Tromso to Reykjavik: Arctic & Greenland Expedition Cruise

Description

Join us for a journey to Svalbard and East Greenland, to see isolated islands, difficult to reach areas and to look for polar bears, walrus and musk oxen. Take advantage of the ship and her Zodiacs to go past spectacular bird cliffs in Bear Island and Svalbard. In Svalbard you will encounter fascinating landscapes, mountains, fjords and glaciers while looking for walrus and polar bears and in East Greenland we will meet the Inuit that still fish and hunt in this harsh but beautiful area.

Throughout the voyage, learn about the geology, wildlife, botany and history of this spectacular region from lecture presentations offered by your knowledgeable onboard Expedition Team.

Trip Name

Tromso to Reykjavik: Arctic & Greenland Expedition Cruise

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 108 metres Passenger Capacity: 144 Built / refurbished: 1989 / 2008 / 2018 Silversea’s purpose-built luxury Silver Explorer expedition cruise ship has been designed specifically for navigating waters in some of the world’s most remote destinations, including both of earth’s polar regions. A strengthened hull with a Lloyd’s Register ice-class notation (1A) for passenger vessels enables the Silver Explorer Expedition Cruise Ship to safely push through ice floes with ease. A fleet of 12 Zodiac boats allows Silversea Expedition guests to visit even the most off-the-beaten path locations and an expert Expedition Team provides insight and understanding to each unforgettable Silver Explorer luxury cruise adventure.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 TROMSO

Tromsø surprised visitors in the 1800s: they thought it very sophisticated and cultured for being so close to the North Pole—hence its nickname, the Paris of the North. It looks the way a polar town should—with ice-capped mountain ridges and jagged architecture that is an echo of the peaks. The midnight sun shines from May 21 to July 21, and it is said that the northern lights decorate the night skies over Tromsø more than over any other city in Norway.

Day 2 - Day 2 DAY AT SEA

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is whale watching from the Observatory Lounge, writing home to your loved ones or simply topping up your tan by the pool, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Day 3 - Day 3 CRUISE & EXPLORE BEAR ISLAND (SVALBARD)

Almost half way between Tromsø and Svalbard is isolated Bear Island – considered the southernmost island of the Svalbard Archipelago. The unglaciated island is an impressive Nature Reserve of steep, high cliffs that are frequented by seabirds, specifically at the southern tip. Brünnich’s Guillemots, Common Guillemots, Black Guillemots, Razorbills, Little Auks, Northern Fulmars, Glaucous Gulls, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and even Atlantic Puffins and Northern Gannets nest along the cliffs south of Sørhamna.

Day 4 - Day 4 SVALBARD SOUTHERN REGION

Svalbard’s Southern Region and specifically Spitsbergen’s west coast is less ice-clogged than the rest of Svalbard due to the moderating influenced of the Gulf Stream. Several fjords cut into the western coast of Spitsbergen and have been used by trappers and hunters, as well as the different mining companies that tried to exploit the riches of the archipelago’s largest island of Spitsbergen. Remains of huts and mines, as well as active commercial and scientific settlements can be found and visited. Depending on the time of the season, glaciers can be visited on foot or by sea.

Day 5 - Days 5 - 7 SVALBARD NORTHERN REGION

There are several deep fjords and prominent glaciers in the northern reaches of Svalbard, as well as the northern hemisphere’s widest glacier front. Ice conditions will dictate how much can be accessed in terms of cruising bird islets like the Andøyane Islets or approaching glaciers like Monaco Glacier and Seliger Glacier. The Northern Region is also known to have several walrus haul-outs and areas defined as “Arctic Desert”. Walks and hikes ashore to have a closer look at flora and wildlife are a possibility in the spectacular Northern Region of Svalbard.

Day 6 - Days 8 - 9 AT SEA

Day 7 - Days 10 - 12 SCORESBY SUND

Scoresbysund is the ultimate fjord system; likely the longest, largest and deepest of any in the world. The massive fjord is tucked into the eastern coast of Greenland and on the icy western edges of the Greenland Sea. Scoresbysund’s scale deserves several days to explore, especially while plying the waters between castle-sized icebergs as they gently drift under the persuasion of the Arctic waters in the mighty fjord. Scattered in the remote bays and smaller fjords are places to discover old Inuit settlements, slowly growing over with Arctic willow and dwarf birch.

Day 8 - Day 13 ITTOQQORTOORMIIT

On the northern side of the entrance to the Scoresbysund fjord system stands Ittoqqortoormiit, the only permanent settlement in the region. The population here is approximately 430 people, largely dependent on a subsistence lifestyle. The inhabitants make their living hunting seals, narwhals, muskoxen and polar bears. Ittoqqortoormiit is the northernmost settlement on Greenland’s east coast, apart from a few meteorological and military stations. Brightly colored, quaint little houses and dogsled enclosures dot the rocky slopes of the settlement.

Day 9 - Day 14 DAY AT SEA

Day 10 - Day 15 REYKJAVIK

Sprawling Reykjavík, the nation's nerve center and government seat, is home to half the island's population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues, Reykjavík presents a colorful sight, its concrete houses painted in light colors and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces.Reykjavík's name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay, vík.

Day 11 - Please Note:

Expedition highlights and itinerary listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into account the prevailing weather, wildlife activity and ice conditions. Expedition Team members scheduled for this voyage are subject to change or cancellation.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Discover Bear Island, Svalbard Southern Region, Scoresby Sund, Ittoqqortoormiit
Meet the inhabitants of Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the few settlements in East Greenland
Wildlife Watch List: Polar bear; Svalbard reindeer; Arctic fox; Artic hare; musk oxen, Bearded seals, ringed seal, and walrus, Humpback whales, minke whales, beluga whales and possibly narwhal (Scoresby Sund) Birds of note: Barnacle Goose, Common Eider, Black-legged Kittiwake, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Ivory Gull, Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Razorbill, Common Guillemot, Black Guillemot, Brünnich’s Guillemot, Atlantic Puffin, Snow Bunting, Arctic Tern, Northern Gannet, Northern Fulmar