- Duration: 15 days from the UK
Land only from £7550
Sail from Spitsbergen to Greenland and south to Iceland, on an unforgettable voyage through the Arctic.
Highlights
- Expert guides, great food and spacious cabins on the M/S Expedition cruise ship
- Cruise through the magnificent fjords of the Northeast Greenland National Park
- Daily Zodiac excursions to get up close to the abundant wildlife
- The chance to spot polar bears, whales, walrus and Arctic foxes
- Option to extend your holiday in Iceland
Sailing from Spitsbergen to Greenland, follow the ice’s edge with an eye peeled to the horizon for wildlife. Navigating south, you'll explore this remote landscape not only by ship but also on foot and via Zodiac. This journey highlights the contrast and change in the Arctic as you move south, finally ending in Iceland, "the Land of Fire and Ice." An Inuit village, unique wildlife, and remote destinations are just some of the highlights on this truly unforgettable voyage down the coast of Greenland through the Arctic.
Having set sail on the M/S Expedition polar cruise ship you will soon appreciate the excellent facilities on board. Cabins are spacious and en suite and all have sea-facing windows. Dining is first rate with a high standard of international cuisine and even the chance for al fresco dining one evening. The highly experienced M/S Expedition crew comprises experts in geology, ornithology and marine biology as well as a resident photographer, and there are regular presentations to make sure you get the most out of your voyage. There’s a gym, sauna, medical centre and library on board to keep mind and body active as well as a pub and lounge to relax in.
From the panoramic observation desks you can look out for exotic animals and you’ll explore the Arctic landscape by foot and via Zodiacs. From close-up encounters with icebergs and glaciers to the region’s plentiful wildlife, this is a voyage of non-stop highlights.  It begins with The Svalbard Peninsula where polar bears roam, seals abound and unique reindeer graze alongside colonies of birds in a harsh land only navigable by sea a few months of the year.
En route to Greenland, 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. Spend a few days exploring the massive fjord system of Northeast Greenland National Park, which includes portions of Scorsby Sund. Visit the tiny inuit settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit to see how these most northerly people live.
Sail through and land in some of the most spectacular fjord country in the world along 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. Keep a lookout for picturesque scenery, wildlife and other interesting landing sites in this unspoiled wilderness.Â
At a glance
Duration: 15 days from the UK
Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 1 clients
Maximum group size: 20
Accommodation types: Expedition Ship
Meal arrangements: All meals included on board the M/S Expedition. All meals included on board the M/S Expedition: 14 x breakfasts, 13 x lunches, 14 x dinners
Itinerary overview
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Longyearbyen. Transfer from airport to luggage drop point. Transfer to embark on cruise in the afternoon. |
| 2-5 | Discover Spitsbergen and the Svalbard peninsula and cruise the Greenland Sea. |
| 6-12 | Sail the fjords of Scoresby Sund and the Denmark Strait along the coast of Northeast Greenland. |
| 13-14 | Cruise through the Denmark Strait to Reykjavik. |
| 15 | Disembark in Reykjavik. Single morning transfer to the airport. |
Leader: Specialist Leaders, Polar cruises
On board are expert, English-speaking guides who have an intimate knowledge of the area and an infectious passion for nature. They are very hard-working, attentive and helpful. On your Expedition cruise, shore excursions, and on board, lectures will be provided by knowledgeable, expert members of the crew.
The M/S Expedition has one of the highest ratios of expedition team members to guests – with one expert for every 10 guests there is always someone on hand to answer your questions and provide greater insight and appreciation of the world at its extremes. The expedition team is comprised of professional and highly skilled historians, marine biologists, and naturalists who offer keen insight and a unique personal perspective to each and every adventure. Their goal is to provide an informed and balanced interpretation of the destination, accomplished through stimulating lectures, day-to-day briefings, and informal discussions. Your lecturers and Expedition Leader will cover all aspects of the voyage including ornithology, marine biology, geography, geology, history and the environment, as well as practical things like photography. The expedition staff work conscientiously with you on deck and in the field, improving your observational skills to allow you to experience all that the destination has to offer. Their strong sense of ethics and ecological knowledge make for stimulating and mindful conversation whether onshore or at the dinner table. The Expedition Staff will pilot the Zodiac landing craft used for shore landings and Zodiac cruises; they are experienced drivers who operate the Zodiacs in a responsible manner.
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Longyearbyen. Transfer to Svalbard Hotell Polfareren to drop your luggage at the meeting point. Free time in Longyearbyen. Return to the meeting point by 4:00pm for group transfer to the M/S Expedition. Embarkation.
