Upon your arrival in Reykjavik, a representative from Aurora Expeditions will greet you and transfer you to your designated group hotel. If you arrive before 4 PM, feel free to visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality area at the hotel, where you can drop off your luggage and enjoy some refreshments. During this time, you can also collect your luggage tags and consult with the ground operations team, who can provide information about pre-embarkation details, dining options, cash withdrawal, or last-minute shopping at a nearby pharmacy or supermarket.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure, with all meals at your own expense.

Today, journey along one of Reykjavik's most famous seismic attractions: the Golden Circle. Your first stop is Þingvellir National Park, recognized as the location of Iceland's first parliament and the site where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates converge at an open fissure. Next, visit Gullfoss waterfall, which cascades 34 meters into the Hvita River, providing a stunning backdrop for photographs. Then, explore the geothermal fields and geysers that Iceland is renowned for, where the array of hot springs and bubbling pools will captivate you, showcasing the immense power hidden beneath the earth's surface. In the late afternoon, return to Reykjavik to board the Sylvia Earle.

Once on board, settle into your cabin before the essential safety briefings to prepare for your adventure in Greenland. This evening, you can have the opportunity to meet your expedition team and crew during the Welcome Dinner.

Over the next two days, explore the Westfjords region, featuring outstanding landscapes with jaw-dropping views of dramatic fjords carved by ancient glaciers, sheer table mountains that plunge into the sea, and pristine North Atlantic vegetation.    

Immerse yourself in the tranquillity as you cruise northward, taking in breathtaking landscapes and keeping a watchful eye for whales. Later, embark on a Zodiac landing to witness the awe-inspiring power of Dynjandi waterfall.

On Vigur Island, birdwatchers can try to tick a few species on their list, while others can enjoy walks and hikes of varying difficulty levels, soaking in the stunning surroundings. The island's unique ecosystem is a haven for birdlife, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Stroll along the coastline, watch for puffins and other seabirds, or venture deeper into the island to discover hidden gems. With its rolling hills, picturesque landscapes, and fresh sea air, Vigur offers an unforgettable experience. The region also features attractive towns such as Isafjordur, which is surrounded by sheer mountains and steeped in history. It is evident in its preserved wooden architecture—delight in its lively cultural scene and abundant outdoor activities.

Enjoy the sea crossing to Jan Mayen Island accompanied by sea birds while searching for whales. Enjoy informative talks from a team of experts, get to know your fellow expeditioners, stay active in the gym, or treat yourself to a massage in the wellness center.

The approach to Jan Mayen is spectacular. The huge 2,277-meter (7,470-foot) Beerenberg volcano is the northernmost active volcano in the world, and it last erupted in 1985. The northern part of the island is a great place to look for whales and dolphins and contains impressive glaciers, some of which reach the sea. If the weather is favorable, you can land at Kvalrossbukta, a relatively sheltered bay on the island's west coast. This is one of the landings used to supply the weather station Olonkinbyen, situated on the island's eastern side.

The Norwegian Sea surrounding Jan Mayen offers excellent whale-watching opportunities (bottlenose, fin, and perhaps bowhead whales in the pack ice). Sail towards Svalbard, retracing the route of Dutch explorer Willem Barents, who discovered Spitsbergen and the Barents Sea, named after him.

Svalbard offers Arctic wilderness at its best. Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your day-to-day itinerary, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions, and wildlife encounters.  

Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountain ranges, and a polar desert rich in fossils set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walruses hauled out on sea ice or beaches. On land, stretch your legs on walks across tundra coming out in brightly-colored wildflowers. Visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots, puffins, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies. Most memorable are encounters with the majestic polar bear on pack ice.  

If you have chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you can enjoy the activity when conditions allow. For those enthusiastic about participating in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you can hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating plunge, a memory you can savor for years to come.

Bear Island, Svalbard's southernmost outpost, is a remote gem halfway between Spitsbergen and Norway's North Cape. Despite its name, polar bears were last spotted here in 2004. Still, the island's history is deeply intertwined with the Arctic's most iconic predator, thanks to Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz's encounter in 1596. 

Strategically positioned at the Norwegian and Barents Seas confluence, Bear Island boasts a unique landscape. Its northern plains, dotted with freshwater lakes, contrast sharply with the dramatic cliffs that characterize the southern coast. This pristine environment, designated a Nature Reserve, is a haven for wildlife. 

The island's southern cliffs are a birdwatcher's paradise, hosting vast colonies of seabirds, including the dominant Black-legged Kittiwake, Little Auk, Common Guillemot, and Brunnich's Guillemot. Zodiac cruises offer an exhilarating opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, with the chance to spot rarer species like Atlantic Puffins, Northern Gannets, Glaucous Gulls, and Great Skuas.

Enjoy informative talks from a team of experts, get to know your fellow expeditioners, or stay active in the gym. Remember to look to the skies at night and hope for sightings of the northern lights.

