Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00 (JST)
Destinations
Polar & Beyond
The earth's final sanctuary, where ice and light reign supreme.
Introduction
A symphony of ice and light at the ends of the earth
The polar regions represent the last untouched dominion of pure nature on our planet. The Antarctic ice sheet holds seventy per cent of the earth's fresh water, the aurora borealis cascades across Arctic skies in luminous curtains of colour, and polar bears traverse the frozen plains of Svalbard with sovereign calm. The scenes encountered here possess the power to fundamentally transform one's perspective on life.
A polar journey with NEWT Bespoke promises safe and supremely comfortable adventure aboard the world's finest expedition vessels, guided by seasoned exploration teams. In Antarctica, navigate between cathedral-like icebergs by Zodiac and make landfall at penguin colonies. In the Arctic, experience glamping beneath the northern lights and traverse the ice by dog sled. On board, Michelin-calibre dining and full-service spa facilities lend an air of refined tranquillity to the thrill of polar exploration.
The polar regions reveal entirely different characters according to the season. During the Antarctic summer, penguin rookeries brim with new life; in the Arctic winter, the aurora paints the night sky; and under Iceland's midnight sun, the landscape is bathed in perpetual golden light. Whichever season you choose, an unforgettable journey awaits, one that allows you to experience the grandeur of our planet through every sense.
Why journey to the polar regions with Bespoke
Earth's last frontier
Antarctica was the final continent reached by humankind, and it remains the most remote place on earth. The thunderous calving of glaciers into the sea, the infinite silence of ice fields stretching beyond the horizon, penguins and seals living entirely without fear of human presence. From the safety and comfort of a world-class expedition vessel, you will witness the primal face of our planet that everyday life can never reveal.
The celestial theatre of aurora and midnight sun
The aurora borealis dancing across Arctic skies is nature's ultimate spectacle. Curtains of green, violet, and pink light unfurl across the firmament, shimmering in the profound silence — a work of art painted by the cosmos itself. In summer, the midnight sun never sets, bathing the landscape in an ethereal golden glow. These celestial phenomena are singular experiences found only in the polar regions.
A five-star hotel disguised as an expedition vessel
Modern polar exploration bears no resemblance to the heroic age of Shackleton and Amundsen. Today's ice-class expedition ships feature suites with private balconies, on-board spas, fitness centres, and restaurants of Michelin standard. Even amidst the most extreme environments on earth, the highest echelons of luxury are assured. Experienced expedition teams escort you through every adventure with meticulous attention to both safety and enrichment.
Countries
Destinations in this region
Antarctica
The most pristine continent on earth, Antarctica reveals its splendour from the deck of a world-class expedition ship navigating seas where icebergs shimmer in shades of emerald and sapphire. Along the Antarctic Peninsula, Zodiac boats thread through sculptural icebergs to reach rookeries of tens of thousands of gentoo and Adelie penguins. Humpback whales surface alongside the vessel, leopard seals lounge upon ice floes at close quarters, and on Deception Island, the rare experience of bathing in geothermally heated waters within an Antarctic caldera awaits.
Recommended stay: 10-20 nights (cruise)
Best season: November to March (austral summer)
The Arctic
An expedition cruise to the North Pole is the ultimate voyage for the intrepid traveller. Reaching latitude ninety degrees north aboard a nuclear-powered icebreaker and surveying a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree panorama of ice from the apex of the world ranks among the most indelible moments a life can hold. En route, the glaciers and polar bear habitats of Franz Josef Land offer intimate encounters with Arctic ecology. In winter, the aurora borealis blankets the night sky, and nature's most magnificent show unfolds in absolute silence.
Recommended stay: 12-16 nights (cruise)
Best season: June to August (Arctic summer) / November to March (aurora)
Svalbard
Situated at seventy-eight degrees north, the Svalbard archipelago is renowned as the kingdom of the polar bear. Approximately three thousand polar bears inhabit these islands, and their unhurried progress across the ice can be observed from the safety of an expedition vessel. Summer brings visits to walrus colonies and puffin nesting sites, whilst winter in Longyearbyen offers aurora viewing and dog-sledding through the frozen wilderness. Kayaking through glacial fjords provides the most intimate encounter with the Arctic environment imaginable.
