Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland

13 days

from

6 800 €

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Leisurely

Trip code:

PNE

Way to Travel:

Guided Group

Activity:

Polar

Max group size:

132

Min age:

A voyage encompassing three Arctic countries with dramatic, contrasting and desolate landscapes

This voyage combines the spectacular wildlife in Spitsbergen with the striking desolate landscapes of Eastern Greenland. After several days in the Svalbard Archipelago, scouring the ice and glaciers for bears, walrus, foxes and birdlife, the ship crosses the Greenland Sea to explore the rugged coast of Greenland, with an excursion into Scoresbysund, the largest fjord complex in the world, and the birthplace of many icebergs. Being above the Arctic Circle means 24 hour daylight so there is virtually unlimited time to relish in the experiences on this remarkable Arctic voyage.

Highlights

Discover the wild and rugged coast of eastern Greenland

Chance to observe walrus, Polar bear, Arctic terns, kittiwakes and Glaucous gulls

An excursion into Scoresbysund, one of the largest fjord complexes in the world

If conditions are right, we could sail within 10° of the North Pole!

Key information

12 nights on the ship
Expedition cruising in comfortable conditions

Countries visited: Spitsbergen, Iceland, Arctic

What's included

All meals while on the ship
Beer and wine during dinner
All gratuities
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Full complement of qualified Expedition Staff
Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

What's not included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Call for general departures:

+356 21423994

Call for tailormade trips:

+44 (0)20 8772 3874

Email us >

Request a brochure >

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

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Responsible Travel

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Itinerary

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Day 1

Start Longyearbyen, board ship and begin exploration.

The transfer to the ship takes place in the afternoon. Once on board there is a get together for introductions to the expedition team, to learn about the ship and its layout, talk about the itinerary and participate in the obligatory lifeboat drill.

Meals included: Dinner
Days 2-5

Explore Spitsbergen and the Svalbard Archipelago.

Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest of the Norwegian-ruled Svalbard islands, rewards us with abundant wildlife and austere beauty. Here we’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and steep-walled fjords with walrus, Polar bear and Spitsbergen reindeer among our possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Long-tailed ducks, kittiwakes and Glaucous and Ivory gulls. As an added bonus, when conditions are right, we could sail within 10° of the North Pole!

Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Days 6-7

Greenland Sea.

While sailing the historic Greenland Sea, you’ll learn about the wildlife and history of Greenland, our next stop. On deck we’ll learn to identify seabirds on the wing.

Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Days 8-11

Explore Eastern Greenland.

During our tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, we’ll enjoy sea-level Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Visit the remains of ancient Thule settlements, and keep an eye out for grazing Musk oxen, as 40% of the world’s population of this fascinating mammal lives here. Finally, we will sail through spectacular Scoresbysund, the birthplace of many icebergs, and - some say - the most beautiful fjord system in the world.

Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 12

At sea in the Denmark Strait.

Sail through the Denmark Strait en route to Iceland. The onboard Expedition Team will inform and entertain with presentations about area wildlife - especially the seabirds we'll see soaring above the ship.

Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 13

Disembark Akureyri; fly to Reykjavik.

We disembark in Akureyri and fly to Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, at the end of our journey.

Meals included: Breakfast

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

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Essential Info

Group Information

The Ocean Adventurer takes a maximum capacity of 132 passengers. The Exodus group forms part of the ship’s complement, enjoying the relaxed, intimate and informal atmosphere, which breaks into smaller groups to facilitate the frequent excursions. We offer these cruises in conjunction with our partner, Quark Expeditions, and Exodus participants will join an international group, not all of whom have booked through Exodus. Occasionally some of these may be younger than 18 years old, the Exodus' stated minimum age for this trip.

Visas

Greenland

No visa required for British passport holders.

Iceland

No visa required for British passport holders.

Arctic

No visa required for British passport holders.

Vaccinations

Greenland

There are no specific health risks.

Iceland

There are no specific health risks.

Arctic

There are no specific health risks.

Eating and Drinking

All meals while on the ship included.

Typical Meals

The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale.

Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.

Lunch: Three course set meal or buffet, or the occasional BBQ.

Dinner:Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and coffee.

Weather

Spitsbergen has a short season from mid June to mid August; and there is 24 hour daylight in all three months. There may be more sea ice in the earlier months and some more flowers, but in reality with the capricious nature of the weather and wildlife there is not much to choose between different dates.

Longyearbyen

Is this trip for you?

Travelling Conditions

The voyages are designed to be as flexible as possible, taking advantage of circumstances and events as they occur, as well as passengers’ wishes and particular interests wherever possible. The atmosphere on board is relaxed and friendly with expedition staff, including naturalists and Polar experts, on hand and the opportunity to mingle with people from all over the world. The ship is kept warm, clean and comfortable with a wet / mud room in which to hang gear and store boots ready for the next adventure.

On the Zodiac cruises you are sitting still for most of the time with the potential for some sea spray and a cold headwind - if you are not dressed appropriately you will get cold. On the shore excursions, the majority of landings are ‘wet’ which means that the Zodiacs beach and you are helped to slide into the ankle deep shore break before walking up onto dry land (wellington boots are issued to all passengers). There are, of course, no paths, so be prepared for slippery, rough terrain and sometimes fairly deep snow. Back on board the cosy ship after each adventure, you can have a sauna and/or a hot shower and then relax with a tea, coffee, hot chocolate or something stronger from the bar.

Optional activities:

Sea kayaking option

On our Spitsbergen Greenland & Iceland voyages there is the chance for some members of the party to take regular sea kayak excursions in place of the Zodiac excursions. There are a limited number of kayaks on each ship, and you must book and pay for this option in advance. All kayak trips are guided, and are subject to suitable locations and weather conditions. Should the kayaking not be possible, a place on a Zodiac is always available. Basic kayak competence is required.

Polar Itineraries

All Polar itineraries should be treated as a guide only - it is possible that, amongst other things, the capricious nature of wind, visibility and ice, intelligence from previous sailings, changes in local landing regulations or the expert opinion of the crew onboard may lead to adjustments to the route published.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Call for general departures:

+356 21423994

Call for tailormade trips:

+44 (0)20 8772 3874

Email us >

Request a brochure >

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Accommodation

Polar Adventure Ship

Sea Adventurer - before refit June 2017 to become Ocean Adventurer

The Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland voyage is offered on the Ocean Adventurer which is a Polar Adventure Ship. Please visit the Polar Fleet page (www.exodus.co.uk/polar-holidays/polar-fleet) for Ship Information and Deck Plans.

Polar Adventure Ships

These are small (approx. 100 passengers) ice rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking and many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food and staff are superb and every guest benefits from the technical advances of this superb fleet. Rest assured our Polar Adventure Ships enable any traveller to maximize their experience sensitively in the Poles.

Call for general departures:

+356 21423994

Call for tailormade trips:

+44 (0)20 8772 3874

Email us >

Request a brochure >

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

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An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros	Cons
May be the most direct route Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal. As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.	You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.

a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination.

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros	Cons
Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.	Through fare tickets can be expensive. On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination. Published fares are non-refundable.

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros	Cons
You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.	You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.
On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client.