Four Arctic Islands

From Helsinki to Reykjavik
  • All Arctic Cruises
  • Iceland and Greenland
  • Spitsbergen
  • Wildlife and Nature
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Tour Description

Cruise four Arctic island in one epic adventure! Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland and Iceland!

This journey is ideal for those who have never been to the Arctic before because it focuses on four incredible locations near the top of the world and gives travellers a taste of the region's rich diversity, including its giant icebergs, towering mountains, expansive tundra, iconic wildlife, traditional Inuit culture, and more.

Your journey will begin in the almost uninhabited Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, which is home to polar bears, walrus, and other unique and fascinating species. From there, traverse the Greenland Sea to the volcanic island of Jan Mayen, a natural reserve so inaccessible that only a select few have ever had the good fortune to visit this Arctic gem.

The next stop is the enticing east coast of Greenland, where you can cruise deep into Scoresby Sund to take in the breathtaking scenery of the world's largest fjord system, gawk at icebergs that defy imagination, and appreciate the rich variety of plant and animal life that has long captivated explorers and tourists alike. You can also take advantage of the chance to investigate the ruins of ancient Thule settlements. Your incredible voyage will end in the city that never sleeps, Reykjavik, where you can experience authentic Icelandic culture under the dazzling light of the midnight sun.

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Discover historic Thule settlements overlooking the ocean and surrounded by icebergs and mountains, meet the locals and gaining an appreciation for their way of life in Ittoqqortoormiit, East Greenland’s northernmost community.

Spitsbergen gives you the opportunity to witness glacier fronts and tundra in full bloom, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings.

Visit mysterious Jan Mayen Island, rarely visited, save for the 18 rotating personnel of the Norwegian military and Norwegian Meteorological Institute, who are the only inhabitants.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Helsinki

Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its extraordinary architecture and intriguing mix of eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.

Day 2
Helsinki Longyearbyen

This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, as part of the transfer package. As you embark this afternoon, you’ll hope to enjoy great views of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this seaside town.

Day 3-6
Spitsbergen

Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island in 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 permit, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole!

Day 7-8
At Sea

While sailing south through the historic Greenland Sea toward Jan Mayen, your Expedition Team will keep you informed with presentations about the history and politics of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology, ecology and climate, and the incredible sights you will soon explore. On deck, you’ll learn to identify seabirds “on the wing.” The team will also keep a lookout for the whales that frequent the waters here.

Day 9-10
Jan Mayen

North of the Arctic Circle, about 280 miles (450 km) east of Greenland and 340 miles (550 km) north of Iceland, the mysterious Jan Mayen rises from the depths of the North Atlantic. Often shrouded in thick fog, the small mountainous island was declared a nature reserve in 2010 and is rarely visited, save for the 18 rotating personnel of the Norwegian military and Norwegian Meteorological Institute, who are the only inhabitants.

Landing here will be dictated by the weather and sea. If conditions allow, as we approach, keep watch on deck as the spoon-shaped island’s highest summit emerges. At 7,470 feet (2,277 meters) high, the breathtaking Beerenberg volcano features a symmetrical cone shape and impressive glaciers that spill into the sea.

If we’re fortunate, we may get a close- up view of the volcano and the stratified cliffs of the spectacular north coast as we Zodiac cruise along the coast of the island, searching for wildlife. Designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for the large numbers of breeding seabirds, Jan Mayen supports colonies of northern fulmars, little auks, glaucous gulls, kittiwakes, and black and Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).

Day 11-15
Scoresby Sund

Your tour of Scoresby Sund—the largest, deepest and, some say, most beautiful multi-armed fjord system in the world— will offer plenty of opportunities to explore ashore or by Zodiac cruise.

At one moment you’ll be stepping back in time, exploring the remains of ancient Thule settlements with views of icebergs and towering mountains rising straight out of the sea, and the next you’ll be immersed in contemporary culture, meeting the locals and gaining an appreciation for their way of life in Ittoqqortoormiit, East Greenland’s northernmost community. At the mouth of the sound, this remote settlement boasts a blend of traditional and modern lifestyles and is geographically closer to Iceland than it is to its nearest Greenlandic neighbors to the southwest. Here, you’ll have the chance to support local Inuit artisans by purchasing unique handicrafts.

In terms of wildlife, grazing muskoxen are a possible sight, as 40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives in this region. Polar bear sightings are also a remote possibility, as are encounters with more elusive Arctic wildlife, such as the Arctic hare. Seabirds to watch out for nesting atop the steep cliffs of the sound include little auks, fulmars and guillemots.

Day 16-17
At Sea

As we sail south, the Denmark Strait is your pathway toward Iceland. 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. Your Expedition Team will also be on hand to answer any questions and point out wildlife.

Day 18
Reykjavik

You’ll disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, at the end of your journey. If you have booked post-expedition accommodation, we provide a transfer to a central downtown location.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any d
  • Included Copy 20 Beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings an
  • Included Copy 20 All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
  • Included Copy 20 All shore landings per the daily program
  • Included Copy 20 Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
  • Included Copy 20 A photographic journal documenting the expedition
  • Included Copy 20 A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
  • Included Copy 20 An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
  • Included Copy 20 All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • Included Copy 20 All luggage handling aboard the ship
  • Included Copy 20 Transfer from Longyearbyen town center to port on embarkation day
  • Included Copy 20 Group transfer to downtown Reykjavik on disembarkation day
  • Included Copy 20 Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax
  • Included Copy 7 Mandatory Transfer Package, International airfare, Arrival transfer in Oslo Airport, transfer in Rey
  • Included Copy 31 Adventure activities: day paddling or kayaking
Transportation

Ocean Adventurer

128 Guests Passengers

Activities

  • Included Search for iconic Arctic wildlife, such as polar bears, walrus and reindeer
  • Included Explore the remote Inuit community of Ittoqqortoormiit
  • Included Cruise in a zodiac and explore the glaciers, icebergs and fascinating landscapes
  • Included Discover Spitsbergen, the volcanic Jan Mayen and and breathtaking Greenlandic fjords
  • Included Go on an optional paddling exursion
  • Included Jump safely into the cold water of the Arctic
  • Included Hike along the polar landscapes at the level that suits you best
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Duration

18 days

Price from

$12,090 USD

Per person, sharing

Based on a triple cabin

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