Arctic Cruise in Svalbard, East 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.

Before embarkation, travel from Copenhagen to Longyearbyen on a Swan Hellenic–arranged charter flight, providing a convenient transfer to the start of your expedition.

Board your expedition ship in Longyearbyen and begin your voyage through the remote landscapes of Arctic.

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.

One of the world's most remote towns and the most isolated community in Greenland, Ittoqqortoormiit is largely inaccessible by ship for nine months of the year. Founded in 1925 by Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen and Inuit settlers, it is home to 450 residents who mostly rely on hunting and fishing. The community preserves Greenlandic traditions, from harvesting qiviut–the prized muskox underfur–to maintaining sled dogs and wearing national dress

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

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

Iceland’s vibrant capital, Reykjavík, is the world’s northernmost capital city and a lively gateway between Arctic nature and modern Nordic culture. Set between mountains and the North Atlantic, the city is known for its colorful houses, striking architecture, and a strong connection to geothermal energy, which provides heating and hot water across the city and warms outdoor pools year-round. Reykjavík offers a rich cultural scene with museums, music, and design, while dramatic volcanic landscapes, lava fields, and waterfalls lie just beyond the city. The surrounding waters are prime for whale watching, making Reykjavík a fitting and memorable conclusion to an Arctic voyage