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.
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, Andrée, and Scoresby
Enjoy warm Ittoqqortoormiit welcomes from Inuit glad to share their culture
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$8,600
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Triple Shared
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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.
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Twin Private
Twin Private Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Two cabins have upper and lower bunks (cabins 402 and 403).
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Mini Suite
Mini Suites have a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofa bed in the main room, a desk, video player and TV, windows and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.
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Suite
The Suite features a large lounge area, a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofabed in the main room, a video player and TV, refrigerator, large forward and side facing windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.
Notes
Please Note: 2017 and 2018 rates are posted based off of the current exchange rates from Australian dollars. Please contact us for current rates.
Cruise Fare Includes - 2017 and 2018 Departures:
Group transfer from airport to Polar Pioneer in Longyearbyen
Group sightseeing tour in Longyearbyen on arrival pre-voyage (post-voyage on Reykjavik to Longyearbyen itinerary)
Economy class flight from Isafjordur to Reykjavik (vice versa on Reykjavik to Longyearbyen itinerary)
Accommodation during the voyage
All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during the voyage
All shore excursions and Zodiac (inflatable boat) cruises
Educational lectures and guiding services from an expert team
Access to an on board doctor and basic medical services
Group transfer from airport in Longyearbyen or Reykjavik to Polar Pioneer
Group sightseeing tour in Longyearbyen on arrival pre-voyage (post-voyage on Reykjavik to Longyearbyen itinerary)
Group transfer from Polar Pioneer to downtown Reykjavik or airport in Longyearbyen
Accommodation on the Polar Pioneer in your chosen cabin category with daily cabin service
All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
All shore excursions and Zodiac (inflatable boat) cruises
Educational lectures and guiding services from our expert team
Access to our on-board doctor and basic medical services
A custom-designed polar expedition jacket to keep
Free gumboot hire during the voyage
Comprehensive pre-departure information
Professionally produced voyage journal (one per booking)
All entry fees to historic landing sites
All port taxes and charges.
Not included in Cruise Fare - All Departures:
International or domestic flights to or from Polar Pioneer, unless specified
Airport arrival or departure taxes
Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
Visa, passport, and vaccination charges
Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges
Hotels and meals not included in voyage itinerary
Optional excursions not included in the voyage itinerary
Optional activity surcharge. Please contact us if you wish to book any optional activities, such as sea kayaking
All items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, gratuities, and email or phone charges.
Initial deposit is $2700, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
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.
