The fabled sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Northwest Passage has gripped imaginations for centuries. On this captivating 17-day voyage, we invite you to explore this fascinating waterway with an incredible range of on-board comforts and off-ship adventures no other vessel can offer. Passing through the Canadian Arctic archipelago, guests will journey back in time to the height of Arctic exploration, navigating the waters explored by sailors from different lands while visiting areas that Inuit people have made their home for thousands of years. Marvel at highlights of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland’s stunning west coast, stopping at Inuit and Greenlandic communities. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Ilulissat Icefjord, whose Sermeq Kujalleq glacier calves off enormous icebergs. And keep your eyes peeled for the elusive and majestic creatures who make their home in these harsh, remote landscapes, such as whales, walrus, muskoxen and polar bears. Come aboard and venture to the legendary route that for centuries held explorers in its thrall, and return home forever bound to the spirit of Arctic adventure.
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.
Explore two of the last unspoiled wilderness areas on the planet with the Under the Northern Lights: Exploring Iceland & East Greenland itinerary. Cruising along Iceland’s mountainous Vestfjords and Greenland’s remote northeast coast, home to the largest fjord system in the world, you’ll discover diverse and dramatically rugged landscapes rich in iconic arctic wildlife. Immersed in the untamed beauty of the Arctic, you’ll experience Inuit culture firsthand at Ittoqqortoormiit, visit ancient Thule sites steeped in history, and marvel at the majesty of massive icebergs and towering bird cliffs. If you’re lucky, you may also catch sight of the spectacular northern lights dancing across the sky. The Arctic has been inspiring explorers for centuries, and our expeditions offer the chance for you to discover why. We’re excited to host you on your unforgettable adventure! Feel free to reach out to our team of Polar Travel Advisers or your travel professional, who can answer your questions and provide assistance at any time.
Explore Svalbard, a world of near-endless daylight, where polar bear sightings quicken your pulse, walrus haul out on sea ice and guillemot cries echo from towering cliffs. In East Greenland, sail deep into the world's largest fjord, visit remote Inuit settlements and cruise amongst iridescent icebergs. On this exclusive special departure, you'll experience something very few ever will - witnessing the celestial eclipse. You will be joined on board by former NASA astronaut Dr. Sandra H. Magnus who will share her insights through engaging lectures, offering a fascinating look at the connections between space exploration and the polar regions. Her stories of scientific discovery and environmental stewardship will no doubt inspire and this experience will offer you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a Solar Eclipse in Greenland, alongside a true space explorer.
Witness a solar eclipse - a truly unforgettable experience
Experience complete wilderness - in remote Northeast Greenland
In Svalbard, push through pack ice, searching for polar bears and ringed seals
Arctic highlights - experience three Arctic regions in one voyage
Journey from Reykjavik to St. John’s on the "Greenland to Newfoundland: Mountains, Wildlife and Viking History" cruise, a 14-day exploration that bridges the wild beauty of Iceland, Greenland, and Eastern Canada. Traverse through Cape Mercy, marvel at the ancient Torngat Mountain National Park, and uncover the captivating stories of Viking exploration. This cruise tour weaves together dramatic landscapes, Arctic wildlife encounters, and a rich tapestry of indigenous and Norse history, all while enjoying the comfort of your ship’s cabin accommodations and expert guidance.
A standout feature of this trip is the rare opportunity to sail through remote fjords and national parks, where towering mountains meet ice-carved coastlines and wildlife roam undisturbed. With a blend of natural wonders and cultural immersion, this tour package is tailored for those keen to experience the rugged frontiers of the North Atlantic in both comfort and style.
