Jewels of the Arctic

Upon arriving in Oslo, check in at our group hotel near the airport. Stop by the hospitality desk to pick up your luggage cabin tags and to speak with our ground operations team. 

They will provide important information about pre-embarkation procedures and the charter flight to Longyearbyen scheduled for tomorrow. Ensure you label your luggage tags clearly with your name and ship cabin number.

The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense. 

Accommodation: The Clarion Hotel Oslo (or similar)

Make sure your luggage is properly tagged with your name and cabin number. Keep all valuables and personal items with you throughout the day. Your luggage will be delivered to your cabin prior to your arrival on board.

During the journey to Camp Barentz in Advent Valley, your guide will share the captivating history of Longyearbyen. At Camp Barentz, gather in the traditional 'lavvo' for a presentation. Meet the friendly huskies and browse for souvenirs. Later, visit the Svalbard Museum in town before boarding the vessel in the late afternoon.

After boarding, take some time to get comfortable in your cabin before attending the mandatory safety briefings. This evening, you’ll have the opportunity to meet your expedition team and crew members.

Svalbard epitomizes the best of Arctic wilderness. Our experienced Expedition Team, with their extensive knowledge of this region, will expertly craft our daily itinerary based on weather, sea-ice conditions, and wildlife opportunities.

Experience phenomenal fjords, majestic mountain ranges, and a polar desert rich in fossils, echoing with tales of early exploration. Witness walruses resting on sea ice or beaches, and explore tundra adorned with vibrant wildflowers. Visit towering cliffs bustling with nesting guillemots and puffins, and scree slopes hosting Svalbard’s largest colonies of little auks. The highlight awaits with possible encounters with the magnificent polar bear on pack ice – a moment eagerly anticipated by both you and our dedicated Expedition Team.

If you’ve opted for activities like kayaking, opportunities will arise when conditions permit. And for those daring to take the polar plunge, prepare for an exhilarating dip as soon as conditions allow – a memory to cherish for years to come.

As we navigate toward East Greenland's coast, we may witness whales feasting in the nutrient-rich northern waters. Approaching East Greenland, the pack ice thickens, presenting opportunities to spot seals and an array of seabirds, such as northern fulmars and Brünnich’s guillemots.

The strong, icy currents that isolate East Greenland from the Polar Basin draw a bounty of fish, seals, and whales. The area’s unique climate and dense ice often cloak the mornings in thick fog, which only the midday sun can disperse. During our voyage, our knowledgeable experts will engage us with fascinating insights into the local flora, fauna, ice formations, and epic stories of exploration.

The approach to Jan Mayen is truly breathtaking. Dominating the landscape is the 2,277-meter (7,470-foot) Beerenberg volcano, the world’s northernmost active volcano, which last erupted in 1985.

The island’s northern region is an excellent spot for observing whales and dolphins and boasts impressive glaciers that extend into the sea. If weather conditions allow, we will attempt to land at Kvalrossbukta, a relatively sheltered bay on the island’s west coast. This landing site is also used to supply Olonkinbyen, the weather station located on the eastern side of the island.

As we journey across the Denmark Strait to Ittoqqortoormiit, we are accompanied by seabirds and remain vigilant for whale sightings. Throughout the voyage, our team of experts offers engaging lectures and presentations, providing both information and entertainment. You can also take this time to bond with fellow expeditioners or stay active in the gym.

We will explore the east coast of Greenland, with our experienced Expedition Team tailoring the itinerary based on ice and weather conditions. This flexible approach ensures the best use of prevailing conditions and wildlife sightings. Typically, we aim for up to two landings or Zodiac excursions daily, including cruises along ice cliffs and whale-watching near the surface.

Expect to encounter abundant ice as East Greenland showcases some of the Arctic’s most stunning scenery. The landscape features deep fjords, narrow channels, and towering ice-clad peaks reaching up to 2,000 meters (6,562 feet). Glaciers calve massive icebergs that drift through the fjord system, creating breathtaking views.

The tundra is home to musk oxen, Arctic hares, and reindeer. The region also contains ancient Thule archaeological sites, historical trappers’ huts, and modern Inuit hunting cabins. A visit to Ittoqqortoormiit, the most isolated and northernmost settlement with around 450 inhabitants, is a highlight. This Inuit village offers a museum, gift shop, sled dogs, and the chance to meet friendly locals.

Explore Scoresbysund, the world’s largest fjord, known for its massive glaciers birthing majestic icebergs. Nearby are the Kong Oskar and Kaiser Franz Josef fjords, rich in wildlife due to fertile volcanic soil and sheltered mountains. You might spot musk oxen, Arctic foxes, mountain hares, reindeer, and various birds, including glaucous gulls and northern fulmars.

We aim to reach Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, a remote and rarely visited area within Northeast Greenland National Park, and cruise through Kong Oskar Fjord, admiring its geological beauty. Heading south along Liverpool Land depends on ice conditions.

Hike across tundra in search of ancient graveyards and Inuit summer villages from 3,000 years ago, while spotting musk oxen, Arctic hares, and reindeer. The area's calm waterways are ideal for sea kayaking, with chances to see ring seals, elusive narwhals, and even polar bears hunting on pack ice.

We cross the Denmark Strait to Iceland.

In the early morning, we arrive in Reykjavik and disembark around 8:00 am. Say farewell to your Expedition Team and fellow travelers as you continue on your journey. A transfer to Keflavik airport will be provided.

Note: We advise against booking flights departing before 12:00 pm on the day of disembarkation due to potential delays at the end of the voyage.