HIGHLIGHTS
- Set
sail from Svalbard and head to the world’s largest national
park. Situated in East Greenland, this huge natural reserve of 375,000
square miles occupies the remote northeastern quarter of Greenland.
Wildlife abounds here in the absence of people, and you may see iconic
Arctic species like musk oxen and even polar bears. The beauty and the
silence here are breathtaking, and you’ll be one of only a
few people lucky enough to visit this wilderness region
- After
this, sail south to Scoresby Sund, where you’ll witness the
amazing spectacle of a total solar eclipse. Scoresby Sund is an immense
system of fjords and glaciers fanning out over 24,000 square miles
- Expect
majestic fjord landscapes, historical ruins, abundant Arctic wildlife,
and a potential visit to one of the most remote communities in the world
- And
then, sail across the Denmark Strait to Iceland, and your solar eclipse
voyage of discovery ends in charming and artsy Reykjavík
DATES / RATES
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR |
From USD |
|---|
| Aug 03, 2026 | Aug 19, 2026 | 14,500 |
15,315 |
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR |
From USD |
|---|
| Aug 03, 2026 | Aug 19, 2026 | 14,500 |
15,315 |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Arrive in Longyearbyen
Get
ready for your Arctic solar eclipse voyage. After a flight from Oslo,
your adventure begins with a two-night stay in the world’s
northernmost town, Longyearbyen. A colorful frontier settlement where
people are outnumbered by snowmobiles, Longyearbyen is a unique place
on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. If you have time, head out to get
a first look at this special town before enjoying a relaxing evening at
your leisure.
Day
2: Longyearbyen Adventures
Explore
the town at the top of the world. After breakfast it’s time
to experience Longyearbyen, a town that’s perfect for
exploring on foot. Stroll down the main street and you might see
Svalbard reindeer saunter by. Although wild, they're curious and
gentle. Get out on the water with an included nature tour aboard the
hybrid electric catamaran, MS Bard. The engine and propellers are
designed to be as quiet as possible, meaning we won’t disturb
the environment and wildlife with our presence. The evening is yours to
spend at your leisure—enjoy your last night on land before we
head off on our solar eclipse voyage tomorrow.
Day
3: Your solar eclipse adventure begins
A
last look at Longyearbyen - Today’s the day when our solar
eclipse adventure begins. Before boarding the expedition ship in the
afternoon, join an included excursion and get another look at this
amazing region at the top of the world that’s home to polar
bears.
Days
4–5: Relaxing at Sea
Get
ready for Greenland - Kalaallit Nunaat. As we sail into the Greenland
Sea on our way to the world’s largest island, it’s
time to relax, find your sea legs, and get acquainted with the onboard
facilities.
The
Expedition Team will give talks about your upcoming adventure and
explain the protocols of respectfully visiting wildlife habitats and
Indigenous Arctic communities. In the lecture hall, you’ll
find out what to expect in the epic landscapes of East Greenland
National Park and the stunning fjords of Scoresby Sund. There will also
be talks on astronomy and the upcoming solar eclipse over Greenland,
which will occur a week into our adventure.
If
you’re feeling active, head to the gym, and work out with a
view. On the other hand, you could try out the sauna, relax in a hot
tub, indulge yourself at the onboard eateries or just find a quiet
corner to read a book with a hot drink. Love science Then join one of
our onboard Citizen Science projects; they’re a fun and
engaging way to contribute to global research.
Days
6–15: Northeast Greenland National Park and Scoresby Sund
expedition days
Explore
the wild east and witness the solar eclipse. We’ll spend the
next 10 days exploring Greenland’s remote and pristine east
coast. Extending for over 1,740 miles from north to south, this long
stretch of coast is cold, isolated and remote, even by Greenlandic
standards. The south-flowing East Greenland Current brings lots of sea
ice directly from the Arctic Ocean, challenging human settlement but
creating a paradise for ice-dependent wildlife, including the polar
bear.
Local
weather and ice conditions will dictate our exact route, but our plan
is to sail first to Northeast Greenland National Park—the
world’s largest national park. Visiting this fragile Arctic
wilderness is a rare privilege, as only a few visitors are permitted
here each year.
Apart
from old trapper huts, some science research stations, and a military
outpost, there are very few traces of human life in this 375,000 square
mile park. Be assured that this is one of the quietest places on Earth,
and you’ll enjoy a feeling of great peace as we explore this
beautiful wilderness.
