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Explore some of the world’s last great wildernesses, with an Arctic expedition in Norway, Greenland and Iceland.
Nothing quite says adventure like approaching a shimmering glacier in a Zodiac or stopping in your tracks because you think you might have spotted a polar bear in the distance. But when you undertake an expedition in the Arctic, moments like these are the norm, not the exception. From the icy islands of Spitsbergen, the abandoned Arctic ghost towns of Greenland, to the creative and cosmopolitan Reykjavik, each day will be full of surprises. So, charge your camera and pack your warmest clothes – this is an adventure for the ages.
- Start
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Finish
- Oslo, Norway
- Destinations
- Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- Style
- Peregrine
- Theme
- Polar, Wildlife
- Code
- PPGI
- Physical rating
- Ages
- Min 8
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 132
Why you'll love this trip
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Explore the museums and galleries of Reykjavik, Iceland’s artistic capital city.
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Cruise between the mountains of Skjoldungen to view glaciers deep within the fjords surrounding Greenland’s icy island.
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Keep an eye out for reindeer and polar bears at various landings in Spitsbergen.
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Learn about the historic whaling industry in Smeerenburg, including seeing old blubber ovens from the 16th century.
Is this trip right for you?
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As you’d expect, temperatures in the Arctic are very cold. A warm parka will be provided along with waterproof boots and unlimited hot drinks, but you should also bring base layers and lots of warm clothing. Please see the Essential Trip Information for further important details about what to bring.
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Weather depending, you will be making regular excursions in a Zodiac boat to explore the local area and look for wildlife. It can get very cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you are dressed appropriately and that you keep your camera safe and dry. Sturdy sea legs are needed as you make wet and dry landings from the boat, and on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. Some ships also have a lot of stairs.
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The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned for. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially to such a remote area.
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This trip takes places during the time of year that Spitsbergen enjoys 24-hour daylight. Just one of the benefits of this is that incredible wildlife can be seen at any time of the day – be prepared to be woken at any time so as to not miss out on exciting animal sightings.
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Polar bears are one of the most incredible and appealing animals on the planet, but they are also powerful predators with little fear of humans. Therefore, it’s necessary to be aware of the guidelines surrounding any contact with Polar bears. Follow your leader’s instructions and do not stray from your group.
Gallery





Boats

Ocean Adventurer
This sturdy expedition ship was built in 1975 and underwent an $8 million refurbishment in 2017 which included new engines and refurbished cabins...

World Explorer
Newly built in 2018 and designed specifically with polar cruising in mind, the beautiful World Explorer is one of our newest ships.
Itinerary
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
Your luggage will be collected from the hotel this morning, transferred to the ship and stored in your cabin. Embarkation of the ship begins at about 4pm.Meals Included
- Breakfast (2)
- Lunch (2)
- Dinner (2)
Meals Included
- Breakfast (4)
- Lunch (4)
- Dinner (4)
Meals Included
- Breakfast (2)
- Lunch (2)
- Dinner (2)
A big part of appreciating Spitsbergen comes from understanding the culture—not just how people live today, but also how this land was first explored. Whaling was a key industry, and you will see old blubber ovens from the 16th century, plus other evidence of whaling at landing sites such as Smeerenburg. Colourful tundra meadows are complemented by glaciers, and sometimes there is a rare chance to spot beluga whales.
Meals Included
- Breakfast (4)
- Lunch (4)
- Dinner (4)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
14 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 13 dinnersTransport
Ship, Zodiac, PlaneAccommodation
Hotel (1night), Expedition cruise ship (13 nights)Dates & availability - 2021 season
Trip departures are unavailable.
There are currently no scheduled departures on our Spitsbergen, East Greenland and Iceland - Northbound trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
Jump to a departure month
Important notes
BOOKING CONDITIONS
Arctic and Antarctic bookings have an increased deposit requirement of 20% of the full voyage cost (before any discount). The balance is due 120 days before departure.
If a booking is cancelled 120 days or more before departure - the cancellation fee is the full loss of the deposit paid.
If a booking is cancelled between 119 days and departure - the cancellation fee is 100% of the total price of the voyage.
Other fees may apply for air tickets and other arrangements booked in conjunction with a Polar voyage.
ADVENTURE OPTIONS
Kayaking is available to book on all Arctic voyages (except the North Pole). This must be booked prior to departure and incurs an additional cost. Spaces are limited so please enquire at time of booking. To participate in kayaking, previous, recent experience is essential. In addition, there are other included optional activities offered on some voyages such as snow shoeing and hiking. These activities do not need to be booked in advance and no additional cost applies.
Your voyage is operated by our sister company, Quark Expeditions. All accommodation and transfer arrangements as listed in the itinerary are also operated by Quark Expeditions or their local representatives.

Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip Information