Spitsbergen, East Greenland to Iceland

Arrive and transfer to hotel. Spend time today exploring this remote settlement. Be sure to visit the excellent Svalbard museum.

Embark in the afternoon and set sail through Isfjorden. We can already be on the lookout for marine mammals.

This is a true expedition into Arctic wilderness, so our route and exploration opportunities today are heavily dependent on weather and ice conditions. We focus heavily on wildlife viewing and hope to see polar bears and other mammals and birds. The scenery on Spitsbergen is spectacular as we sail into deep fjords and narrow channels; there are sharp mountain peaks and calving glaciers. we look out for polar bears, walrus and seals on the ice floes and reindeer and Arctic fox on the flowering tundra. In open water, there are several species of whale to be spotted. We may visit the only place apart from Longyearbyen with regular human occupation - Ny Alesund is home to an international community of Arctic researchers.

Spot marine mammals and birds from the deck and attend expert lectures. As we travel further south, there are changes of seeing the aurora borealis

We travel in and out of the scenic coastline of East Greenland looking for mammals such as musk oxen, as well as whales and birds. Visit the inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit, the only permanent settlement in the region and see something of the way of life of the locals.

Hope to see the Northern Lights in the clear night skies.

As we sail the Denmark Strait to Iceland, cross the Arctic Circle.

Our expedition day in the Westfjords area reveals the rare beauty of the part of Iceland where mass tourism disappears – only about 10% of Iceland's visitors ever see the region. Taking advantage of every weather favorable condition, we choose the best places to discover breathtaking coastal fjords, jagged bird cliffs, and tiny fishing villages embracing traditional ways of life.

The renowned Snaefellsjokull volcano and distinctive Kirkjufell Mountain are the dominant features on this peninsula.

Disembark and transfer to hotel or airport