Arctic Circle Discovery

In the southwest of Iceland near Faxaflói Bay lies the capital of the country, Reykjavík, simultaneously cosmopolitan and charming. The colorful houses on the horizon create a quaint scene that will make you want to stay forever. Kaleidoscopic views await you at the Harpa Concert Hall, a glittering, glass structure that perfectly exemplifies Iceland’s modern design and will fascinate your inner architect. One of Iceland’s most prominent landmarks is Perlan, originally a group of hot water tanks that was converted to a building that now hosts an exhibition, planetarium, restaurant and observation deck, located atop Öskjuhlíð hill.

Imagine standing before the majestic Dynjandi waterfall in Iceland, where the world’s edges seem to touch the sky. As the cascading waters thunder down the rocky cliffside, nature hums an ancient song of exploration just for you. Dynjandi, often seen as the crowning jewel of the Westfjords, is an embodiment of raw beauty and untamed wilderness, inviting you to witness Iceland’s grandeur firsthand. With the possibility of a Zodiac safari, we don’t just see the falls; we immerse you in them. Navigate the serene waters at the base of Dynjandi, getting an unparalleled view from a genuinely unique angle. Feel the spray of the icy waters and the thrill of adventure as you glide closer, experiencing the symphony of rushing streams that echo the spirit of Viking explorers past. This is a chance to write your chapter in the epic saga of discovery.

Few travel milestones are as memorable as crossing the fabled Arctic Circle. As your ship sails north, you join the ranks of explorers who have ventured into these high latitudes, where the sun lingers on the horizon and ice-choked seas define the landscape. Many mariners celebrate this passage with the lighthearted tradition of becoming a “Blue Nose,” a symbolic order marking your entry into the true High Arctic. Whether you mark it with a toast on deck or simply savor the view, this moment is a highlight of any polar journey.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

The name “Ittoqqortoormiit” means “Big-House Dwellers” in the Eastern Greenlandic dialect. Very few visitors make the trek here, as the winters are long, and the sea is frozen for nine months of the year. Ittoqqortoormiit is located at Scoresby Sound, which—with its many side fjords—is the largest fjord complex in the world and the world’s longest fjord system. Within its borders stands the tallest mountain in the Arctic region, the two-mile-tall Gunnbjørn Mountain. During early spring, when the sea ice is still thick, yet the sun is high in the sky, many local residents venture out on weekend dog-sledding trips. Guests will be warmly welcomed ashore for an open-town experience, inviting everyone to explore at their own pace and engage directly with the local community with no shore excursion booking required. This immersive visit is designed to encourage authentic discovery and meaningful interactions throughout the town.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE - Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

The world’s largest fjord system, Scoresby Sound astonishes with its scale and serenity. Sheer mountains rise above glassy channels, where icebergs the size of cathedrals drift in ever-changing shades of blue. Remote Inuit settlements dot the coastline, offering a glimpse of life lived in harmony with Arctic rhythms. Zodiac excursions bring you close to calving glaciers or wildlife such as musk oxen and seabirds, while the stillness of this vast fjord imparts a powerful sense of awe and discovery.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

The world’s largest fjord system, Scoresby Sound astonishes with its scale and serenity. Sheer mountains rise above glassy channels, where icebergs the size of cathedrals drift in ever-changing shades of blue. Remote Inuit settlements dot the coastline, offering a glimpse of life lived in harmony with Arctic rhythms. Zodiac excursions bring you close to calving glaciers or wildlife such as musk oxen and seabirds, while the stillness of this vast fjord imparts a powerful sense of awe and discovery.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Few travelers ever set foot on Jan Mayen, a volcanic outpost adrift in the Arctic Ocean. Dominated by Beerenberg, the world’s northernmost active volcano, the island’s glaciers cascade to the sea, carving stark slopes that tumble into lava fields and bird-clad cliffs alive with fulmars and kittiwakes. Landings here are a true expedition prize—remote, wind-sculpted, and rich with the sense of discovery that defines polar exploration.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Crossing the Greenland Sea immerses you in wide horizons and prime whale-watching waters. July often brings minke, humpback, and fin whales—occasionally even blues—feeding in the nutrient-rich depths. Seabirds trace the swells, and shifting light turns the sea silver or indigo. This serene passage offers time to reflect on the Arctic’s scale while enjoying informal talks on the region’s natural history.

Even in one of the most isolated regions of the Arctic, there is still the captivating history of a pioneering past. Our expedition leaders, along with the captain and onboard pilot, will determine possible landings each day for all-out explorations. Wildlife abounds throughout the archipelago of Svalbard, such as puffins, reindeer, Arctic terns and foxes. An expert photographer will help you look out for the perfect photo opportunity of these animals, but especially for the elusive polar bear. As Zodiac cruises may bring you closer to glaciers, keep your eyes on the water for whale fins.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Even in one of the most isolated regions of the Arctic, there is still the captivating history of a pioneering past. Our expedition leaders, along with the captain and onboard pilot, will determine possible landings each day for all-out explorations. Wildlife abounds throughout the archipelago of Svalbard, such as puffins, reindeer, Arctic terns and foxes. An expert photographer will help you look out for the perfect photo opportunity of these animals, but especially for the elusive polar bear. As Zodiac cruises may bring you closer to glaciers, keep your eyes on the water for whale fins.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Longyearbyen is in a valley on the shores of the idyllic Adventfjord, surrounded by steep mountains and several glaciers. There are only around 25 miles of roads in this village, which is divided into several neighborhoods, including the town center and Nybyen (New Town), which consists of charming miners’ barracks constructed after the war, as well as guest houses, a restaurant and gallery, and not to mention beautiful views of the landmark mountain, Hiorthfjellet. Be sure to visit the Svalbard museum as a break between the plethora of activities like summer dogsledding or cruising to the abandoned Russian city of Pyramiden