Trees for Days
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Trees planted for this trip: 15
Arctic Highlights Southbound
15 days, Longyearbyen to Keflavik
Sailing from Svalbard 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 through the Arctic.
15 days
Longyearbyen to Keflavik
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 1Longyearbyen
Embark aboard the Expedition in the afternoon and depart Longyearbyen. An arrival transfer is included. Guests should follow the joining instructions provided in their welcome information for luggage drop-off and embarkation details.
Meals included:
DinnerDays 2–5Svalbard
Begin the expedition among the fjords, glaciers, historic sites and tundra landscapes of western and northwestern Spitsbergen. The expedition team will use local weather, sea-ice and wildlife conditions to select the best available opportunities for landings, Zodiac cruises and scenic ship cruising before setting a course toward Greenland.
Look for Svalbard reindeer, Arctic foxes, seals, whales and the region’s diverse birdlife. Polar bears also inhabit the archipelago, although sightings can never be guaranteed.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDays 6–7Greenland Sea
Cross the Greenland Sea toward East Greenland. Attend lectures and educational programs led by the expedition team, spend time on deck watching for whales, seals and seabirds, and watch for drifting pack ice. If conditions safely allow, the ship may explore near the ice edge for a closer look at the polar marine environment.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDays 8–12East Greenland: Scoresbysund, Ittoqqortoormiit and Remote Fjord Exploration
Spend several days exploring the immense fjords and rugged coastal landscapes of East Greenland. Sail among sculptural icebergs, glacier-carved valleys, steep mountain walls and broad stretches of Arctic tundra as the expedition team selects the most suitable opportunities each day.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDays 13–14Denmark Strait
Cross the Denmark Strait toward Iceland. Continue the onboard lecture series and spend time on deck watching for whales, seabirds and changing ocean conditions.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 15Port of Keflavik
Disembark shortly after breakfast at the Port of Keflavik. Transfer arrangements will be confirmed onboard before departure. Guests should observe the published onward-flight restrictions when making travel plans.
Meals included:
BreakfastWhat's Included
- 14 nts aboard the Expedition
- Arrival transfer
- Transfer from meeting point to ship (Longyearbyen)
- Zodiac excursions with our expert expedition team
- Lectures and educational programs
- Visit to a local community (Greenland)
- Departure transfer (Keflavík, 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.