Arctic Highlights: Solar Eclipse

Voyage Overview

Visit two incredible Arctic destinations plus have the chance to experience a solar eclipse!

Embark on an unforgettable Arctic voyage, beginning in Svalbard and sailing along the ice’s edge to Greenland. Keep a vigilant eye on the horizon for unique wildlife as you navigate south. This journey offers multiple ways to explore the remote landscape—by ship, on foot, and via Zodiac—showcasing the striking contrasts and changes of the Arctic before concluding in Iceland, “the Land of Fire and Ice.” Highlights include visits to an Inuit village, sightings of distinct wildlife, and the exploration of truly remote destinations. Plus, the incredible added wonder of experiencing a partial or even total solar eclipse against the vast, icy backdrop, turning an already spectacular view into an unparalleled cosmic event.

Trip Details

Duration: 15 Days

Ship: Expedition, Expedition Ship, 128 Guests

Start: Longyearbyen, Norway

End: Reykjavik, Iceland

Itinerary

Day 1: Embarkation in Longyearbyen
Transfer from Longyearbyen to the Expedition for a late afternoon embarkation. Meals included: Dinner

Days 2-5: Svalbard/Greenland Sea 
Taking advantage of local ice and weather conditions, explore the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, one of those rare places on Earth blessed with both awe-inspiring landscape and compelling history. Over four full days, explore a small portion of the western coast of Svalbard. Entering the fall the days are getting shorter so try to take advantage of all of the sunlight possible to search for wildlife. Spend these days in search of the elusive polar bears as they hunt seals. Look out for Svalbard’s unique subspecies of reindeer. Although much smaller than their southern relatives, they still carry impressive antlers. Keep a sharp lookout for Arctic foxes. By not having a set itinerary, we take on an expedition spirit and are free to take advantage of the best that Svalbard has to offer. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Days 6-7: Greenland Sea
Keep an eye out for majestic whales, which are known to feed here in the summer months. Spot orca, humpback and minke whales, as well as dolphins. Enjoy lectures by expedition staff. Frigid waters drain from the Arctic Ocean in a southwest current along the coast of Northeast Greenland. Often, drifting pack ice is pushed along the coast. We will attempt to approach and follow the pack ice edge to explore the polar seascape. Keep a lookout for sea mammals like seals and whales and also sea birds such as kittiwakes and fulmars. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Days 8-12: Northeast Greenland National Park
Spend a few days exploring the massive fjord system of Northeast Greenland National Park, which includes portions of Scorsbysund. Visit the tiny settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit for a look at how these most northerly people live.

Please note on day 12, (August 3, 2026) of your itinerary there will be a solar eclipse to view from the ship’s location while in the Kejser Franz Joseph Fjord. The ship will sail into the path of totality (as long as conditions safely allow) and travellers will be able to witness this incredible celestial event from the stark beauty of the Arctic. The eclipse will begin at 4:40pm local time and end at 6:41pm. Solar eclipse viewing glasses will be provided.

Sail through and land in some of the most spectacular fjord country in the world along down the coast of Greenland, while exploring rarely visited glaciers, bays and inlets.

This is the largest national park in the world, nearly impossible to reach except on expedition ships. Spectacular geology combined with glacial features create steep mountains raising directly from the sea. Look out for picturesque scenery, wildlife and other interesting landing sites in this unspoiled wilderness.

Depending on ice, spend these days exploring the massive fjord system of Northeast Greenland National Park, which includes portions of Scoresbysund. These intricate fjord systems are everything from wide and unimaginable to narrow and steeply spectacular with some of the best mountain scenery in the world. Walking over lush stands of colourful autumn tundra may lead to opportunities to see musk oxen grazing nearby. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Days 13-14: Denmark Strait/Reykjavik
Enjoy the lecture series while watching the seas for whales. Head towards Iceland and the steaming hot springs of Reykjavík. The view is often complemented by soaring fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots, and razorbills. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15: Disembarkation in Reykjavik
Shortly after breakfast, disembark at the Midbakki Pier – Port of Reykjavik, walking distance from downtown. For guests departing on disembarkation day, a complimentary transfer from the port to the Keflavik International Airport will be provided. For guests who are planning on staying in Reykjavik post trip, taxis will be available for hire at the pier to transfer them to their accommodations. Please do not book onward travel prior to 12:00pm. Meals included: Breakfast

Please note the itinerary and route map are only tentative outlines of what you may experience. No specific itinerary, routing or landing sites can be guaranteed in advance. Where the ship actually sails will depend on a lot of factors including, but not limited to, the weather & ice conditions and the captain & expedition leader. Every trip is different, which adds to the excitement of expedition cruising in the polar regions.