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A Musk Ox stares at the camera from the tundra.

Jewels of the Arctic

Example 14 Day Cruise aboard Polar Pioneer
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Jewels of the Arctic combines the best of Spitsbergen and Greenland, with a taste of Iceland, on a 14-day expedition cruise on the Polar Pioneer. Spitsbergen’s rugged northwest coast comprises mountains, tundra and fjords. While crossing the icy waters of the Greenland Sea, onboard experts share their knowledge of the region’s plants, animals and history. Greenland’s remote east coast shows off the immensity of the icecap, fantastic icebergs, and a fairytale landscape of granite spires rising 1000 m above exquisite fjords! The local Inuits welcome you and share their unique culture on this fascinating Arctic expedition cruise.
Kayaker's wandering through the beautiful waters.A group of polar bears make their way through the snow.An arctic village on the coast.A kayaker poses for the camera.A Musk Ox stares at the camera from the tundra.
Highlights
  • Experience some of our planet's most extraordinary plants, birds & wildlife
  • Paddle & Zodiac between ice floes and icebergs along beautiful coastlines
  • Learn about early explorers including Nansen, AndrĂ©e, and Scoresby
  • Enjoy warm Ittoqqortoormiit welcomes from Inuit glad to share their culture
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard | Embark

Arrive in Spitsbergen and enjoy a tour of colorful Longyearbyen. Board Polar Pioneer in the late afternoon, settle in and sail down magnificent Isfjorden, flanked by bird cliffs, vast glaciers and jagged mountains.

Day 2-3: West Coast of Spitsbergen

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Spitsbergen’s northwest coast features calving icebergs, historic whaling stations, and trappers' camps. Brünnich’s guillemots, little auks and kittiwakes nest in the thousands. Reindeer roam tundra dotted with wildflowers like saxifrage, moss campion, and bell-heather. Zodiac cruise to gain fantastic views of ice cliffs, including Monacobreen, one of Spitsbergen’s largest glaciers. In the north, look for walrus and possibly polar bears.

Day 4-5: Greenland Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
While crossing the Greenland Sea, your expert naturalists and guest lecturers entertain you with fascinating talks on plants, animals, and early explorers like Nansen, Andrée, and Scoresby. Keep an eye out for fin whales, encroaching sea ice, and seabirds. Relax and prepare for a landing, if conditions permit, on Greenland’s northeast coast, home to polar bear, Arctic hare, and musk oxen.

Day 6-8: Exploring Greenland

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Ice is often the overwhelming first impression of Greenland. An ice cap covers 81 percent of the island and pack ice, even in summer, may fill northern bays. Ashore, cozy trappers' huts beckon from across the tundra, where musk ox, arctic fox and eider ducks roam in Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord. Lively cascades at Kap Humboldt provide a microclimate for spectacular hanging gardens. Kong Oskar Fjord offers spectacular glacier-carved mountains.

Day 9-11: Scoresbysund

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
In Scoresby Sund, the world’s biggest fjord system, massive glaciers calve explosively, creating giant icebergs. Near Røde Island, your Zodiacs weave through a maze of grounded icebergs, some more than 30-meters high, sculpted with deep green tunnels and aquamarine lakes. Enjoy a warm Ittoqqortoormiit welcome from Inuit happy to share their culture. Kayakers find ideal paddling conditions, wending their way through interconnected waterways, watching for polar bears and narwhals.

Day 12: Blosseville Coast

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sail south along the Blosseville Coast, searching for musk ox and narwhals and marveling at the mountain scenery that dominates the skyline. If weather permits, head for Rømer Fjord, a deep waterway with stunning mountain views.

Day 13: Crossing the Denmark Strait

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
As the ship sails across Denmark Strait towards Iceland, there's time to reflect on your rich experiences, enjoy northern fulmars and black-backed gulls, and spot dolphins, orcas, and sperm whales in their feeding grounds.

Day 14: Isafjordur | Disembark | Fly to Reykjavik, Iceland

  • 1 Breakfast
Arrive early morning in Isafjordur, a stunning fishing town in Iceland's northwest. After breakfast, bid farewell to Polar Pioneer and her crew and catch an included economy flight to Reykjavik. Begin your journey home or continue your adventure by exploring Iceland.

Ship/Hotel

Polar Pioneer

Enjoy a drink at the bar.
Polar Pioneer's dining room.
Polar Pioneer's bar and lounge.

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$8,600
Polar Pioneer's Public Twin Cabin.
Select a Date
Twin Shared
Twin Shared Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.

Notes

Please note that all of Polar Pioneer itineraries are at the mercy of weather conditions and not all landings are guaranteed. These itineraries are flexible and will change voyage to voyage, allowing the best chance to make the most of surprising wildlife displays and unexpected opportunities.

- Rates represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.

- Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate
Included
  • 13 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 13 Dinners
  • 13 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information
  • Beer, House Wine, and Soft Drinks with Dinner 
  • Educational Lectures and Guiding Services from Expedition Team 
  • Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
  • Port Surcharges, Permits, and Landing Fees
  • Captain's Welcome and Farewell drinks including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
  • A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
  • Complimentary use of Muck boots during the voyage
  • All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
  • All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
  • On-board accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • 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
  • Airport Departure Tax - Airport arrival or departure taxes
  • Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
  • Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
  • Optional activity surcharges
  • Reciprocity and Vaccination Charges
  • Passengers traveling with Aurora Expeditions are required to be covered by a reputable travel insurance policy that includes baggage loss, cancellation & curtailment of the holiday, medical, accident, and repatriation/emergency evacuation coverage worth at least $250,000 USD.

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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor

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