Three Arctic Islands: Iceland, Greenland, Spitsbergen

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Expedition Details

  • Duration: 15 days
  • Start Location: Helsinki, Finland
  • End Location: Reykjavík, Iceland
  • Embarkation: Longyearbyen, Svalbard (SJ LYR)
  • Disembarkation: Reykjavík, Iceland (IC REY)
Itinerary Map

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, Finland

Arrive in the Finnish capital and make your way to the group hotel located right at Helsinki airport—which is included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. You will have the rest of the day to explore explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District. If you do plan to visit Helsinki city center, you can take the convenient 40-minute rail service from the airport.

Day 2 - Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and embark
Cruising

After breakfast, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, as part of the Charter Flight & Hotel Package. As you embark this afternoon, you’ll enjoy great views of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this seaside town.

Days 3 to 6 - Exploring Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Cruising

Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with austere beauty and opportunities to spot its abundant wildlife. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and tundra in full bloom, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions allow, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole.

Days 7 and 8 - At Sea: Cruising the Greenland Sea
Cruising

While sailing south through the Greenland Sea, your Expedition Team will teach you about the wildlife and history of Greenland, your next stop. On deck, you’ll learn to identify seabirds on the wing. Take in a presentation, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a film—there are many things to do during your time at sea.

Days 9 to 12 - Exploring East Greenland
Cruising

During your tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen—40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives here. Finally, you will sail through spectacular Scoresbysund, the birthplace of many icebergs and, some say, the most beautiful fjord system in the world. We plan to visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the most remote community in East Greenland.

Day 13 - At Sea: Crossing the Denmark Strait
Cruising

As we sail south, the Denmark Strait is your pathway toward Iceland. Your Expedition Team will keep you informed and entertained with presentations about the history of exploration in the Arctic and the seabirds you’ll see soaring above your ship.

Day 14 - The Westfjords: Icelands Hidden Gem
Cruising

The seldom-visited Westfjords—where land meets sea in the most dramatic fashion—are often known as “Iceland’s best-kept secret.” This rugged peninsula at the country’s remote northwestern tip is rife with fjords, mountains, tumbling cliffs, gushing waterfalls, colorful beaches, rolling green hills, high moorlands dotted with rocky outcrops, small lakes, and the occasional shaggy Icelandic sheep or grazing pony. A few modest outposts of civilization, in the form of small fishing communities nestled along the fjords and shores of the Denmark Strait, face out into the mighty Atlantic, keeping alive a maritime heritage that stretches back to the Viking days. The Westfjords are the least developed of Iceland’s coastal areas and, consequently, the wildest. Depending on the conditions, guests will venture into this territory on a Zodiac cruise or a guided shore landing at unspoiled wilderness sites where they can hike and explore on foot. One of the many highlights is Mongufoss, one of Iceland’s most remote and beautiful waterfalls.

Day 15 - Disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavík, Iceland

You’ll disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, after breakfast. If you have booked post-expedition accommodation, we provide a transfer to a central downtown location.

What's Included

Rates Include
  • An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
  • Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
  • All shore landings as per the daily program
  • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
  • All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage. Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible.
  • Complimentary select beer, wines and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
  • Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
  • Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
  • A photographic journal documenting the expedition
  • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
  • Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data-intensive applications.) Note: Internet access in the polar regions is subject to geography, climate, and other factors beyond our control
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • All luggage handling aboard the ship
  • Transfer from Longyearbyen town center to port on embarkation day
  • Group transfer to downtown Reykjavik on disembarkation day
  • Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax

Not Included

Rates Specifically Do Not Include:
  • Charter Flight & Hotel Package
  • International airfare
  • Arrival transfer in Helsinki
  • Airport transfer in Reykjavik
  • Passport and visa expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
  • Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
  • Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
  • Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
  • Laundry, bar, spa and other personal charges unless specified
  • Phone charges may vary by location
  • Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
  • Additional overnight accommodation
  • Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities