SPITSBERGEN – GREENLAND – ICELAND
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15 DAYS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Oslo, Norway | Overnight airport hotel |
| Day 2 | Longyearbyen | Flight to Longyearbyen, Embark Sea Spirit |
| Days 3-4 | Svalbard | Explore Spitsbergen, search for Polar bears and Arctic wildlife |
| Days 5-6 | Greenland Sea | On-board presentations and keep look out for whales |
| Days 7-12 | East Greenland | Explore Franz Josef and Kong Oscar and Scoresby Sund fjords |
| Day 13 | Denmark Strait | Enjoy presentations and time out on deck |
| Day 14 | Westfjords, Iceland | Cruise through beautiful Westfjords |
| Day 15 | Reykjavik, Iceland | After breakfast farewell the Sea Spirit |
Day 1 Oslo, Norway
Arrive Oslo overnight at an Oslo Airport hotel so that you’re conveniently close for your flight to Longyearbyen on Day 2.
Day 2 Embarkation in Longyearbyen
In the afternoon you will be welcomed on board the Sea Spirit where you will settle into your cabin and meet the expedition team and fellow travellers. Admire the beautiful mountains as the ship leaves port and off to explore Spitsbergen.
Days 3-4 Spitsbergen
Overview:
The ship will head northwest where you will witness some impressive scenery where jagged mountains flank deep fjords and narrow channels. Enormous glaciers carve into turquoise waters and icebergs choke the waterways. Here you will also find some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing. Keep a look out for polar bears, arctic fox, reindeer and seabirds.
Days 5-6 Greenland Sea
From Spitsbergen head southwest toward East Greenland across the Greenland Sea. The ship may encounter sea ice along the way which sometimes offers sightings of polar bears and seals. You may see breaching whales along the way and seabirds. If the nights are dark enough you may see the aurora borealis.
Days 7-12 Exploring East Greenland
As you explore East Greenland you will be in awe of the huge mountains, incredible glaciers and picturesque fjords. Visit Scoresby Sund, the largest fjord system in the world as well as Kaiser Franz Joseph and Kong Oscar Fjord system. There will be many opportunities to go hiking and on Zodiac cruises.
Visit ancient Thule archaeological sites, historical trappers’ huts and modern Inuit hunters’ cabins. You will stop at Ittoqqortoormiit, the only permanent settlement in the region. Here you will meet locals, visit the museum and see the sled dogs.
Please keep in mind the itinerary is weather dependent but you will be privy to incredible scenery wherever the ship takes you.
Day 13 Denmark Strait
Head towards Iceland across the Denmark Strait. Along the way there will be presentations and workshops conducted by the expedition leaders. Seabirds and whales will often be sighted so be ready to head out on deck with your camera.
Day 14 Westfjords, Iceland
Visit the beautiful Vestfirðir (Westfjords) of Iceland. This remote and sparsely populated region of crenulated coastlines, voluminous waterfalls and rugged mountains sees only 10% of Iceland’s visitors. Deep fjords are home to whales while estuaries abound with seals and birdlife.
Day 15 Reykjavik, Iceland
When the ship reaches Reykjavik the voyage comes to an end. After breakfast on the final day bid farewell to your expedition team and you can either take the transfer to the airport or to the centre of town if you choose to stay in Iceland to explore for a bit longer. Reykjavik is a beautiful city with many lovely restaurants. You may wish to visit the Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir and the tectonic plate boundary where North America and Europe are pulling away from each other.