Northern Lights Expedition Cruise

Arrive in Tromsø, where you will be met and transferred to the group hotel. The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense. Overnight at Clarion Hotel The Edge (or similar).

After breakfast, embark on an enchanting journey into the celestial wonders of the Arctic sky at the Tromsø Science Centre. Join an immersive experience that combines the magic of a Northern Lights followed by an engaging presentation by an astronomer, providing you with insight into the captivating phenomena of the Aurora Borealis. Transfer to the pier for embarkation in the late afternoon, when you will have time to settle into your cabin before attending mandatory safety briefings and enjoy the thrill of departure as we “throw the lines” and set sail. This evening, get to know your fellow expeditioners, friendly expedition team and crew at the Welcome Dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure.

Over the next few days you'll explore parts of Norway's remarkable 600-mile-long coastline. Starting in Torsken, in the very north of the country, the ship makes its way south, stopping in the Lofoten Islands. The spectacular northern lights are a natural phenomenon that is most commonly seen in the sky above the Arctic Circle, between autumn and early spring. As you are near Ånderdalen National Park in northern Norway, keep a close watch in hope of witnessing this dazzling spectacle in the night sky.

Cruise to the stunning Lofoten Islands. This is a land scoured by ice and legend, the towering crags with their sharp edges standing in silent protection of the villages below. Excursions include an adventurous hike to a mountain top overlooking the beautiful peaks of the archipelago. After a steep ascent your reward awaits you with a 360-degree panoramic view of Lofoten's iconic jagged mountains, picturesque lakes, and peaceful surroundings. You will also have a spectacular view of Svolvær, Kabelvåg, Vågan, and on a clear day you can see the mainland. Easier options include visiting a tasting venue or a cultural walk in the urban fishing village of Svolvær.

As you traverse the scenic vistas of Lofoten, marvel at majestic mountain peaks and expansive fertile lands that once set the stage for Viking sagas. Your expedition begins in Haukland Beach, a paradisiacal haven with its pearly white sands and sapphire waters, embraced by lush greenery and towering peaks, evoking the essence of an Arctic paradise. There is ample time to hike from Uttakleiv to Haukland Beach—a gentle stretch over hills and along the coastal path to the pristine white sand beach.Upon reaching the Viking Museum in Borg, enjoy an exhibition showcasing archaeological discoveries and meticulous recreations of Viking dwellings, gaining a vivid understanding of the daily lives of these seafaring people a millennium ago. The museum endeavors to authentically recreate the Viking village atmosphere, complete with handicrafts, traditional buildings, and era-specific cuisine. As part of this immersive experience, you'll be treated to a soup crafted from an ancient North Norwegian recipe, prepared over an open fire—a culinary journey back in time amid the fascinating history of the Vikings.

Enjoy the crossing to Jan Mayen, accompanied by seabirds while searching for whales. Enjoy informative talks from the team of experts, get to know your fellow expeditioners, stay active in the gym, or treat yourself to a massage in the wellness center. Remember to look to the skies at night and hope for sightings of the northern lights.

The approach to Jan Mayen is spectacular. The huge Beerenberg volcano is the world's northernmost active volcano, last erupting in 1985. The northern part of the island is a great place to look for whales and dolphins, and contains impressive glaciers, some of which reach the sea. If the weather is friendly, we will try to land at Kvalrossbukta, a relatively sheltered bay on the island's west coast. This is one of the landings used to supply the Norwegian weather station at Olonkinbyen, a settlement situated on the eastern side of the island.

In the coming days, a host of choices are available, and depending on ice and weather conditions, the east coast of Greenland is yours to explore. The members of the experienced Expedition Team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to tailor the voyage to suit the day-to-day conditions. This allows them to make best use of the prevailing weather, ice conditions, and any opportunities for wildlife encounters. We generally attempt up to two landings or Zodiac excursions per day, including cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, following whales feeding near the surface.

Be prepared to experience ice—and lots of it! East Greenland contains some of the Arctic's most impressive scenery. Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by sharp ice-clad peaks soaring up to 6,500 feet, and glaciers birthing gigantic icebergs that drift throughout the fjord system, combine to create breathtaking scenes.

