Lilac Flowers, Spitsbergen

Jewels of the Arctic: Spitsbergen, East Greenland & Iceland

  • EXPERT-LED CRUISE
Start date End date Days
Prices from
ex. flights
Boat
06/23/24 07/07/24 15 days $19,602 $16,680pp Sylvia Earle Reserve place
07/07/24 07/21/24 15 days $19,602 $16,680pp Greg Mortimer Reserve place
08/21/24 09/04/24 15 days $19,600 $16,680pp Greg Mortimer Reserve place

This Arctic adventure journeys through the breadth of the Svalbard archipelago, where the days feel endless and wildlife pops up around every turn. From Longyearbyen to Reykjavik, spend 15 days exploring this fascinating polar region.

Sail deep into the world’s largest fjord in east Greenland, visit Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the world’s most remote Inuit settlements and cruise among towering icebergs. Push through pack ice searching for polar bears, witness Arctic foxes hunting beneath the cliffs that are home to enormous colonies of guillemots and fulmars. There are very few polar voyages that offer so much variety in terms of wildlife and landscapes, which is what makes this particular trip so compelling.

With new regulations coming into place for visitors to Svalbard from 2025 onwards, travellers will not be able to get within 500 metres of a polar bear; current regulations are 150 metres. With this in mind, save up to £2,265 per person, plus get £1,100 credit towards your air fare if you book by 30 June 2024.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Polar Bear, Churchill, Canada 1

Spot Polar Bears

Spot polar bears in what is arguably the best place in the Arctic to see this frosty predator, Svalbard.

Kayaking, Icebergs, Antarctica 2

Arctic Kayaking

Take to the icy blue waters in a kayak, exploring jagged coastlines and calm bays.

northern lights over a traditional wooden house, Greenland 3

Northern Lights

Aim to witness the enchanting Northern Lights while sailing in little-visited East Greenland

Polar Bear, MS Quest, Spitsbergen 4

Specialised Vessels

Voyage aboard the Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle, an ice-strengthened expedition vessel.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Oslo

  • Day 2

    Oslo - Longyearbyen

  • Days 3-5

    Sailing the Arctic: Spitsbergen & Islands of Svalbard

  • Days 6-7

    Sailing the Arctic: Spitsbergen to North-Eastern Greenland

  • Days 8-13

    Sailing the Arctic: Eastern Greenland

  • Day 14

    Sailing the Arctic: Crossing the Denmark Strait

  • Day 15

    Reykjavik

Day 1

Oslo

Day 2

Oslo - Longyearbyen

Days 3-5

Sailing the Arctic: Spitsbergen & Islands of Svalbard

Svalbard offers Arctic wilderness at its best. Venture out on Zodiacs in search of our planet’s largest land predator, the polar bear. Visit the towering cliffs, home to nesting guillemots and puffins and watch Arctic foxes hunt below.

Days 6-7

Sailing the Arctic: Spitsbergen to North-Eastern Greenland

Sail towards the coast of East Greenland, spending your days whale watching, spotting seals and birdlife.

Days 8-13

Sailing the Arctic: Eastern Greenland

East Greenland is home to some of the Arctic’s most impressive scenery, from deep fjords to soaring peaks, from giant icebergs to ice cliffs. You will attempt up to two landings or Zodiac excursions per day.

Day 14

Sailing the Arctic: Crossing the Denmark Strait

As you cross the Denmark Strait in an ice-strengthened ship, search for whales and seabirds.

Day 15

Reykjavik

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

Greg Mortimer, Antarctic

Expeditionary Vessels

Both the Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle are purpose-built expedition vessels that feature a revolutionary X-Bow design. Two of the most dynamic and state of the art ships on the seas, they’re designed to slice through the water rather than riding over the waves, making for more comfortable and faster travel through the polar seas. Not only this, but they create fewer disturbances to marine life, produce fewer emissions and use a combination of GPS, steering innovation, propellers and thrusters to protect the seafloor and minimise the damage caused by conventional anchors.

Polar Bear, Spitsbergen
Spitsbergen

Summer 2024 Departures

New regulations are coming into place for travellers visiting the Svalbard archipelago from 2025 onwards. Travellers will not be able to get within 500 metres of a polar bear; current regulations are 150 metres. With this in mind, there’s still availability across multiple departures between June and September 2024. Save up to 20% on selected expeditions.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Greg Mortimer £££££

  • Antarctica

Launched in October 2019, the Greg Mortimer is a purpose-built expedition vessel that features a revolutionary X-Bow design. One of the most dynamic and state of the art ships on the seas, it is designed to slice through the water rather than riding over the waves making for comfortable and fast travels through the polar seas. Four sea-level zodiac launching platforms allow for a quick transition from the ship to the zodiacs, minimising waiting times and maximising excursion time. Its 79 twin and double cabins are spread over four decks and each features private facilities, ample storage, power outlets and daily cabin service.

View Boat

Sylvia Earle £££££

Named after legendary marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer and author, the Sylvia Earle pays tribute to its namesake’s long standing commitment to conservation and the protection of ocean wildlife. At the cutting edge of nautical technology, the Sylvia Earle is a robust and powerful vessel with an Ulstein X-BOW that adds extra stability and makes for a quicker transit through the waves. A glass atrium lounge inside the bow boasts views to the front of the ship and a state-of-the-art lecture theatre allows you to hear experts talk about culture, biology and wildlife.

View Boat

Other available dates

For further information about any of these tours please call 1 800 571 2985

Start date End date Days
Prices from
ex. flights
Boat
06/23/24 07/07/24 15 days $19,602 $16,680pp Sylvia Earle Reserve place
07/07/24 07/21/24 15 days $19,602 $16,680pp Greg Mortimer Reserve place
08/21/24 09/04/24 15 days $19,600 $16,680pp Greg Mortimer Reserve place

Explore similar expert-led group tours

With an average group size of just eight to ten people our group tour itineraries enable you to travel to some of the most intriguing regions of the world in the company of expert guides in the field and, of course, with likeminded people.

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


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