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A couple of wild fox playing on a rock at Svalbard, Norway

Arctic Islands & Fjords

Longyearbyen - Reykjavik - Example 15 Day Cruise aboard SH Vega
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Embark on a 15-day expedition cruise from Longyearbyen to Reykjavik on the SH Vega to explore the Arctic. Ventures to Greenland provide an opportunity to experience intriguing indigenous cultures and ways of life in sparsely populated areas, along with national parks and protected wildlife areas where encountering arctic hare and muskoxen is possible. Also explores the world's most extensive fjord system. The journey continues via Jan Mayen Island to the northern archipelago of Svalbard, witnessing the midnight sun casting shadows on the icy landscape while searching for polar bears, walruses, seals, whales, and countless seabirds. Disembark in Reykjavik. 
Homes in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, NorwayArctic puffinsSvalbard ReindeerSvalbard walrusA couple of wild fox playing on a rock at Svalbard, Norway
Highlights
  • Explore Northeast Greenland, the world’s largest national park, with polar bears, muskoxen, reindeer, seals, and walruses
  • Visit the rarely visited, most northerly volcanic island of Jan Mayen Island
  • Sail past Spitsbergen’s most beautiful glacier, Monacobreen, as it calves icebergs
  • Discover Greenland’s breathtaking ice-filled fjords and remote settlements
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Copenhagen

Arrive at the airport and head to the hotel via the group transfer to your hotel. Relax, and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure.

*Pre/Post hotels and flights are always subject to change until the Travel Documents are provided.

Day 2: Longyearbyen | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
Fly from Copenhagen and join the group to be transferred to the port where you will embark on SH Vega for your adventure.

Longyearbyen is the world’s most northerly town, and with it comes the world’s most northerly high street and pub. On Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island, Longyearbyen is home to The North Pole Expeditions Museum, which chronicles early efforts to reach the pole by air. The nearby Svalbard Global Seed Vault preserves duplicate seeds held in gene banks worldwide. The surrounding Arctic waters are populated by whales, including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are regularly seen hauling.

Day 3-9: Svalbard

  • Ship
  • 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners
Located deep inside the Arctic Circle, approaching the Svalbard archipelago feels a lot like sailing towards the edge of the world. Known as the Kingdom of the Polar Bears, spot some of its subjects as you explore some of the most varied polar landscapes in the Arctic. Down in your Zodiac boats, get close to the gargantuan glaciers, which are rapidly retreating from the oceans that they feed. In the north of the archipelago, past the magnificent fjords, the remaining sea ice offers the perfect hunting ground for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, the landscape is punctuated with large areas devoid of snow and ice, along with vast tundra and exposed beaches. Alongside Svalbard’s 600 polar bears, this Arctic wildlife hotspot is also home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, the ringed seal, the arctic fox, and many species of marine mammals and seabirds.

Day 10: Day at Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip, or head to the library, which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures, or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers.

Day 11: Jan Mayen Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The snow-covered stratovolcano Beerenberg dominates the ice cap and glaciers at the northeast end of Jan Mayen Island. Halfway between Svalbard and Iceland, the only residents on this Norwegian island are members of the Norwegian Armed Forces or those working at the meteorological station. During a nature walk to the station and along the black sandy beach, you can see numerous plant species. Nesting northern fulmars, Brünnich’s and black guillemots, and little auks make the island an important birding area.

Day 12: Day at Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind, and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

Day 13: Grimsey Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Grimsey is a remote island located 40 kilometers off Iceland’s north coast. Many people travel here for the purpose of setting foot in the Arctic Circle, the only place in Iceland where you can do so. The island is also home to fewer than 100 people but over one million seabirds. Birdlife thrives here thanks to the lack of egg predation (there are no rats or mice on the island) and the rich, well-stocked surrounding seas. Grimsey has one of Iceland’s largest tern nesting sites and largest puffin colonies.