Over the next few days, explore parts of Norway's remarkable 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) coastline. Starting in the North Cape, in the north, you make your way south, stopping in the Lofoten Islands.

The spectacular northern lights are a natural phenomenon most commonly seen in the sky above the Arctic Circle between autumn and early spring. As you are near the North Cape in northern Norway, watch this dazzling spectacle in the night sky. The North Cape is located at a latitude of 71° 10' 21 and is Europe's northernmost point.

Personalize your expedition with the included 'Your Choice' experiences that suit your interests and fitness level.

Option 1: Behind the scenes of the seafood industry  
Duration: 3 hours 
Level of difficulty: Easy 
During this tasteful and educational tour, you can learn all there is to know about the leading industry in Finnmark and, more specifically, in North Cape municipality. Visit a local fish factory and observe their daily operations before tasting the local delicacies at one of the most scenic locations on the island. 
As one of the largest factories in the municipality and an exporter of king crab, your host does much more than process fish. Your guide will show you around the factory and tell you about the production of stockfish, klipfish, fresh fish, king crab, and less-known products such as roe, liver, fish heads, and much more. 
Undoubtedly, a tour like this requires a seafood tasting! After visiting the Nordvag factory, go to a Lavvo restaurant in Sarnes. As one of the most scenic areas on the island, this is the perfect location for a guided seafood tasting. You can have the opportunity to savor various delicacies and taste the national spirit of Scandinavia while your guide explains exactly what is on your plate. 
Note: Make sure to wear sturdy (waterproof) footwear.

Option 2: Trek to Kirkeporten
Duration: 3 hours 
Level of difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous 
Just a short hike from the village of Skarsvag, Kirkeporten boasts one of the most spectacular views on the island of Mageroya, with the North Cape Horn peeking through a gated cliff. 
After a short drive to the village of Skarsvag, make your way up the hill, and if weather permits, you can have a spectacular view of the North Cape Horn. This monolith pokes out of the side of the North Cape plateau and makes it very easy to orient oneself. Continuing down into Mefjorden, the arch-shaped cliff will slowly reveal itself. Kirkeporten is the name of a geological wonder, a fissure several meters wide in an overhanging cliff shaped like a gate. Kirkeporten and the North Cape cliff were places of sacrifice for the indigenous Sami population.
Note: Wear layered clothing and proper hiking boots/shoes. The hike is approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) on a dirt and gravel path with boulders, uneven terrain, and some consistent but gradual slopes. The visibility of sights may be affected by adverse weather conditions.

Option 3: A Panoramic Journey to the North Cape
Duration: 3 hours 
Level of difficulty: Easy 
Take magnificent vistas along Europe's far northern shores and enjoy an independent visit to the splendid North Cape. 
This scenic drive takes you to one of Europe's most stunning natural sights. Located on the reaches of Mageroya Island, where the Norwegian and Barents Seas meet, the cliffs of Nordkapp rise more than 305 meters (1,000 feet) from the sea waters and are topped by a large, flat plateau. 
Upon arrival at the North Cape Hall, take in its spectacular vista of barren tundra. The North Cape Hall has shopping facilities, a post office, a chapel, a bar, restaurants, and a cinema with a 225-degree widescreen. An audio-visual presentation of Mageroya and the North Cape will show the magnitude of the area's breathtaking scenery during the four seasons. Adjacent to the cinema is a Hall of Fame, with models of important events that have taken place at the North Cape Plateau, and Cave of Lights, which has a terrace offering a nice view of the ocean further north. There will be ample time for photo opportunities, shopping, writing, and posting cards, or simply finding the perfect overlook to enjoy the breathtaking views. 
Note: Wear layered clothes and comfortable walking shoes. Walking at North Cape Hall is optional and involves some sites' uneven terrain. 

Tucked above the Arctic Circle at latitude 69 ⁰N, Tromso is the main gateway to experiencing the northern lights in Norway. Today, embark on an enchanting journey into the celestial wonders of the Arctic sky at the Tromso Science Center. Join an immersive experience combining the magic of northern lights and an engaging astronomer presentation, providing insight into the aurora borealis' captivating phenomena. 

Settle into the comfort of the planetarium's auditorium for a cinematic journey into the heart of the Arctic night. Join the award-winning photographer Ole Salomonsens on his journey through northern Norway, Finland, and Sweden to pursue his passion – filming nature's wildest and most spectacular light show. Extreme Auroras is a stunning new full-dome visual featuring the aurora in science, history, and myths. 

After the movie, enjoy a live presentation by the in-house astronomer, introducing them, a presentation of the few Norse constellations that are still known, and the Hunting Party story from the Sami mythology. This talk looks at the sky from a northern angle and will add new knowledge to the old. 

At the end, explore the Science Center's interactive displays and exhibits. Engage with hands-on activities that further enhance your understanding of the natural forces, making this experience entertaining and educational.

Disembark in the early morning at approximately 8.00 am. Farewell to your Expedition Team and fellow passengers as you continue your journeys. Transfer to Tromso airport.