Jewels of the Arctic: Svalbard & East Greenland

Upon arriving in Reykjavik, meet an Aurora Expeditions representative for a seamless transfer to the designated group hotel. Once at the property, visit the hospitality area to drop off luggage and enjoy refreshments if arriving before 4:00 pm. Take this opportunity to collect the necessary cabin tags for your bags and speak directly with the ground operations team regarding essential pre-embarkation details. The on-site staff can also provide practical local advice, including recommendations for dining, withdrawing cash, and locating nearby pharmacies or supermarkets for last-minute purchases. Spend the remainder of your day at leisure exploring the city, keeping in mind that all meals today are at personal expense.

Accommodation: Reykjavik Hotel (to be advised)

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, complete the hotel check-out process and bring all luggage to the Embarkation Suite. Pack any essential items needed for the day in a carry-on bag, as main luggage transfers directly to the ship. The Embarkation Suite provides a comfortable space featuring secure luggage storage, staff assistance for voyage details and city recommendations, cabin check-in services, Wi-Fi, and light refreshments. Alternatively, take the opportunity to explore Reykjavik independently before returning to the suite at the designated time for the shared transfer to the Douglas Mawson.

Once on board, take a moment to settle into the cabin before attending the mandatory safety briefings. Shortly after, the crew casts off the lines, marking the official start of the Greenland and Svalbard adventure. This evening, gather with the expedition team and crew to celebrate the departure during the Welcome Dinner.

In the Denmark Strait, cruise towards Greenland. Lookout for whale blows and the many seabirds that trail the ship, riding in the constant winds. In the lecture theater, enjoy informative and entertaining presentations from the experts on topics such as seabirds, wildlife and ice, or catch up on some rest after busy days of travel. 

In summer, easing sea ice can open a broader range of possibilities along East Greenland’s immense coast. The Expedition Team will use current ice, weather and wildlife information to shape the route each day, with all landings and Zodiac cruises subject to permits, quotas, local agreements and site availability.

Depending on conditions, exploration may range from the fjords around Tasiilaq in the south to Scoresbysund and towards Kong Oscar Fjord farther north. Ittoqqortoormiit may be possible when ice and community arrangements align, but no named destination is guaranteed. The freedom to alter course is what allows you to seek the strongest experience available.

Glacier-fed waterways, striped mountains and drifting icebergs create exceptional opportunities for Zodiac cruising and photography. On suitable shores, you may hike across colorful tundra, climb to panoramic viewpoints or examine geological formations that reveal the deep history of this restless landscape.

You remain watchful for humpback and fin whales, seals and seabirds along the coast. On land, musk oxen and arctic hare may appear in the northern fjord country, while every wildlife encounter is approached carefully and on the animals’ terms.

Human stories are inseparable from East Greenland. Archaeological remains and historic sites speak to earlier settlement and exploration, while present-day communities carry forward a living Greenlandic Inuit culture. Any community encounter will take place only where it is welcomed and operationally possible.

Long summer light gives the expedition room to breathe. A promising wildlife sighting, a newly accessible fjord or an iceberg-filled bay can reshape the day, creating a voyage defined by responsiveness rather than a checklist.

As you sail away from the coast of East Greenland, you may encounter whales feeding in the rich waters of the north. Be prepared to encounter more pack ice and perhaps spot seals and a variety of seabirds, including the northern fulmar and Brünnich’s guillemot.  

The strong, icy currents have isolated East Greenland from the Polar Basin, attracting large numbers of fish, seals and whales. Climatic conditions and the concentration of ice in the vicinity often create thick morning fog that only vanishes in presence of the midday sun. The experts will inform and entertain you with fascinating discussions on plants, animals, ice and heroic tales of exploration. 

Svalbard offers an exceptional introduction to Arctic expedition travel. Your experienced Expedition Team will shape each day around weather, sea ice, wildlife and the latest local information, selecting the best opportunities rather than following a fixed list of landing sites. 

Summer often allows you to explore a wider choice of fjords along western and northern Spitsbergen. Zodiac cruises may trace blue glacier fronts and sheltered bays, while guided walks cross flower-dotted tundra, raised beaches and fossil-rich polar desert. Historic camps and trappers’ huts reveal the human stories layered into this apparently untouched wilderness.

The season is alive with wildlife. Bird cliffs resound with guillemots, kittiwakes and puffins, and little auks stream between sea and nesting slopes. Walrus rest at coastal haul-outs, whales feed in productive waters and reindeer graze on the tundra. Arctic foxes patrol the shore and bird colonies, while polar bears remain an unpredictable possibility throughout the archipelago.

If you have selected an optional activity such as kayaking, the team will aim to offer it whenever conditions allow. Guided walks, Zodiac excursions and the possibility of a polar plunge make the most of the long summer days.

During the early morning, cruise back into Longyearbyen. Farewell your Expedition Team upon disembarkation before transferring to the airport for your charter flight to Oslo.   

Note: The arrival time in Oslo is contingent on the approved allocated slot of your charter flight to and from Longyearbyen.