Spitsbergen to East Greenland Cruise

Day 1: Embarkation Longyearbyen

At approx. 2,075 inhabitants, Longyearbyen is the largest community in the Svalbard Islands. Embarkation is in the early afternoon.

Days 2-3: Exploring Spitsbergen

Spitsbergen’s northwest coast features calving icebergs, historic whaling stations and trappers’ camps. Brunnich’s guillemots, little auks and kittiwakes nest in their thousands. Reindeer roam tundra dotted with wildflowers like saxifrage, moss campion and bell-heather. Board the Zodiacs to gain fantastic views of ice cliffs, including Monacobreen, one of Spitsbergen’s largest glaciers. In the north, look for walruses and polar bears as they walk and swim between the fractured pack ice.

Days 4-5: Greenland Sea

While sailing the historic Greenland Sea you'll learn about the Arctic's wildlife and history. On deck you'll learn to identify seabirds on the wing. Share photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar and keep an eye out for the fins and tails of the local whales - there are many things to do at sea.

Days 6-8: North-eastern Greenland

An ice cap covers 81 per cent of Greenland and pack ice, even in summer, may fill the northern bays. Ashore, cosy trappers’ huts beckon from across the tundra, where musk ox, Arctic hare and eider ducks roam in Kejser Franz Josef Fjord. Lively cascades at Kap Humboldt provide a microclimate for spectacular hanging gardens. Kong Oskar Fjord offers spectacular glacier-carved mountains.

Day 9-11: Scoresby Sund

In Scoresby Sund, the world's biggest fjord system, massive glaciers calve explosively, creating giant icebergs. Near Rode Island, the Zodiacs weave through a maze of grounded icebergs, some more than 30 metres high, sculpted with deep green tunnels and aquamarine lakes. Enjoy a warm Ittoqqortoormiit welcome from Inuit happy to share their culture. The kayakers will often find ideal paddling conditions, winding their way through interconnected waterways, watching for polar bears and narwhals.

Day 12: Blosseville Coast

Sail south along the Blosseville Coast, search for musk ox and narwhals and marvel at the mountain scenery that dominates the skyline. If weather permits, head for Rømer Fjord, a deep waterway with stunning mountain views.

Day 13: Denmark Strait

Sail across Denmark Strait, reflecting on your rich experiences and enjoying the antics of northern fulmars, black-backed gulls, dolphins, orcas and other whales.

Day 14: Disembark in Keflavik

Arrive early morning in Keflavik. After breakfast, bid farewell to the crew before your coach transfer to Reykjavik.

Notes

Important Reminder: All voyage itineraries are intended as a guideline only - embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy of expedition travel. Actual routes and landings will be dependent on weather, sea and ice conditions. A degree of flexibility is essential in the polar regions!