Polar frontiers: Svalbard, Greenland & Iceland with HX Hurtigruten Expeditions

Day by day itinerary

• Day 1 » Fly to Oslo

  Your adventure begins with a flight to Oslo, where a private transfer will greet you upon arrival, whisking you away to your centrally located hotel. Settle in for a delightful two-night stay, allowing you ample time to discover the city's natural beauty and cultural treasures at your leisure.

  Stay: Amerikalinjen, Oslo

• Day 2 » Oslo

  With a full day free, you can tailor your experience to your interests. While compact and easy to navigate, Oslo's cultural depth and diverse attractions are vast. For those with a penchant for art, the Munch Museum is indeed a must-see, housing the world's largest collection of Edvard Munch's works. However, Oslo's art scene extends beyond this iconic figure. Explore the National Museum, a treasure trove of Norwegian and international art, design, and architecture, offering a comprehensive overview of the nation's artistic heritage. By evening, enjoy the unique energy of Aker Brygge's waterfront and the city's burgeoning culinary scene, where innovative Nordic cuisine takes centre stage.

  Stay: Amerikalinjen, Oslo

  Meals: Breakfast

• Days 3-4 » Longyearbyen

  Today, your Arctic adventure truly begins with a flight to Longyearbyen, the world's northernmost town. Located on the island of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago, this frontier settlement, where snowmobiles are the preferred mode of transport, offers a captivating introduction to the wilderness. After settling in to one of the few hotels in this remote town, take some time to wander its streets, absorbing the unique atmosphere. Founded by American John Munro Longyear in 1906, Longyearbyen's existence is deeply intertwined with coal mining – the settlement initially serving as a base for the Arctic Coal Company. While the importance of coal has diminished in recent years, its legacy remains visible in the town's landscape and cultural heritage, with remnants of mines and transport systems still present. Before setting sail on your Arctic voyage, consider an included excursion, unveiling the wonders of this fascinating town.

  Stay: Hotel in Longyearbyen

  Meals: Breakfast

• Day 5 » Embark HX Hurtigruten Expeditions & sail to Ny-Ålesund

  After an included morning excursion and lunch, enjoy a warm welcome aboard MS Fram, marking the beginning of your HX Hurtigruten Expeditions cruise. Perfectly adept at navigating the challenging conditions of polar regions, this nimble vessel is one of the smallest in the fleet and features modern cabins and expedition suites with wide, panoramic windows, ensuring you never miss a moment of the captivating scenery that passes by. And, with everything from an onboard Science Centre to a fine dining restaurant, it provides a perfect base for an unforgettable expedition experience. Today, you’ll discover the serenity of Ny-Ålesund, a former mining town located at the entry into beautiful Kongsfjorden. Now a vibrant centre for international science and climate research, this town is intimately linked to Roald Amundsen's daring Arctic expeditions with the airship 'Norge'. Embrace a day of peaceful detachment, as the Norwegian Mapping Authority's nearby geodetic station requires us to step away from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing for a truly undisturbed experience.

  Stay: MS Fram

  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

• Days 6-7 » Relax at sea

  Over the next couple of days, the ship will commence its voyage across the Greenland Sea towards the world's largest island, offering ample opportunity to settle in and make yourself at home. As well as exploring the wonderful amenities the ship has to offer, your on board expedition team will be delighted to introduce you to the wonders that await, sharing insights into the upcoming adventure and guiding you on how to respectfully engage with the Arctic's wildlife and indigenous communities. With plenty of free time, consider a workout in the on board gym, enjoy the panoramic ocean views with a good book, or unwind in the sauna and hot tubs. Then, delight your taste buds at Aune restaurant, with a menu that captures the essence of the areas visited.

  Stay: MS Fram

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Days 8-15 » Northeast Greenland National Park & Scoresby Sound

  Over the course of the next eight days, you'll explore Greenland’s far-flung east coast. This vast, 1,740-mile expanse, a realm of icy grandeur, stands as a testament to remoteness, even within Greenland itself. The powerful East Greenland Current, carrying sea ice directly from the Arctic, shapes a challenging environment for human habitation, yet it crafts a sanctuary for magnificent ice-dependent wildlife, most notably the majestic polar bear. The journey will be guided by the every-changing local weather, with the initial voyage taking you to Scoresby Sound, the world's largest fjord system. Dominated by colossal icebergs and towering rugged mountains, Scoresby Sound is characterised by a vast network of branching fjords, supporting a rich variety of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, musk oxen, and various marine mammals. If conditions allow, you'll have the extraordinary opportunity to visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the most isolated community in the Western Hemisphere. 

  Should the sea ice be favourable, venture further north to the vast Northeast Greenland National Park, the planet's largest national park. To witness this fragile Arctic wilderness is a rare and cherished privilege, granted to only a select few each year. Within this 375,000-square-mile sanctuary, human presence is minimal, marked only by historic trapper huts, scientific research stations, and a solitary military outpost. Each day, the experienced captain and expedition team will lead you to the most rewarding locations with the aim to maximise the experience with enriching shore landings, intimate small boat cruises, invigorating nature walks, thrilling kayaking adventures, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

  Stay: MS Fram

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 16 » Denmark strait

  Leaving Greenland's remote beauty behind, the ship journeys towards Iceland. Spend the day recapping your experiences with new friends, studying nature in the Science Centre, listening to a lecture or two, or simply relaxing on deck. Look out for graceful seabirds trailing your wake and keep a vigilant eye for the majestic presence of whales as you cross the Denmark Strait.
  

  Stay: MS Fram

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 17 » Reykjavík & return to UK

  Bid a fond farewell as the expedition concludes on arrival in Reykjavík today. Head to the airport to catch your flight back to the UK, or speak with our specialists if you wish to extend your adventure in with a stay in Iceland's charming capital, with its intriguing museums, galleries and relaxing geothermal pools.

  Meals: Breakfast