HX – Arctic Circle – Svalbard, Greenland & Iceland

Explore Iceland, the Shetland Islands and Orkney on this expedition cruise from Reykjavík to Hamburg. Witness geological wonders as you half circumnavigate the land of ice and fire, from volcanoes and glaciers to geysers and hot springs. Go whale watching, marvel at vast ice caps and soaring volcanoes, discover Iron Age sites, and explore towns where Viking influences can still be seen. In stylish Reykjavík, you’ll get a taste of modern Iceland, before setting sail for a half circumnavigation of the land of fire and ice. Discover the country’s starkly beautifulscenery – with active volcanoes, geysers, glaciers, mountains and waterfalls, and encounter iconic wildlife. In the Shetland Islands and Orkney, you’ll experience windswept beauty, rich island culture and deep-rooted history. Visit Iron Age villages, Viking-influenced towns, and islands where birdlife thrives. Your adventure ends in Hamburg, Germany’s great port city.

Arctic Island Odyssey Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland

Setting out from Oslo to Greenland via Svalbard, explore the largest national park and the grandest fjord system on Earth. Discover epic scenery and captivating nature in true explorer style as our flexible route makes the best of the conditions. Fully immersive learning experience with onboard lectures, Citizen Science projects and demos. Setting sail from Longyearbyen, we’ll first visit the polar research station of Ny-Ålesund before heading to Greenland to explore the Northeast Greenland National Park. This gigantic natural reserve of 375,000 square miles occupies the remote northeastern quarter of the country. In the absence of people, wildlife abounds and with some luck you might see iconic Arctic species like musk oxen and even polar bears. Further south, Scoresby Sund is an immense system of fjords and glaciers fanning out over 24,000 square miles. Expect majestic fjord landscapes, historical ruins, abundant Arctic wildlife, and a potential visit to one of the most remote communities in the world before we sail to Iceland at the end of the voyage.

Join an expedition cruise from Iceland to Greenland, exploring its remote and pristine east coast. See the world’s largest fjord system, Scoresby Sund, with its mighty glaciers, and get closer to wild nature on landings with your Expedition Team. Discover epic scenery and captivating nature and wildlife, and gain an insight into one of the most remote settlements on the planet. The vast, untouched wilderness of Greenland’s rarely-visited east coast is accessible by ship for only a few months of the year. Our destination is Scoresby Sund, an immense system of fjords and glaciers that fans out over 24,000 square miles where you’ll soak up the beauty, silence and natural wonder of this truly unique destination. As we sail, watch for seals on the ice floes, whales in the water, and birds such as Snowy Owls and Greenlandic Gyrfalcons in the air. You’ll learn about the fascinating history, traditions, and culture of the people of Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most remote settlements on the planet.

Explore the largest national park and the most extensive fjord system on Earth. Witness epic scenery and come home filled with knowledge from the extensive and immersive onboard science and learning programme. Drink in the beauty of the High Arctic and look for iconic wildlife like musk oxen and polar bears. Scoresby Sund is an immense system of fjords and glaciers that fans out over 24,000 square miles. You’ll witness majestic fjord seascapes, stunningly beautiful icebergs, abundant Arctic wildlife and perhaps even visit one of the most remote communities on the planet. Northeast Greenland National Park is gigantic natural reserve of 375,000 square miles occupying the remote northeastern quarter of Greenland. In the absence of people, wildlife abounds and with some luck you might see iconic Arctic species like musk oxen and even polar bears.

From an icy wonderland to a rugged land bursting with life, join us as we attempt to circumnavigate the entire Svalbard archipelago during the Arctic summer. Venturing above the 80th parallel and east around Nordaustlandet, you’ll sail through dramatic fjords, past sparkling glaciers and soaring mountains over several days in the archipelago. Discover Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, explore the ever-changing ice edge, and look out for Arctic wildlife including whales, reindeer and the elusive polar bear. Going further east and deeper into polar bear territory than any of our other Svalbard expeditions, our goal is to fully circumnavigate the Svalbard archipelago – ice conditions permitting. Whether you opt to experience the ever-changing icescape of early summer, or see the kaleidoscope of colour later in the season, you’ll be immersed in incredible scenery and see iconic wildlife, with several days dedicated to exploring. Svalbard contains vast and pristine nature reserves where few humans ever set foot. It’s the domain of seabirds, such as Brunnich’s Guillemots and kittiwakes, as well as mammals like reindeer, walruses and seals. Early in the season we’ll explore close to the northern ice edge, while later on we’ll see the land bursting to life with wildflowers. As we sail, we’ll be on the lookout for marine animals in the waters around us, including graceful and mighty whales.