Arctic Highlights

Embark aboard the MS Expedition in the afternoon and depart Longyearbyen in the evening. Passenger transfer to the ship is at 4pm. But you will need to drop off your checked luggage by 2pm at the joining hotel's luggage storage room. Depart Longyearbyen in the evening.

Taking advantage of local ice and weather conditions, explore Svalbard, one of those rare places on Earth blessed with both awe-inspiring landscape and compelling history. On day five, begin exploring the coastline. Over four full days, explore a small portion of the western coast of Spitsbergen. Entering the fall the days are getting shorter so try to take advantage of all of the sunlight possible to search for wildlife. Spend these two days in search of the elusive polar bears as they hunt seals. Look out for Svalbards unique subspecies of reindeer. Although much smaller than their southern relatives, they still carry impressive antlers. Keep a sharp look out for Arctic foxes. By not having a set itinerary, we take on an expedition spirit and are free to take advantage of the best that Svalbard has to offer.

Keep an eye out for majestic whales, which are known to feed here in the summer months. Spot orca, humpback and minke whales, as well as dolphins. Enjoy lectures by expedition staff. Frigid waters drain from the Arctic Ocean in a southwest current along the coast of Northeast Greenland. Often drifting pack ice is pushed along the coast. We will attempt to approach and follow the pack ice edge to explore the polar seascape. Keep a look out for sea mammals like seals and whales and also sea birds such as kittiwakes and fulmars.

Spend a few days exploring the massive fjord system of Northeast Greenland National Park, which includes portions of Scorsbysund. Visit the tiny settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit for a look at how these most northerly people live. Sail through and land in some of the most spectacular fjord country in the world along down the coast of Greenland, while exploring rarely visited glaciers, bays and inlets. This is the largest National Park in the world, nearly impossible to reach except on Expedition ships. Spectacular geology combined with glacial features create steep mountains raising directly from the sea. Look out for picturesque scenery, wildlife and other interesting landing sites in this unspoiled wilderness. Depending on ice, spend these days exploring the massive fjord system of Northeast Greenland National Park, which includes portions of Scorsbysund. These intricate fjord systems are everything from wide and unimaginable to narrow and steeply spectacular with some of the best mountain scenery in the world. Walking over lush stands of colourful autumn tundra may lead to opportunities to see muskox grazing nearby.

Enjoy the lecture series while watching the seas for whales. Head towards Iceland and the steaming hot springs of Reykjavík. The view is often complemented by soaring fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots, and razorbills.

Shortly after breakfast, disembark in Reykjavík, walking distance form downtown. Transfers to the airport are available to all passengers who have flights booked on the disembarkation day. Immediately upon disembarkation there will be offered a transfer to the airport, that includes a stop en route at the Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel. Passengers planning on staying in Reykjavik post trip, may take this transfer, or hire a taxi at the pier for transfer to their accommodations. For those with flights later in the day, we will offer a luggage storage area at the pier, until 2pm, (timings to be confirmed onboard), at which time a transfer will be provided to the airport for those passengers with early evening and evening flights. Passengers taking advantage of this opportunity, will be able to explore downtown Reykjavik in the morning, and early afternoon. All transfer arrangements will be confirmed while onboard prior to departure, to ensure that all needs are met.

When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration. Your flight must arrive by or before: 02:00 p.m. Your flight must depart no earlier than: 12:00 p.m.