agesilaus - In 2005 we took a van tour up to the Arctic Circle. I sure it was no where near the prices you have quoted. We only did it to say we had been to the Arctic Circle. The drive was bumpy and we did the tour so we did not beat up our TV. We did stop at the pipeline visitor center and a nice little place for lunch. We we supposed to go farther north but the smoke from wildfires was so thick we voted not to bother and went back to the lunch place for ice cream. The more expensive tours might be fly/drive tours that take you way north to Prudhoe Bay driving one way and flying back the other.
It was not something I would rave about but I can say I've been to the Arctic Circle.