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Four Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland and Iceland


Take a private charter from Helsinki to Spitsbergen and board your floating home away from home for the next 16 nights. A true adventure on the seas you’ll explore Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago and revel in the countless opportunities to spot abundant wildlife, visit spectacular glacier fronts and see tundra in full bloom. Then cruise on down to Greenland via the mist-shrouded and mysterious Jan Mayen Island that rises from the depths of the North Atlantic Sea. You’ll explore Greenland’s Scoresby Sund and the remains of its ancient Thule settlements with views of icebergs and towering mountains rising straight out of the sea before reaching our fourth and final artic island of the trip – Iceland. This trip is a nature-lover's dream as you visit what can only be described as a wonderland for wildlife and remote wilderness so vast, you’ll feel like you’re in another world.

18 days, from

$10,942

per person

GROUP SIZE

128 people max

ACTIVITY LEVEL

 
2
Trip code: BQMFA
Style: Comfort
Theme: Polar

Details

Countries Visited:  Finland Greenland Iceland Norway Svalbard And Jan Mayen Islands
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night), Expedition cruise ship (16 nights)
Transportation: Expedition cruise ship , Zodiac
Included Meals:

  • 17 breakfasts
  • 16 lunches
  • 16 dinners

Group size: Minimum 1, Max 128

  • Take a private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, and enjoy breath-taking views of the mountainous region below.

  • Learn about the history and politics of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology, ecology and climate, and the incredible sights you will soon explore from in-depth presentations aboard your floating home away from home.

  • Marvel at local wildlife like walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer as well as Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls.

  • Be wowed by the mysterious Jan Mayen Island, often shrouded in thick fog, the small mountainous island was declared a nature reserve in 2010. If conditions permit, you'll get the chance to explore the island on foot.

  • Discover Scoresby Sund, the largest, deepest and, some say, most beautiful multi-armed fjord system in the world with plenty of opportunities to explore ashore or by Zodiac cruise.

Itinerary

Show Full Itinerary

Day 1: Helsinki, Finland

Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its extraordinary architecture and intriguing mix of eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.

Day 2: Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Embark

This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, as part of the transfer package. As you embark this afternoon, you’ll hope to enjoy great views of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this seaside town.

Day 3-6: Exploring Spitsbergen

Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with austere beauty and opportunities to spot its abundant wildlife. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and tundra in full bloom, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions permit, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole!

Day 7-8: Cruising At Sea

While sailing south through the historic Greenland Sea toward Jan Mayen, your Expedition Team will keep you informed with presentations about the history and politics of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology, ecology and climate, and the incredible sights you will soon explore. On deck, you’ll learn to identify seabirds “on the wing.” The team will also keep a lookout for the whales that frequent the waters here.

Day 9-10: Exploring Jan Mayen

North of the Arctic Circle, about 280 miles (450 km) east of Greenland and 340 miles (550 km) north of Iceland, the mysterious Jan Mayen rises from the depths of the North Atlantic. Often shrouded in thick fog, the small mountainous island was declared a nature reserve in 2010 and is rarely visited, save for the 18 rotating personnel of the Norwegian military and Norwegian Meteorological Institute, who are the only inhabitants.

Landing here will be dictated by the weather and sea. If conditions allow, as we approach, keep watch on deck as the spoon-shaped island’s highest summit emerges. At 7,470 feet (2,277 meters) high, the breathtaking Beerenberg volcano features a symmetrical cone shape and impressive glaciers that spill into the sea.

If we’re fortunate, we may get an close-up view of the volcano and the stratified cliffs of the spectacular north coast as we Zodiac cruise along the coast of the island, searching for wildlife. Designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for the large numbers of breeding seabirds, Jan Mayen supports colonies of northern fulmars, little auks, glaucous gulls, kittiwakes, and black and Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).

Day 11-15: Exploring Scoresby Sund, Greenland

Your tour of Scoresby Sund—the largest, deepest and, some say, most beautiful multi-armed fjord system in the world— will offer plenty of opportunities to explore ashore or by Zodiac cruise.

At one moment you’ll be stepping back in time, exploring the remains of ancient Thule settlements with views of icebergs and towering mountains rising straight out of the sea, and the next you’ll be immersed in contemporary culture, meeting the locals and gaining an appreciation for their way of life in Ittoqqortoormiit, East Greenland’s northernmost community. At the mouth of the sound, this remote settlement boasts a blend of traditional and modern lifestyles and is geographically closer to Iceland than it is to its nearest Greenlandic neighbors to the southwest. Here, you’ll have the chance to support local Inuit artisans by purchasing unique handicrafts.

In terms of wildlife, grazing muskoxen are a possible sight, as 40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives in this region. Polar bear sightings are also a remote possibility, as are encounters with more elusive Arctic wildlife, such as the Arctic hare. Seabirds to watch out for nesting atop the steep cliffs of the sound include little auks, fulmars and guillemots.

Day 16-17: Cruising At Sea

As we sail south, the Denmark Strait is your pathway toward Iceland. Take in a presentation, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a film— there are many things to do during your time at sea. Your Expedition Team will also be on hand to answer any questions and point out wildlife.

Day 18: Depart Reykjavik, Iceland

You’ll disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, at the end of your journey. If you have booked post-expedition accommodation, we provide a transfer to a central downtown location.