Spitsbergen & East Greenland to Iceland

Your adventure will begin in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Svalbard archipelago. You are invited to arrive at a time that is convenient to you and spend the day exploring this remote settlement. Accommodation tonight is included as part of your package.

The following morning, after breakfast at the hotel, there will be time for more exploration of Longyearbyen before you are transferred to the port to board the classic polar vessel M/v Sea Spirit. Make yourself comfortable in your new surroundings as your ship sails into the wilderness through Isfjorden. Spectacular scenery abounds and with virtually 24 hour daylight at this time of year, we can already be on the lookout for marine mammals.

As we make our way through the awe-inspiring landscapes of Spitsbergen, Svalbard's largest island, this is where your true High Arctic wilderness experience begins. The spectacular fjords, coasts, and islands in the western part of Svalbard are a haven for wildlife and your ship will traverse through these lands in search of the polar bears, Arctic fox, reindeer, walrus, a variety of whales and an abundance of birds that call these lands their home.

This is a true expedition style cruise and as such the route taken will be heavily dependent on ice and weather conditions. Your experienced captain and expedition leaders will decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be assured that the best possible advantage will be taken to explore as much of this wild and remote corner of the Arctic as possible.

Throughout your time here you will experience some of the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks and immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters.

Your days will be filled with exciting Zodiac excursions and land visits, and as well as the scenery and wildlife there should also be time to discover some of the rich history and geological features of the area including the historical remnants of whaling camps, coal mining operations, trappers’ cabins, staging areas for historic attempts to discover the North Pole, and even an abandoned polar research station.

We will now spend two relaxing days at sea sailing towards the eastern coast of Greenland. As we sail you can enjoy the lecture and presentation programme that will be delivered throughout by your expert expedition team. Enjoy some time relaxing in the comfort of your luxury Polar vessel and keep an eye out on deck for sightings of whales, seals, seabirds and maybe even polar bears. At this time of year there are good chances of spotting the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights as we sail!

Welcome to the lands of towering icebergs, huge mountains and blooming tundra landscapes. It’s time to discover the many wonders of the world’s largest National Park! As with all Polar expeditions, flexibility here will be key, and each day your captain and crew will assess the weather and ice conditions to map out a route for an unforgettable day of adventure. Onboard and on thrilling Zodiac cruises and land excursions, you will venture through miles upon miles of untouched wilderness, sailing through ice floes and alongside snowy peaks to soak up the enchanting sights and sounds of this remarkable and incredibly expansive area that is more than 100 times the size of Yellowstone National Park and larger than all but 29 nations around the globe. Walk along the tundra and prisitng Polar beaches in search of sightings of musk oxen and Arctic hares, hike across breathtaking landscapes, and sail through the incredible Franz Josef Fjord and Kong Oscar Fjord as you become one of only around 1000 people who will step foot on these magnificent lands this year!

A little further south we discover Scoresby Sund, the world's longest fjord system which is home to some of the Arctic region's most impressive scenery with deep, narrow channels and icy peaks, where icebergs calve off glaciers and drift in the waters towards the sea. Our exploration here is sure to be an experience to remember!

In this region, there are fields of tundra where we hope to spot musk oxen and Arctic hare. Here too are ancient Thule archaeological sites, old trappers' huts and modern Inuit hunters' cabins.

We plan to visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the only permanent settlement in the region for an opportunity to mix with the locals and get an insight into their lifestyles.

Each night brings new possibilities for incredible displays of Aurora Borealis — the Northern Lights. This is a great time of year and one of the best places in the world to experience this enthralling phenomenon.

After a fantastic time in Scoresby Sund your expedition ship will set course across the Denmark Strait towards Iceland. Spend time on the panoramic decks looking out for the seabirds following the ship and even more whale sightings. Nightfall may bring another opportunity to enjoy the Northern Lights.

As our voyage nears its end there’s time for one last adventure as today we get a sample of some of Iceland’s incredible charms on a visit to the Westfjords region. The stunning landscape in this remote and quiet part of Iceland is characterised by beautiful waterfalls, fringed coastlines and rugged mountains, which offer fantastic photo opportunities from the ship. We will also be on the lookout for seals, whales and abundant birdlife in the fjords and estuaries of the region. In the evening we will sail on towards Reykjavik.

Arrival into Reykjavík, Iceland's vibrant capital, signals the end of our journey and after breakfast it will be time to say farewell. A transfer will be provided to the international airport or to a downtown location should you wish to extend your stay here to experience more of this beautiful city. From Reykjavík the entire country is accessible through day tours or longer journeys by rental car. The options for additional adventures are endless! Should you need any advice or tour extensions please feel free to ask one of our team when booking your voyage.