Travellers today are modern-day explorers looking for unchartered territories, untouched lands and unspoiled paradises.  Experiences like no other and destinations found only at the ends of the earth are the hottest new travel spots - not to mention some of the most expensive travel spots.  But be warned, these places are anything but "hot."

This week, TripAtlas.com is taking you on the Top 10 Arctic and Polar Expeditions in the World.  From Svalbard to Alaska, Nunavut to the Falkland Islands and the North Pole, read on to discover these destinations in the Arctic, Antarctic and polar regions in the world.  These places are truly some of the "coolest" destinations on the planet.  Find out more: The 5 Coolest Places in the World.

Top 10 Arctic and Polar Expeditions in the World

Before you sign up and head out for your arctic expedition, be warned: trips to the Arctic, the North Pole, Antarctica and the Norwegian Fjords are not without their arctic temperatures and conditions. Luckily, most arctic operators ensure that proper arctic-grade outerwear is provided for all passengers, but make sure you're prepared!

All prices are listed in CAD unless otherwise noted.

1) Cruise to the Last Great Frontier on these Antarctica Expeditions

Expeditions to Antarctica are becoming increasingly popular for adventure travellers and at the same time more affordable for the average person.  One of the most deserted places in the world, Antarctica is an uninhabitable mass made up of 98% ice and is one of the coldest places in the world.

So, why go?  The enormous ice shelves and stunning up-close-and-person views of icebergs, thousands of penguins and whales make the trip truly one-of-a-kind.  After all, how many of your friends can say that they've been to Antarctica?

The cruise journey begins in Ushuaia, the southernmost point of Argentina and travels through the Drake Passage, known as some of the world's most turbulent waters where the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean currents meet.  A basic Antarctica package begins at around $4,000 USD for a 11-15 day expedition with basic accommodations and will take you straight to the South Shetland Islands and to the Antarctic Peninsula.

More extensive Antarctica trips loop around from Ushuaia to the world's most remote islands: the Falkland Islands, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands and Tristan da Cunha before heading to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctica.  These trips begin at around $9,000 USD for a 20+ day expedition and basic accommodations.  Some trips also offer flights from your port in Antarctica to the South Pole.

Natural Habitat Adventures as well as Polar Cruises are just two of many Antarctica tour operators offering expeditions to the White Continent.

2) Visit the "End of the Earth" in Argentina: Patagonia & Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego

One of the most stunning displays of glaciers and endless valleys of ice sheets north of Antarctica can be found in Patagonia, a region in Argentina, bordering Chile in the Andes mountains.  The Perito Moreno Glacier in the Santa Cruz Province is the most popular, located in Glacier National Park.  Trips also include visits to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile with views of Patagonia's pink granite mountain towers.  Hundreds of lakes in proximity to the glaciers offer breathtaking kayaking and boating excursions to get up close to massive icebergs.  

GAP Adventures' Expeditions to Patagonia begin at around $4,000 and usually start/end in Buenos Aires. 
You can also visit Patagonia and Antarctica as a package for approximately $6,500.

3) Travel to the Top of the World: The North Pole

One of the most elusive destinations in the world for explorers and travellers, hundreds have attempted and failed to reach the geographic North Pole at 90 degrees North.  Abandoned ships and graveyards are scattered and have been lost, the result of ships that were beset in ice and were unable to break away.  Even now, few ships have the capability to withstand the dangerous waters (and ice!) of the Arctic and are used as scientific or research vessels. 

Only two tours are offered each year in late June and early July on the 50 Years of Victory, the world's most advanced icebreaker ship that utilizes helicopters for shore landings.  These rare expeditions to the North Pole are open to the public and promise sightings of rare species of sea birds as well as seals and polar bears in their natural habitats. The price for this expedition begins at $22,690 and goes up to $33,390 (USD) for more extensive/luxurious accommodations.  Visit Quark Expeditions for more.

4) See the European Arctic in Norway & Iceland

Explore the European Arctic in Norway and Iceland with GAP Adventures' new Norwegian Fjords and Polar Bears tour that takes you not only to polar regions but also to some of Norway's historic and out-of-the-way sites.  The tour visits destinations like medieval villages in Scotland and Norway; the Norwegian Fjords, a coastline of breathtaking sights; Tromso, known as the Gateway to the Arctic; Bear Island, a bird-water's paradise; and Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen island, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago that supports a population of something like 3,000 to 5,000 polar bears.  The Svalbard islands also offer deep fjords, massive ice sheets and an array of walrus, seals, arctic fox and reindeer - but Svalbard is no doubt the kingdom of ice bears. 

The tours start at approximately $4,000. Other tours through Norway's arctic destinations also include Reykjavik, Iceland and Eastern Greenland. 

