Arctic Cruise in Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland

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

*Specific hotel and location to be announced.

Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town, sits on Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. It also boasts the most northerly high street and pub. The town is home to the North Pole Expeditions Museum, which documents early attempts to reach the Pole by air. Surrounding Arctic waters support populations of whales, including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are frequently spotted hauled out along the coast.

Svalbard, located deep within the Arctic Circle, is known as the kingdom of the polar bears. The region features dramatic polar landscapes and massive glaciers. In the north, majestic fjords and the remaining sea ice provide prime hunting grounds for polar bears. Near Longyearbyen, the terrain shifts to tundra and beaches, with less snow and ice. Along with approximately 600 polar bears, the area supports a rich array of Arctic wildlife, including walruses, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seals, and Arctic foxes.

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 onboard lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers.

The snow-covered stratovolcano Beerenberg dominates the ice cap and glaciers at the northeast end of Jan Mayen Island. Halfway between Svalbard and Iceland, this Norwegian island's only residents are the Norwegian Armed Forces or meteorological station staff. Purple saxifrage and endemic dandelions grow next to the black sands, while northern fulmars, Brünnich’s and black guillemots and little auks make Jan Mayen an important birding area.

The world’s largest fjord system, Scoresbysund, spans over 350 km into Greenland’s heart. This vast network of fjords, glaciers, and icebergs is framed by towering basalt mountains, which shield Greenland’s wildlife from Arctic winds. Muskoxen, Arctic foxes, and mountain hares roam the land, while little auks, puffins, fulmars, snowy owls, gyrfalcons, and great black-backed gulls soar overhead. Seals and whales are common sightings in the waters.

Included Expedition Activity:
Zodiac Cruising and/or Nature Walks with your Swan Hellenic Expedition Team - Immerse yourself in the wonders of Scoresbysund as you navigate the fjords surrounded by towering basalt mountains.

In the southeastern part of Greenland, the city of Ittoqqortoormiut appears, on the territory of which only 500 people live. A thick layer of sea ice prevents ships from approaching the city's port for nine months of the year, so he arrived in this remote city. Ittoqqortoormiut was founded in 1925 by the Danish explorer Einar Mikkelsen and a group of about 80 Inuit, covering a vast hunting ground. There is still hunting and sea fishing. The territory of Ittoqqortoormiit is home to white foxes, bears, and seal colonies.

Included Shore Excursion:
Ittoqqortoormiit Community Visit - Discover the local museum and church, offering a glimpse into Greenland's heritage, with a demonstration showcasing muskox Qiviut.

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 onboard lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers.

Surrounded by fjords in the Westfjords region, Ísafjörður is a bustling fishing town and cultural center in northwest Iceland with cafés, restaurants, and museums. The Heritage Museum, also known as the Maritime Museum, houses some of the country's oldest buildings and explores the region's fishing heritage through compelling exhibits. Nearby, Osvor is a replica of a 19th-century Icelandic fishing station.

A jewel of the Westfjords, Vigur is the fjord's second-largest island and a thriving seabird sanctuary. Flocks of arctic terns, puffins, guillemots, and eider ducks nest atop rocky cliffs. As one of only two inhabited islands, Vigur supports a family farm continuing the centuries-old eiderdown harvest across 3,500 nests. This remote pillar also houses Iceland's sole windmill, its tiniest post office, and a 200-year-old, still-seaworthy rowing boat.

Considered one of Iceland’s most impressive falls, the thunderous Dynjandi waterfall in the Westfjords region gives the impression of a bridal veil as it spreads down ever-growing cascades. The walk takes 15 minutes passing five smaller waterfalls.

Make sure there is sufficient timeto 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 Reykjavík's regenerated harbour – 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 Reykjavík Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary collection including eye-catching pieces by Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometres outside the city lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s original Viking parliament.