Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland

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 Scoresby Sund, 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 Scoresby Sund 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).