East Greenland to Spitsbergen in Luxury

Your thrilling Arctic trip begins in Reykjavik, the vibrant Icelandic capital, where after arriving independently you will make your way to the port to board your luxury expedition vessel. After settling into your supremely comfortable cabin and familiarising yourself with the fantastic facilities on board, you might wish to make your way to the deck to watch as we leave Iceland behind and set sail into the Denmark Strait towards Greenland.

We recommend arriving in Reykjavik a few days ahead of departure to allow you time to soak up the sights of this very special city and its beautiful surroundings. Please let us know if you would like any advice on places to visit and stay.

Today will be spent at sea sailing towards Greenland. This will be the perfect time to relax and enjoy the luxurious facilities on board including the spa, wellness centre, fitness centre, swimming pool and panoramic lounge. You might also choose to spend some time on deck looking for seabirds and whales following the ship and soaking up the beautiful surroundings.

Your first adventure in Greenland is certain to be one to remember as your ship makes its way to the largest and deepest fjord system in the world for 3 days of unforgettable exploration. Scoresby Sund is wild and deserted, with high snow-capped peaks rising tall alongside icebergs immersed in clear, blue-tinged waters creating incredibly impressive scenery at every turn. During your time here you will enjoy thrilling Zodiac and hovercraft boat excursions, shore visits and nature walks designed to truly immerse you in this unique place. Whilst you’re here, a visit to Rode Fjord and its iconic iron-red cliffs are likely to be a highlight, along with possibly a visit to the Inuit community of Ittoqqortoormiit to meet the locals and learn all about life this far north.

This impressive fjord formed by a maze of valleys marks the northern border of Scoresby Sound to the east of Greenland. Bare ochre cliffs disappear into the boreal sea and jagged mountains surrounded by iceberg-filled waters create a truly dreamlike landscape that is a delight to explore. A highlight here will be a sail by or Zodiac cruise close to Berzelius Bjerg, a mountain made up of strata of coloured rock formed by former marine sediments.

The marvellous Kejser Franz Joseph Fjord is located within the Northeast Greenland National Park area. Characterised by its imposing size, we will hope to enjoy a Zodiac cruise here across the face of Attestupan, the world’s highest coastal cliff, which edges the fjord. The ochre walls contrasting with the deep blue of the sea and the cerulean-hued white of the floating icebergs make for fantastic photo opportunities.

We will now spend two further days exploring along the jagged coastlines, gigantic fjords and breathtaking shores of Northeast Greenland National Park. Surrounded by magnificent alpine mountains, this is the largest National Park in the world and is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. As we explore by land and sea we will get up close to the area’s renowned nature and wildlife, hoping for sightings of the Polar bears and musk oxen that are often spotted in this wild and isolated area.

Leaving Greenland behind, today is spent at sea continuing our journey towards Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island. Spend some time on deck searching for whales, birds and Polar bears, or simply relax in the comforts of your beautiful expedition ship and prepare for even more Arctic adventures ahead.

As we begin our exploration of Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island's, stunning west coast, we will spend some time exploring around the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park where the Nunataks, glaciers, islands, large bays, and arctic tundra scattered with moss and lichen in shades of silver and gold provide a spectacular backdrop to Arctic adventures. Enjoying Zodiac cruises and shore visits, you will discover areas of historical importance and discover remnants of historical expeditions and trades of days gone by. We will also be on the lookout for sightings of wildlife including Arctic terns, Polar bears, walruses and seals.

Your final full day of adventure will begin with a visit to the former mining town of Ny-Ålesund. Now a scientific base, this small town is home to a museum and what is considered to be the most northernly post office in the world. As you enjoy a walk around, your guides will tell you all about how this area was the departure point for many historical Arctic expeditions, including those of the famous explorer Roald Amundsen.

In nearby Kings Bay in Kongsfjorden, one of the most beautiful fjords in Svalbard, we will spend some time soaking up the sights of awe-inspiring snow-capped mountains reflecting in the water where superb icebergs try to outdo each other in their beauty. Photo opportunities abound here and we will also be on the lookout for the rich wildlife that is often found here including reindeer, seals, barnacle geese and black guillemots. A visit to the stunning Kongsbreen glacier will be the perfect way to round off your trip.

As you arrive into beautiful Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of Svalbard, after breakfast it will be time to disembark and join your included flight to Paris where your itinerary sadly comes to an end. Numerous further Arctic adventures are available in Longyearbyen so please enquire should you wish to extend your experience and spend a few more days in this unique Arctic town.