5) Explore Canadian Arctic in Greenland, Canada

Eastern Greenland Expeditions visit the remote side of the Canadian arctic to get a spectacular taste of glaciers and icebergs.  Western Greenland Excursions, on the other hand, offer a very different experience.  You'll be able to interact with the culture and people of the aboriginal Inuit people.  The Inuit have been living in Arctic conditions for hundreds or thousands of years.  See how they survive and interact with polar bears, arctic fox, walrus, reindeer, wolverines and wolves.  Visit cities like Qaanaq, Cape York; sail through Baffin Bay; or try your hand at sea kayaking. 

Greenland tours start at around $5,000 USD, departing from Ottawa to Resolute, Nunavut.

6) Experience the High Arctic in Nunavut and Baffin Island, Canada

Expeditions to the High Arctic to Nunavut and Baffin island give a glimpse at some of the Canadian arctic's most isolated islands and the amazing array of wildlife that exists.  The tours take place in the Arctic Circle when there is almost 24 hours of daylight, making it warmer for travellers.

You visit spots like Prince Leopold Island, known for its towering cliffs and thousands of Kittiwake birds; Devon and Coburg Islands to experience a polar desert often likened to the surface on Mars; the Melville Basin where whales are seen day and night; Greenland's and Baffin Bay's aboriginal communities for a cultural experence; Cape York for seal and polar bears; the Cape Hay Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Bylot Island; and a visit to Beechey Island to visit the 1845 grave markers of Sir John Franklin's attempt to navigate the Canadian arctic.

Quark Expedition's High Arctic Explorer tour starts at $4,890 USD.

7) See the Polar Bear Capital of the World in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

Noted as one of "1,000 Places to See Before You Die," polar bear tours in Churchill have become one of the most popular arctic tours in the past few years and like many arctic expeditions, they only take place for a short time throughout the year.  From mid-October to mid-November, the town of Churchill in Manitoba attracts the greatest concentration of polar bears in the world who come to hunt seals before winter.  The one-week tours usually begin in Winnipeg, Manitoba where travellers are transfered by a small plane to Churchill.  Lodging is in Churchill as well as on specially designed and bear-protected tundra buggies where passengers can dine and sleep while they watch for bears just outside of Churchill.  

Natural Habitat Adventures offers one-week tours to see Churchill's polar bears from $4,595 but also offer a one-of-a-kind perspective about eco-issues affecting polar bears and arctic animals in Manitoba and Canada.

8) Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis is another great attraction to the arctic in Canada. See the night sky light up with hundreds of different colours on these tours that take place in both the Spring and Fall.  Many of these tours are lead by astronomy experts and scientific researchers.  The Fall tours are perfect for those looking to experience arctic wilderness and activities like dog sledding, cross country skiing, igloo building, ice fishing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.  The Spring tours offer the perfect change for photographing arctic animals like wolves, moose, fox and caribou in their natural habitats.   

Arctic Odysseys offers a getaway from Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories to Great Slave Lake to see the Northern Lights for $5,110 USD from Edmonton.  Natural Habitat Adventures also offers Northern Light trips in Churchill, Manitoba beginning at $3,895 USD.

9) Reindeer Sledding in Sakha Republic, Siberia, Russia

From Moscow, travel to Siberia's Sakha Republic in Russia for a truly cultural experience with the Yakutian and Evenkian people, aboriginals to Siberia.  You'll learn to survive in the Siberian winter as they have been doing for centuries.  You'll learn about living in yurts, eat traditional Evenkian and Yakutian dishes, learn about their music and arts; encounter fox, elk and wolves, as well as ride from place to place by reindeer sleigh.  Travel and exploration of Siberia can also be done on the Trans-Siberian Railroad.  

Find out more about Russia & Siberia Expeditions with Arctic Odysseys, starting at $8,580 USD.

10) Inside Passage and Glaciers in Alaska

Our final arctic destination not to be missed is Alaska.  Expeditions through Alaska’s Inside Passage to see its mountains and glaciers begin in Juneau, Alaska where embarking begins.  You’ll see sights like the Tracy Arm, a glacial fjord with cascading waterfalls; the Sawyer Glacier and its glowing blue hue; killer whales and humpback whales; kayaking in Le Conte Bay; and Glacier Bay National Park where glaciers meet mountains and sea lions, puffins and bears interact.  Tours start at $5,309 USD from Seattle with Natural Habitat Adventures.

Other Alaska tours take you to see Prince William Sound, a region where you can view over two dozen glaciers.  This tour is offered less frequently than ones to the Inside Passage.  They start at $1599 USD from Anchorage with Expedition Trips.

Arctic and Antarctic Travel Resources

Natural Habitat Adventures: www.nathab.com
GAP Adventures: www.gapadventures.com
Quark Expeditions: www.quarkexpeditions.com
Expedition Trips: www.expeditiontrips.com
Arctic Odysseys: www.arcticodysseys.com
Polar Cruises: www.polarcruises.com
Great Canadian Travel Company: www.greatcanadiantravel.com

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