Svalbard, Jan Mayen, Greenland & Iceland

Your included flight from Oslo will bring you to Longyearbyen today, the administrative capital of the Svalbard archipelago, where you will board your vessel and begin your Arctic adventure. After a welcome drink and time to familiarise yourself with the ship, there will be voyage and safety briefings before your captain steers the ship out of Advent Fjord and into the wilderness.

Please note: Your flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen is included in the price of your expedition.

As with all Arctic expeditions, our exact route in Svalbard will be dictated by weather and ice conditions, with your experienced captain and crew charting the perfect course each day for unforgettable sights and adventures. This itinerary describes the expected route but may be subject to change.

Heading north, overnight we will have passed Prins Karls Forland to reach the beautiful Kongsfjord area to land at the famous former mining settlement of Ny Ålesund for an enjoyable walk to learn about the history and scientific importance of this area. There will also be chance to visit the world’s northernmost Post Office.

On the opposite side of the fjord we find the abandoned marble mining settlement of Ny London where we can take a walk amongst the ruins of workshops, locomotives and cranes that signify the mining rush of days past.

In the afternoon we will sail further north into the fjord system where we will hope for our first Zodiac cruise along the impressive Lilliehöök Glacier front. We will also hope to navigate past the beautiful scenery in the bay of Fjortende Juli, where the glacier Fjortende Juli-breen calves into the fjord.

In Northwest Svalbard today we plan to cruise in Danskergattet and look for seals in Virgohamna before making our way to Amsterdamøya to land at the legendary 17th century whaling town of Smeerenburg, and the old lookout area of Ytre Norskøya.

Overnight the captain will have steered far north towards the edge of the polar pack ice, pushing as northernly as possible with the goal of reaching 80 degrees north. This portion of the trip offers the best possibilities of spotting Polar bears and as we spend the day sailing through the icy seas and floes we will be on a constant lookout for sightings of the “King of The Arctic”. We will also hope for a memorable Zodiac cruise today.

Later this evening we will steer away from Svalbard and begin our journey across the sea towards Jan Mayen.

Days 5 will be spent at sea sailing towards Jan Mayen. Whilst at sea you can enjoy the informative and entertaining lecture and discussion programme delivered by your team of onboard experts, spend time on deck looking for seabirds and whales following the ship, or simply relax in the comfort of your ship in preparation for the adventures ahead.

On day 6 we will arrive at the enigmatic and rarely-visited volcanic island of Jan Mayen which is home to the imposing Beerenberg mountain and is inhabited by only 18 people, all of whom work in the meteorological station and the Norwegian Defence. Often shrouded in mist, the island is a spectacular sight. We will hope to go ashore to explore around and learn more about its volcanic geology, passing by lava flows and cinder cones as the looming mountain provides an unforgettable backdrop.

After a day of exploration we will get back onboard to continue towards Greenland.

On the morning of day 7 we will awake along the pack ice of North East Greenland and begin our exploration of Scoresby Sund, the world’s longest fjord. Our 2 days here will allow us ample time to soak up the unique and unspoiled nature of Greenland, enjoying as many landings and Zodiac cruises as possible, surrounded by the most unforgettable scenery. Possible landing sites here include Cape Brewster and Bear Island, as well as a visit to the picturesque settlement of Ittiqqortoormiit, one of Greenland’s most remote towns.

We will now spend a day sailing along the incredibly beautiful Blosseville Coast, soaking up possibly the most dramatic coastline outside of Antarctica. As we sail surrounded by majestic mountains and steep fjords and cliffs, we will be on a constant lookout for wildlife, abandoned Inuit settlements and incredible scenic photo opportunities.

By day 10 we will have bade farewell to Greenland and will be sailing towards the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik.

Arrival into the vibrant and culture-rich Icelandic capital of Reykjavik will sadly signal the end of our Arctic voyage. After breakfast it will be time to disembark and bid a fond farewell to your crew and new-found friends. There are multiple options available in Reykjavik for extra adventures and we recommend booking a few extra days here to experience some of Iceland’s most famous sights. We will be happy to help you to arrange any post-voyage excursions or stays so please let us know if we can be of any assistance.