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Photo by David Merron
Arctic
Four Arctic Islands Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland and Iceland
Starting from $8,671 USD
Duration: 18 days

Four Arctic Islands Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland and Iceland

Starting From:
$8,671 USD
Duration:
18 days

Perfect for first-time visitors to the Arctic, this voyage highlights four spectacular destinations near the top of the world and provides an unforgettable taste of the region, featuring giant icebergs, towering mountains, granite cliffs, iconic wildlife, traditional Inuit culture and more.

Your adventure begins in the remote Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, renowned for its stunning scenery and abundant, varied wildlife such as polar bears and walrus. From there, sail south to the mysterious, volcanic Jan Mayen, a nature reserve so remote that few have ever been fortunate enough to explore this Arctic treasure. The next stop is Greenland’s beguiling east coast, where you will cruise deep into Scoresbysund to marvel at the overwhelming beauty of the world’s largest fjord system, gaze in awe at unimaginably vast icebergs, and admire the diversity of the flora and fauna that have fascinated explorers and visitors for centuries—and seize the opportunity to explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements. Your epic adventure culminates with a journey under the midnight sun to Reykjavik, where you can soak up Icelandic culture in a city that never sleeps.

Four Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland and Iceland
Expedition in Brief

Search for iconic Arctic wildlife, such as polar bears, walrus and reindeer

Explore the wildlife haven of Spitsbergen, the volcanic Jan Mayen and a breathtaking Greenlandic fjord system all in one trip

Visit a remote Inuit community

Cruise in a Zodiac to explore glaciers, icebergs and more

Immerse yourself in the icy realm of the Arctic with optional kayaking adventures

Make Your Polar Dream a Reality

All we need is a little bit of information about your travel preferences and one of our Polar Travel Advisors will be in touch.

Included Activities

Passengers Hiking in Svalbard
Hiking

Hiking

Hiking in the polar regions differs from your typical trail experience. Here, in a tree-less terrain, you are the tallest figure on the landscape as you walk over spongy tundra, crusty snow or sandy beaches in remotes parts of the... Read more

Adventure Options

Passengers paddling in the Antarctic
Paddling

Paddling Excursion

Explore the ocean from a more intimate vantage point on a sit-on-top kayak. No experience is required to manoeuvre these very stable kayaks, allowing you to enjoy an unforgettable experience on the water, taking in breathtaking la... Read more
Passengers kayaking in Arctic Landscape

Sea Kayaking

Positioning yourself in the seat of a kayak is one of the most intimate ways travelers can connect with the polar regions—at water level, up close, where you can touch and feel every polar sensation imaginable. The Sea Kayak Progr... Read more

Possible Excursions

When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. The following sites are a sample of what you may experience on your expedition, whether by ship, Zodiac cruise, helicopter, or shore landing.

Frederiksdal

Exploring this valley system on foot may offer views of muskoxen, glaciers and ancient Thule remains.

Ittoqqortoormiit

Around 500 people call this northern settlement home. Traditional hunting and fishing ways are alive and well here. Here you can speak with the locals, visit the museum and tourist office (with gift shop!), and even visit a weather station where a data-collecting balloon is released every morning.

Ø Fjord

One of Scoresby Sund’s many fjords, this deep fjord, which is also known as Island Fjord, is truly impressive, flanked by towering mountains and dotted with large icebergs.

Rødefjord

Red Fjord, or Rødefjord, is named for the colorful sandstone located on its western side. The stone has been “stained” red by hematite, creating a geological anomaly in this part of Greenland.

C. Hofmann Halvø

This peninsula can be a great location for spotting muskoxen. It is also home to wheatears and snow buntings, and you may spot rock ptarmigans or great northern divers (common loon) while exploring the shore.

Scoresby Sund

Revered by many as the most beautiful fjord system in the world, Scoresby Sund is definitely the longest and largest. The sound was named by William Scoresby Jr., a whaler, scientist and clergyman, who was famed for mapping more than 400 miles (640 km) of Greenland’s coastline. All previously mentioned East Greenland sites fall within Scoresby Sund.

Denmark Island

Encounter stunning icebergs at Denmark Island, which offers stupendous views of Scoresbysund and Fønfjord below. If conditions allow for a landing, take a short hike to a well-preserved archaeological site.

Reykjavík

Iceland has been ranked by the United Nations as one of the best countries in which to live. Its capital, Reykjavík (which means “Smoky Bay”), was named by the country’s first settler, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson, who was inspired by the geothermal mist rising from the ground.