On arrival in Longyearbyen you will be met and either taken into town to drop off your luggage or transferred directly to the cruise terminal (depending on your flight arrival time). The luggage drop is at the Svalbard Hotell Polfareren between 09:00am and 1:00pm. You will then be free to explore Longyearbyen till embarkation at 4:00pm
The town of Longyearbyen is the largest settlement on the archipelago of Svalbard with a population of about 2,060 people and about as many snowmobiles. Longyearbyen is located at 78°13°N 15°33°E and has an arctic tundra climate. Due to its location, far north of the polar circle, it experiences polar night from mid-October to mid-February and polar day from mid-April to mid-August. While most of the inhabitants are Norwegian some are Russian. Located in the Advent Fjord at the entrance of the Advent Valley this community has an infrastructure fit for a much larger city. All settlements are found on the west coast, the part of Spitsbergen with the mildest climate due to the warm Gulf Current. Within the islands, there are four inhabited settlements and some scientific stations. Barentsburg, a Russian coal mining settlement, has approximately 850 inhabitants. Sveagruva, the functional Norwegian mine, has around 100 inhabitants, and Ny Ålesund, a scientific settlement, has between 30 and 150 inhabitants, depending on the season.
At 4:00pm there will be a passenger transfer from the meeting point to the M/S Expedition. Make sure you have your passport to hand.
If you are arranging your own flights, please ensure that they arrive by 2:00pm at the latest to ensure being on time for the embarkation.
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 2 - Cruise Spitsbergen / Greenland Sea.
Over the next four days you will explore the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, a small portion of the western coast of the Svalbard Archipelago. The itinerary is not fixed so that each day the cruise can take advantage of local ice and weather conditions seeking out the best that Svalbard has to offer.
Distances are relatively short and seas relatively calm, allowing for a thorough exploration of the wealth of natural, historic and cultural sites in the area. You will visit ice-covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery, and glaciers flowing into the surrounding sea.
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 3 - Cruise Spitsbergen / Greenland Sea.
You will spend much of your time around Spitsbergen in search of the elusive polar bears as they hunt seals. You will also keep a close lookout for Arctic foxes and Svalbard's unique subspecies of reindeer - although much smaller than their southern relatives, they still carry impressive antlers.
The Zodiacs will be primed and ready for one or two shore landings per day or to cruise around the ice floes. Ice permitting, spectacular bird cliffs filled with thousands of murres (guillemots), as well as kittiwakes and glaucous gulls. A little auk colony will also be on your agenda.
The plant life here has adapted to survive in this terrain and we will have the opportunity to observe and discuss some of their adaptations to what is considered a harsh environment.
This is also a land of history: from whaling to reaching for the pole, to trapping, coal mining and war. You will visit some of these historic sites.
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 4 - Cruise Spitsbergen / Greenland Sea.
You continue sailing through the Greenland Sea and exploring the coast of Spitsbergen.
Along with time for wildlife observation, the ship has a range of other resources you can enjoy during your cruise. Below deck, the ship's library has an array of literature to expand your knowledge, whilst a sauna and gym are available for those looking to keep fit and active. The ship's bar is a great place to relax and share the events of each day with your fellow travellers, and you may also enjoy live music in the evenings as well as many presentations throughout the voyage.
Meals are served in the spacious dining room and food is both plentiful and prepared to a very high standard.
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 5 - Cruise Spitsbergen / Greenland Sea
In between land and water excursions, be sure to make use of the large observation decks on the M/S Expedition. They will give superb views of the surrounding land and sea so keep your binoculars to hand. As autumn is approaching, the days are getting shorter, so you'll need to take advantage of all the sunlight to look for wildlife.
Whilst on deck, you can also venture onto the bridge and meet the Captain and crew at any time.
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 6 - Cruise Greenland Sea / Scoresby Sund.
As you sail further south, into the Scoresby Sund, keep an eye out for whales, which are known to feed here in the summer months. You may spot Spot orca, humpback and minke whales, as well as dolphins. Along with sea mammals we should also expect sightings of many sea birds such as kittiwakes and fulmars.
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. The ship will attempt to approach and follow the pack ice edge to explore the polar seascape. .
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 7 - Cruise Greenland Sea / Scoresby Sund
Along with wildlife viewing from the observation decks and Zodiac tours, you can enjoy daily lectures presented by experts from the M/S Expedition team on a range of subjects including wildlife, geology, photography and the history and exploration of the Arctic.
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 8 - Cruise Scoresby Sund / Denmark Strait.
The ship will sail through and land in some of the most spectacular fjord country in the world, down the coast of Greenland, while exploring rarely visited glaciers, bays and inlets. This is the Northeast Greenland National Park - the largest and most northerly national park in the world. It is 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 the region, which includes portions of Scoresby Sund. 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.
You may visit the tiny settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit for a look at how these most northerly people live. This isolated town in Greenland is far from any other inhabited settlements and is only accessible by expedition ships three months of the year. The town's population of 450 rely on hunting and fishing as they only have one grocery store. Locals enjoy the warmer spring weather and sunshine by taking dog sled or snowmobile trips as well as camping.
