Jewels of the Arctic

Arrive independently to Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Svalbard archipelago, where upon arrival you will be met by a tour representative to transfer to your hotel for your included overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel on day 2, you can join your fellow travellers for a sightseeing tour around the town. In the late afternoon you will join your transfer to the port for embarkation.

As you get your bearings and settle into your comfortable cabin, the ship will set sail out of the beautiful Isfjorden and deep into the Arctic wilderness. You may wish to spend some time on deck watching as the seabirds follow the ship, before joining the captain for your four-course welcome meal.

Over the course of the next three days you will spend some time discovering the western and northern coasts of the Svalbard archipelago in search of Polar bears and unimaginable scenery. Your exact route here will be determined by weather and ice conditions, and each day your experienced captain and crew will assess the conditions to plot a course for thrilling adventures and unforgettable sights.

What can be guaranteed is sightings of phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountains, rich tundra, and a variety of wildlife. As you sail through the snowscapes you can expect encounters with walrus, seals and whales, as well as an abundance of birdlife. But the main goal will be to spot the iconic Polar bears that call these lands their home. Your captain will aim to take you to the areas where Polar bear sightings are most frequent so that you can see their majesty up-close (but not too close!).

For those who have chosen to book kayaking as part of their package, there will be ample opportunities here to paddle. A daring Polar plunge into the icy Arctic waters is another popular option.

We will spend the next two days sailing across the Greenland Sea, as whales and seabirds follow in our wake. As we begin to approach Greenland, we will likely encounter the East Greenland pack ice, and if we are lucky we will see polar bears hunting for prey. As you sail, your expedition team will keep you entertained with discussions and presentations on Greenland’s fascinating flora and fauna, as well as introducing you to the history of Polar exploration in these parts.

For those who have chosen to add kayaking to their package, there should be time for a paddle here whilst the rest of the passengers enjoy a Zodiac cruise. If the crossing is favourable, we may reach the Greenland coast by day 7 and begin our exploration of the world's largest national park early.

Please note, kayaking incurs an additional charge and should be booked in advance.

We will now spend 6 exciting days exploring along Greenland’s spectacular east coast. Be prepared for ice, and lots of it!! Your days here will be spent sailing and Zodiac cruising through deep fjords and narrow channels surrounded by some of the Arctic’s most breath-taking scenery. See glaciers and giant icebergs, walk across multi-coloured tundra which is home to musk oxen and Arctic hare, and visit ancient Thule archaeological sites and Inuit villages on this truly unforgettable adventure.

You will have the opportunity to explore around Scoresbysund, the largest fjord system in the world, as well as the Kong Oscar and Kaizer Franz Josef fjords. A visit to the remote Inuit community of Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresby Town) will offer up the chance to meet some of the locals to learn about their way of life this far north, as well as chances to visit the excellent museum and gift shop.

Other fascinating areas we expect to visit include the beautiful bay of Cape Humboldt on Ymer Island, the Sefstrom Glacier, Sydkap, Rømer Fjord, Rode Ø, Hare Fjord, Nordvest Fjord, the neo-Eskimo site at Eskimobugt, Skipperdalen and more.

As your expedition sadly nears its end, we will spend a final day at sea sailing across the Denmark Strait towards Iceland. Make sure to spend some time on deck looking for whales and seabirds.

Your expedition ends in Reykjavik, Iceland’s vibrant capital city, where after disembarkation a transfer will take you either to the airport or a downtown location. There are lots of options for tours and adventures in Reykjavik so please feel free to ask for tips and options for extending your trip.