Expedition Svalbard Circumnavigation And North-East Greenland - Meeting Of Arctic Phenomena

Longyearbyen is the biggest settlement in Svalbard. Seat of the Norwegian administration, it also has the best services and infrastructure in the archipelago. Located deep in the Adventfjord, a sidearm of the Isfjorden (Icefjord), Longyearbyen’s airport can be used all-year round, but its harbor is blocked by ice in winter. Most shops, hotels, restaurants and a hospital are within easy walking distance of the port. One of the most prominent buildings in town is the UNIS center, where several Norwegian universities have joined forces to operate and offer the northernmost higher education to both Norwegian and international students. Adjacent to UNIS, and well worth a visit, is the Svalbard Museum, covering the natural history and exploitation of Svalbard. Remnants of the former mining activity can be seen all around Longyearbyen and even in town.

A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions to travel through the northern stretches of Svalbard to points visited by famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Amundsen and Nobile. Destinations might include the narrow waterways and striking mountains of Krossfjord and Raudfjord. The ship may visit the historic settings of Ny Alesund, Ny London or Amsterdamoya. And of course, we hope to see distinctly Arctic wildlife from walrus hauled out in noisy groups on remote shorelines, to reindeer grazing alpine slopes, and from ptarmigan in their camouflaged hiding places, to mighty polar bears striding the shores in search of their next meal.

East Greenland is one of the world’s most remote and dramatic Arctic regions, defined by towering mountains, vast fjords, and colossal icebergs sculpted by glaciers. Its sparse human population maintains a strong Inuit culture rooted in traditional hunting, art, and legend, offering a unique glimpse into life on the edge of the Arctic world. The wild coastal waters and rugged tundra are rich with Arctic wildlife, from whales and seals to musk oxen and occasional polar bears, against a backdrop of pristine wilderness. Here, the world’s largest fjord system, Scoresby Sund, and the nearby Northeast Greenland National Park showcase staggering scale and raw natural beauty. Access is limited, making East Greenland a truly remote destination for adventurous explorers and nature lovers.

Deep within the remote wilderness of Northeast Greenland National Park, Alpefjord is a spectacular waterway flanked by soaring, jagged peaks that reach heights of nearly 3,000 meters. This dramatic landscape is defined by the massive Gully Glacier, which spills directly into the fjord's icy waters, creating a stark and awe-inspiring contrast between the vertical rock walls and the flowing white ice. As one of the most secluded spots in the High Arctic, it offers a silent, pristine environment where lucky travelers may spot musk oxen grazing on the tundra or bearded seals resting on drifting ice floes.

Tucked deep within Iceland’s remote Westfjords, Patreksfjörður offers untouched beauty, dramatic fjords, and a true sense of escape. Just a short drive away, you’ll find the breathtaking Látrabjarg cliffs - home to puffins and one of Europe’s most spectacular coastal views. With its peaceful charm, rich maritime history, and access to raw, unspoiled nature, Patreksfjörður is the perfect destination for travelers seeking Iceland at its most authentic.

Sprawling Reykjavík, the nation's nerve center and government seat, is home to half the island's population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues, Reykjavík presents a colorful sight, its concrete houses painted in light colors and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces.Reykjavík's name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay, vík. In AD 874, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson saw Iceland rising out of the misty sea and came ashore at a bay eerily shrouded with plumes of steam from nearby hot springs. Today most of the houses in Reykjavík are heated by near-boiling water from the hot springs. Natural heating avoids air pollution; there's no smoke around. You may notice, however, that the hot water brings a slight sulfur smell to the bathroom.Prices are easily on a par with other major European cities. A practical option is to purchase a Reykjavík City Card at the Tourist Information Center or at the Reykjavík Youth Hostel. This card permits unlimited bus usage and admission to any of the city's seven pools, the Family Park and Zoo, and city museums. The cards are valid for one (ISK 3,300), two (ISK 4,400), or three days (ISK 4,900), and they pay for themselves after three or four uses a day. Even lacking the City Card, paying admission (ISK 500, or ISK 250 for seniors and people with disabilities) to one of the city art museums (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, or Ásmundarsafn) gets you free same-day admission to the other two.