Three Arctic Islands From Svalbard to Iceland

Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark’s vibrant capital and a natural gateway to the Arctic. Known for its waterfront setting, Nordic design, and relaxed pace of life, the city offers a gentle transition before entering the High Arctic.

After arrival, make your own way to the hotel and check in. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing you to rest, adjust to the time zone, or explore the city independently before the expedition begins. All meals today are at your own expense.

Over the coming days, we venture deep into East Greenland, one of the Arctic’s most remote and least disturbed regions. This vast area encompasses Northeast Greenland National Park and Scoresby Sound, one of the largest fjord systems on Earth. Human presence here is minimal, and natural processes continue largely uninterrupted. Exploration throughout East Greenland is entirely guided by conditions. Ice movement, wind, tides, visibility, and wildlife activity together shape each day’s decisions. Rather than following a fixed itinerary, our experienced expedition team adapts plans in response to the environment, allowing you to experience a landscape still governed by nature itself.

Possible landing and cruising sites may include:

• Northeast Greenland National Park: Our exploration begins within Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest national park in the world and one of the most pristine wilderness areas on the planet. There are no permanent settlements here. Fjords, glaciers, exposed rock, tundra, and wildlife form a landscape shaped solely by natural forces. We navigate through the fjord systems of Kejser Franz Josephs Fjord and the broader Kong Oscar Fjord region, where steep mountain walls rise directly from the sea and glaciers descend from the interior. As we progress deeper into the fjords, landscapes of different scales overlap: narrow channels open into wide basins, ice cliffs give way to drifting icebergs, and sheltered bays alternate with exposed waterways. Activities are planned flexibly and may include Zodiac cruising and landings for short guided walks when conditions allow. On land, tundra terrain offers opportunities to observe Arctic flora and search for wildlife such as musk oxen, Arctic foxes, and birdlife adapted to this high latitude environment.
• Ittoqqortoormiit: Ittoqqortoormiit is one of the most remote permanent settlements in East Greenland, set on the edge of the Scoresby Sound region. Our visit takes the form of an open town experience, offering insight into daily life in a High Arctic community shaped by ice, seasons, and isolation. You may explore at a relaxed pace, visiting the museum, church, and community center to learn about local handicrafts, traditional clothing, and cultural practices. When appropriate, some residents may invite small groups to join a traditional “Kaffemik”, a social gathering centered on conversation and shared stories.
• Scoresby Sound: The final phase of our East Greenland expedition is devoted to Scoresby Sound, widely regarded as the largest fjord system in the world. This immense network of waterways extends deep into Greenland’s interior, where glaciers, towering mountains, and drifting icebergs create one of the Arctic’s most powerful natural settings. Scoresby Sound is also a dynamic marine and sea ice environment. The movement of icebergs and pack ice creates conditions that can attract a range of Arctic wildlife. While encounters are never predictable, this region is known for the possibility of observing polar bears, particularly near ice edges and drifting ice, as well as seals and occasional whale species moving through the fjord system.