Ultimate Arctic Odyssey: Svalbard Lofoten East Greenland and Iceland

Begin your journey in mainland Norway and arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard—the northernmost town on Earth. Longyearbyen offers warm Nordic hospitality, despite its high Arctic neighborhood. Upon arrival, the famous polar bear sign, dramatic vistas, and clean Arctic air remind you exactly where you have arrived! Your expedition ship Discoverer awaits you in the sheltered bay of Adventdalen – after the mandatory briefings and drill, join your Expedition Team on the outer decks beneath the golden Arctic sun as we set a course for adventure!

As the weak Arctic sun rises, we sail into breathtaking Kongsfjorden, a vast fjord system framed by the dramatic Three Crowns mountains, mantled with creaking glaciers. Here we will visit Ny-Ålesund, Earth’s northernmost ‘settlement’. This quirky community is known for its historic role as a base for legendary polar explorers such as Amundsen and Nansen, and more recently for its plethora of international research stations – so whether Ny-Ålesund is a true ‘town’ is up for debate! This remote outpost continues to support vital research amid its breathtaking surroundings, blending the frontiers of science and exploration.

Northwest Svalbard has been preserved as a national park since 1973, and hosts a rich history of early Arctic exploration and whaling. First visited by William Barents in 1596, the area was quickly pounced upon by whalers from Holland and England, whose haunting remnants, such as Smeerenburg’s crumbling blubber ovens and whalers’ graves, remain visible. The region has been reclaimed by nature and is once again a pristine wilderness haven, now heavily protected in law, and holds a rich ecosystem of Arctic flowers, seabirds, walrus, and polar bears, amongst many other species.

The green fjords of southwest Svalbard, such as Bellsund and Hornsund, are nourished by mild Atlantic waters, which keep the area mostly ice-free. These fertile valleys backed by creaking glaciers and drifting icebergs support Arctic foxes, nesting seabirds, and herds of tiny Svalbard reindeer. Rich in wildlife and history, highlights include the historic sites of Bamsebu and Calypsobyen, and the bustling bird cliffs of Gnålodden, making it one of Svalbard’s most productive and interesting regions. 

Situated halfway between Svalbard and the Norwegian mainland lies Bjørnøya (Bear Island in English). This lonely outpost ironically holds no polar bear population, but the precipitous cliffs are a haven for bird species, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and fulmars. Join your Expedition Team to experience this wildlife paradise from the best vantage point – on the water!

As we depart the high Arctic, watch the mercury rise as Discoverer sails southwards towards the Lofoten Islands. Days are sea are never dull, and are the perfect opportunity to enrich and refresh the mind and body. Join your Expedition Team on the outer decks to watch for wildlife, or join them in the Theatre to hear expertly crafted lectures on local history, ecology, wildlife and more! Work up a sweat in the sleek onboard gym, or simply relax in our hot tubs and watch the soaring fulmars accompany us to the Scandinavian mainland.

Strung across bridges between a plethora of tiny islands, Svolvær is a tiny Arctic Venice, thriving where land meets water. This delightful little town is the largest in Lofoten and offers the quintessential Lofoten experience. Brightly coloured wooden shacks at the water’s edge are draped in fishing equipment, cod hang to dry on wooden racks, and fishing and tour boats bob gently in the harbor. While the town is packed with gorgeous galleries, boutique shops, cozy cafes, and slick eateries, undoubtedly the best thing to do in Svolvær is lace up your hiking boots and get out and explore! The town holds a vast network of hiking trails accessible from right in town, and the views simply have to be seen to be believed.

This is it. This is why visitors brave the rain and wind to experience Lofoten. Reine is a small village connected by bridges and causeways between the green islands suspended on the glassy ocean, backed by forbidding saw-toothed mountains. Few places manage to make a mere road seem like a fairytale, but Reine manages it! Although the town is charming, much like Svolvær, undoubtedly the best thing to do in Reine is to explore on foot and embrace Friluftsliv (Norwegian for ‘Open Air Living’). While Reine is still a fishing village at heart, it is increasingly popular with hikers and adventure-seekers from all over the world – so you will be in excellent company on the mountains!

