![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20180901-E-Greenland-1520-scaled.jpg)
Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes - 14 Days
Aboard Hondius – 170 passengers
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.
Optional Long Hikes: Passengers who join this activity should have the willingness and ability to walk at least 15 km (9 miles) in semi-rough terrain that includes shorelines, tundra, low hills, and river crossings. Walks will take around six hours from start to finish, rest times included. We will walk at a modest pace and not cross any alpine terrain. Passengers who do not take part in long walks will have a landing in the morning at the start point of the walk, then sail to the end point of the walk for their second landing in the afternoon.
Tour Dates
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Aug 23 - Sep 5, 2025 (14 days)
Itinerary
Day 1: Embarkation in Longyearbyen, Norway
You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plants have been recorded in it. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.
Day 2: Route to Raudfjorden
Sailing to Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, you take in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of this fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of polar bears.
Day 3-4: Onward to East Greenland
You may eventually see the jagged edge of the east Greenland sea ice flashing into sight ahead, depending on the conditions. Keep watch for whales and migrating seabirds here.
Day 5: Tundra, mountains, and icebergs
As you approach Greenland, you may sail through the sea ice into Foster Bay and land at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters’ hut (where Norwegian trappers hunted for polar bear and Arctic fox in the first half of the 20th century), there is a sprawling tundra populated by musk oxen, with geese floating the small lakes. From here you sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and bright interior icebergs. An alternate route is Sofia Sound, a narrower waterway.
For those who choose to attend, we have our first long walk (6-7 hours) of the voyage today. We start at Myggbukta station and head into Badlanddal, then turn south to Fangsthytte near Kap Bennet. A Zodiac will sail ahead of the walking party and parallel to the coast to watch out for bears.
Day 6: The islands of Antarctic Sound
You arrive at Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle), a mountain with layered geology. On the other side of the fjord is Blomsterbugt and the intended landing site. In the afternoon you head into Antarctic Sound, where you find the islands of Ruth, Maria, and Ella. Maria is the most likely spot for a landing.
Day 7: Alpefjord’s lofty peaks
In the morning you enter Segelsällskapets Fjord, with the streaked slopes of the Berzelius Mountains bordering the north side. You land on the south shore, where ancient sedimentary formations lie right at your feet. A hike takes you near a small lake with good chances to see musk oxen, Arctic hares, and ptarmigans. In the afternoon the ship ventures into Alpefjord, aptly named for the spire-like peaks that thrust up around it. You may then embark on a Zodiac cruise around Gully Glacier, which once blocked access to the interior of these waters. Continuing deep into the fjord, you experience a definitive Greenland adventure.
Day 8: Sights of the Arctic autumn
The first half of the day you spend in Antarctic Havn, an extensive valley where you can spot groups of musk oxen. At this time of year, the sparse vegetation is dressed in the fiery colors of autumn.
Day 9:Arriving at Earth’s largest fjord
Today you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. In the afternoon, we plan to sail by the east coast of Milne Land among a multitude of giant icebergs. If we can also land at Charcot Havn, we will make a walk to the Charcot Glacier. We will then continue by Bjørneør and sail into Øfjord, where we might also make a landing.
Day 10: Colors of the cape
The goal is a Zodiac cruise near Sorte Ø, surrounded by icebergs. Their austere blue-white contrasts sharply with the sediment slopes nearby. The afternoon plan is to sail through the northern parts of Røde Fjord and into Harefjord, with the chance to see musk oxen and warm autumnal foliage.
Day 11: Enormous bergs, Arctic hares
In the morning you encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer (.62 mile) long. Most of them are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). You then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and a good shot of seeing Arctic hares.
Today’s long walk goes from Sydkap to Nordøstbugt (12 km, 7.5 miles to the northeast), where the river coming from Holger Danskes Briller flows into the sea. We plan to walk south along the shore to Satakajik, seeing whale vertebrae and the remains of Thule summer houses. Passengers who opt out of the long walking group will join us at this location for their second excursion of the day.
Day 12: Settlement at Scoresbysund
Today you make a tundra landing on Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet. The afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresbysund at about five hundred inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen. In the afternoon you sail south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.
Day 13: At Sea
A sea day grants you the opportunity to spot whales and seabirds – and at night, the magical northern lights.
Day 14: Journey’s end at Akureyri, Iceland
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Akureyri, where on request you can transfer (T) by chartered bus (a six-hour drive that you must book in advance) to the bus stop Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavík, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies. The optional bus transfer from Akureyri to Reykjavik is an additional cost.
