12 travelers
The most we take on any departure. Most trips leave with eight to ten.
1 guide for every 6
Two guides on every trip, both from the place you’re visiting.
14 seasons
Running trips north since 2011, from a small office in Portland, Maine.
9 in 10
Travelers who book a second trip with us within three years.
Expeditions
Where we’re going in 2027
Six trips, each run four or five times a year. Small boats, local guesthouses and long days outside.
Our guides
Led by people who live there
Every Northbound trip has two guides. One is a certified mountain or sea guide. The other grew up within a day’s drive of where you’re walking, and knows which farm sells the best skyr and when the road over the pass really closes.
- Wilderness first responders on every trip, with a satellite messenger
- Paid fairly and year-round, not by the day
- Local first: guesthouses, boats and cooks from the communities we visit
Why Northbound
Travel that leaves room to breathe
Small by design
Twelve seats means small boats, family guesthouses and trails the coaches can’t reach.
Slow on purpose
Two nights in most places. Time to walk out after dinner, not just pack.
Leave no trace
We offset every flight we book and give 2% of each fare to local trail crews.
One price
Guides, lodging, most meals, transport and permits. No surprise extras.
Trip grades
Built for real fitness levels
Every trip has a grade from 1 to 4, so you know what a day feels like before you book.
- Grade 1: short walks on paths, up to 2 hours a day
- Grade 2: half-day hikes, some uneven ground
- Grade 3: full-day hikes or paddles, 5 to 6 hours
- Grade 4: multi-day treks with packs and steep climbs
Not sure where you fit? A planner will talk it through with you on a call.
From the field
Polar night above Longyearbyen, January 
Múlafossur, Faroe Islands, after a week of rain 
Disko Bay at 1 a.m., July
We saw more of Iceland in nine days than friends did in three weeks on their own, and never once stood in a crowd.
Dana R., Fire and Ice Circuit, September 2025
Questions
Before you ask
Can I travel on my own?
Yes. About a third of our travelers come alone. We match solo travelers of the same gender in twin rooms at no extra cost, or you can pay for a room of your own.
Is there an age limit?
Travelers must be 16 or older. Most of our groups are between 30 and 70. What matters is the trip grade, not your age.
Will we see the northern lights?
Nobody can promise it. On our winter departures to Svalbard and Iceland, groups have seen the aurora on at least one night 85% of the time since 2019.
What gear do I need to bring?
Good boots and layers. We provide the technical gear: crampons, kayaks, sleds, polar suits and dry bags. You get a full packing list when you book.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel up to 90 days before departure for a full refund, less a $250 fee. See booking questions for the rest.
2027 departures
Seats go fast. Most trips fill by March.
Tell us where you’d like to go and when. A planner will get back to you within one working day.