Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland, Aurora Borealis
13 days
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
Small Ship Cruise
The Spitsbergen and Northeast Greenland cruise sails waters filled with breath-taking scenery. The expedition passes through areas that are home to seals, seabirds, whales, and polar bears, topped off with nighttime viewing of the Northern Lights.
From$5,950
Member Savings
Save up to $700!
Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)
Overview
Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule
Highlights
- See Polar Bear, for instance near Hamilton Glacier, or more to the head of the fjord
- See the edge of the East Greenland sea-ice
- Enjoying the contrast between the warm autumnal colours of the vegetation on shore, backed by huge dark mountains, and the cold blue of the icebergs.
- See the sledge dogs and the drying skins of Seal, Musk Ox and Polar Bear
- See large whales and seabird migration and, in the night, the Aurora borealis
What's this trip about?
The Spitsbergen and Northeast Greenland cruise sails waters filled with breath-taking scenery. The expedition passes through areas that are home to seals, seabirds, whales, and polar bears, topped off with nighttime viewing of the Northern Lights.
Compare to similar trips
Details
Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityLongyearbyen
End CityAkureyri
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to Longyearbyen.
- Transfer and baggage handling between ship in Akureyri and Hotel Reykjavik Centrum, Adalstraeti 16 and v.v. by coach (6 hours).
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- AECO fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
View Similar Trips
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Longyearbyen where we embark our vessel and sail out to Isfjorden.
We arrive in Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to visit this former mining village. The Parish Church and the Polar Museum are well worth visiting. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden.
Day 2: We sail into Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers.
We sail into Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers. It is home to Ringed and Bearded Seal, seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation. We have good chances to see Polar Bear, for instance near Hamilton Glacier, or more to the head of the fjord. From there we continue to Moffen Island on which Walrus haul out.
Day 3 - 4: At sea, en route to Greenland
At sea, on our way to Greenland, we may see the edge of the East Greenland sea-ice. We keep watch for whales, and also for migrating seabirds.
Day 5: Reaching Greenland, we make our first landing at Myggebugten.
Approaching Greenland we will attempt to sail through the sea ice into Foster Bugt, making our first landing at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters’ hut (in the first half of last century Norwegian trappers hunted here for Polar Bear and Arctic Fox) there is an extensive...
Day 6: We land at Blomster Bugt where you might spot the Arctic Hare.
We will land at Blomster Bugt to view the beautiful geological formations. Arctic Hare are usually seen here, and there is a lake with Great Northern Diver and their young. In the afternoon we sail along Teufelschloss and Ella Ø and may land at a beautiful spot in the early evening.
Day 7: Muskoxen, Arctic hare, and Ptarmigan
In the morning we enter Segelsällskapets Fjord with the beautiful Berzelius Mountains on the north side. We will land on the south side of the fjord in an astounding place where the ancient sedimentary geology is literally at your feet. A hike will take us near a small l...
Day 8: We reach Antarcticahavn
The first half of the day we spend in Antarcticahavn, a wide and extensive valley where we also could see groups of Musk Oxen. At this time of year the autumnal colours of the sparse vegetation make the landscapes even more beautiful.
Day 9: Scoresby Sund and sail in the morning along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst.
Today we reach the Scoresby Sund and sail in the morning along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. Here we may organise a zodiac cruise along one of the glacier fronts of this coast, and have our first landing near for instance Måne Glacier. Later we land on Da...
Day 10: C. Hofman Halvø, where we can spot Musk Oxen
We go ashore at C. Hofman Halvø, a reliable spot for viewing Musk Oxen. We may also spot Rock Ptarmigan and Great Northern Diver at sea. The landscape here is particularly beautiful, especially during autumn when the Dwarf Willow and Dwarf Birch change colour. Arctic Blu...
Day 11: We encounter huge icebergs, some over 100m high and more than a kilometre in length
In Northwest fjord in Scoresby Land in the morning, we encounter huge icebergs, some over 100m high and more than a kilometre in length. Most of the bergs are grounded as the fjord is only about 400m deep here. We land near Sydkap to view the remains of the Thule culture...
Day 12: Ittoqqortoormiit
In the morning we land at Ittoqqortoormiit, the biggest settlement in the Scoresby Sund with about 500 inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just wander around to see the sledge dogs and the drying skins of Seal, Musk Ox and Polar Bear. After dinner we will sail south passing the amazing landscape of the Blosseville Coast.
Day 13: At sea
We will spend the whole day at sea and we will have splendid opportunities to see large whales and seabird migration and, in the night, the Aurora borealis (Northern Lights).
Day 14: Disembarkation in Akureyri
In the morning we arrive in Akureyri and transfer by chartered bus to Hotel Reykjavik Centrum, Adalstraeti 16 in Reykjavik (6 hours).
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Price From $5,950
Price per day$458
Last Updated: 7/9/2024
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Oceanwide Expeditions.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Oceanwide Expeditions Reviews & Ratings
Other Oceanwide Expeditions Reviews
A company ghosting customers who have paid tens of thousands of Euros! AVOID!
Horrible horrible customer service! Or should I say non-existent?! As a world traveller, I have encountered all types of crappy, parroting, cookie-cutter, idiotic a...
Antarctic Peninsula – Polar Circle, Deep South Discovery and whale watching voyageby Oceanwide Expeditions
Terrible Customer Service for Cancellations
I booked an Antarctic Peninsula trip two years ago through Oceanwide Expeditions that I have been looking forward to for a long time. My goal is to scuba dive on eve...
B
Oceanwide Expeditions Company Reviewsby Oceanwide Expeditions
Seeing Antarctica the Right Way
We dreamed of this trip for 26 years before finally pulling the plug and spending the money. For us it would be a once in a lifetime experience. And it turned out to...
