Similar to our "Realm of the Polar Bear" tour, but with three additional days of exploring. Scour the ice and tundra in search of the elusive polar bear and encounter even more icebergs, glaciers, and unique wildlife than you ever thought possible on this 11-day expedition. Search for lounging seals, grazing reindeer, and colonies of birds under the midnight sun.
From close-up encounters with icebergs and glaciers to the region’s plentiful wildlife, this is a voyage of non-stop highlights. Always on the lookout for wildlife that live in this polar wilderness, you’ll explore this landscape not only by ship but also on foot and via Zodiac. Roaming polar bears, lounging seals, grazing reindeer, and colonies of birds all co-exist in this harsh land we dare only to explore a few months of the year.
Ideal for first-time guests to the polar regions, Arctic Saga: Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen allows you to venture to some of the most remote islands on Earth, observe fascinating history and culture, and experience the dreamlike wonder of the midnight sun. Sailing across the North Atlantic, you will be immersed in the Arctic’s rugged beauty, highlighted by visits to the awe-inspiring and unspoiled destinations of Fair Isle, the Faroe Islands, Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen. Prepare to be amazed by an environment different from anything you’ve ever witnessed, featuring immense fjords, towering glaciers, soaring sea stacks and coastal cliffs teeming with seabirds by the thousands. Observe reindeer, seals and whales in their natural habitat under a sunlit sky in the middle of the night. Guided by the most knowledgeable and passionate team in the industry, go where few others have gone, and return forever changed by the rich history, distinct culture and unforgettable backdrop of the Arctic.
Cruise
Tour Type
Cruise Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Ship Cabin, Home-stay
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Aberdeen, Longyearbyen, Arctic C
Aberdeen, Longyearbyen, Arctic Circle, Jan Mayen, Fair Isle, Faroe Islands, Helsinki
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Named one of National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime, this unforgettable voyage begins above the Arctic Circle at Spitsbergen, the “wildlife capital of the Arctic,” ventures to the spectacular, remote landscape of East Greenland, and ends in Iceland. In Spitsbergen, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts, steep-walled fjords and wind-swept tundra, where wildlife sightings include walrus, polar bears, Svalbard reindeer and thousands of birds. During your tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, you’ll explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen—40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives here. The towering cliffs, massive glaciers, rugged fjords and vast swaths of untouched tundra in these breathtaking environments will provide sights, sounds and scenes you’ve never experienced, permanently transforming your connection to the planet we call home. Explore the amazing Arctic, immerse yourself in the beauty and fragility of a wondrous region, and return with unique memories that will last a lifetime.
Enjoy the immense beauty of Svalbard on this 8-day expedition cruise to the remote Norwegian archipelago. Take in the wild wonders of the Arctic as we cruise among whales, walruses, polar bears and millions of sea birds. Marvel at jaw-dropping glaciers and colossal icebergs, see ruined mining communities and cruise along shimmering fjords.
Everything was perfect -food, expedition leader, guides, hotel staff. Perfect weather too. 8 polar bears and 8 blue whales too and all these rest. The trip was excellent through and through.
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.
WildlifeTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Ship Cabin
Age Range
10-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Reykjavik, Longyearbyen, Arctic
Reykjavik, Longyearbyen, Arctic Circle, Spitsbergen, Greenland Sea, Northeast Greenland National Park
Revel in the diversity of the Svalbard Island and sail into the kingdom of the polar bear. We explore the coastline, with no open sea crossings, against a backdrop of spectacular glacier-covered peaks. We discover deep fjords in the west; mysterious, fossil-rich desert plains in the east and best of all, seal and whale in the Arctic pack ice. This voyage offers the best chance for seeing reindeer and polar bear and features wildflower walks across sweeping tundra, trapper camps and historic sites. On foot and by Zodiac, we visit abandoned whaling settlements, search for walrus, Arctic fox and reindeer and observe millions of migratory birds, including little auk, guillemot and puffin.
See the mighty polar bear - the King of the Arctic
Visit the bird cliffs of Alkfejellet - where thousands of Brunnich's guillemot swirl around
See walrus - lounging around on ice floes
Get up close to the wildlife - as you cruise by Zodiac
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
On this extended exploration of the Svalbard archipelago, there is ample time to enjoy the best of this magical region, a world of near-endless daylight, where polar bear sightings quicken your pulse, guillemot cries echo from towering cliffs, and beluga whales rise from the sea. With extra time for exploration, we hope to show you some of our favourite places in Svalbard, and perhaps discover some new ones. Unpredictable conditions are expected in wild and remote places such as Svalbard, and with extra time, we can slow the pace of the voyage, linger longer in quiet bays to enjoy wildlife encounters. Explore tundra adorned with wildflowers, keep watch for arctic fox, and discover historical camps of explorers and hunters. Push through pack ice to find walrus and bearded seals, and delight in the breathtakingly beautiful fjords on this extended voyage in the Arctic Ocean.
