Beginning in the remote town of Longyearbyen, this stunning summer expedition cruise takes in Svalbard’s Arctic wilds, with the chance to explore glacier-studded coastlines by Zodiac and Kayak, and come face to face with walrus, reindeer and polar bear. You’ll then sail west to Greenland’s fjord-studded east coast, and south to take in Norway’s spectacular Lofoten Islands before ending with Bergen’s famous fish markets and colourful Hanseatic wharf. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the onboard luxuries of your Aurora Expeditions ship, where fine dining and spa treatments provide a wonderfully relaxing counterpoint to the adventures that await outside.
Aurora Expeditions: Arctic Discovery
To book call us on:
At a glance…
Explore the Arctic in style with adventure cruise specialists Aurora Expeditions
» 23 day expedition cruise
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
Call for details of price
Day by day itinerary
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Day 1 » Fly to Longyearbyen
Depart the UK on a flight to Longyearbyen, the largest permanent settlement on the Island of Spitsbergen in the southern Svalbard archipelago. On arrival, you’ll make your way to Funken Lodge, a design hotel where views across the Lars Glacier are showcased alongside Scandi-chic rooms and superb dining at the town’s finest restaurant.
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Days 2-4 » Spitsbergen
Enjoy a guided tour of Longyearbyen before boarding the Greg Mortimer, your luxury expedition ship. Here, stylish staterooms include floor-to-ceiling windows, and in many cases private balconies, and relaxation comes in the form of a delightful restaurant, a sun deck complete with panoramic views, and an onboard sauna and spa. Once you’ve settled in, your captain will set a course for Spitsbergen's stunning northwest coast, where possible landings include the 14th July Glacier, Smeerenburg and Hamiltonbukta. It’s a land of immense beauty, home to basking seals and walruses, herds of reindeer and roaming polar bears.
Stay: Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Days 5-9 » East Greenland National Park
Pushing on through the pack ice, you’ll cross the Greenland Sea towards East Greenland National Park. Across five memorable days, you’ll explore the region on kayak paddles and Zodiac cruises, making several landings a day to explore remote Inuit communities and take in the vast ice-bound landscapes of Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, Kap Humboldt and King Oscar Fjord.
Stay: Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Days 10-12 » East Greenland
Sailing south along Greenland's dramatic eastern coastline, you’ll enter Scoresbysund, the largest fjord system in the world. Again, the ship’s fleet of Zodiacs will bring you to the region’s most spectacular spots, with possible landing points including Rode Island, Ittoqqortoormiit and Hare Fjord showcasing this seldom-explored region at its spectacular best.
Stay: Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Days 13-16 » Greenland & Jan Mayen
Your final few days in Greenland will see you to some of its remotest outposts, with weather-dependent landings at Blosseville Coast and Romer Fjord. You’ll then sail across the Greenland Sea to Jan Mayen, a mist-shrouded and rarely-visited volcanic island, the most northerly on the mid-Atlantic rift.
Stay: Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Days 17-21 » Norwegian coast
Norway’s Arctic coastline is home to some of Scandinavia’s most spectacular scenery. Over five action-packed days, you’ll marvel at Lofoten Islands' towering mountain scenery during a scheduled landing at Trollfjord, before sailing south across the Arctic Circle. Then, weather permitting, you’ll cruise around Runde Island, Norway's largest bird sanctuary, before calling into Sor-Gjaelingan, a beautifully preserved fishing village, and the 42-kilometre-long Lysefjord, where highlights include the spectacular Preikestolen viewpoint.
Stay: Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 22 » Bergen
Disembark in the fjord-side city of Bergen, which was founded more than 900 years ago. Transfer to your hotel just seconds from the historic Bryggen wharf before heading out to explore at your leisure. Highlights include the city’s famous fish market, and the Floibanen funicular, which brings you to the summit of Floyen mountain for spectacular city-wide views.
Stay: Clarion Collection Havnekontoret, Bergen
Meals: Breakfast
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Day 23 » Depart Bergen
Check out of your hotel this morning and make your way to Bergen's international airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
To book call us on:
At a glance…
Explore the Arctic in style with adventure cruise specialists Aurora Expeditions
» 23 day expedition cruise
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
Call for details of price
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