Beerenberg

Covered in glaciers, this active volcano dominates the northern half of Jan Mayen, taking up a significant part of the island’s mere 144 square miles (373 sq km). A soaring 7,470-feet (2,277 meters) high, it last erupted in 1985. Let ́s hope for clear skies to admire this monolith from the ship or shore.

Kvalrossbukta

One of only two possible landing sites on Jan Mayen is Kvalrossbukta. This small bay is the site of the remains of a 17-century whaling station. The island is home to a variety of birdlife, including a large colony of northern fulmar, which is also located here.

Olonkinbyen

Jan Mayen’s only settlement, Olonkinbyen is located at the southeastern side of the island, by Båtvika (Boat Cove), the other possible landing site. As a designated nature reserve, Jan Mayen remains uninhabited, except for the 18 rotating personnel who reside in the settlement and work at either the nearby weather station or radio station.

Poolepynten

This flat peninsula lies on the east coast of Prins Karls Forland (Prince Charles Foreland), which is part of a national park (est. 1973) that includes both the island and the surrounding sea. Poolepynten is a great place for walrus viewing and photography. Encountering a walrus haul-out is a moment you won’t forget. These lumbering giants of the Arctic create quite a noisy scene as each walrus vies for a choice spot of coastline.

Smeerenburg

Surrounded by fjords, glacier fronts and rugged mountains, the abandoned settlement of Smeerenburg, which means “blubber town,” was established by Dutch whalers nearly 400 years ago. One of Europe’s most northerly outposts, this is a good spot to explore ashore and learn about Spitsbergen’s whaling history. You can also visit a memorial erected in 1906 to honor the whalers who lost their lives in the 17th and 18th centuries. A walrus haul-out can sometimes be seen here.

14th of July Glacier

Named after France’s Bastille Day (the 14th of July), this large glacier is situated in Krossfjord, a bay on the northwest coast of Spitsbergen. The area is teeming with wildlife, and is the best place in Svalbard to catch a glimpse of the Atlantic puffin. Nesting at certain times of year along the shore are purple sandpipers, common eiders, barnacle geese, Arctic tern and Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). Bearded and ringed seals also frequent the waters here.

Lilliehöök Glacier

In 2005, nearly 100 years after his great- great-grandfather conducted scientific investigations here, Prince Albert II of Monaco returned to Lilliehöök Glacier to further our understanding of the Arctic clam, a species that lives for more than a century. Here, you can take a Zodiac cruise amid labyrinths of sparkling icebergs, and witness breathtaking panoramas of ice. You may even spot bearded seals hauled out on the floes.

Longyearbyen

Home to 2,400 people, the administrative capital of Svalbard is situated on the southern side of Adventfjord.The settlement was founded in 1905 by John Munroe Longyear, the majority owner of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston. Today as much as ever, this is a true frontier town.

Monaco Glacier

Prince Albert I of Monaco, a pioneer of oceanography, led an expedition to Svalbard in 1906. His team used sophisticated photographic techniques to understand the shape and position of several glacier fronts. Monaco Glacier honors the expedition, the prince and the principality over which he reigned. While touring the glacier front by Zodiac cruise, listen to the crackle and pop of the brash ice, search for seals and have a chance to admire a natural sculpture gallery.

Departure Dates and Cabins

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Make Your Polar Dream a Reality

All we need is a little bit of information about your travel preferences and one of our Polar Travel Advisors will be in touch.

Extend Your Trip

Getting to the Arctic can be just as much fun as being there. If you are arriving prior to Day 1 of your expedition or are staying after the disembarkation day and would like to extend your stay, Quark Expeditions can help you book additional nights at our preferred hotels in the destination city that enable you to explore more before and after your Arctic adventure. Contact Us
Helsinki Cathedral (Helsinki, Finland)

Helsinki, Finland

The city of Helsinki is actually an archipelago of 315 islands that contains scores of lush green parks and what seems like an endless string of dark blue lakes. Often called the “Daughter of the Baltic,” Finland’s capital sits on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. The architecture of Scandinavia is a startling mix of traditional wooden and stone houses mixed in with tall glass towers and office blocks that reflect contemporary Scandinavian minimalism and art-nouveau modern.

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre in Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavík, Iceland

Not only is Reykjavík the social and cultural hub of Iceland, but it’s also one of the most walkable capitals in the world. Most of the city’s main attractions and venues can be reached on foot, which is not surprising for a capital with only 230,000 inhabitants. Iceland’s entire population is about 360,000. The country’s Viking roots are traced in Reykjavík's major museums, yet the city, located on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay, is the perfect base for anyone with a yearning to connect with nature and the outdoors. The range of options includes whale watching, geothermal pools, glacier walking, and kayak tours.

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