The tundra landscape is home to musk oxen, arctic hares, and reindeer. Throughout the area there are ancient Thule archaeological sites, historical trappers' huts, and the cabins of present-day Inuit hunters. A highlight is a visit to the Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit, the most isolated and northernmost permanent settlement in the region, with approximately 450 inhabitants. The community has an excellent museum, gift shop, an abundance of Greenlandic sled dogs, and provides the opportunity to meet the friendly locals.

Explore Scoresbysund, the world's largest fjord system and a favorite hunting ground of the local Inuit. Massive glaciers flow into this fjord, the birthplace of hundreds of majestic Greenland icebergs. It is a spectacular place that simply needs to be seen to be believed. North of Scoresbysund lie Kong Oskar and Kaiser Franz Josef fjords, two of the most significant fjord systems in Greenland, each one encompassing several smaller fjords and sounds. Thanks to the fertile volcanic soil and the surrounding mountains offering protection from strong winds, the area is rich in wildlife. You may spot everything from musk oxen and arctic foxes to mountain hares and even reindeer near the fjord. Look skyward and you could catch a glimpse of birds, including the glaucous gull, black-legged kittiwake, northern fulmar, common raven, and common eider.

There will be an attempt to enter Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, a remote and rarely visited fjord system with countless opportunities for exploration, located within the Northeast Greenland National Park. Cruising through Kong Oskar Fjord, marvel at the geological beauty of the mountains. You will then head south along the coast of Liverpool Land, with passage dependent on ice conditions.

Stretch your legs on hikes across tundra in search of ancient graveyards and summer villages occupied 3,000 years ago by Inuit. You may see musk oxen, arctic hares, and reindeer grazing. The maze of calm, interconnecting waterways in this area provides excellent opportunities for sea kayaking. You will see ring seals, perhaps catch a glimpse of the elusive narwhal, and maybe even a polar bear hunting on pack ice.

Over the coming days, explore the Westfjords region, which features outstanding landscapes with jaw-dropping views of dramatic fjords carved by ancient glaciers, sheer, table-top mountains that plunge into the sea, and pristine north Atlantic vegetation. The region features attractive towns such as Isafjordur, surrounded by sheer mountains and steeped in history, evident in its preserved wooden architecture. Delight in its lively cultural scene and abundant outdoor activities.

On Vigur Island, birdwatchers can try and tick a few species on their list, while others can enjoy walks and hikes of varying levels of difficulty, soaking in the stunning surrounds. The island's unique ecosystem is a haven for birdlife, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Stroll along the coastline, keeping an eye out for puffins and other seabirds, or venture deeper into the island to discover hidden gems. With its rolling hills, picturesque landscapes, and fresh sea air, Vigur offers an unforgettable experience.

Thingeyri, a quaint village nestled on a slender strip of land, graces the shores of one of Iceland's most picturesque fjords, Dýrafjörður. Much like many other coastal settlements in Iceland, the village's culture and industry have been intricately woven with the influence of the sea over centuries. The surrounding landscape is adorned with towering mountains, lending a distinctive charm to the scenic expanse that envelops Thingeyri. This idyllic region is often hailed as the "Alps of the Westfjords," especially the highland area nestled between the majestic fjords of Dýrafjörður and Arnarfjordur. The beauty of Thingeyri lies not only in its coastal simplicity but also in the dramatic backdrop of high mountains that paints a captivating portrait of this Icelandic village.

Grundafjordur is the starting point of our adventures on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, gateway to Snæfellsjökull National Park. Snaefellsnes Peninsula is an area of diverse landscapes characterized by lava fields and glistening fjords and home to a vast array of birdlife. The area is crowned by the magnificent, ice-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano, a 700,000-year-old dormant subglacial volcano, visible from Reykjavik on a clear day and immortalized in Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth. Today's all-day excursions include geological and nature tours of Snæfellsjökull National Park, encompassing a large area of Snæfellsnes Peninsula's western tip,with chances to explore some incredible hiking trails.

During the early morning, cruise into Reykjavik and disembark at approximately 8:00 am. Bid farewell to your expedition team and fellow passengers as you continue your onward journey. Transfer to Keflavik airport or to your centrally located hotel.

Note: We do not recommend booking flights departing prior to 12:00 pm on the day of disembarkation, as we may experience delays at the conclusion of the voyage.