
Your holiday
2
Your details
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Step 1 of 2
Tell us about your stay
Dates, party size, accommodation and budget.
Destination
Dates & party
Date flexibility
Adults
2
Children
0
Budget & accommodation
Budget per person (flights + hotel)
£4,500
£500£50,000+
Accommodation
Flights
Practical Information
Practical Information
Getting There
- No direct flights — High Arctic voyages reach their gateways via a hub, often with a charter flight to the embarkation point (for the Canadian Arctic, via Canada)
- From the UK, expect a long journey via a hub
- Connections from major regional UK airports
- Your specialist plans every leg
Entry Requirements
- Requirements depend on your voyage's gateway country — for the Canadian Arctic and Northwest Passage, UK passport holders need a Canadian eTA (around CAD 7)
- The geographic North Pole is reached only via Russian-operated icebreakers, which currently carry constraints for UK travellers — we advise on what is realistically bookable
- Passport valid 6 months
Health & Safety
- No vaccinations are legally required for entry from the UK
- Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation cover is essential — and often mandatory for expedition voyages, as these are remote regions far from hospitals
- A reasonable level of mobility helps for Zodiac landings
- Ask your doctor about seasickness remedies for any sea crossing
Currency & Local Notes
- US or Canadian Dollars are typical on expedition ships, depending on the operator and route
- Pack warm, waterproof layers — most operators provide a polar parka and loan boots
- These are remote regions; itineraries flex with ice and weather
- Tipping the crew is customary