Then
we’ll sail south to Scoresby Sund, the world’s
largest fjord system. It’s during our time in Scoresby Sund
that the 2026 solar eclipse will occur. We’ll aim to be in
the perfect position in the fjord system to witness it, and
you’ll be able to see the surrounding landscape and sea fall
into and then re-emerge from darkness. We won’t know our
exact positioning until that day, as weather and ice conditions will
play a part, but the captain will ensure we sail to the best possible
location to experience this amazing celestial event, which will occur
at 16:35.
During
our time in Scoresby Sund, you’ll feel a deep sense of
serenity in this wild and rugged region, where white and blue icebergs
float in mirror-like waters surrounded by looming mountains. If
conditions permit, we’ll visit Ittoqqortoormiit—the
most remote inhabited community in the Western Hemisphere.
As
this is an expedition cruise, the captain and Expedition Team will
guide us to the most favorable spots each day. Our goal will be to pack
in as many shore landings, small boat cruises, nature walks, kayaking
adventures and wildlife sightings as possible.
Day
16: Denmark Strait
Relax
and reflect as we head to Iceland. After exploring the remote beauty of
Greenland, we’ll set our course for Iceland. Spend the days
at sea recapping your experiences with new friends, studying nature in
the Science Center, listening to a lecture or two, or just relaxing on
deck. Look for the seabirds that follow our ship and keep an eye out
for whales. As you reflect on your cruise, from witnessing a total
solar eclipse to soaking up the soul-stirring Arctic scenery, take some
time to relax at sea and enjoy the ship’s food and facilities.
Day
17: Reykjavík
End
your expedition in Iceland’s capital. We’ll say a
fond farewell to MS Spitsbergen as we end our expedition cruise in the
lovely city of Reykjavík. With its interesting museums,
stylish galleries, restaurants and geothermal pools, there’s
so much to enjoy in Iceland’s capital. And if you want to
discover more of Iceland, you can join our optional Post-Program before
you head home. Or simply extend your stay to enjoy more of
Reykjavík and its surrounding geothermal attractions.
It’s a great place to end an epic journey!
MS Spitsbergen (Expedition, 220-guests)
MS Spitsbergen joined the Hurtigruten fleet in 2016. The ship features high technical standards as well as comfortable, modern public areas and cabins. The vessel's fresh Scandinavian design reflects a colour palette derived from the sea. She is modern and environmentally progressive, and further improvements have been planned that will reduce emissions and fuel consumption even more. The new ship's maneuverability and optimal size make her quite suitable for exploring polar waters.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Flights
- Flight
in economy class from Oslo to Longyearbyen before the expedition cruise
Transfers
- All
transfers in Longyearbyen, including two excursions and one lunch
before the expedition cruise
Hotel
- Two-night
stay in Longyearbyen before the expedition cruise, including light
dinner and breakfast
Expedition
Cruise
- A
stay in a cabin of your choice
- Daily
breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Wine,
beer and spirits available at meals and throughout the day and evening
(subject to licensing laws; excludes premium drinks)
- All
day coffee, tea, and soft drinks
- A
complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home
- A
polar expedition jacket, a backpack, or another piece of HX gear
- Professional
photos from your trip taken by our onboard photographer
- Complimentary
Wi-Fi. Please note that streaming is not supported.
- Use
of sauna, hot tubs, fitness room, lounges, and more
- Gratuities
included. Fantastic service is standard at HX (though if
you’d like to leave something extra, it’s always
appreciated).
- Range
of included activities
Landing
Activities
- Escorted
landings with small expedition boats
- Loan
of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for activities
- Expedition
photographers on hand to assist you
Onboard
Activities
- In-depth
lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
- Full
access to the ship’s Science Center
- The
Citizen ScienceProgramallows guests to assist with ongoing scientific
research
- An
onboard professional photographer will give tips and tricks for taking
the best landscape and wildlife photos
- Informal
gatherings with the crew for daily briefings
Notes
- All
planned activities are subject to weather and ice conditions
- Excursions
and activities are subject to change
- Please
make sure you meet all entry and boarding requirements
- Depending
on your flight times, an additional overnight stay might be needed (not
included)
What's
not included
- International
flights
- Additional
overnight stay(s) may be required due to the timing of international
flights
- Travel
insurance
- Luggage
handling
- Optional
shore excursions with our local partners
- Optional
small-group activities with our Expedition Team
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Ittoqqortoormiit
- Ittoqqortoormiit Community Visit (included)