PLEASE NOTE: The probability of sailing into Scoresbysund is high (based on our experiences from 1993 – 2019), but there is still a chance (about 10%) that ice will obstruct passage into the fjord system. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per AECO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with AECO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our vessel is 10.5 knots.
Route Map
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/HDS12-24_13days_-Spitsbergen-Northeast-Greenland-Aurora-Borealis-©-Oceanwide-Expeditions.jpg_-768x595.jpg)
Trips and Rates
Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Single Travelers:
- Can book into a share cabin in Quad – Twin Deluxe
- Can book a twin cabin at solo occupancy at 1.7x the per person share price
Adventure Options:
- Kayaking (full program, multiple paddles): $450/person for 2024 season and $470/person for 2025 season – requires experience
Single Travelers:
- Can book into a share cabin in Quad – Twin Deluxe
- Can book a twin cabin at solo occupancy at 1.7x the per person share price
Adventure Options:
- Kayaking (full program, multiple paddles): $560/person – requires experience
- On Basecamp departures all activities are free
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.
Cabin Descriptions
![Hondius Grand Suite](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/01-Grand-Suite-scaled.jpeg)
Grand Suite with private balcony
Located on deck 7, the six Grand Suites are the only cabins on the ship with a private balcony. Features: 1 double window, 1 double bed, Sofa, Private balcony, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi (supplemented), Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Bathrobe, Hair dryer, Cabinet, Safe deposit box & Wardrobe.
291 square feet / 27 square meters.
![Hondius Junior Suite](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/02-Junior-suite-scaled.jpeg)
Junior Suite
The eight Junior Suites are on deck 7. Features: 1 double window, 1 double bed, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi (supplemented), Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Bathrobe, Hair dryer, Cabinet, Safe deposit box & Wardrobe.
205 to 215 square feet / 19 to 20 square meters
![Hondius - Superior cabin](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03-Superior-scaled.jpeg)
Superior
Eight Superior cabins on deck 6. Features: 2 windows, 1 double bed, Sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi (supplemented), Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Bathrobe, Hair dryer, Cabinet, Safe deposit box & Wardrobe.
215 to 226 square feet / 20 to 21 square meters
![Hondius Twin Deluxe](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/04-Twin-Deluxe-scaled.jpeg)
Twin Deluxe
Eleven Twin Deluxe cabins on deck 6. Features: 2 windows, 2 single beds, Sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi (supplemented), Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Bathrobe, Hair dryer, Cabinet, Safe deposit box & Wardrobe.
205 to 226 square feet / 19 to 21 square meters
![Hondius Twin Window](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/05-Twin-Window-scaled.jpeg)
Twin Window
The fourteen Twin Windows are the only cabins on deck 4. Features: 1 window, 2 single beds, Small sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Cabinet, Safe deposit box & Wardrobe. Please be aware that the view from some windows might be partially obstructed due to the design requirements of the ship. Please note that all cabins will not necessarily have the same layout and surface area, nor will they be identical to the examples used in the photos
129 to 151 square feet / 12 to 14 square meters
![Hondius Twin Porthole](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/06-Twin-Porthole-scaled.jpeg)
Twin Porthole
The twenty seven Twin Porthole cabins are on deck 3. Features: 2 portholes, 2 single beds, Small sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Cabinet, Safe deposit box & Wardrobe. Please note that all cabins will not necessarily have the same layout and surface area, nor will they be identical to the examples used in the photos
143 to 172 square feet / 13 to 16 square meters
![Hondius Triple Porthole](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/07-Triple-Porthole.jpg)
Triple Porthole
Two Triple cabins on deck 3. Features: 2 portholes, 1 upper & 2 lower berths, Small sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Cabinet, Safe deposit box & Wardrobe.
172 square feet / 16 square meters
![Hondius Quad Porthole](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/08-Quad-Porthole-scaled.jpeg)
Quadruple Porthole
Four Quad cabins located on deck 3. Features: 2 portholes, 2 upper & 2 lower berths, Small sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi (supplemented), Hair dryer, Cabinet, Safe deposit box & Wardrobe.
165 to 172 square feet / 15.3 to 16 square meters
Deck Plan
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/HOND-deck-plan.jpg)
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions:
- 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.
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- AECO fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Exclusions:
- 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 strongly recommended).
- Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- Transfer supplement for bus shuttle between Akureyri (ship) and bus stop Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavik (6 hours).
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).