Expedition cruising through the High Arctic

An adventure to visit three jewels of the arctic: Iceland, Eastern Greenland & Spitsbergen! We begin our voyage in Rekjavik, Iceland and sail to Iceland's Westmann Islands—Vestmannaeyjar, the world's youngest archipelago—which boast evidence of very recent geological activity. Then we'll head across the Denmark Strait to explore the majestic coast of East Greenland, including a sail deep within Scoresbysund, the largest fjord complex in the world and the birthplace of many giant icebergs calving from massive glaciers. After Greenland, we'll spend three days in the Svalbard Archipelago: unequaled in wild splendor with an impressive array of wildlife and a rich human history (Spitsbergen, the largest island of the archipelago, was known to the Vikings and subsequently visited by whalers, fur traders, and explorers). We'll end our trip in Longyearbyen (some trips operate in the reverse)

Click here for all Arctic Travel & Adventures with MTS

Click here for all Wildlife Travel & Adventures
 

Activities

Easy ship travel, optional walks and Zodiac rides, optional sea kayaking

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the volcanic island of Iceland, the wild east coast off Greenland, including the Scoresbysund fjord complex, and end the trip in Norway's Svalbard Archipelago
• Fantastic scenery—a savage land of rock and ice, and home to a rich range of bird and animal life
• Make the most of the long daylight hours with frequent shore excursions to search for polar bears and Zodiac cruises to see walrus

Duration: 15 days Start Location: Longyearbyen End Location: Reykjavik

BRIEF Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive in Rekjavik, Iceland

  Arrive in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Transfer to hotel.

• Day 2 : Sail from Rekjavik

  After breakfast at the hotel, we'll transfer you to the Akademik Sergey Vavilov for embarkation. Our Arctic expedition begins as we set sail from Rekjavik, bound for the Westmann Islands.

• Day 3 : Iceland's Westmann Islands

  Explore the volcanic Vestmannaeyjar (Westmann Islands), one of the world's youngest archipelagos.

• 

  Day 4 : At sea: Denmark Strait

  Cross the Denmark Strait towards the east coast of Greenland. While at sea there will be educational opportunities, as well as time to simply relax and enjoy life at sea.

• 

  Days 5 - 9 : East coast of Greenland

  Spend the next five days exploring the wild coast of east Greenland, including a sail into Scoresbysund, the largest fjord complex in the world!

• 

  Days 10 - 11 : At sea: Greenland Sea

  Sail the Greenland Sea towards the Svalbard Archipelago.

• 

  Days 12 - 14 : Exploring Spitsbergen

  These days are spent exploring the coast. Stops may include Ny Alesund, the northernmost village in the world; the 17th-century Dutch whaling site of Smeerenburg; and the protected walrus sanctuary of Moffen Island, a small atoll at 80º N.

• Day 15 : Disembark in Longyearbyen, fly home

  Disembark in Longyearbyen, fly home in the afternoon.

• 

  Akademik Sergey Vavilov

  Built in Finland in the late 1980s for the Russian Academy of Science, Akademik Sergey Vavilov's original mission was to perform sensitive hydro-acoustic ocean research. As such, she is exceptionally quick, quiet and stable.

  • Intimate viewing of Arctic wildlife, icebergs and more
  • Kayaking and camping options ramp up the adventure quotient
  • 2 fully enclosed lifeboats for safety in all conditions
  • Unmatched stability and superior speed means efficient time at sea
  • Onboard gym, two saunas and library allow you to relax between shore visits
  • Comfortable, friendly atmopshere: just 107 guests

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

photo credits: