The Arctic

From the Netherlands to Scotland, Jan Mayen and Svalbard, get to the know the seas navigated by Vikings and hunters of past centuries.

This voyage focuses on Disko Bay, an area as rich in history and famous for icebergs and whales. You will explore the natural wonders of northwest Greenland in all their glory, from the impressive Ilulissat Icefjord (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and breathtaking Eqip Sermia glacier to the red heart-shaped mountain of Uummannaq and the incredible volcanic rock formations of Qeqertarsuaq.

Traditional Inuit villages are found along the coast, their brightly colored wooden houses dotting the rugged landscape. Vast stretches of unspoiled wilderness await modern-day adventurers in this magical realm, home to some of the best whale watching in the country.

West Greenland combines magnificent icebergs with the dramatic Viking history of Iceland. This tour starts in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

This trip is a great opportunity to discover more of Iceland if you are travelling on your own around the island. It will bring you up and across the Arctic Circle to visit the island of Grimsey. At night we might see Aurora borealis (Northern Lights), While sailing across Skjafandi Bay we hope to see Humpback whales, Minke whales, White-beaked dolphins and Harbour porpoise.

To reach the North Pole is the pinnacle of Arctic expedition endeavors. Few people can say they stood at the one earthly spot where every direction is south. Crushing through the ice, admiring soaring seabirds and visiting Franz Josef Land, your voyage will be one that you won’t soon forget. The added excitement of helicopter excursions at the top of the world make this Expedition adventure a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Although there’s more than one definition of “the North Pole”, the most popularly accepted one is geographic: a fixed location in the northern hemisphere at the Earth’s axis of rotation, latitude 90°N (longitude not applicable). Unlike the South Pole, which is located on the continent of Antarctica, the geographic North Pole is covered by nothing but a sheet of shifting ice on the surface of the Arctic Ocean. There is thus no permanent habitation nor even an official marker for the position, as the ice moves from year to year. Although it was once an elusive goal that took the lives of many explorers, thanks to modern aviation and other technology, it is now the destination of commercial travel expeditions.
The North Pole can only be reached on expeditions specifically mounted for the purpose. Most travel primarily by air, sometimes with a component traversing the last leg of the journey on the ice. The other alternative is traveling by boat, on an ice-breaker cutting through the Arctic Ocean.

(http://wikitravel.org/en/North_Pole)

This itinerary takes you through the Northwest Passage, a sea route connecting the northern Atlantic and Pacific Ocean through the Arctic Ocean. You will visit the West coast of Greenland as well as various islands of the north Canadian archipelago, witness impressive icebergs and glaciers as well as marvel at the wildlife and history.

Norwegian Vikings sailed as far north and west as Ellesmere Island, Skraeling Island and Ruin Island for hunting expeditions and trading with the Inuit. The desire to establish a commercial sea route motivated much of the European exploration of the coasts of North America. The belief that a route lay to the far north persisted for several centuries and led to numerous expeditions into the Arctic. Many ended in disaster, including that by Sir John Franklin in 1845. While searching for him the McClure Arctic Expedition discovered the Northwest Passage in 1850. In 1906, the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen first successfully completed a passage from Greenland to Alaska in the sloop Gjøa. 

This  fantastic expedition cruise takes you from high above the Arctic Circle in Spitsbergen, Norway to Scoresby Sund, Greenland, ending in fascinating Iceland.

Iconic arctic animals such as the polar bear, musk ox, reindeer and walrus are commonly seen. From active volcanoes to massive glaciers to the best sites for wildlife spotting, this adventure takes in varied destinations.

Spitsbergen is the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, and on this voyage we’ll attempt a circumnavigation of the island. Lying entirely within the Arctic Circle, Spitsbergen is rugged, wild, unspoiled—utterly unforgettable. When it comes to viewing arctic wildlife, Spitsbergen is known as one of the most prolific destinations.

The island and surrounding area offers one of the best opportunities to view polar bears, and with luck you’ll be able to see the world’s largest carnivores in their natural habitat. Walrus populations love Spitsbergen as well, feeding in the food-rich icy waters around the island. Whales and seabirds will also entertain you during the sailing portions of the expedition, and you may catch a sighting of reindeer or fox when taking Zodiac excursions to shore.

New for 2018!

This 6-day expedition packs all the excitement of Spitsbergen into less than a week. Majestic peaks, massive glaciers and towering fjords contrast with the vividly colored tundra, which plays host to a surprisingly thriving and varied ecosystem.