Spitsbergen & East Greenland Aurora Borealis

Spitsbergen & North East Greenland Aurora Borealis 14 days

Prices From £5,974pp
August to September | 13 nights

Spitsbergen & North East Greenland Aurora Borealis 14 days

Aboard: MV Ortelius M/V Hondius

This fantastic Arctic itinerary offers the best of both worlds with time spent along the beautiful west coast of Spitsbergen, with great chances of polar bear sightings, and then on to the less-visited northeast coast of Greenland, where you will see a diverse range of scenery and wildlife, with the highlight of sailing in Scoresby Sund, the longest and most spectacular fjord system in the world.

At this time of year, there is also a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

This itinerary offers long hikes for up to 24 passengers, accompanied by armed expedition staff and a Zodiac for polar bear safety, covering approximately 15 km (9 miles) over six hours on semi-rough terrain. Non-hikers can enjoy alternative morning and afternoon landings.

This trip operates on various dates aboard 2 different vessels. Mentioned activities may not be applicable to all departure dates. Please enquire for full rates and dates.

Highlights

  • Good chances of seeing the Northern Lights!
  • Amazing West Spitsbergen scenery and wildlife including possible sightings of polar bears
  • Spectacular Scoresby Sund
  • Enjoy optional long hikes (around 15kms) across a variety of terrains, guided by expedition experts
  • Wonderful mountain, glacier and tundra landscapes
  • Whales, musk oxen and other wildlife
  • Inuit culture
  • Photo workshops (select departures)

What's Included

  • Full board accommodation on board with all meals, snacks and hot drinks
  • All zodiac excursions and landings with expert guides
  • Programme of expert lectures
  • Loan of rubber boots

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Longyearbyen, Svalbard
1Day

Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Your Spitsbergen and Greenland expedition cruise will begin in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Svalbard archipelago, where after having arrived independently you can enjoy a stroll around this former mining town before making your way to the port to embark your ship in the afternoon. After settling in to your cabin and exploring your new surroundings, the ship will depart in the early evening. As we sail out of Isfjorden we recommend spending some time on deck where you may spot the first minke whale of your voyage following the ship in the waters below.

Various flight and land package options are available for transport to Longyearbyen, please enquire for full details.

Raudfjorden
2Day

Raudfjorden

Today will be spent at sea sailing north towards Raudfjorden, on the very north coast of Spitsbergen. As we sail you will be able to sample some of the spectacular scenery that Spitsbergen is famous for as we travel through an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers. Already we will be on the lookout for fascinating wildlife sightings including the ringed and bearded seals that often frequent the fjord and the thriving seabird colonies that reside in the cliffs and along the shorelines. We will also have good chances of spotting polar bears!

Your program of expert lectures and presentations will also begin, covering everything from the history of Polar exploration to the geological features and wildlife you are likely to encounter on your voyage.

En route to Greenland
3 - 4Days

En route to Greenland

These two days will be spent on board sailing across the Greenland Sea. As we sail you can enjoy the onboard lecture and presentation program, relax in your comfortable ship surroundings or spend some time on deck watching for the whales and migrating seabirds that are likely to be following the ship.

As we approach Greenland the jagged edge of the east Greenland sea ice will gradually come into sight and the excitement will build as we near these vast and intriguing lands.

Myggebugten, Greenland
5Day

Myggebugten, Greenland

As we finally reach Greenland’s east coast our first adventure here will be to attempt to sail through the sea ice into Foster Bugt. We hope to make our first landing Myggebugten to discover this area’s unique landscape and tundra where we will see good numbers of musk oxen, an early 20th century hunters’ hut and pretty lakes frequented by geese.

Later we will sail through the magnificent Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord where towering mountains and huge icebergs surround you on all sides to create amazing photo opportunities and an awe-inspiring feeling of nature’s true powers. An alternative route will be Sofia Sund, which is much narrower, and where we can see musk oxen from the ship.

As with all polar expeditions, itinerary flexibility is the key, and each day your captain and experienced crew will determine the best course to travel in order to provide you with the very best scenic and wildlife observation opportunities.

Blomster Bugt
6Day

Blomster Bugt

Today we will arrive at Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle), where we will land at Blomsterbugt to view some magnificent geological formations as well as seeing the Arctic hares and great northern divers that are often found here.

After an exploration of Blomsterbugt we will sail into Antarctic Sound, where you find the islands of Ruth, Maria, and Ella. We hope to land at the particularly beautiful Maria island.

Segelsällskapets Fjord
7Day

Segelsällskapets Fjord

This morning your ship will sail between the streaked slopes of the Berzelius Mountains into the geologically remarkable Segelsällskapets Fjord. We hope to land on the south shore to see the intriguing ancient sedimentary formations that sweep the landscape and enjoy a hike to a nearby small lake to see Arctic hares, musk oxen and ptarmigans.

Later in the afternoon we will sail to the dramatic peak-surrounded Alpefjord to enjoy a thrilling Zodiac cruise around Gully glacier and onwards deep into the fjord. A true Greenland adventure experience.

Antarctic Havn
8Day

Antarctic Havn

This morning we will spend some time in Antarctic Havn to explore this extensive valley that is home to large groups of musk oxen and fiery autumn-coloured tundra. In the afternoon we will get back on board to begin our sail to Scoresby Sund.