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 9 - Cruise Scoresby Sund / Denmark Strait.
The ship will continue sailing along the east coast of Greenland, making frequent stops and exploring the sea and land, by Zodiac and on foot. Each day will undoubtedly bring new and exciting wildlife sightings and endless opportunities for photographing the beautiful ice-clad landscape.
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 10 - Cruise Scoresby Sund / Denmark Strait.
Your cruise continues south along the eastern coast of Greenland with plenty of opportunity for exploration and observation along the way.
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 11 - Cruise Scoresby Sund / Denmark Strait.
Continue to sail south along the east coast of Greenland.
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 12 - Cruise Scoresby Sund / Denmark Strait.
Continue your voyage sailing south along the east coast of Greenland.
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 13 - Cruise the Denmark Strait to Reykjavik
Cruising now through the Denmark Strait, the ship is nearing Iceland and the steaming hot springs of ReykjavÃk.
Although, sadly coming towards the end of your Arctic adventure there is still time for more wildlife spotting. Views from the large observation decks are often complemented by passing whales and soaring birds including fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots and razorbills.
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 14 - Cruise to to Reykjavik.
This is your last day on board the M/S Expedition and your last chance to enjoy the great facilities onboard and to take some final photos of the wildlife and scenery.
Overnight: M/S Expedition
Day 15 - Disembark M/S Expedition. Morning transfer to airport Fly Reykjavik to London.
Today, after breakfast you will sadly say farewell to the M/S Expedition and disembark in ReykjavÃk at the cruise terminal. There will be a complimentary transfer to Keflavik Airport at 8:00am for all passengers who have flights booked today. If you are arranging your own flights, please do not book them before 12:00pm today.
All transfer arrangements will be confirmed while onboard, prior to departure, to ensure that all needs are met.
If you wish to extend your time in Reykjavik we can book hotel nights and suggest activities to enjoy in this cosmopolitan and lively city.
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No Surcharge Guarantee
No surcharges will be applied to your holiday after you book. Prices on this website are updated regularly. The Flight Inclusive holiday price, or Land Only holiday price, will be confirmed to you at the time you make your booking. There will be no surcharges after your booking has been confirmed.
Flight inclusive holidays
The 'flight inclusive' holiday prices shown on this website are based upon our preferred airlines and the best priced economy class fares we are able to secure at the time of publication.
We will be able to advise on fares with alternative airlines, upgrades to Business Class, and the options for flights from regional UK airports, please contact us for more details.
Booking your holiday
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Deposit
From £1,600.00
For the majority of our holidays, a deposit payment of £400.00 per person is required to secure your place(s), however a small number of holidays require a higher deposit - please refer to the holiday itinerary for more details. If the holiday departs within 60 days, a deposit of £1,000.00 per person is required.
Book now!
- Book your small group holiday securely online – click the ‘Book’ button next to your chosen departure or visit our How to Book page
- Complete and return a Booking Form available to download here.
- Call us on +44 (0)1453 844400 and one of our travel specialists will talk you through the booking process.
What’s included
- 14 nights aboard the M/S Expedition - prices based on twin-share in a Lower Deck Twin cabin
- Zodiac excursions and shore visits led by the expert M/S Expedition team
- All meals included on board the M/S Expedition: 14 x breakfasts, 13 x lunches, 14 x dinners
- Tea, coffee and water during the cruise
- Use of on board sauna, gym and library
- Lectures and educational presentations
- Free high performance expedition parka jacket
- Waterproof boots supplied for men's UK sized 7-13 & women's UK sized 3-7
- Airport transfer in Longyearbyen.
- Single, timed airport transfer in Reykjavik
- A free Mountain Kingdoms Water-to-Go bottle
- Carbon offsetting with the Ecoan Tree Planting Project for clients taking our flight-inclusive option
What’s not included
- Drinks on board other than coffee, tea and water
- Meals in Longyearbyen and Reykjavik
- Wi-Fi data usage charge
- Laundry service charge
- Tips
Read holiday reviews by Mountain Kingdoms travellers.
Overall score: 5 (Based on 2 reviews)
A wonderful adventure and experience which far exceeded our already high expectations. The expedition leader, ships captain and all the support staff were excellent, very professional, knowledgable and caring. An excellent itinerary which had the right balance of activities including zodiac cruises, walks or hikes over the tundra, wildlife watching and informative lectures. Highlights were seeing seven polar bears, numerous walruses, Wales and seals, arctic fox and hare, lots of sea birds and the Aurora Borealis.
A cruise which heads south enabling you to witness the contrast and change in the Arctic from Spitsbergen to Greenland and finally Iceland. Travelling on a warm and comfortable ship, with excellent and plentiful food, you pass through the dramatic scenery with regular trips off the ship both by zodiac and on foot. There are plenty of lectures to fill your day when you are not on deck looking for whales, dolphins and the numerous sea birds.