Experience the iconic wildlife of Svalbard and Greenland
Get the ultimate Arctic experience on this amazing voyage of Svalbard and Greenland, experiencing not only the solar eclipse but also getting the option for long hikes far from our landing sites. Our route takes us through some of the best areas for viewing polar bears, Arctic foxes, various seals, and even more species of whale.
Venture
far into the wild Greenland backcountry, exploring a variety of rugged
terrain on an exhilarating hike that will give you the true expedition
experience
Visit
Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord which is a large East Greenland fjord system
lies between Cape Mackenzie and Cape Franklin
Visit
Ittoqqortoormiit, a small settlement on Greenland's rugged eastern
coast. Ittoqqortoormiit is one of the most remote towns on the island
and in the world
Visit
Sydkap, an area of Scoresby Sund where wildlife, striking terrain, and
ancient Thule culture converge
Witness
a Total Solar Eclipse, a riveting cosmic event only fully experienced
along a narrow terrestrial pathway
Watch
Minke Whales - though the smallest of the fin whales, these migrating
mammals can let out a cry as loud as a plane taking off
Among
the few hooved animals to survive the last ice age, the Musk Ox are
goat-like creatures that have an underlayer of fur that is one of the
world's warmest natural fibers
Look
out for Polar Bears - Awe-inspiring icons of the circumpolar north,
polar bears are majestic to behold, terrifying to confront, and as
essential to the Arctic as ice and snow
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
Start Date
End Date
From EUR
From USD
Aug 03, 2026
Aug 16, 2026
8,550
9,212
Rates are listed per person
Start Date
End Date
From EUR
From USD
Aug 03, 2026
Aug 16, 2026
8,550
9,212
ITINERARY
Day
1: Largest town, biggest island You
touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen,
the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around
this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make
for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more
than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early
evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where we might spot the first
minke whale of your voyage.
Day
2: Sabine observatory and Raudfjorden In
1823 the Irish scientist, soldier, and explorer Edward Sabine had an
observatory on Indre Norskøya, in northwestern Svalbard.
Using a pendulum to study gravity, he suggested a project to measure
the meridians (lines of longitude through the poles) on Spitsbergen,
the goal of which was to define the curvature of the Earth. We will try
to get to Sabinehaugen, where he did his observations. Sailing next
into Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, we’ll
see in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe
even visited by ringed seals, bearded seals, and polar bears. The
cliffs and shoreline of this fjord also support thriving seabird
colonies.
Day
3-4: Onward to East Greenland We
may eventually see the jagged edge of East Greenland sea ice flashing
into sight ahead, depending on the conditions. Keep watch for whales
and migrating seabirds here.
Day
5: Tundra, mountains, and icebergs As
we approach Greenland, we may sail through the sea ice into Foster Bay
and land at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters’ hut (where
Norwegian trappers hunted for polar bear and Arctic fox in the first
half of the 20th century), there is a sprawling tundra populated by
musk oxen, with geese floating the small lakes. From here
we’ll sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, surrounded by
towering mountains and bright interior icebergs.
For
those who choose to attend, we will have our first long hike (6-7
hours) today. We’ll start at Myggbukta station and head into
Badlanddal, then turn south to Fangsthytte near Kap Bennet. A Zodiac
will sail ahead of the walking party and parallel to the coast to watch
out for bears. We will then sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord,
surrounded by towering mountains and bright interior icebergs.
Day
6: Islands of Antarctic Sound We
arrive at Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle), a mountain with
layered geology. On the other side of the fjord is Blomsterbugt and the
intended landing site. In the afternoon, we head into Antarctic Sound
to find the islands of Ruth, Maria, and Ella. Maria is the most likely
spot for a landing.
Day
7: Alpefjord’s lofty peaks In
the morning, we enter Segelsällskapets Fjord, with the
streaked slopes of the Berzelius Mountains bordering the north side. We
land on the south shore, where ancient sedimentary formations lie right
at our feet. A hike takes you near a small lake with good chances to
see musk oxen, Arctic hares, and ptarmigans. In the afternoon, the ship
ventures into Alpefjord, aptly named for the spire-like peaks that
thrust up around it. We may then embark on a Zodiac cruise around Gully
Glacier, which once blocked access to the interior of these waters.
Continuing deep into the fjord, we’ll experience a definitive
Greenland adventure.