Scoresby Sund
9Day

Scoresby Sund

Today may well be the highlight of your whole trip as we reach the spectacular iceberg graveyard of Scoresbysund, the longest and most spectacular fjord system in the world. After sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst we can board our Zodiacs for a thrilling cruise along the glacier fronts before visiting the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. This part of Greenland offers breathtaking photo opportunities and simply needs to be seen to be believed.

After a thrilling morning we will enjoy a calmer afternoon on Danmark Island where we can take a gentle stroll across the landscape to see the remains of an Inuit settlement that was abandoned over 200 years ago. This interesting walk will allow us to closely observe these well-preserved sites and learn more about life on Greenland many years ago. Later in the evening we will re-board the ship and sail west, further into the berg-crowded fjords.

Røde Ø & Sydkap
10 - 11Days

Røde Ø & Sydkap

Another exciting day lies ahead as you enjoy a Zodiac cruise at one of the world’s most enchanting iceberg sites, Røde Ø. Your cameras will get a great workout here as you capture the unique sights of the austere blue-white icebergs sharply contrasting against the brooding red backdrop of the sediment slopes. After your adventurous Zodiac cruise it will be time to get back on board for a more relaxing cruise through the northern parts of Røde Fjord, keeping a lookout for the musk oxen grazing along the coasts.

The next day’s adventures will bring more encounters with colossal icebergs, some standing over 100 metres high, before we land at Sydkap to enjoy the excellent views Hall Bredning and good chances of seeing Arctic hares.

Ittoqqortoormiut
12Day

Ittoqqortoormiut

This morning we will have time to explore Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet, where we can enjoy a gentle walk along the tundra before making our way to Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresbysund. Frozen in for nine months a year and sandwiched between the largest national park and longest fjord system in the world, the setting of this tiny outpost is simply stunning. It also bears the distinction of being the remotest inhabited community in the western hemisphere. Home to approximately 500 residents, Ittoqqortoormiit is a delightfully picturesque settlement that is a joy to walk around.

In the afternoon we will get back on board to sail past the beautiful landscapes of the Blosseville Coast and bid our fond farewells to Greenland.

At Sea
13Day

At Sea

The last day of our voyage will be spent at sea sailing across the Denmark Strait towards Iceland. And although it may be our last day, there is still some excitement left to be had as we spend some time on deck searching for seabirds and whale sightings. As night time approaches there will be a sense of anticipation in the air as we wait for updates on our chances of seeing the Northern Lights as we sail. We hope for good news as we make our way to deck in expectation of witnessing this beautiful natural phenomenon.



Arrival in Akureyri
14Day

Arrival in Akureyri

Your adventure ends in the Icelandic town of Akureyri where after breakfast you will disembark to make your way homewards or onwards. A 6-hour bus transfer to Reykjavik city centre is available upon request at an additional charge. Please enquire for full details as this transfer should be booked in advance so as to avoid disappointment.

A view from Above

All Aboard

MV Ortelius
Mid range vessel

MV Ortelius

Ortelius was built as a Russian scientific survey ship with ice strengthened hull, ideal for polar sailing. She has been completely refurbished for polar expedition travel and has a selection of suites and cabins with windows or portholes and private facilities. There are twin dining rooms, a lecture room, bar and observation lounge and lots of open deck space plus an open-bridge policy. Ortelius also has a helicopter landing pad and helicopter excursions are available on some itineraries.

M/V Hondius
Luxury vessel

M/V Hondius

Launched in 2019, the Hondius is a deluxe vessel that has been built to the very highest Polar Class for ice-strengthened vessels. The first civilian vessel in the world to receive a Polar Class 6 notation and designed to fully comply with the mandatory requirements of the Polar code, the M/V Hondius leads the way for both safe ship operation and protection of the Polar environment.

Providing deluxe accommodation for up to 170 passengers, the M/V Hondius offers one of the highest comfort experiences of all vessels which operate in the Polar Regions. The accommodation onboard is provided in numerous suites of varying sizes, from the Hondius Suite to quadruple porthole cabins, with all cabins having either a balcony, large windows or portholes. Each cabin has been custom-designed and impeccably outfitted in a stylish décor.

The M/V Hondius has been designed to offer a deluxe feel whilst still maintaining a sense of cosy camaraderie, with welcoming communal, observation and dining areas. An entire deck has been dedicated to space for lectures and presentations, and every element of the vessel has been thoroughly thought-out to provide the very best passenger experience.

The vessel features a sheltered Zodiac boarding zone making joining and returning from land-based excursions fast and easy, and has been built to exceed the latest Green requirements imposed by the International Maritime Organisation to ensure that your trip causes as little impact as possible on the areas you will visit.

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Arctic adventure for you.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

With countless travel experiences and an enduring hunger for adventure, Sheena knows exactly what’s needed to craft a holiday of a lifetime. Her experience and generosity of spirit are legendary and she’ll help you build an itinerary that will make all your dreams come true.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than 15 years of experience in the travel industry and continues to be inspired by the people, places and wildlife he discovers. His in-depth personal knowledge of a diverse range of destinations ensures your adventure itinerary will be a holiday like no other.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

Simon’s deep passion for and first-hand knowledge of a vast range of destinations all over the world gives him the ideal skills to help you create a truly unforgettable wildlife inspired adventure to the most exciting places on the planet.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

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0800 195 3385
Outside the uk
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43
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+ 44 1625 5811 43

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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

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callback

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

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