Arctic Highlights - Spitsbergen, Greenland, and Iceland
14 days | Trip Code: XVAHNX
Countries Visited
- Arctic
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Norway
Have Questions About This Trip?
- Trip Style: Expedition

- Physical Demands Rating: 2

- Next Available Departure: Wed, Sep. 8, 2010
Highlights
Spitsbergen, Longyearbyen, the Greenland Sea, East Greenland, the Scoresbysund Fjord, Reykjavik, Zodiac cruises, tundra, unique wildlife, and local communities.
Description
Sailing from Spitsbergen to Greenland, follow the ice's edge always on the lookout for wildlife. Navigating south, explore this remote landscape not only by ship but also on foot and by Zodiac. This journey highlights the contrast and change in the Arctic as you move south finally ending in the "land of fire and ice," Iceland. Inuit villages, unique wildlife and remote destinations are some of the highlights on this truly unforgettable voyage through the Arctic.
- Longyearbyen - Reykjavik
- - 13 nights on board the M/S Expedition
- All meals included on board the ship
- 10 expedition staff and naturalists
- Zodiac excursions
- Visit to local community - Max 124.
- 10 expedition staff/naturalists.
- All meals included on board the ship.
- M/S Expedition, Zodiac, and local buses.
- On board the M/S Expedition in triple, twin-share cabins, or suites (all with ensuite bathrooms and porthole or window) (13 nts). Please note that all cabins consist of two beds and are outside facing. Suites have a queen size bed, subject to availability.
- Drinks and tips while on the expedition ship are not included.
- 1. Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.
2. Shared triple cabins are same-sex cabins only. Males and females can not stay in triple cabins together unless their traveling party has booked all berths in the cabin.
Day 1 Arrive Longyearbyen (D)
Embark on the expedition ship in the afternoon and depart Longyearbyen in the evening.
Day 2-3 West Coast of Spitsbergen (2B,2L,2D)
Our two days will be planned to take advantage of local ice and weather conditions. Svalbard is one of the few places on the planet to offer such a plethora of natural and historical extravaganzas. Visit ice covered fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery and glaciers crashing into the sea around us. Keep a constant lookout for the unique wildlife that inhabits this Arctic wilderness including polar bears, walrus and Svalbard’s species of reindeer, smaller than the southern relatives, but still carrying impressive antlers.
Day 4-5 Greenland Sea (2B,2L,2D)
Keep an eye out for majestic whales, which are known to feed here in the summer months. We may see Orca, Humpback and Minke whales as well as White-Beaked dolphins. Enjoy lectures by expedition experts, who will educate us on the animals and destinations that we have seen and what might lie ahead. On the evening of Day 5 we should sight land and begin our exploration of the coastline as we head south.
Day 6-11 East Greenland & Scorsbysund (6B,6L,6D)
Slowly moving south, explore along the eastern coast of Greenland. In this remote and untouched landscape look for wildlife such as walruses, seals, narwhals, polar bears, muskoxen, wolves, foxes, ermine, Arctic hares, lemmings, and a variety of birds. We will board our Zodiac boats to get a closer look at some of the birdlife and to walk in the tundra. Our southward journey will culminate in Scoresbysund which is one of the largest fjord systems in the world.
Day 12-13 Denmark Strait (2B,2L,2D)
We continue our lecture series while watching the seas for whales as we head towards Iceland and the steaming hot springs of Reykjavik. The view is often complemented by soaring fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots, and razorbills.
Day 14 Depart Reykjavik (B)

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- - Guaranteed departure

- - Departure has a discount

- - Requested space available

- - Wait list available
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This guide content provides general destination information. Events and highlights mentioned may or may not be experienced on your tour. Refer to your Trip Details document for inclusions.
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