Day
8: Sights of the Arctic autumn The
first half of the day we will spend in Antarctic Havn, an extensive
valley where you can spot groups of musk oxen. At this time of year,
the sparse vegetation is wearing the fiery colors of autumn.
Day
9: Largest fjord in the world Today
we reach Scoresby Sund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons
Kyst. We may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts,
along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of
Vikingebugt. In the afternoon, we plan to sail along the east coast of
Milne Land among a multitude of giant icebergs. If we can also land at
Charcot Havn, we will make a walk to Charcot Glacier before continuing
to Bjørneøer.
Day
10: Total Solar Eclipse We
will have a Zodiac cruise near Sorte Ø in the morning,
surrounded by icebergs. Their austere blue-white contrasts sharply with
the sediment slopes nearby. At midday we will position the ship in the
center of the moon shadow in Øfjord. In the afternoon, we
watch the solar eclipse either from the ship or one of the nearby
shores.
Latitude
70.878 north, longitude 27.286 west (Øfjord
in Scoresby Sund)
Duration
of Eclipse: 2 hours, 1 minute Duration
of Totality: 2 minutes, 17 seconds
Time
(GMT minus 1 hour) Start
of Eclipse 02.33 pm Start
of Totality 03.33 pm Max.
Eclipse 03.35 pm (Alt. 25.0) End
of Totality 03.36 pm End
of Eclipse 04.34 pm
If
ice conditions prevent us from getting into Scoresby Sund, we will sail
south along the ice edge and find another zone of totality along
Blosseville Coast, for instance at latitude 68.630 north, longitude
26.509 west.
The
primary goal of our solar eclipse voyages is to position our ships in
the center of totality on Aug 12, 2026. This itinerary allows us to
reach this goal when we have an average sea ice situation, as
we’ve had in the past fourteen years. If this is not the
case, we will adapt the itinerary and skip landing areas on our sailing
from Longyearbyen to Øfjord. If we can’t get into
Scoresby Sund, we sail to Blosseville Coast, south of
Søkongens Bugt.
Day
11: Enormous bergs, Arctic hares In
the morning, we will encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters
(330 feet) high and more than a kilometer (.6 miles) long.
We’ll then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning
and Arctic hares. Today's long hike goes from Sydkap to Satakajik,
showing us the remains of Thule winter houses built with whale
vertebrae. In the evening, we sail into Øfjord.
Day
12: Settlement at Scoresby Sund Today
we make a tundra landing on Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet. The
afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresby
Sund at about four hundred inhabitants. At the post office, you can buy
stamps for your postcards or just stroll around to see the sled dogs
and drying skins of seals and musk oxen. In the afternoon, we sail
south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.
Day
13: Sea life under the northern lights A
sea day grants us the opportunity to spot whales and seabirds
– and at night, the magical northern lights.
Day
14: Journey’s end at Akureyri Even
the greatest adventures eventually come to an end. We disembark in
Akureyri, where on request you can transfer by chartered bus (six-hour
drive that must be booked in advance) to the bus stop at Harpa Concert
Hall at Austurbakki, Reykjavík.
MV Plancius offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. The vessel has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 4), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED
Voyage
aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea.
All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff.
Free
use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
Transfers
and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for
those passengers on the group flights to Longyearbyen.
All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
AECO
fees and governmental taxes.
Comprehensive
pre-departure material.
Excluded
from this voyage
Any
airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
Pre-
and post- land arrangements.
Passport
and visa expenses.
Government
arrival and departure taxes.
Meals
ashore.
Baggage,
cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
Excess
baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry,
bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
Transfer
supplement for bus shuttle between Akureyri (ship) and bus stop Harpa
Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavik (6 hours).
The
customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other
service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
Zodiac
Cruises
Long
Hikes
Long
hikes are for groups of 24 passengers maximum, accompanied by two armed
expedition staff and a Zodiac that will sail ahead to watch for polar
bears along the shoreline. Passengers who join this activity should
have the willingness and ability to hike at least 15 km (9 miles) in
semi-rough terrain that includes shorelines, tundra, low hills, and
river crossings. Hikes will take around six hours from start to finish,
rest times included. We will hike at a modest pace and not cross any
alpine terrain. Guests who do not wish to take part will have a landing
in the morning at the start point of the hike, then sail to the end
point for their second landing in the afternoon.
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