Venture close to 80° north - searching for polar bears on pack ice
Discover the thrill of seeing Arctic wildlife up close - walrus, seals, whales, guillemots and puffins ti name a few
Cruise along blue glacier fronts - through stunning fjords
Enjoy tundra hikes - amid stunningly beautiful scenery
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Revel in the diversity of the Svalbard Island and sail into the kingdom of the polar bear. We explore the coastline, with no open sea crossings, against a backdrop of spectacular glacier-covered peaks. We discover deep fjords in the west; mysterious, fossil-rich desert plains in the east and best of all, seal and whale in the Arctic pack ice. This voyage offers the best chance for seeing reindeer and polar bear and features wildflower walks across sweeping tundra, trapper camps and historic sites. On foot and by Zodiac, we visit abandoned whaling settlements, search for walrus, Arctic fox and reindeer and observe millions of migratory birds, including little auk, guillemot and puffin.
See the mighty polar bear - the King of the Arctic
Visit the bird cliffs of Alkfejellet - where thousands of Brunnich's guillemot swirl around
See walrus - lounging around on ice floes
Get up close to the wildlife - as you cruise by Zodiac
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Enjoy the immense beauty of Svalbard on this high Arctic voyage among whales, walruses, polar bears and millions of sea birds. Explore the largest protected areas in the Arctic and cruise to 80 degrees north, while enjoying the spectacular fjords and glacial landscapes of this breathtaking archipelago. The cliffs shimmer with life as every surface is populated with countless birds, getting ready to flee their nests. On shore, you can see huge walrus basking in the Arctic sunshine and whales and seals can be seen foraging along the edge of the pack ice, as we sail north along the coastline.
Observe Arctic guillemots, black guillemots and razorbills - fishing in the ship's wake
Soak up the incredible glacial scenery - on land and from your Zodiac
Enjoy an array of Arctic wildlife - walrus, reindeer, polar bears and Arctic foxes
Enjoy plenty of time to explore Spitsbergen - on this in depth voyage
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Enjoy the immense beauty of Svalbard on this high Arctic voyage among whales, walruses, polar bears and millions of sea birds. Explore the largest protected areas in the Arctic and cruise to 80 degrees north, while enjoying the spectacular fjords and glacial landscapes of this breathtaking archipelago. The cliffs shimmer with life as every surface is populated with countless birds, getting ready to flee their nests. On shore, you can see huge walrus basking in the Arctic sunshine and whales and seals can be seen foraging along the edge of the pack ice, as we sail north along the coastline.
Observe Arctic guillemots, black guillemots and razorbills - fishing in the ship's wake
Soak up the incredible glacial scenery - on land and from your Zodiac
Enjoy an array of Arctic wildlife - walrus, reindeer, polar bears and Arctic foxes
Enjoy plenty of time to explore Spitsbergen - on this in depth voyage
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Head for 90 degrees North! Since the 16th century, the greatest expeditions have repeatedly attempted to reach the North Pole. This mythical geographic point inspires and attracts as much as it fascinates dreamers and conquerors, seeking out the other side of the world. Following in the wake of Frederick Cook, Robert Edwin Peary or Roald Amundsen, who were among the many who sought to achieve this elusive goal, you will be part of the chosen few who will attempt to reach this near-unattainable point, some 700 km from the nearest land. Swept by the winds and the currents, the ice floe is constantly drifting and your ship's Captain will manoeuvre carefully in an attempt to reach the northernmost point of our planet. From Spitsbergen, you will set sail north to the waters at the edge of the Earth, towards landscapes that continually change according to the ice, and the light at play in the skies above. Nature reigns supreme here, sheltering exceptional wildlife; polar bears, seals and a variety of whales call these glacial waters home and you will have a chance to spot them as you journey towards the North Pole - the Holy Grail of all polar explorers.
Be among the few people in the world - to go in search of the Geographic North Pole.
Perfect your photographic skills - learn from the eye and sound advice of British photo ambassador Ian Dawson
Enjoy the rugged and varied landscapes of Spitsbergen - jagged mountain peaks, gigantic glaciers and steep-sided cliffs that reach down to the sea
Incredible wildlife - polar bears, seals, whales and a prolific array of Arctic birdlife
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
While I don’t really think anyone should be setting foot on this pristine wilderness, the planning and management of the sailing and Zodiac experiences raised customers’ consciousness of the potential damage. We were expected to walk in each other’s footprints to avoid damage to the fragile plants and soils, but in reality the terrain, and some of the attitudes, made this very difficult. It was sad to see tiny saxifrage plants ground into mud, aged lichens kicked off rocks. Even sea ice must be damaged by the ship. We did learn a lot about the environment and the ship seemed better suited than others.
But should anyone be going for fun and exacerbating the climate related destruction?
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
