Ultimate Arctic Voyage: From Svalbard to Jan Mayen to Iceland

Tervetuloa! Welcome to Helsinki, Finland. Your Arctic adventure begins in Finland’s modern capital, where you may arrive at any time. Once settled in, why not head out and explore the city’s endless array of options? You could visit one (or more) of the many museums, galleries and restaurants on offer, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander through the vibrant Design District. For dinner, perhaps head out in the evening to sample some local, traditional dishes.

This morning, meet up with the rest of your group, transfer to the airport and board a charter flight to Longyearbyen – Spitsbergen’s largest settlement. Then, hop onboard the Ultramarine – your ride through the Arctic. As you embark this afternoon, expect great views of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this seaside town.

Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with austere beauty and opportunities to spot abundant wildlife. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and tundras, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer among your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Brunnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions permit, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole! Snap pictures in Poolepynten – lying on the east coast of Prins Karls Forland (Prince Charles Foreland), this flat peninsula is a great place for walrus viewing and photography. These lumbering giants of the Arctic create quite a noisy scene as each walrus vies for a choice spot of coastline. Spot Arctic wildlife at 14th of July Glacier – named after France’s Bastille Day, the area around this large glacier is teeming with wildlife – and is the best place in Svalbard to catch a glimpse of the Atlantic puffin. Also nesting at certain times of year along the shore are purple sandpipers, common eiders, barnacle geese, Arctic tern and Brunnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). Get up close to Lilliehook and Monaco Glaciers – take a Zodiac cruise amid labyrinths of sparkling icebergs at Lilliehook and Monaco Glaciers, witnessing breathtaking panoramas of ice and listening to it crackle and pop. You may even spot bearded seals hauled out on the floes!

Sail south through the historic Greenland Sea toward Jan Mayen. Along the way, your expedition team will keep you informed with presentations about the history of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology, ecology and climate, and the incredible sights you will soon explore. On deck, you’ll learn to identify seabirds ‘on the wing.’ The team will also keep a lookout for the whales that frequent the waters here.

North of the Arctic Circle, about 280 miles (450 km) east of Greenland and 340 miles (550 km) north of Iceland, the mysterious Jan Mayen rises from the depths of the North Atlantic. Often shrouded in thick fog, the small mountainous island was declared a nature reserve in 2010 and is rarely visited, save for the 18 rotating personnel of the Norwegian military and Norwegian Meteorological Institute, who are the only inhabitants. If conditions allow, as you approach, keep watch on deck as the spoon-shaped island’s highest summit emerges. At 7470 ft (2277 m) high, the breathtaking Beerenberg volcano features a symmetrical cone shape and impressive glaciers that spill into the sea. You might also get close-up views of the stratified cliffs of the spectacular north coast on a Zodiac cruise along the coast of the island, searching for wildlife. Designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International, Jan Mayen supports colonies of northern fulmars, little auks, glaucous gulls, kittiwakes and black and Brunnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). Landing on Jan Mayen will be dictated by the weather and sea. One possible site you'll visit is Kvalrossbukta, a small bay holding the remains of a 17-century whaling station. The island is home to a variety of birdlife, including a large colony of northern fulmar, which is also located here. Another potential landing site is Olonkinbyen, Jan Mayen’s only settlement. As it’s also the location of a meteorological station, you may have the chance to learn about polar research while seeing how weather is monitored at the top of the world.

As you sail south, the Denmark Strait is your pathway toward Iceland. Take in a presentation, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a film – there are many things to do during your time at sea. Your expedition team will also be on hand to answer any questions and point out wildlife.

Finish your time aboard the Ultramarine and disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital. When you arrive, take a private transfer to your hotel. Tonight is then free to explore Reykjavik’s city’s brightly coloured streets and exciting array of shops and restaurants.

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end today. You can make your way home or spend some time exploring this fascinating city – if you need extra accommodation to extend your stay in Reykjavik, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.