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Arctic Highlights Northbound
15 days, Keflavik to Longyearbyen
Ready to sail straight into the Arctic’s greatest hits — in reverse? Over 15 epic days, you’ll kick things off in Iceland’s legendary Land of Fire and Ice, before heading north toward the untouched wilds of Svalbard. Along the way, cruise past towering icebergs, explore fjords by Zodiac, and wander quiet tundra trails where few travellers have stepped. From whale sightings to Inuit culture and polar bear country, every day brings a new “wow” — until your journey wraps in Longyearbyen, deep in the high Arctic and a world away from the everyday.
15 days
Keflavik to Longyearbyen
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: Marine
Small-ship adventures on the world’s great seas, rivers, and other places only accessible by boat.
Physical Rating: 2 - Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Age requirement: 10+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Itinerary Notes
This trip is assigned a Physical Rating of 2. It is accessible to most fitness levels and for those able to do extended walks and light hiking on various terrain. It is important to note that for landings in the Arctic we use Zodiacs and wet beach landings in what sometimes can be extreme environments. This will require you to be able to safely navigate ice and snow on uneven ground, to lift your leg over the side of a Zodiac and push yourself up, walk on wet, rocky beaches and stand throughout the landing with no place to sit. Please also note that the Expedition does not have an elevator and thus staircases must be used to move between decks, and depending on the weather the ship can sometimes find itself navigating rough and choppy sea conditions. For visual examples of the zodiac landings and activities please refer to the Excursions image gallery on the Expedition landing page here.
Itinerary
Day 1Keflavík Port
Embark aboard the Expedition in the afternoon and depart Keflavík in the late afternoon. An arrival transfer is included. Guests should follow the joining instructions provided in their welcome information for luggage drop-off and transfer details.
Meals included:
DinnerDays 2–3Keflavik/Denmark Strait
Settle into life aboard the Expedition as the ship crosses the Denmark Strait toward East Greenland. Attend lectures and educational programs led by the expedition team, spend time on deck watching for seabirds and marine mammals, and prepare for the days of exploration ahead.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDays 4–8East Greenland: Scoresbysund, Ittoqqortoormiit and Remote Fjord Exploration
Spend several days exploring the vast fjord systems and remote coastal landscapes of East Greenland. Sail among immense icebergs, glacier-carved valleys, steep mountain walls and broad stretches of High Arctic tundra as the expedition team selects the best available landing and Zodiac-cruising opportunities based on local conditions.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDays 9–10Greenland Sea
Cross the Greenland Sea toward Svalbard. Continue the onboard lecture series and spend time on deck scanning the horizon for whales, seals and seabirds. Ice and weather conditions may provide opportunities to experience drifting sea ice and the wider polar seascape.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDays 11–14Western Svalbard
Explore the fjords and coastlines of western and northwestern Spitsbergen, taking advantage of local weather, sea-ice and wildlife conditions. The expedition team will remain flexible, choosing from possible landings, Zodiac cruises and scenic ship cruising to make the most of each day.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 15Longyearbyen
Disembark shortly after breakfast in Longyearbyen. Transfers to Svalbard Airport will be arranged for passengers with scheduled flights, with final timing confirmed onboard before departure.
Meals included:
BreakfastWhat's Included
- Arrival transfer
- Transfer from meeting point to ship (Keflavík)
- 14 nts aboard the Expedition
- Visit to a local community (Greenland)
- Lectures and educational programs
- Zodiac excursions with our expert expedition team
- Departure transfer (Longyearbyen, depending on flight)
- Waterproof boots supplied for USA sizes 4 - 16
- Expedition parka
Accommodations
Aboard the Expedition in triple-, twin-share cabins, or suites (all with en suite bathrooms and porthole or window, 14 nts). Please note that all cabins consist of twin-size berths and are ocean-facing. Suites have one queen-size bed.
Meals
14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners
Transportation
Expedition, Zodiac, local bus, walking.
Staff & experts
One expedition team member per 10 guests.