Icebergs & Auroras: East Greenland & Svalbard

Day 1: Embark in Longyearbyen - sail out to Isfjorden

We arrive in Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to visit this former mining village. The Parish Church and the Polar Museum are well worth visiting. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden.

Day 2: Raudfjord - West Spitsbergen

We sail into Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers. It is home to Ringed and Bearded Seal, seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation. We have good chances to see polar bear, for instance near Hamilton Glacier, or more to the head of the fjord. From there we continue to Moffen Island on which walrus haul out.

Day 3-4: At sea, enroute to Greenland

At sea, on our way to Greenland, we may see the edge of the East Greenland sea-ice. We keep watch for whales, and also for migrating seabirds.

Day 5: Myggebugten, Greenland

Approaching Greenland we will attempt to sail through the sea ice into Foster Bugt, making our first landing at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters' hut (in the first half of last century Norwegian trappers hunted here for polar bear and arctic fox) there is an extensive tundra populated by musk oxen. The small lakes are home to geese.

We sail through Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord, a magnificent fjord with towering mountains on both sides, its inner reaches choked with huge icebergs. An alternative is Sofia Sund, which is much narrower.

Day 6: Blomster Bugt

We land at Blomster Bugt where you might spot the arctic hare. We will land at Blomster Bugt to view the beautiful geological formations. Arctic hare are usually seen here, and there is a lake with Great Northern Diver and their young. In the afternoon we sail along Teufelschloss and Ella Island and may land at a beautiful spot in the early evening.

Day 7: Muskoxen, Arctic hare, and Ptarmigan

In the morning we enter Segelsällskapets Fjord with the beautiful Berzelius Mountains on the north side. We will land on the south side of the fjord in an astounding place where the ancient sedimentary geology is literally at your feet.

A hike will take us near a small lake with good chances to see muskoxen, arctic hare and ptarmigan. In the afternoon the ship will venture into Alpe Fjord, which is as spectacular as the name implies. We may embark on a long zodiac cruise around the Gully Glacier which once blocked the access to the interior of the fjord and venture deep inside to the very end. Adventure at its finest!

Day 8: Antarcticahavn

The first half of the day you spend in Antarcticahavn, an extensive valley where you can spot groups of musk oxen. At this time of year, the sparse vegetation is dressed in the fiery colors of autumn.

Day 9: Scoresby Sund 

Today you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise along one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. In the afternoon the plan is to visit Danmark Island. 

Day 10: Colours of the Cape

The goal is a Zodiac cruise near Røde Ø, one of the world’s most cherished iceberg attractions: The austere blue-white of the icebergs sets sharp against the brooding red backdrop of the sediment slopes. The afternoon plan is to sail through the northern parts of Røde Fjord, with the chance to see musk oxen and warm autumnal foliage.

Day 11: Enormous Bergs, Arctic Hares

In the morning you encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer (.62 mile) long. Most of them are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters (1,312 feet) deep. You then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and a good shot of seeing Arctic hares.

Day 12: Ittoqqortoormiit

In the morning we land at Ittoqqortoormiit, the biggest settlement in the Scoresby Sund with about 500 inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just wander around to see the sledge dogs and the drying skins of seal, musk ox and polar bear. After dinner we will sail south passing the amazing landscape of the Blosseville Coast.

Day 13: At sea

We will spend the whole day at sea and we will have splendid opportunities to see large whales and seabird migration and, in the night, the Aurora borealis (Northern Lights).

Day 14: Disembarkation in Akureyri

In the morning, we arrive in Akureyri and upon request you can transfer by chartered bus to a centrally located hotel in Reykjavik (6 hours). The transfer is supplemented and must be booked and paid for in advance.

NOTE: This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise.