Embark on a discovery of incredible wildlife, natural wonders and mysterious, mist-shrouded islands
Take a private charter from Helsinki to Spitsbergen and board your floating home away from home for the next 16 nights. A true adventure on the seas you’ll explore Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago and revel in the countless opportunities to spot abundant wildlife, visit spectacular glacier fronts and see tundra in full bloom. Then cruise on down to Greenland via the mist-shrouded and mysterious Jan Mayen Island that rises from the depths of the North Atlantic Sea. You’ll explore Greenland’s Scoresby Sund and the remains of its ancient Thule settlements with views of icebergs and towering mountains rising straight out of the sea before reaching our fourth and final artic island of the trip – Iceland. This trip is a nature-lover's dream as you visit what can only be described as a wonderland for wildlife and remote wilderness so vast, you’ll feel like you’re in another world.
Take a private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, and enjoy breath-taking views of the mountainous region below.
Learn about the history and politics of the Arctic, its 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.
Marvel at local wildlife like walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer as well as Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls.
Be wowed by the mysterious Jan Mayen Island, often shrouded in thick fog, the small mountainous island was declared a nature reserve in 2010. If conditions permit, you'll get the chance to explore the island on foot.
Discover Scoresby Sund, the largest, deepest and, some say, most beautiful multi-armed fjord system in the world with plenty of opportunities to explore ashore or by Zodiac cruise.
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.
This sturdy expedition ship was built in 1975 and underwent an $8 million refurbishment in 2017 which included new engines and refurbished cabins...
Trip departures are unavailable.
There are currently no scheduled departures on our Four Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland and Iceland trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
This trip starts in Helsinki, Finland and finishes in Reykjavik, Iceland,
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. www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-intrepid/booking-conditions
COVID 19 VACCINATION
All customers must be vaccinated against covid 19 to join this voyage. You must present a copy of your Covid 19 proof of vaccination record from your government’s health authority prior to embarkation.
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.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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