Arctic Odyssey - Northeast Greenland
Norway, Greenland Small Ship Cruises
A expedition to a remote Arctic world
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length16 days
- Prices from€8000 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Get ready for your very own personal polar adventure on this unique Arctic expedition cruise. The specially designed ship and expert crew take you close to the heart of the landscape where the humbling power of the Arctic Islands comes alive. Glaciers, mountains, fjords, ice, and fascinating wildlife are the main attractions here.
Your multi-adventure experience is bookended by Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. It lies between the north of mainland Norway and the North Pole and is home to a surprisingly diverse animal and bird life. Be looking for polar bears, arctic foxes, reindeer, and marine mammals such as whales, seals, walruses, and dolphins.
Your itinerary also includes the coast of Greenland whose waters are alive with belugas, blues, fins, bowhead whales, minkes, narwhals, and sperm whales. Many land mammals enjoy the northern and eastern shores of the island where human populations are few and far between.
All throughout your journey, you will enjoy presentations that illuminate not only the diverse wildlife but everything from polar science to fascinating local history.
Highlights
- Arctic island of Spitsbergen
- Bellsund, one of the largest fjord systems in Svalbard
- Remote volcanic island Jan Mayen, crowned by the snow-capped summit of Mt. Beerenberg
- Colors and beauty of Røde Ø
- Varied and diverse wild and marine life: whales, seals, walruses, polar bears, seabirds, arctic hares
- Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord
- Blomsterbugt
Be sure to view all our active cruises!
Itinerary
Day 1: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Day 2: Krossfjorden
Day 3 & 4: East Greenland
Day 5: Tundra, mountains, and icebergs
Day 6: Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord
Day 7: Sights of Muskoxen
Day 8: Inuit neighborhood of yesteryear
Day 9: Colors of the cape
Day 10: Enormous bergs, Arctic hares
Day 11: Sea life along the counter currents
Day 12: Snow-capped seaside volcano
Day 13 & 14: In the Gulfstream
Day 15: Bellsund’s flora, fauna, and haunting history
Day 16: Journey’s end in LongyearbyenFlexibility is a requirement for any expedition cruise.
The itinerary is subject to change depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per AECO regulation.
The probability of sailing into Scoresbysund is high, but there is still a chance (about 30%) that ice will obstruct passage into the fjord system. In that case, the captain will resort to areas south of Scoresbysund (Blosseville Coast) and in Southeast Spitsbergen.
Day 1: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
The dream begins in Longyearbyen, the world's second northernmost town and the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Formally known as Longyear City, the town grew up around the Arctic Coal Company, founded by American, John Munro Longyear.The surrounding landscape appears stark, full of glaciers and mountains, but more than a hundred species of plants have been recorded in it.
Polar bears are obviously the main attraction regarding wildlife. There are six national parks throughout Spitsbergen, and Svalbard alone is known to contain, Polar bears, reindeer, Arctic fox, numerous birds (such as guillemots and little auks) and several high Arctic seal species including the iconic Walrus.
You might also encounter a variety of whales including the largest of them all, the Blue Whale.
Be sure to take the time to stroll about the town, visit the parish church and the Svalbard Museum with displays of artifacts from the history of Svalbard since its settlement, and exhibits of local plants and animals
In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden. You might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.
Day 2: Krossfjorden
Today showcases the stunning scenery of Krossfjorden, a 30 km long fjord on the west coast of Spitsbergen. You navigate through a landscape of alpine mountaintops, active glaciers, seabird colonies, and rich vegetation.Day 3 & 4: East Greenland
Depending on the conditions, you may get fleeting glimpses of the jagged edge of the east Greenland sea ice before you even arrive. You may see whales and migrating seabirds here!Day 5: Tundra, mountains, and icebergs
As you continue your journey to Greenland, you sail through the sea ice into Foster Bay. Landing at Margrethedal, to the east are remains of the Thule culture from some centuries ago. Beyond the old hunters’ hut (in the first half of last century Norwegian trappers hunted here for polar bears and arctic foxes) there is an extensive tundra populated by musk oxen. The small lakes are home to geese.Continuing on, the ship navigates through Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord, a magnificent fjord with towering mountains on both sides, its inner reaches choked with huge icebergs.