Recommended stay: 5-10 nights
Best season: June to August (midnight sun, wildlife) / November to February (aurora)
Greenland
The world's largest island, Greenland is a place where Inuit culture and a monumental icescape converge, forming one of the least densely populated territories on earth. At the Ilulissat Icefjord, witness colossal icebergs calving into the sea; in Disko Bay, observe humpback whales feeding in nutrient-rich waters. Visits to small, vividly colourful settlements offer a window into traditional Inuit life and an authentic cultural immersion found nowhere else in the world.
Recommended stay: 7-12 nights
Best season: June to September (summer) / December to March (aurora, dog sledding)
Iceland
The island of fire and ice, Iceland serves as the gateway to the polar regions whilst being a singular destination in its own right. The luminous blue ice caves of Vatnajokull glacier, the erupting geysers at Geysir, the thundering cascade of Gullfoss, and the milky-blue thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon each astonish in turn. Winter brings the aurora dancing overhead, and summer the midnight sun illuminating the land without cease. Traverse the interior glaciers by super jeep and explore the dramatic coastline of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula on an adventure unlike any other.
Recommended stay: 5-8 nights
Best season: June to August (midnight sun) / October to March (aurora)
Itineraries
Sample itineraries
Antarctic Peninsula Expedition Cruise
Embark in Buenos Aires aboard a premier expedition vessel, cross the Drake Passage, and reach the Antarctic Peninsula. Days are filled with Zodiac landings at penguin colonies, explorations through corridors of towering icebergs, humpback whale observation, and a geothermal bathing experience on Deception Island — adventures available nowhere else on earth. On board, a full-service spa and Michelin-calibre dining provide moments of supreme indulgence between expeditions.
Arctic Aurora and Svalbard Expedition
Departing from Tromso in northern Norway, this journey combines aurora observation with Arctic wildlife exploration at the highest level. Observe polar bears in Svalbard, race across the frozen tundra by dog sled, and retire to a glass-domed lodge to watch the northern lights from the warmth of your bed. A dinner at the world's northernmost restaurant in Longyearbyen provides a fitting finale.
Iceland and Greenland: Fire and Ice Adventure
Begin in Iceland with the Golden Circle and a blue ice cave expedition, then fly to Ilulissat in Greenland to experience the UNESCO-listed icefjord and the living traditions of Inuit culture. An iceberg cruise in Disko Bay, Greenlandic hot springs, and walks through vividly painted settlements compose a journey of dramatic contrasts between two extraordinary islands at the edge of the Arctic.
Experiences
Experiences unique to the polar regions
Antarctic expedition cruise
Navigate the Southern Ocean aboard a world-class expedition ship and make landfall at penguin colonies by Zodiac. Vessels of the calibre of Le Commandant Charcot and Silver Endeavour offer suite accommodation with butler service, uniting the exhilaration of polar exploration with the comforts of a five-star hotel. On-board lectures by marine biologists and polar specialists ensure that intellectual curiosity is as richly rewarded as the spirit of adventure.
Private aurora viewing
From a remote Arctic lodge or a glass-domed cabin, witness the grand spectacle of the aurora borealis in complete privacy. We select locations with the highest probability of aurora activity — Tromso, Svalbard, and northern Iceland among them. A dedicated guide continuously monitors solar activity forecasts to ensure you are positioned beneath the finest display conditions.
Polar bear safari
Cruise the waters of the Svalbard archipelago by expedition vessel, observing polar bears traversing the sea ice from a safe and respectful distance. The sight of these magnificent creatures at close range from a Zodiac boat evokes a depth of emotion quite unlike any other wildlife encounter on earth. Walruses, Arctic foxes, and the seabirds of the high Arctic complete a remarkable cast of polar fauna.
Glacier kayaking and trekking
Paddle silently through glacial fjords by kayak, experiencing the intimacy of floating amongst icebergs at water level — an activity quintessential to the polar regions. In Iceland and Greenland, strap on crampons and trek across the surface of ancient glaciers. A world of translucent blue ice awaits, explored in complete safety under the guidance of an expert polar guide.
Travel Tips
Practical travel information
Getting there
Antarctica is accessed from Buenos Aires or Ushuaia in Argentina. From Tokyo, Buenos Aires is reached via the United States or Dubai in approximately twenty-four to twenty-eight hours. For the Arctic and Svalbard, fly via Oslo to Longyearbyen. Greenland is served by flights from Copenhagen or Reykjavik. We propose the most efficient routing and connections for every itinerary.
