Four Arctic Islands

This expedition voyage links Svalbard, Jan Mayen, East Greenland and Iceland into a route through very different Arctic island worlds. Over 12 days, the journey runs from Longyearbyen to Reykjavik and combines sea days with Zodiac cruises, landings and natural history talks. The focus is on glacier fjords, tundra landscapes, volcanic coasts and the cultural perspective in Ittoqqortoormiit. Wildlife sightings are likely, but always dependent on ice and weather, for example walruses, seabirds or polar bears. The schedule remains deliberately flexible so the expedition team can respond to local conditions.

Four Arctic Islands: The Itinerary

Day 1: Embarkation in Longyearbyen
The tour package begins with dinner. In Longyearbyen, the northernmost town on Earth, crisp polar air, striking mountain scenery, and the notice about polar bears shape your arrival. The expedition ship is ready in the harbor, and as you cast off, the last infrastructure of civilization is left behind while the course leads into the Arctic wilderness.

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Day 2, Kongsfjorden and Ny Ålesund
During the Arctic night, the ship glides past Prins Karls Forland into Kongsfjorden, whose glacier fronts and the Three Crowns mountains shape the horizon. In Ny Ålesund, the northernmost settlement on Earth, research stations and the history of polar expeditions take center stage. The combination of science, Arctic landscape, and first wildlife observations provides a calm opening to the expedition in Northwest Spitsbergen.

Day 3, Northwest Spitsbergen Expedition
Northwest Spitsbergen has been a national park since 1973 and preserves traces of early voyages of discovery and whaling. Places like Smeerenburg, with relics such as blubber ovens and the graves of young sailors, tell of a harsh past that is now under strict protection. In the revitalized wilderness, Arctic flowers thrive, seabirds use the coasts, and with good chances walruses are spotted; polar bears are also among the typical species of this region, depending on ice and weather.

Day 4: South Svalbard Expedition
In the south of Svalbard, Bellsund and Hornsund lead into greener, slightly milder fjords shaped by Atlantic currents. Fertile valleys provide habitat for reindeer and Arctic fox, while breeding seabirds perch on the slopes and icebergs drift from nearby glaciers. Depending on conditions, bird cliffs such as those at Alkhjornet, as well as historic sites like Calypsobyen and Bamsebu, can be included in the day’s schedule, bringing nature and cultural history closely together.

Days 5 to 6: At Sea Toward Jan Mayen
After bidding farewell to Svalbard, the passage heads southwest across the Greenland Sea. Cold currents from the Arctic Ocean meet branches of the Gulf Stream and create zones of high biological productivity, where seabirds often accompany the journey. On board, lectures structure the understanding of geography, ice, and wildlife, while the days deliberately leave space for observation, exchange, and rest before the next island comes into view.

Day 7: Jan Mayen
Jan Mayen lies on the Mid Atlantic Ridge and its volcanic origin is evident everywhere. Beerenberg, the northernmost active volcano on Earth, shapes the silhouette, while cinder cones and cooled lava flows form the coasts. Hardy plants persist on the barren tundra, and seabirds such as Northern Fulmars, Black legged Kittiwakes, and gulls crowd the cliffs. The island is inhabited by only a few people, mainly scientists and Norwegian military personnel.

Day 8: At Sea Toward Scoresbysund
From Jan Mayen, the route continues to East Greenland, where the sea ice is among the most persistent in the Arctic. Even in midsummer, the coast can at times be ice bound, creating suitable habitats for ice loving species. With a bit of luck, you can gain impressions of this vast icy landscape along the way, while the expedition team continually adapts to weather and ice to prepare access to Scoresbysund.

Day 9: Ittoqqortoormiit
Ittoqqortoormiit is the only settlement in this region and is one of the most remote communities in the world. Since its founding in 1925, a way of life has been preserved that is strongly shaped by subsistence hunting and infrequent supply deliveries. A visit offers insights into a distinctive community and traditional culture, complemented by a museum and a church; at times, locals welcome guests in colorful traditional dress. The place therefore provides a clear cultural contrast to the previously dominant ice and fjord landscape.

Day 10, Expedition in Scoresby Sound
In the largest fjord system on Earth, waterways, islands and skerries branch into a vast labyrinth where glaciers, tundra and steeply rising mountains lie close together. Which landing sites and cruising routes are possible is decided situationally, depending on wind, sea and ice. Options range from the Bjørne Islands, whose rocky network traps massive icebergs, to the basalt formations at Cape Brewster, as well as traces of abandoned European and Inuit settlements. Zodiac cruises and shore landings are planned so that wildlife viewing and the landscape experience fit together within a safe framework.

Day 11: Blosseville Coast
Heading south along the Blosseville Coast, you encounter a rugged region shaped by volcanic activity around 50 million years ago. This stretch was surveyed by Ejnar Mikkelsen and has long been part of Inuit navigation routes. If conditions allow, a landing may be possible in this now uninhabited landscape, whose appeal lies in its barren geology and open coastline.

Day 12: Sea Day to Reykjavik
On the final passage, there is time to organise impressions and to explore questions from the past days in greater depth. The expedition team provides concluding talks with expert perspectives, and a travel documentation as a photographic review helps to see stops and observations in context. This sea day forms a calm transition from the remote coasts of Greenland back to the more bustling world of Iceland.

Day 13: Disembarkation in Reykjavik
Reykjavik welcomes you with an urban atmosphere, striking landmarks such as Hallgrímskirkja, and a clear Nordic character shaped by museums, cuisine, and everyday life. After breakfast, the travel services end. With disembarkation you return to land and take with you the memories of islands, ice, and fjords of the North Atlantic.

Special features:
The itinerary has an expedition character and is continuously adapted to weather, wind, sea and ice. Landings and Zodiac cruises take place only when local conditions allow, the choice of locations in Scoresbysund is explicitly variable. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed by nature and depend on season, visibility and ice conditions. In Ittoqqortoormiit, respectful behavior and consideration for the local community are the priority.
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