Day 6: Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord
You pass Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle), a mountain with layered geology. On the other side of the fjord is Blomsterbugt (Flower Bay) and the intended landing site. In the afternoon you continue through Antarctic Sound and make a landing on Marie Island.Day 7: Sights of Muskoxen
The first half of the day you spend in Blomsterdal (Flower Valley) near Antarctic Havn, a Norwegian hunting station which was built by an expedition from Møre in 1930. Here you can often spot groups of musk oxen. Another possibility is Ørsted Dal, with landing at Cape Seaforth.Day 8: Inuit neighborhood of yesteryear
Today you reach Scoresby Sund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. The afternoon goal is to visit Danmark Island, where you find the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago.The circular stone tent rings indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, with easy identifiable entrances, bear-proof meat caches, and grave sites. In the evening, you continue sailing the berg-crowded fjords to the west.
Day 9: Colors of the cape
The goal is a Zodiac cruise near Røde Ø, one of the world’s most cherished iceberg attractions, also known as Red Island. It is located in the interior of Scoresbysund, a beautiful spot in Greenland that's just perfect for admiring the austere white and blue beauty of passing icebergs against the brooding red backdrop of the sediment slopes. The afternoon plan is to sail through the northern parts of Røde Fjord, with the chance to see musk oxen and warm late summer foliage..Day 10: Enormous bergs & Arctic hares
In the morning you encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer (.62 mile) long. Most of them are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). You then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and a good shot of seeing Arctic hares.Day 11: Sea life along the counter currents
You sail eastward in the cold East Greenland Current and later in the warm Gulfstream current with a multitude of sea life when we sail from one to the other. This sea day grants you the opportunity to spot whales and seabirds.Day 12: Snow-capped seaside volcano
Jan Mayen is a stark volcanic island crowned by the snow-capped summit of Mt. Beerenberg. From the slopes of this imposing 2,300-meter-high (7,545 feet) volcano, broken glaciers grasp out into the frigid sea. With permission from the Norwegian authorities, you can now visit the weather station. You can also walk to the remains of a 17th- century Dutch whaling station amid the thick moss beds of this stark volcanic landscape.Day 13 – 14: In the Gulfstream
You sail northeast toward Spitsbergen in search of whales, seals, and a variety of seabirds, cutting east to the rocky edges of the continental shelf of west Spitsbergen. Here you have a good chance of seeing fin whales and – near the glacial mouths of the gaping Spitsbergen fjords – surfacing minke whales.Day 15: Bellsund’s flora, fauna, and haunting history
Today you find yourself in Bellsund, one of the largest fjord systems in Svalbard. The ocean currents make this area slightly warmer than other areas in the archipelago, which shows in the relatively lush vegetation. Here there are excellent opportunities to enjoy both history and wildlife.A possibility is Ahlstrandhalvøya, at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden, where piles of beluga skeletons can be found. These remains of 19th-century whale slaughter are a haunting reminder of the consequences of rampant exploitation. Fortunately, belugas were not hunted into extinction, and you have a good chance of coming across a pod.
Alternatively, while cruising the side fjords of Bellsund, you can explore tundra where reindeer like to feed as well as rock slopes where little auks are breeding.
Day 16: Journey’s end in Longyearbyen
We finally return to Svalbard’s principal town, where you will disembark the vessel, taking home priceless memories of friends made, wildlife encountered, and a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic adventure.Boats
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation in selected cabin category for 15 nights
- All meals throughout the voyage
- Snacks, coffee & tea
- All shore excursions & activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
- Lectures by noted naturalists & experienced expedition staff
- Free use of rubber boots & snowshoes
- Transfers & baggage handling between the airport, hotels, & ship (only for those passengers on the group flights to & from Longyearbyen).
- All miscellaneous service taxes & port charges throughout the program
- AECO fees & governmental taxes
- Comprehensive pre-departure material
What’s Not Included
- Airfare
- Pre & post tour land arrangements
- Passport & visa expenses
- Government arrival & departure taxes
- Meals ashore.
- Excess baggage charges & all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided)
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2022
Monday departure
August 1 - August 16, 2022*
Special discounted departure!
