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Total Solar Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse: Iceland to Greenland

Reykjavik Roundtrip - Example 13 Day Cruise aboard Ultramarine
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Embark on a 13-day Arctic cruise aboard the Ultramarine. Begin in Reykjavik, Iceland, before exploring the remote Westfjords, known for their dramatic fjords, waterfalls, and tiny fishing communities. Experience Greenland’s vast and rugged landscapes, including Kangerluk Kong Oscar Fjord and Scoresby Sound, with its towering glaciers and icebergs. This trip offers Zodiac excursions, guided hikes, and wildlife sightings like muskoxen. A highlight of the journey is witnessing the August 12, 2026, solar eclipse while sailing through the path of totality in Greenland. Along the way, experts will share insights into Arctic history, geology, and wildlife, making this expedition truly unique.
Hallgrimskirkja Church in ReykjavikView of Reykjavik from the Church TowerBack of a large bowhead whale on the surface of the Arctic SeaTotal Solar Eclipse
Highlights
  • Witness the total solar eclipse from the ship in the High Arctic
  • Explore seldom-visited Westfjords, the hidden gem of west Iceland
  • Sail through King Oscar Fjord, one of the most beautiful Arctic landscapes
  • Cross the Arctic Circle twice, sailing both southbound and northbound on the journey.
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Reykjavik, Iceland

Arrive in Reykjavik and transfer to your included hotel for the night. Depending on your arrival time, you can explore the captivating sights of Iceland's capital.

Day 2-3: Westfjords| Embark

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to your ship, the technologically advanced Ultramarine. Today, you’ll set sail for what’s often referred to as “Iceland’s best-kept secret”—the Westfjords. This rugged peninsula, on the remote northwestern tip of Iceland, is a stunning region of mountains and fjords, hence its anglicized name, Westfjords. Mountains slope down to the sea in a dramatic fashion, offering plenty of opportunities for incredible landscape photography. You’ll spend the day exploring the fjords and shores of one of Iceland’s oldest regions (home to volcanic rocks dating back 16 million years) by Zodiac and ship, along with guided shore landings.

The views are diverse: dramatic cliffs, gushing waterfalls, colorful beaches, rolling green hills, high moorlands dotted with rocky outcrops and tiny lakes. You’ll likely spot Icelandic ponies and shaggy sheep grazing the hillsides. A few outposts of civilization include small fishing communities nestled on the edges of the fjord and along the shores of the Denmark Strait. These modest settlements preserve a maritime heritage that dates back to the Viking era. Possible community visits include Vigur Island in Safjardardjup fjord, and the little town of Isafjordur, noted for its wooden houses, fishing boats, and hospital-turned-community center.

Day 4: At Sea | Crossing the Denmark Strait

As you sail north across the Denmark Strait between Iceland and Greenland, your Expedition Team will prepare you for the exciting adventures ahead—both on and off the ship. The team of polar experts will present on a wide range of topics, including Arctic history, wildlife, geology, and climatology. They’ll also search for seabirds soaring around the ship—and will certainly alert you whenever there’s a whale sighting.

Day 5-6: Northeast Greenland | Explore Kangerluk Kong Oscar

Navigating within the boundaries of the Northeast Greenland National Park—the planet’s largest national park at 972,000 square kilometers—you’ll sail into Kangerluk Kong Oscar, also known as King Oscar Fjord, on the northern border of the Scoresby Land peninsula. This major fjord system, famous for its bright sandstone, stretches 110 kilometers long and 10 to 25 kilometers wide. When conditions allow, you’ll have the opportunity to hike in Skipperdal Valley, where mineral deposits have painted the hills red and magenta—so be sure to bring your camera for stunning landscape shots.

As the ship positions itself to maximize views of the solar eclipse on Day 7, you’ll also visit Blomsterbugten (Flower Bay) on Ymer Island. The name was given by noted archaeologists Gunnar Seidenfaden and Arne Noe-Nygaard during the 1929 Lauge Koch expedition after discovering an abundance of botanical specimens. Blomsterbugten is home to a small hut known as “Varghytten” (the wolf hut). Built in 1929, it’s still used by the Sirius Patrol, a specialized military unit of the Danish Armed Forces. You may also hike to the seldom-visited Noa Lake. 

Expect a palpable sense of excitement as the anticipation for the eclipse builds. Behind the scenes, your Expedition Leader, guest eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler, and the Ship Captain will work together—monitoring sea and ice conditions and atmospheric forecasts—to position Ultramarine in the best possible location for viewing the solar eclipse. Few people get to experience a polar expedition, and even fewer get to witness a solar eclipse in this unique setting.

Leading up to the August 12 Solar Eclipse, you’ll enjoy presentations by two special guests, eclipse experts David Baron and Michael Zeiler. These veteran eclipse enthusiasts will share their knowledge to ensure you have an eclipse viewing like no other.

On the evening of Day 6, David Baron will deliver a keynote presentation titled “Scientific America: The Eclipse That Enlightened A Nation,” where he’ll explore the societal impacts of eclipses. Baron will discuss how such epic events have spurred societies—and individuals—to achieve scientific greatness.