Travelers also viewed
Tour Operator
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.
Save time
Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.
Save money
Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.
Travel confidently
Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.
Logistics
What's excluded
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre- and post- land arrangements.
- Passport and visa expenses.
- Government arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals ashore.
- Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is mandatory).
- Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Accommodation
Ship & cabin information
m/v Plancius
“Plancius” was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named “Hr. Ms. Tydeman”. The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 when it was purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions. “Plancius” is a Dutch flagged completely rebuilt and converted 116-passenger vessel complies with the latest SOLAS- regulations, classed by Lloyd’s Register in London. The name “Plancius” is a tribute to the predecessor of Oceanwide Expeditions (Plancius Foundation, 1981-1996), the first cruise operator on a yearly base in Spitsbergen, offering voyages with a small cruise vessel named Plancius. Comfortable and nicely decorated, but not luxurious. It’s made for explorers • Spacious yet small ship character, comfort & style and modern technology • Base camp for active, adventure and wildlife minded modern explorers • Small ship operation: 116 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private facilities (toilet, sink shower) • 4 quadruple porthole cabins, 2 triple porthole cabins, 9 twin porthole cabins, 26 twin cabins with window and 2 twin deluxe cabins, - all (ca. 15 m2), and 10 superior cabins ca. 21 m2) • All cabins offer lower berths (either two single beds or one queen-size bed), except for the 4 quadruple cabins (2 bunk beds), and 2 triple cabins (1 bunk bed plus 1 lower bed) • Restaurant/lecture room (deck 3) and a spacious observation lounge (with bar, deck 5) with large windows offer full panorama view •Large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 4), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife • Equipped with 10 Mark V inflatable zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines • 2 gangways on starboard side, that guarantees a swift zodiac operation • The ship is manned by 17 nautical crew, 19 hotel staff (6 chefs, 1 hotel manager, 1 steward-barman and 11 stewards / cabin cleaners), 7 expedition staff in Antarctica (1 expedition leader and 6 guides/lecturers), for the Arctic we will have 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 7 guides/lecturers) and 1 doctor. Plancius – the “basecamp” for our activity program Oceanwide Expeditions offers an exploratory educational travel program in the polar regions spending as much time ashore as possible. Special interest activities are available on selected voyages: Kayaking, Hiking, Snowshoeing, Mountaineering, Field Camping, Ski Trekking, Polar Diving and Zodiac Cruising. Please check if they are offered on your voyage.
Passengers: 116 in 53 cabins Staff & crew: 47 Length: 89 meters (293 feet) Breadth: 14,5 meters (47 feet) Draft: 5 meters (16 feet) Ice class: 1D (Plancius has a Lloyds class notation 100A1 Passenger ship, Ice Class 1D at a draught of 5 meters) Displacement: 3211 tonnes Propulsion: 3x Diesel-Electric Speed: 10 - 12 knots maximum
“Plancius” was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named “Hr. Ms. Tydeman”. The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 when it was purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions. “Plancius” is a Dutch flagged completely rebuilt and converted 116-passenger vessel complies with the latest SOLAS- regulations, classed by Lloyd’s Register in London. The name “Plancius” is a tribute to the predecessor of Oceanwide Expeditions (Plancius Foundation, 1981-1996), the first cruise operator on a yearly base in Spitsbergen, offering voyages with a small cruise vessel named Plancius. Comfortable and nicely decorated, but not luxurious. It’s made for explorers • Spacious yet small ship character, comfort & style and modern technology • Base camp for active, adventure and wildlife minded modern explorers • Small ship operation: 116 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private facilities (toilet, sink shower) • 4 quadruple porthole cabins, 2 triple porthole cabins, 9 twin porthole cabins, 26 twin cabins with window and 2 twin deluxe cabins, - all (ca. 15 m2), and 10 superior cabins ca. 21 m2) • All cabins offer lower berths (either two single beds or one queen-size bed), except for the 4 quadruple cabins (2 bunk beds), and 2 triple cabins (1 bunk bed plus 1 lower bed) • Restaurant/lecture room (deck 3) and a spacious observation lounge (with bar, deck 5) with large windows offer full panorama view •Large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 4), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife • Equipped with 10 Mark V inflatable zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines • 2 gangways on starboard side, that guarantees a swift zodiac operation • The ship is manned by 17 nautical crew, 19 hotel staff (6 chefs, 1 hotel manager, 1 steward-barman and 11 stewards / cabin cleaners), 7 expedition staff in Antarctica (1 expedition leader and 6 guides/lecturers), for the Arctic we will have 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 7 guides/lecturers) and 1 doctor. Plancius – the “basecamp” for our activity program Oceanwide Expeditions offers an exploratory educational travel program in the polar regions spending as much time ashore as possible. Special interest activities are available on selected voyages: Kayaking, Hiking, Snowshoeing, Mountaineering, Field Camping, Ski Trekking, Polar Diving and Zodiac Cruising. Please check if they are offered on your voyage.
Passengers: 116 in 53 cabins Staff & crew: 47 Length: 89 meters (293 feet) Breadth: 14,5 meters (47 feet) Draft: 5 meters (16 feet) Ice class: 1D (Plancius has a Lloyds class notation 100A1 Passenger ship, Ice Class 1D at a draught of 5 meters) Displacement: 3211 tonnes Propulsion: 3x Diesel-Electric Speed: 10 - 12 knots maximum
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against
unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies.
It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before
or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination.
It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements.
For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements,
please visit this link
.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
oceanw-SpiNorOceExp
Become a member
(it's free)
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!