Iceland, the mystical island nation sculpted by fire and ice, is popular for its thunderously cascading waterfalls, towering cliffs, geysers spontaneously erupting in full furies of steam, stunning shorelines dotted with fishing villages, expansive glaciers, rarely-visited wild places, and hard-to-reach coastal areas of breathtaking splendor. But how does a traveler experience all the wonders Iceland has to offer? Most visitors have confined themselves to very established tourist routes, largely by automobile, and thus have limited their experience of Iceland. That’s the challenge we presented to our team of innovators: how can you do it all on a trip through Iceland? How can you authentically explore the entire country, take in all of its main attractions—while also exploring the rarely-visited side of Iceland? That kernel of inspiration led to the creation of our 12–day Iceland Circumnavigation: Helicopters, Glaciers and Volcanoes, which enables us to take travelers around the entire island—a complete circumnavigation starting and ending in Reykjavik—and explore by small polar ship, Zodiac, coach bus, kayak and helicopter.
From the vibrant Icelandic capital of Reykjavík, embark on a cruise from East to West Greenland and experience a celestial spectacle like no other - the 12 August 2026 total solar eclipse in one of the world's most awe-inspiring destinations. Following this spectacle, witness glaciers flowing from the snow-capped Watkins Mountains, experience the cultural richness of Tasiilaq and marvel at the stunning fjords of Skjoldungen. Sail through the magnificent strait of Prins Christiansund, venture deep into the fjords of South Greenland, visit Nuuk, one of the world's smallest capitals and traverse the breath-taking Evighedsfjord. This once-in-a-lifetime 13-day expedition cruise ends in Kangerlussuaq, with an included flight to Copenhagen or Keflavik.
Explore some of the last unspoiled wilderness areas on the planet by joining our Adventures in Northeast Greenland: Glaciers, Fjords and the Northern Lights itinerary. Cruising along Greenland’s remote northeast coast, home to the largest fjord system in the world, you’ll discover diverse and dramatically rugged landscapes—and possibly cap off a day of Arctic exploration with a nighttime show of the dramatic Aurora borealis as you’ll be in a region where the Northern Lights are regularly visible. Immersed in the untamed beauty of the Arctic, you’ll experience Greenlandic culture firsthand at Ittoqqortoormiit, visit ancient Thule sites steeped in history, and marvel at the majesty of massive icebergs and against a spectacular mountain backdrop. The Arctic has been inspiring explorers for centuries, and our expeditions offer the chance for you to discover why. We’re excited to host you on your unforgettable adventure! Feel free to reach out to our team of Polar Travel Advisers or your travel professional, who can answer your questions and provide assistance at any time.
Our South Greenland Adventure: The Majestic Alpine Arctic itinerary is designed for travelers seeking to explore the majestic fjords, glaciers and mountains of South Greenland. This itinerary offers guests one–of–a–kind excursions exclusive to Quark Expeditions—some of them only made possible by our newest ship, the technologically–advanced Ultramarine, which is equipped with two twin–engine helicopters. On this journey, you can be as active as you like, or you can opt for more relaxing, immersive experiences. Developed in partnership with local communities—a first of its kind in expedition travel—this itinerary offers unprecedented opportunities to explore the majesty of South Greenland’s diverse fjordlands. Ultramarine’s two helicopters will take you to areas in South Greenland that others can’t reach, especially for off–ship excursions. Some of these, such as our Heli Hiking and the Greenland Ice Sheet Experience, are included for all guests, who can also enjoy hikes, community visits and Zodiac cruises. This voyage—accessible to guests of all fitness levels—offers something for everyone, whether you’re interested in soaking up the serene mountain views, sailing through the icebergs on a Zodiac cruise, or trying optional activities such as heli–hiking or camping in style on the shores of Tasermiut Fjord with local hosts.
Winding your way through the icy channels of the legendary Northwest Passage is history brought to life during this expedition in the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland. On this compelling 17-day journey, passengers retrace the steps of the intrepid Franklin Expedition, which left the shores of England in 1845 in search of the last unexplored section of the Northwest Passage—only to become permanently icebound. Its discovery more than a century and a half later by Norwegian Roald Amundsen was a much-celebrated moment in polar history. Explore colorful Inuit villages, and shop for traditional Inuit handicrafts. Hike the endless Arctic backdrop and marvel at the vast, colorful tundra. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive and majestic creatures that make their home in this wilderness, such as whales, walrus, muskoxen and polar bears. Come aboard for this immersive journey along the legendary Arctic sea route, and return home with memories permanently etched in your heart.