Included Excursions

LIFE IN ARCTIC CIRCLE
  • Enjoy your stay on Iceland’s northernmost inhabited territory
  • Be prepared for an exhilarating physical challenge that will take you across approx. 7.5km of invigorating nature walk with some inclines towards the Arctic circle artwork
  • Stop at the bird cliffs where, depending on the time of the season, you’ll be able to spot several species of birds including puffins, guillemots and gulls

Day 14: Isafjordur | Vigur Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Surrounded by fjords in the Westfjords region, Ísafjördur is a bustling fishing town in northwest Iceland with colorful wooden 18th- and 19th-century houses in the old town of Neskaupstadur. Ísafjördur was one of the largest fisheries in Iceland, but tourism has now taken over. Nearby is Sudavik, home to the Arctic Fox Center. Iceland’s only mammal, the arctic fox, lives on the lush tundra of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, the northernmost peninsula in the Westfjords with two of Europe’s largest bird cliffs.

Included Excursions

ARCTIC FOXES & AVALANCHES
  • Get to know the history of Súðavík and the avalanche that struck the small village in 1995
  • Your journey begins with breathtaking views over one of Iceland’s largest fjords, Isafjardardjup, punctuated with the majestic Snæfjallaströnd mountain chain
  • Enjoy an exciting live performance from a local musician during your visit to Súðavík’s church
WESTFJORDS LIFE AND CULTURE
  • Discover the time-honored local methods of salting fishing
  • Go back in time as you enter the turf-and-stone fishing shacks, greeted by a local dressed in a traditional sheepskin fisherman's outfit
  • Visit the Maritime Museum, housed in some of Iceland's oldest buildings, to delve into the history of the fishing industry that has sustained the area for centuries
The island of Vigur is a real pearl of the Western Fjords. The second-largest island in the fjord, measuring two kilometers by 400 meters, is a significant seabird colony that is home to arctic terns, puffins, black guillemots, and eider ducks. As one of only two inhabited islands in the fjord, Vigur is also the site of a single farm, which has been in the same family for generations. During your time on the island, you might see Iceland’s only windmill, the country’s smallest post office, and its oldest boat, which was built hundreds of years ago and was in regular use until relatively recently.

Included Excursions

VIGUR ISLAND WALKING TOUR
  • Spot eider ducks nesting in great numbers, you might even see the majestic birds plucking down from their chests to make a warm shelter for their eggs
  • Get up close with a 200-year-old, eight-oar rowing boat and the oldest windmill in Iceland
  • See the charming houses that dot Vigur's landscape including Viktoria House,built in 1862 and restored by the National Museum of Iceland in 1993, as well as a house established by a young priest in 1884

Day 15: Reykjavik | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Your cruise ends in Reykjavik. Make sure there is sufficient time before you begin your journey home to explore this diminutive but dramatic capital city. Despite its small size, you won’t be short of things to see and do. To get your bearings, take the elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church, designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson, is one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the city’s other renowned building, Harpa Concert Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavik's regenerated harbor and also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland from past to present. The Reykjavik Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary collection, including eye-catching pieces by Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometers outside the city lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s original Viking parliament.

On this day, make your farewell to your fellow travelers and crew. Head to the airport via the group transfer provided and catch your flight home.

Ship/Hotel

SH Vega

SH Vega

SH Vega

5-star elegant Scandi-design boutique ship offers you an intimate setting from which you will be fully immersed in all the sights and scenery of your voyage.
SH Vega
SH Vega Club Lounge
SH Vega Club Lounge

Dates & Prices

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Deals

Book early and save on 2025 departures
Book early and save on 2025 departures!

Plan the experience of a lifetime, and save on your 2025 adventure. Uncover the wonders of South America, experience authentic Africa, explore true wilderness in the Arctic or sail back in time revealing the secrets of the Mediterranean. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.

 
Applicable to all 2025 departure dates.
Per person starting at
$22,675 2-3 travelers
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
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Oceanview D4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
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Oceanview M4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Balcony
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Balcony D5
28 m2, Located at the forward and aft of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
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Balcony M5
28 m2, Located at the center of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
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Balcony D6
28 m2, Located on deck six, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
SH Vega SuitePremium suitePremium Suite
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Suite
44 m2, Our Suites features a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
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Premium Suite
49 m2, Our grandest suites feature a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a spacious walk-in wardrobe, and a 12 sq.m private balcony.
Included
  • 14 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 13 Dinners
  • 14 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Room Service 
  • Wifi
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
  • Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
  • One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
total score
Based on 176 reviews on
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9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
review score
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
review score
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent. Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio. In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day. Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took. Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
review score
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
Tina
review score
6 days ago
Rapid response.
kym

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