The book contains many pictures from the trip, almost all taken by Basil Pao, the stills photographer on the team. Following the trip, Palin wrote Pole to Pole describing the trip. It was also released on video tape and later on DVD. The programme has been sold to many television stations around the world. Using aircraft as little as possible, the whole trip lasted 5½ months. A last-minute diversion to Chile included South America in the series. The intention was to follow the 30-degree east line of longitude, which would cover the most land. The trip from the North Pole to the South Pole went via Scandinavia, the Soviet Union, parts of Europe, and through the heart of Africa. The first was Around the World in 80 Days with Michael Palin, a 7-part series first broadcast on BBC One in 1989, and the third was Full Circle with Michael Palin, a 10-part series first broadcast on BBC One in 1997.

The presenter is Michael Palin, this being the second of Palin's major journeys for the BBC. Pole to Pole with Michael Palin is an eight-part television documentary travel series made for the BBC, and first broadcast on BBC1 in 1992.

Pole to pole michael palin book