Leaving the mainland of Norway behind, we strike out into the Greenland Sea, en route to Jan Mayen. Here, the last frail gasps of the Gulf Stream mix with chilly water flowing down from the Arctic Ocean. This mixing of water masses promotes exceptional biological productivity, which increases as the water shallows on our approach to Jan Mayen and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Keep your binoculars handy!

The northernmost volcano on Earth, the island of Jan Mayen is one of the few areas of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the ‘spine’ of the Atlantic Ocean, which poles above sea level. This enigmatic and isolated island is the only active volcano in Norway, and the northernmost active volcano on Earth. Among the most isolated inhabited islands on Earth, Jan Mayen is the temporary home to only around 18 people, a mixture of scientists and Norwegian troops. Creeping tundra plants (many of them hundreds of years old) and flocks of squabbling seabirds eke out a living on the rugged cliffs of the island. Lava flows and cinder cones across the island are testament to the volcano, the Fuji-esque peak of which (Mt Beerenberg) looms above – surely some of the most dramatic scenery anywhere in the Arctic!

Receiving no warm currents, only frigid water drifting down from the North Pole, East Greenland is considerably colder than the western side of Earth’s largest island. These shores are some of the most icebound in the Arctic, open only for a few months during the brief Arctic summer, ideal for ice-loving species such as polar bears and belugas. Now at the end of the fleeting Arctic summer, sunlight is slipping away and nights are distinctly frosty and, but the return of darkness offers the chance to see the majestic Northern Lights – so be sure to venture outside after dark! 

One of Earth’s most isolated settlements, Ittoqqortoormiit is the only settlement in the vast Northeastern region of Greenland. Although the town was only founded in 1925, supply ships only visit once or twice a year, and most residents continue a subsistence hunting lifestyle that has changed little for millennia. Hosting an excellent museum, several small shops and a beautiful traditional church, Ittoqqortoormiit is a town with a strong sense of community and traditional culture. Locals are justifiably proud of their strong sense of community and deep connection to their traditional culture, and often welcome visitors wearing traditional East Greenlandic costumes. remote, wild, yet brimming with staggering beauty, both human and natural, Ittoqqortoormiit is the perfect introduction to the culture and lifestyle of Greenland.

From Ittoqqortoormiit, we enter the Northeast Greenland National Park — the world’s largest protected land area, spanning nearly a million square kilometers and encompassing the northernmost land on Earth. The region was once home to nomadic Inuit hunters, but today it is uninhabited save for a few small Danish military bases.   

Potential highlights include vast cliffs and fjords, fascinating historical sites, thriving wildlife hotspots, and vast glaciers producing enormous icebergs. At every turn, the jaw-dropping majesty of this vast wilderness offers something new! Due to unpredictable Arctic conditions and the area’s extreme isolation, our exact destinations are flexible and dictated by weather, wind, sea, and ice – the true essence of polar exploration!  

Wherever we explore in this remote and pristine wilderness, guests are promised an experience rich in natural beauty, discovery, and adventure. Throughout your time in the Park, your Expedition Team will provide engaging lectures, friendly discussions, and share insights onshore and on the Zodiacs, all while searching the breathtaking landscape for Arctic wildlife – the real Arctic expedition experience! 

As we depart the Northeast Greenland National Park, we will seek out opportunities to explore along the magnificent Blosseville Coast before setting out into the Denmark Strait.

Our final day at sea is the ideal opportunity to connect with your fellow explorers and reflect on your Arctic odyssey. Now you are immune to the cold, relax on the outer decks and take your final opportunities to watch for marine life, or join your Expedition Team in the Theatre and soak up their incredible knowledge. Toast the end of your expedition during the evening with an expertly crafted cocktail at the Captain’s Farewell Party and relive your adventure during the onboard Photographer’s Slideshow before a final celebratory dinner with your fellow explorers.

Hallgrímskirkja Church towers over Reykjavik, the vibrant Icelandic capital – it may feel strange after so long in the lonely wilderness of the Arctic! This hip city is known for unique museums, excellent shopping and mouthwatering Nordic cuisine. After a hearty breakfast, it is time to bid a fond farewell to the Crew and Expedition Team and descend the gangway back to dry land with memories of the voyage of a lifetime.