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This voyage sails waters filled with breathtaking scenery, fjords and glaciers, passing through areas that are home to cetaceans, pinnipeds, seabirds and the mighty polar bear, topped off with a chance to the magical northern lights at night.

Your adventure starts in Svalbard where you push through the pack ice searching for polar bears and ringed seals and witness walrus hauled out on the sea ice with guillemot cries echoing from towering cliffs nearby.

In Greenland, you discover the world’s largest fjord, Scoresbysund, cruise among iridescent icebergs sculpted into wonderful shapes and walk across tundra blooming with brightly coloured wildflowers in search of musk oxen, Arctic fox and Arctic hare.

A typical Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland itinerary is shown below, however we offer a choice of itineraries, expedition vessels and cabin types to suit your requirements.

Typical Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Embark Longyearbyen

    Embark and sail down Isfjorden, flanked by bird cliffs, vast glaciers and jagged mountains.

  2. Days 2-3 : Sail Spitsbergen’s west coast

    Spitsbergen's northwest coast features calving icebergs, historic whaling stations and trappers' camps. Reindeer roam the tundra, and from zodiacs you will gain fantastic views of ice cliffs, perhaps including Monacobreen, one of Spitsbergen's largest glaciers. In the north, there's a good chance of seeing walrus - and possibly even the majestic polar bear.

  3. Days 4-5 : Cross the Greenland Sea

    Cross the Greenland Sea, searching for fin and beluga whales feeding in the rich waters of the north. As we approach East Greenland, be prepared to encounter more pack ice and perhaps spot seals and a variety of seabirds, including the northern fulmar and Brünnich’s guillemot.

  4. Days 6-12 : Explore the East Coast of Greenland

    In the coming days you explore the east coast of Greenland with your knowledgeable expedition team, who will use their expertise to make best use of the prevailing weather, ice conditions and encounters with wildlife. You usually attempt up to two landings or Zodiac excursions per day, including cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, following whales feeding near the surface.  

    East Greenland contains some of the Arctic’s most impressive scenery. Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by sharp icy peaks and glaciers birthing gigantic icebergs that drift throughout the fjord system, combine to create breathtaking scenes. The tundra landscape is home to musk oxen, Arctic hare and reindeer, and throughout the area there are ancient archaeological sites and historical trappers’ huts.

    If conditions permit, you’ll attempt to enter Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, a remote and rarely visited fjord system and hopefully explore Scoresbysund, the world’s largest fjord. Gigantic glaciers flow into this fjord, the birthplace of hundreds of magnificent Greenland icebergs. It’s a spectacular place that simply needs to be seen to be believed. 

    North of Scoresbysund lie Kong Oskar and Kaiser Franz Josef fjords, two of the most significant fjord systems in Greenland, each one encompassing several smaller fjords and sounds. Thanks to the fertile volcanic soil and the surrounding mountains offering protection from strong winds, the area is rich in wildlife. You may spot everything from musk ox and Arctic foxes to mountain hares, and even reindeer, near the fjord. Look skyward, and you could catch a glimpse of birds, including the glaucous gull, black-legged kittiwake, northern fulmar, common raven and common eider. 

  5. Day 13: Cross Denmark Strait towards Iceland

    Sail across Denmark Strait towards Iceland; spot northern fulmars, black-backed gulls, dolphins and orcas, and at night, if you're lucky, maybe evening the magical northern lights. 

  6. Day 14: Disembarkation

    Depending on which vessel is booked, you will disembark in Reykjavik or in Akureyri and transfer by road to Reykjavik (approximately six hours).

Please note: Exact itinerary and duration will depend on your chosen vessel, departure date and local conditions.

Key info

  • Duration and price excluding international flights: 14-16 days from £8,230 pp : Plancius: from £8,230 pp
    Ortelius: from £8,230 pp
    Hondius: from £8,230 pp
    Greg Mortimer: from £13,195 pp
    Ocean Explorer: from £13,400 pp
    Sylvia Earle: from £13,995 pp
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • Group size: Varies according to vessel
  • Group Departures: View all departure dates
  • Included in the price/package:
    • Accommodation in twin-share cabin
    • All meals on board ship
    • Guided shore excursions
  • Activities available:
    • Boat trip
    • Zodiac cruising
Featured locations:

Spitsbergen

High above the Arctic Circle lies the remarkable archipelago known in Norwegian as Svalbard. Spitsbergen, the main island, means 'jagged peaks' and befits this remarkable land with its spectacular coastline, littered with glaciers flowing into the sea, and high cliffs with endless opportunities for viewing wildlife. Find Out More about {acc:title}

  • Ideal for viewing: Arctic tern, bearded seal, beluga whale, narwal, polar bear
  • Excellent for: Wildlife cruises, Wildlife festivals, Whale watching, Polar bear watching

North East Greenland National Park

North East Greenland National Park is the world’s largest. Although the park is part of the Greenland Ice Sheet, there are large ice-free areas of green mountains with beautiful wild flowers, long fjords, precipitous cliffs and hot springs. Off shore, huge icebergs in fantastic shapes float on the deep blue sea. Find Out More about {acc:title}

  • Ideal for viewing: bearded seal, musk ox, ringed seal, walrus, polar bear
  • Excellent for: Wildlife cruises, Whale watching

Reykjavik

Iceland's capital and its largest city, Reykjavik sits on a coastline consisting of peninsulas, straits and islands. This colourful city lies on the southern shore of Faxa Bay, whose waters are often visited by humpback and minke whales, as well as puffins, Arctic tern and other seabirds. Find Out More about {acc:title}

  • Where: South-west Iceland
  • Ideal for viewing: humpback whale, minke whale, Atlantic puffin, common eider, tufted duck
  • Excellent for: Self-drive, Whale watching
This itinerary is available on the following cruise vessels:

Greg Mortimer

The Greg Mortimer introduces an exciting new generation of ship for cruising in the Polar regions. Purpose-built for expedition cruising with a uniquely designed ice-strengthened hull to provide a more comfortable voyage, this small ship can venture into remote areas that larger vessels cannot reach. Find Out More about Greg Mortimer

Hondius

With decades of experience in polar expedition cruising, this vessel is purpose built for enjoying polar wildlife highlights. Every aspect of this innovative ship has been considered to make your polar voyage an incredible experience, from beautiful, comfortable rooms, to the excursions and everything between. Find Out More about Hondius

Ocean Explorer

The Ocean Explorer is modern, elegant, and purpose-built for polar exploration. It features spacious and luxurious cabins, ample outdoor viewing areas, and the latest sustainability technology. The ship offers a luxurious and comfortable sailing experience, allowing you to intimately connect with the polar wilderness. Find Out More about Ocean Explorer

Ortelius

The ice-strengthened Ortelius is an excellent vessel for expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic. With the highest ice-class notation, it offers possibilities to travel to remote locations such as the Ross Sea and Franz Josef Land. Flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities. Find Out More about Ortelius

Plancius

The Plancius accommodates a maximum of 108 passengers in cabins ranging from triple to superior, all with outside view and private facilities. She offers a range of itineraries in Antarctica and the Arctic, and the large open deck spaces offer excellent opportunities to watch wildlife. Find Out More about Plancius

Sylvia Earle

Described as ‘a floating ambassador for the conservation of the planet’, the brand new, purpose-built Sylvia Earle combines the latest in cutting-edge technology with maximum comfort for polar exploration, and was named after the world-renowned marine biologist and oceanographer. Find Out More about Sylvia Earle