Arctic Highlights & Polar Bears

Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland

Expeditions aboard M/S Expedition

14 days 4 - 17 September 2012*
*$500 Saving on Departures booked before 31 Mar 2012

Sailing from Spitsbergen to Greenland, follow the ice's edge always on the lookout for wildlife. Navigating south, explore this remote landscape not only by ship but also on foot and by zodiac. This journey highlights the contrast and change in the Arctic as you move south finally ending in the "land of fire and ice" Iceland. Inuit villages, unique wildlife and remote destinations are some of the highlights on this truly unforgettable voyage through the Arctic.

Day 1

Arrive Longyearbyen

Embark on the expedition ship in the afternoon and depart Longyearbyen in the evening.

Days 2-3

West Coast of Spitsbergen

Our two days will be planned to take advantage of local ice and weather conditions. Svalbard is one of the few places on the planet to offer such a plethora of natural and historical extravaganzas. Visit ice covered fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery and glaciers crashing into the sea around us. Keep a constant lookout for the unique wildlife that inhabits this Arctic wilderness including polar bears, walrus and Svalbard?s species of reindeer, smaller than the southern relatives, but still carrying impressive antlers.

Days 4-5

Greenland Sea

Keep an eye out for majestic whales, which are known to feed here in the summer months. We may see Orca, Humpback and Minke whales as well as White-Beaked dolphins. Enjoy lectures by expedition experts, who will educate us on the animals and destinations that we have seen and what might lie ahead. On the evening of Day 5 we should sight land and begin our exploration of the coast line as we head south.

Days 6-11

East Greenland & Scorsbeysund

Slowly moving south, explore along the eastern coast of Greenland. In this remote and untouched landscape look for wildlife such as walruses, seals, narwhals, polar bears, muskoxen, wolves, foxes, ermine, Arctic hares, lemmings, and a variety of birds. We will board our Zodiac boats to get a closer look at some of the birdlife and to walk in the tundra. Our southward journey will culminate in Scoresbysund which is one of the largest fjord systems in the world.

Days 12-13

Denmark Strait

We continue our lecture series while watching the seas for whales as we head towards Iceland and the steaming hot springs of Reykjavik. The view is often complemented by soaring fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots, and razorbills.