Day 7: Solar Eclipse Viewing: in the path of totality

Ultramarine will sail further into King Oscar Fjord, where the team will identify the best viewing point along the path of totality. With the total eclipse of the sun lasting 2 minutes and 17.2 seconds, this region of the Arctic provides the longest duration of totality along the entire eclipse path. The eclipse will begin at 2:34 pm; totality will begin at 3:34 pm and end at 3:36 pm. The eclipse viewing experience, lasting 2 hours, 1 minute, and 3 seconds, will conclude at 4:35 pm. This 2026 eclipse is part of Saros series 126, a cycle of solar eclipses that repeats approximately every 18 years. It’s worth noting that total solar eclipses in Polar Regions are relatively rare due to the smaller land area and the fact that the sun only illuminates each pole for part of the year. To reiterate, the last total solar eclipse observable north of the Arctic Circle occurred in 2015. The Quark Expeditions team and guest eclipse experts have been and will continue to research the geography of this region as preparations for the event progress. Right up until the day of the eclipse itself, the team will study the mountainous terrain, the angles of the sun in the sky, and weather patterns to determine the best possible viewing experience. Your Expedition Leader will outline the day’s agenda in the days and hours leading up to the total eclipse.

Day 8-11: Scoresbysund

As you begin to make your way home—still no doubt overwhelmed by the previous day's eclipse experience—you'll visit Scoresby Sound (Scoresby Sund), a large fjord system on the eastern coast of Greenland. Except for a small population of Inuit at Ittoqqortoormiit, near the mouth of the fjord, Scoresby Sund is largely uninhabited. Warm water polynyas (areas of open water surrounded by sea ice) near the mouth of the fjord support diverse ecosystems of flora and fauna, which is unusual for the Arctic. Numerous mountains, valleys, and glaciers line the fjords, giving rise to a spectacular collection of icebergs. You'll also journey through Bjornar (Nannut Qeqertaat), a group of islands (also known as Bear Islands) located northeast of Milne Land, named during the 1891-92 Den Ostgronlandske (East Greenland) expedition. The collection of 11 main islands fascinates visitors with its maze of channels, steep cliff faces, and fascinating geology.

While exploring this area, you'll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. You'll also watch for grazing muskoxen as 40 percent of the world’s population lives in Northeast Greenland National Park. Sailing through spectacular Scoresby Sund, where many icebergs are birthed, you'll immediately appreciate why previous visitors have described it as the most beautiful fjord system on the planet. You'll visit sites such as Vikingbukta, known for its shoreline of basalt columns, and Sydkap, where you can explore the colorful tundra and remains of ancient Thule settlements.

Day 12: At Sea | Crossing the Arctic Circle

Your Arctic adventure winds down as you sail back across the Denmark Strait, this time heading south. Use your remaining time onboard to attend an educational presentation by one of the experts, share your photos, book a massage at Ultramarine’s Tundra Spa, sip an icy cocktail at the bar, or ask any questions you have for the enthusiastic Expedition Team, who will also alert you to any wildlife sightings.

Day 13: Reykjavik | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s bustling capital, at the end of your journey. If post-expedition accommodation is booked, a transfer to a central downtown location is provided.

Ship/Hotel

Ultramarine

Ultramarine
Ultramarine Dining Room
Bistro 487

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$16,095 2-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Ultramarine - Solo Panorama Cabin
Solo Panorama
Located on Deck 6, approximately 132 sq. ft. Features a single bed, floor-to-ceiling window, desk, refrigerator, TV, a private bathroom with shower and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Explorer Triple Cabin
Explorer Triple
Located on Deck 3, approximately 285 sq. ft. Features three single beds (two of which can be combined into a double bed), sitting area, picture window, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Explorer Suite Cabin
Explorer Suite
Located on Deck 3, approximately 285 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, picture window, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Balcony Suite Cabin
Balcony Suite
Located on Decks 4 and 6, with approximately 226 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Deluxe Balcony Suite Cabin
Deluxe Balcony Suite
Located on Decks 4 and 6, with approximately 299 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Terrace Cabin
Terrace Suite
Located on Deck 6, with approximately 350 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private extra-wide balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Penthouse Suite Cabin
Penthouse Suite
Located on Deck 7, with approximately 369 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors.
Ultramarine - Owner's Suite Cabin
Owner's Suite
Located on Deck 6, with approximately 446 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds in a private bedroom with walk-in closet, sitting area with sofa bed and additional closet, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors and separate powder room.
Ultramarine - Ultra Suite Cabin
Ultra Suite
Located on Deck 6, with approximately 563 sq. ft. Features one double or two single beds in a private bedroom with walk-in closet, sitting area with sofa bed and additional walk-in hallway closet, private balcony, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom.

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.

- Standard Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the double occupancy rate. The supplement for a Premium Cabin is 2 times the shared rate.
Included
  • 12 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
  • 12 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Coffee, Tea and Cocoa Available Around the Clock
  • Leadership throughout the expedition by our experienced Expedition Leader
  • Loan of Waterproof Boots for Landings
  • Official Expedition Parka to Keep
  • Select Beer and Wine During Dinner
  • Photographic Journal Documenting the Expedition
  • All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
  • Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
  • All shore landings as per the daily program
  • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
  • All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage
  • All luggage handling aboard the ship
  • Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
  • Special presentations and keynote address by eclipse experts
  • A pair of special protective eclipse-viewing eyeglasses
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media, and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data-intensive applications.)
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Internet & Phone Charges
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Mandatory Waterproof Pants for Zodiac Cruising & Any Other Gear Not Specifically Mentioned
  • Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
  • Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
  • Mandatory Transfer Package fees not included, prices vary by departure

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