Visa and entry requirements
No visa is required for Antarctica, though compliance with the Antarctic Treaty's environmental protection protocols is mandatory. Svalbard is Norwegian territory and visa-free (outside the Schengen Area). Greenland, as a Danish territory, falls under Schengen regulations, though Japanese passport holders are exempt for stays of up to ninety days. Iceland is similarly within the Schengen zone. We handle all procedural requirements on your behalf.
Equipment and clothing
Thorough cold-weather and waterproof preparation is essential for polar travel. Most expedition ships provide waterproof parkas and boots, but a three-layer system is recommended as a foundation: high-quality merino wool base layers, a fleece or down mid-layer, and a windproof, waterproof outer shell. A detailed packing and equipment list will be provided well in advance of departure.
Climate and wellbeing
Antarctic summer (November to March) temperatures range from approximately minus two to eight degrees Celsius along the coast, with significantly colder conditions inland. Arctic temperatures vary widely by season, from minus thirty to ten degrees Celsius. The Drake Passage may present high seas, making seasickness prevention an important consideration. Our partnered medical team offers pre-departure health consultations, and a physician is present on board throughout the voyage.
Environmental stewardship
All activities comply with the Antarctic Treaty and the guidelines of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), including maintaining a minimum distance of five metres from wildlife, restrictions on materials brought ashore, and a strict policy of leaving nothing behind. NEWT Bespoke places environmental protection at the forefront and supports sustainable polar tourism through participation in carbon offset programmes and contributions to polar research institutions.
Best Season
When to travel
Nov — Mar
Antarctic summer season
Summer on the Antarctic Peninsula coincides with the penguin nesting and hatching season, when the continent is at its most vibrantly alive. Daylight extends to as many as twenty hours, and the retreat of sea ice opens an increasing number of landing sites. December and January mark the peak season, with humpback whale activity at its height. Popular expedition vessels for this period require booking six months to one year in advance.
- •Penguin nesting and hatching
- •Up to twenty hours of daylight
- •Humpback whale encounters
Jun — Aug
Arctic midnight sun season
The Arctic summer is the season of the midnight sun, when the sun never dips below the horizon. In Svalbard and Greenland, twenty-four hours of continuous daylight bring heightened activity among polar bears and walruses, creating optimal conditions for wildlife observation. The retreating ice allows expedition ships to penetrate deep into the fjords. Across the tundra, delicate alpine wildflowers burst into bloom in a fleeting but spectacular display.
- •Twenty-four-hour daylight
- •Peak polar bear activity
- •Tundra wildflower bloom
Sep — Mar
Aurora season
From autumn through winter in the Arctic, the aurora season transforms the night sky into a celestial stage. In Iceland, northern Norway, and Svalbard, curtains of light dance across the darkness in shades of green, violet, and crimson. Activity tends to intensify around the equinoxes, when geomagnetic storms are most frequent. Winter-exclusive activities such as dog sledding and snowmobile safaris add further dimension to the experience.
- •Aurora borealis observation
- •Dog sledding and snowmobile safaris
- •Ice hotel accommodation
Year Round
Iceland throughout the year
Iceland is a year-round gateway to the polar world, offering compelling reasons to visit in every season. Summer (June to August) brings midnight sun hiking, puffin watching, and glacier lagoon cruises. Winter (October to March) delivers the aurora, blue ice cave exploration, and hot spring pilgrimages. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn offer the astute traveller both aurora possibilities and long daylight hours, with fewer crowds.
- •Midnight sun hiking in summer
- •Blue ice cave exploration in winter
- •Year-round Blue Lagoon bathing
Testimonial
Client testimonial
“
The moment the first iceberg appeared after crossing the Drake Passage remains vivid in my memory to this day. When we stepped ashore at the penguin colony by Zodiac, the birds approached us without the slightest fear, and I found myself in tears. In the evenings, I stood on the balcony of our suite aboard the expedition ship, watching icebergs illuminated by the midnight light whilst sipping a glass of wine. No journey has ever brought the greatness of our planet home to me so profoundly. Our concierge arranged every activity perfectly according to our fitness levels and interests.
S.K. (Gentleman in his 50s, Tokyo)
Antarctic Expedition, 14 days
Destinations
Explore Other Destinations
Begin your polar consultation
Your dedicated concierge will design a polar adventure crafted exclusively for you. Begin with a complimentary consultation.
Begin Your Journey