15 Days | Discover the wonders of the arctic on this cruising adventure like no other
Across 15 magical days, you’ll explore the rugged, snow-topped coastline of Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen on a cruise through the arctic. A wildlife wonderland, you can expect to spot walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer as well as Arctic terns, skuas, and Brunnich’s guillemots. Plus, if the weather allows, you could wave to Santa and sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole. On-shore visits and Zodiac excursions will make it possible for you to explore the wilderness that sports spectacular glacial fronts and tundra in bloom as well as towering mountain terrain. One for the true explorers – this trip is not to be missed!
Trip overview
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- Start
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Finish
- Helsinki, Finland
- Theme
- Polar, Wildlife
- Destinations
- Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Finland
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Comfort
- Ages
- Min 8
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 128
- Trip code
- BQMJI
- Learn about the history and politics of the Arctic, it's fascinating wildlife, geology, ecology and climate, and the incredible sights you will soon explore from in-depth presentations aboard your floating home away from home.
- Discover Greenland’s remote eastern coast and explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements here. If conditions allow, you may even get a chance to visit the most remote community in East Greenland – Ittoqqortoormiit.
- Explore snow-blanketed Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, where you’ll come face to face with spectacular glacier fronts, tundra in full bloom and towering, snow-capped mountainous terrain.
- Marvel at arctic wildlife like walrus, polar bears, Svalbard reindeer and plenty of majestic seabirds
- As you’d expect, temperatures in the Arctic are very cold. A warm parka will be provided along with waterproof boots and unlimited hot drinks, but you should also bring base layers and lots of warm clothing. Please see the trip notes for further important information about what to bring.
- Weather depending, you will be making regular excursions in a Zodiac boat to explore the local area and look for wildlife. It can get very cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you are dressed appropriately and that you keep your camera safe and dry. Sturdy sea legs are needed as you make wet and dry landings from the boat, and on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. Some ships have a lot of stairs, so please hold on to the handrails if seas are rough.
- The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned for. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially to such a remote area.
- This trip takes places during the time of year that Spitsbergen enjoys 24-hour daylight. Just one of the benefits of this is that incredible wildlife can be seen at any time of the day – be prepared to be woken at any time so as to not miss out on exciting animal sightings.
- Polar bears are one of the most incredible and appealing animals on the planet, but they are also powerful predators with little fear of humans. Therefore it’s necessary to be aware of the guidelines surrounding any contact with Polar bears. Follow your leader’s instructions and do not stray from your group – your leader carries equipment to protect you.
Boats
Itinerary
Inclusions
14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 13 dinners
Expedition cruise ship, Zodiac
Hotel (1 night), Expedition cruise ship (13 nights)
Dates and availability
Important notes
This trip starts in Reykjavik, Iceland and finishes in Helsinki, Finland.
Your voyage is operated by our sister company, Quark Expeditions. All accommodation and transfer arrangements as listed in the itinerary are also operated by Quark Expeditions or their local representatives.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
To confirm your reservation, a deposit of 25% (unless indicated otherwise at time of booking) of the total invoice amount is required at time of booking. Balances are due 120 days prior to departure.
Please refer to our "Booking terms and conditions" page on our website for all Quark Expedition terms and conditions. http://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-intrepid/booking-conditions
ADVENTURE OPTIONS
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 landscapes and wildlife. Kayaking must be booked prior to departure and incurs an additional cost. Spaces are limited so please enquire at time of booking. Hiking is also offered on some itineraries. This activity is at no additional cost and do not need to be pre-booked. See the itinerary for Adventure options available on this voyage.
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