Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes

Welcome to Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. This former mining town has key attractions such as the parish church and the Svalbard Museum, which provide insight into the region’s history and environment. Despite the barren landscape, over a hundred plant species grow here. In the early evening, your ship departs through Isfjorden, where you may spot your first minke whale as your Arctic voyage begins.

You sail to Raudfjorden on the north coast of Spitsbergen, a fjord with glaciers and diverse wildlife. Ringed and bearded seals may be seen on the ice, while seabird colonies nest along the cliffs and shoreline. The area also has vegetation and the potential for spotting a polar bear.

You may eventually see the jagged edge of the east Greenland sea ice flashing into sight ahead, depending on the conditions. Keep watch for whales and migrating seabirds here.

As you approach Greenland, you may sail through the sea ice into Foster Bay and land at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters’ hut (where Norwegian trappers hunted for polar bears and Arctic foxes in the first half of the 20th century), there is a sprawling tundra populated by musk oxen, with geese floating in the small lakes. From here, you sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and bright interior icebergs. An alternate route is Sofia Sound, a narrower waterway.

Those who choose to attend can have the first long walk (6-7 hours) of the voyage today. Start at Myggbukta station, head into Badlanddal, and then turn south to Fangsthytte near Kap Bennet. A Zodiac will sail ahead of the walking party and parallel to the coast to watch out for bears.

You arrive at Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle), a mountain with layered geology. On the other side of the fjord is Blomsterbugt and the intended landing site. In the afternoon, you head into Antarctic Sound, where you find the islands of Ruth, Maria, and Ella. Maria is the most likely spot for a landing.

In the morning, you enter Segelsallskapets Fjord, with the striped slopes of the Berzelius Mountains bordering the north side. You land on the south shore, where ancient sedimentary formations lie at your feet. A hike takes you near a small lake with good chances to see musk oxen, Arctic hares, and ptarmigans. In the afternoon, the ship ventures into Alpefjord, aptly named for the spire-like peaks that thrust up around it. You may then embark on a Zodiac cruise around Gully Glacier, which once blocked access to the interior of these waters. Continuing deep into the fjord, you experience a definitive Greenland adventure.

You spend the first half of the day in Antarctic Havn, an extensive valley where you can spot groups of musk oxen. At this time of year, the sparse vegetation is dressed in the fiery colors of autumn.

Today, you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the glaciated 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.

In the afternoon, plan to sail by the east coast of Milne Land among a multitude of giant icebergs. If you can also land at Charcot Havn, walk to the Charcot Glacier. Then continue by Bjørneør and sail into Øfjord, where you might also make a landing.

The goal is a Zodiac cruise near Sorte O, surrounded by icebergs. Their austere blue-white contrasts sharply with the sediment slopes nearby. The afternoon plan is to sail through the northern parts of Rode Fjord and into Harefjord, with the chance to see musk oxen and warm autumnal foliage.

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.

Today’s long walk goes from Sydkap to Nordøstbugt (12 km, 7.5 miles to the northeast), where the river coming from Holger Danskes Briller flows into the sea. You plan to walk south along the shore to Satakajik, seeing whale vertebrae and the remains of Thule summer houses. Passengers who opt out of the extended walking group can join at this location for their second excursion of the day.

Today, you make a tundra landing on Liverpool Land in Hurry Inlet. The afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresbysund, with about five hundred inhabitants. At the post office, you can buy stamps for your postcards or stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen. In the afternoon, sail south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.

A sea day allows you to spot whales and seabirds and the magical northern lights at night.

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually end. You disembark in Akureyri, where, on request, you can transfer (T) by chartered bus (a six-hour drive that you must book in advance) to the bus stop Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavík, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.