Reykjavik to Longyerbyen and Norway

Embark on your journey from Hafnarfjordur, a charming Icelandic town built atop ancient lava flows. Steeped in Viking heritage and rich folklore, Hafnarfjordur is famously known as the home of Iceland’s hidden people, or elves. Wander through the enchanting Hellisgerði Lava Garden, believed to shelter these mythical beings, or explore the contemporary exhibits at the Hafnarborg Art Museum.

Step back in time at the Viking Village with authentic dining experiences and delve into local history at the Hafnarfjordur Museum. With its blend of natural beauty, culture, and legend, Hafnarfjordur offers a magical start to your expedition.

Journey into a world where ancient sagas and modern marvels converge. Welcome to Stykkishólmur, a charming coastal town nestled near the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Your adventure brings you to the heart of Icelandic culture, breathtaking landscapes, and exhilarating explorations. As your yacht docks in Stykkishólmur, feast your eyes on the vivid palette of houses and boats that create a picturesque harbor scene. Just a short distance away lies the mystical Snaefellsjökull National Park, home to the iconic glacier-capped volcano that inspired Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth. Climb to the top of Súgandisey Island for panoramic views of Breidafjordur Bay, dotted with countless islets. Immerse yourself in tales of Vikings and mythical beings at community museums. Savor unique Icelandic dishes at local restaurants, such as creamy lobster soup, freshly caught fish, and traditional rye bread baked using geothermal heat. Embrace the warmth of the welcoming locals and let their stories weave into the tapestry of your journey.

Amid the enchanting Westfjords of Iceland stands Ísafjörður, a fishing town thriving with local energy and culture. Summer months here are brisk, but it’s this cool climate combined with breathtaking and quaint scenery that makes the village feel like an undiscovered treasure. The massive depression among the flat-topped mountains called Naustahvilft – known colloquially as the troll seat – combines Iceland’s natural beauty with the town’s rich folklore. Make a stop at Dokkan Brugghús, the only brewery in the entire Westfjords, and sample the local beers, crafted with naturally filtered spring water from the nearby mountains. For those for whom the sea’s siren call beckons, you must visit the Westfjord History Museum, based on Ísafjörður’s maritime heritage and its rise in the fishing industry.

Home to about 100 people — the northernmost inhabited island in Iceland — and one million birds, Grímsey Island is a treasure in the Arctic Circle. The residents enjoy 24 hours of sun throughout the summer, as do the Puffins. Look for the stone sphere marking the edge of the Arctic Circle. Its design makes it easier to move as the Arctic Circle moves, always keeping the true demarcation. Grímsey Island is a birdwatcher’s paradise, filled with various species, including razorbills, kittiwakes, auks and thick-billed murres. Amid the breathtaking landscapes are the island’s basalt columns. These geometric geological structures covered in lush moss dip into the water, creating a mesmerizing scene.

The name “Ittoqqortoormiit” means “Big-House Dwellers” in the Eastern Greenlandic dialect. Very few visitors make the trek here, as the winters are long, and the sea is frozen for nine months of the year. Ittoqqortoormiit is located at Scoresby Sound, which—with its many side fjords—is the largest fjord complex in the world and the world’s longest fjord system. Within its borders stands the tallest mountain in the Arctic region, the two-mile-tall Gunnbjørn Mountain. During early spring, when the sea ice is still thick, yet the sun is high in the sky, many local residents venture out on weekend dog-sledding trips. Guests will be warmly welcomed ashore for an open-town experience, inviting everyone to explore at their own pace and engage directly with the local community with no shore excursion booking required. This immersive visit is designed to encourage authentic discovery and meaningful interactions throughout the town.

The world’s largest fjord system, Scoresby Sound astonishes with its scale and serenity. Sheer mountains rise above glassy channels, where icebergs the size of cathedrals drift in ever-changing shades of blue. Remote Inuit settlements dot the coastline, offering a glimpse of life lived in harmony with Arctic rhythms. Zodiac excursions bring you close to calving glaciers or wildlife such as musk oxen and seabirds, while the stillness of this vast fjord imparts a powerful sense of awe and discovery.

Spend a leisurely day pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.

Few travelers ever set foot on Jan Mayen, a volcanic outpost adrift in the Arctic Ocean. Dominated by Beerenberg, the world’s northernmost active volcano, the island’s glaciers cascade to the sea, carving stark slopes that tumble into lava fields and bird-clad cliffs alive with fulmars and kittiwakes. Landings here are a true expedition prize—remote, wind-sculpted, and rich with the sense of discovery that defines polar exploration.

Spend a leisurely day pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.

Not only will you witness magnificent fjords and glaciers throughout Tromsø, Norway, but you will also immerse yourself in a sophisticated cultural life and architectural delights. A superb example of blending the built environment with the natural setting is the Arctic Cathedral, an architectural marvel made up of aluminum-coated concrete panels, making it a stunning façade resembling an iceberg. To see the real icebergs, all you have to do is take the Fjellheisen cable car 1,525 feet above sea level for incredible views of the Norwegian fjords. You can also stroll around the Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden, visit the Science Centre of Northern Norway or gain new knowledge at the city’s museums including the Polar Museum, Tromsø University Museum, and Perspektivet Museum.

This village in North Cape on the island of Magerøya claims the distinction of being the northernmost fishing village in the world. Rolling hills of green, magnificent arctic fjords and an untamed natural beauty make it a stunning stop off the beaten path. Rugged cliffs are home to thousands of cormorants, puffins and gannets. While there are few people who inhabit the village, you are likely to come across wild reindeer that may venture close to town. Within the village of Skarsvåg sits the Christmas and Winter House, a cozy visitors’ attraction where you can experience the holiday year-round with a hot drink and slice of cake as you peruse the local wares and handicrafts and enjoy an atmosphere of dazzling decorations and festive music.

A destination that embodies the ultimate expedition experience, Bear Island is a testament to the raw beauty and untamed wilderness that makes the High Arctic so captivating. As you approach the island, you’re greeted by sheer cliffs that stand as silent sentinels, touched by the relentless caress of icy winds. These dramatic landscapes form the backdrop to an exhilarating adventure – a place where the thrill of discovery is matched only by the awe of nature’s grand design. As your yacht glides along its rugged coastline, keep your eyes peeled for the playful antics of curious seals, and marvel at the majestic flight of seabirds that call this domain home. The air is alive with the promise of the unexpected, as expedition landings invite you to walk paths forged by explorers past. Here, you are not just observing nature; you are a part of it.

Even in one of the most isolated regions of the Arctic, there is still the captivating history of a pioneering past. The expedition leaders, along with the captain and onboard pilot, will determine possible landings each day for all-out explorations. Wildlife abounds throughout the archipelago of Svalbard, such as puffins, reindeer, Arctic terns and foxes. An expert photographer will help you look out for the perfect photo opportunity of these animals, but especially for the elusive polar bear. As Zodiac cruises may bring you closer to glaciers, keep your eyes on the water for whale fins.

Ny-Ålesund is the northernmost settlement on Svalbard with a population of about 12 people. Here you can find an international scientific research station. Close to the village is a breeding ground for rare geese and arctic terns. Not far from here you may cruise your way toward the Ossian Sars Nature Reserve, a preservation of mountains and surrounding vegetation that is a sight to behold.

Longyearbyen is in a valley on the shores of the idyllic Adventfjord, surrounded by steep mountains and several glaciers. You will disembark here and transfer to the airport for your return charter flight to Oslo, marking the end of your expedition.