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Twin w/ porthole $ 12237 £ 6983 $ 11,147 € 8000 ₪ 29918 NZ$ 13527 kr 87459 $ 8,637 Twin w/ porthole/single-use $ 20803 £ 11872 $ 18,950 € 13600 ₪ 50861 NZ$ 22996 kr 148681 $ 14,683 Twin w/ window $ 14225 £ 8118 $ 12,959 € 9300 ₪ 34780 NZ$ 15725 kr 101671 $ 10,041 Twin w/ window/single-use $ 24183 £ 13801 $ 22,029 € 15810 ₪ 59126 NZ$ 26733 kr 172841 $ 17,070 Deluxe twin $ 15296 £ 8729 $ 13,934 € 10000 ₪ 37398 NZ$ 16909 kr 109324 $ 10,797 Deluxe twin/single-use $ 26004 £ 14840 $ 23,688 € 17000 ₪ 63576 NZ$ 28745 kr 185851 $ 18,354 Superior double $ 17132 £ 9777 $ 15,606 € 11200 ₪ 41886 NZ$ 18938 kr 122443 $ 12,092 Superior double/single-use $ 23984 £ 13687 $ 21,848 € 15680 ₪ 58640 NZ$ 26513 kr 171420 $ 16,929 Junior suite $ 18355 £ 10475 $ 16,721 € 12000 ₪ 44877 NZ$ 20290 kr 131189 $ 12,956 Junior suite/single-use $ 25698 £ 14665 $ 23,409 € 16800 ₪ 62828 NZ$ 28407 kr 183664 $ 18,138 Grand suite w/balcony $ 21109 £ 12046 $ 19,229 € 13800 ₪ 51609 NZ$ 23334 kr 150867 $ 14,899 Grand suite w/balcony/single-use $ 29552 £ 16865 $ 26,920 € 19320 ₪ 72253 NZ$ 32668 kr 211214 $ 20,859 Quadruple w/porthole $ 9254 £ 5281 $ 8,430 € 6050 ₪ 22626 NZ$ 10230 kr 66141 $ 6,532 Triple w/porthole $7350 Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
Participants should be in good health which means you can walk several hours per day on rough terrain. Most expeditions are ship-based, however, and not too physically demanding. Although the itinerary is designed to spend as much time as possible on shore, you are also welcome to remain on board. It is important that you’re able to get up and down the steep gangway easily, as this is how you’ll board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats, but on shore, it can be slippery and rocky. Also, you’ll usually be in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you shouldn’t join these expeditions if you have a life-threatening condition, need daily medical treatment, or have difficulty walking.
Airport Info
Svalbard Airport, Longyear is at Hotellneset, 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) northwest of town. It is the only airport that is permitted to serve aircraft from the archipelago.
Climate
Spitsbergen officially has an Arctic climate, albeit with higher temperatures compared with other places at the same latitude. The size of Greenland creates a diverse range of temperature and climate conditions. For example, the populated sections of Greenland are all found on the coast because this area is free of ice. Meanwhile, the central region of Greenland is covered by an ice sheet.
Remarks
Arctic expedition cruises attract independent, adventurous travelers from around the globe who share a strong interest in remote regions, exotic wildlife, and, naturally, huge heaps of ice. Many voyages include several nationalities, and it is the camaraderie and spirit that develops on board that’s so important to the polar expedition experience.
Important to know
Travel documents
Before you travel, please check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the U.S. Passports & International Travel website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc.
Environmentally Responsible
This arctic exploration vessel operator is a member of AECO and IAATO, organizations that promote environmentally friendly travel to the Arctic and Antarctic. The ship complies with all the latest safety standards and is one of the most environmentally friendly vessels on the polar seas. Hondius uses LED lighting, steam heating, bio-degradable paints and lubricants, and state-of-the-art power management systems that keep fuel consumption and CO2 levels minimal. When you sail aboard Hondius, you get to enjoy the exotic landscapes and wildlife as much as possible while impacting them as little as possible.
Packing essentials
Much of the equipment you will need will be provided.
However, in regards to clothing and outerwear, we advise warm, windproof, waterproof clothes that you can easily add or remove in layers. Multiple layers of medium-warmth clothing provide more insulation than single heavier articles. This is due to warm air getting trapped between the layers and acting as further insulation. Look for clothing made of wool, silk, and new synthetic fibers, all of which retain heat better than other materials.
- Base layer: thermals & undergarments
- Middle layer: T-shirts, sweaters, pants, scarf or neck gaiter, good cap or hat that covers the ears
- Outer layer: A quality jacket that is waterproof and windproof preferably with an attached hood, waterproof outer pants, & gloves. All passengers are required to bring a waterproof jacket and pants (minimum 15,000mm rating) for Zodiac cruises to shore, as these can be quite wet.
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Inezia Tours.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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