Discover the icy wonders of Greenland and cross the Arctic circle on this 8-day expedition cruise which takes in magical fjords, calving glaciers and remote towns. Cruise past giant icebergs in Disko Bay, look out for whales and other marine life breaching the waves and sail up close to the spectacular Eqip Sermia Glacier. Explore beautiful Uummannaq, the Iceberg capital of Ilulissat, the tiny Inuit settlement of Itilleq and Sisimiut.
Iceland is a remote volcanic island, with mind-blowing landscapes and fascinating culture. With most of the country uninhabited, much of Iceland's terrain consists of plateaux, mountain peaks and fertile lowlands. The landscape is characterised by volcanoes, thundering waterfalls, geysers and geothermal hot springs, all accompanied by black sand beaches, bubbling mud pools and lava fields. Enjoy dramatic deep fjords, ideal for Zodiac cruising and some of the largest glaciers in Europe, whilst soaking up the abundance of birdlife. A circumnavigation of Iceland, is an experience not to be missed.
Keep watch for blow holes, breaching and tail flukes - as we spot whales in Húsavik
Westfjords offer some of the remotest fjords, bays and pristine environments in Iceland - perfect
for kayaking, hiking and bird-watching
Visit Vatnajökull National Park - featuring Europe's largest glacier, glacial lagoons, colourful mountains and rich wildlife
Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland - M/V Greg Mortimer GREENLAND, SPITSBERGEN- TRIP CODE GMGI
August 2024
We joined the Greg Mortimer in Svalbard having spent the night in a hotel in Longyearbyen. The ship is modern, clean and bright. Our cabin was on the 6th deck with a balcony accessed by a sliding door with room to sit out so long as we put enough clothes on. It had ample storage space, a wonderful en-suite with a heated floor, sheer luxury! All types of plug were catered for so recharging batteries was easy. The first 3 days were spent round Svalbard looking at the wildlife and scenery. Leaving the ship on the zodiacs was very easy and well thought out. We ended up wearing 5 layers to stay warm. Sitting in the zodiac for a couple of hours could get very cold with out the right gear. The ship itself is well appointed with plenty of observation space, both indoor and outdoor. The lecture theatre is excellent and, if you don’t want to attend, you can watch the proceedings from your cabin on the TV.
The food was very good, Buffet style lunches and a good menu in the evenings.
Crossing the Greenland Sea on the 4th day was a little rough but the ship has stabilisers which worked well. There was a noticeable lack of people in the dining room on the first night though.
Reaching Greenland, the itinerary was adjusted based on the weather and conditions. Each day we generally had two zodiac trips with landings when we could. The supplied Wellington Boots were comfortable and warm although we did supplement them with a thermal sole insert and two pairs of socks.
The landscape is fantastic with towering cliffs and glaciers coming down to the sea. The scale is hard to describe as there is not much to compare it with but some mountains like the Devil’s Castle loom over the ship at some 1100m. Very impressive. Each day was at a different site with the ship moving overnight.
We did get to see a couple of Polar Bears, seals, walruses, musk ox and plenty of birds.
All in all, a wonderful trip full of fantastic scenery and wildlife on a comfortable ship designed for the job. The crew were excellent and always helpful as were the very knowledgeable Expedition staff.
If you want to see a mostly untouched wilderness with stunning views and wildlife, we can recommend this trip.
Experience unparalleled adventure and discovery on this ultimate Antarctic voyage. Be transported to enthralling subantarctic islands, rich with human history and unique wildlife. Then venture into the deep south of the Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the coveted Antarctic Circle. Zodiac-cruise in vast ice-covered landscapes, visit lively penguin colonies, watch for whales and discover the rich history of this fascinating region.
Step ashore on the Antarctic continent - to unforgettable vistas, bustling penguins and curious seals
Raise a glass - as you cross the Antarctic Circle
Zodiac through glassy waters - gaze at the iridescent blues of gleaming icebergs
Stand in awe - at the world's largest king penguin rookeries
Hike along pebble beaches and climb tussock steps - with unexpected wildlife encounters at every turn