Arctic Odyssey - Northeast Greenland

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 Longyearbyen

Flexibility 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.

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