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Jewels of the Arctic from Reykjavik 2026 | Sylvia Earle

15 Days
From USD 19,195

STYLE: Small Ship Expedition Cruise

Trip Code: ACAERAJ

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)

Start: Reykjavik, Iceland

Finish: Oslo, Norway

SHIP: Sylvia Earle

DestinationDestination

Iceland, Greenland, Jan Mayen, Spitsbergen

DestinationDeparture Date

22/07/2026

MealsMeals

Breakfast at hotel & All meals, snacks, tea & coffee onboard. Beer, house wine & soft drinks with dinner

TransportTransport

Flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo & Group Transfers throughout

TransportAccommodation

Hotel & Cabin On board a Ship



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Included SightseeingIncluded Sightseeing

Half day Reykjavik tour, Daily Excursions in location, Zodiac Cruising, Onboard Expert Lectures & Briefings by the Experienced Expedition Team

 

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather & ice conditions 

OVERVIEW

Up to 25% off selected dates & cabins*

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT OFFER**

Discover the magic of Svalbard, where the sun barely sets and your heart races with the thrill of spotting polar bears in their natural habitat. Watch walruses bask on sea ice and listen as guillemots call from dramatic cliffs. Venture to East Greenland, where you’ll sail through the world’s largest fjord, Scoresbysund, and explore Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most remote Inuit settlements on Earth. Glide among shimmering icebergs, marvel at their intricate shapes, and wander through tundra ablaze with colourful blooms, all while savouring the taste of wild berries.


 

*Promotional discount of up to 25% off available on departure 22 Jul 2026. Discounts are on sale until 31 Oct 2024 and subject to availability. Discounts are not combinable with any other promotions except back-to-back voyage or loyalty discounts. Discounts and pricing are subject to change and may be withdrawn or varied at any time. Price based on triple share cabin.

**No single supplement promotion is based on the full fare and not combinable with other discounts or promotions. Offer is only valid on new bookings available until sold out. Availability is limited and capacity controlled and available on select cabins categories only. Offer can be withdrawn at any time and not redeemable for cash. This offer is not combinable with any other discounts (except Loyalty offer). Please contact us for full terms & conditions.  

PLEASE NOTE: Pricing is subject to change and availability at the time of booking. Contact us for more information.

ITINERARY

Arrive Reykjavik

Having made your way to Reykjavik, you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival at your included hotel, please visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality area where you can leave your luggage and enjoy refreshments if arriving prior to 4pm. Whilst here you can collect your luggage cabin tags speak with our ground operations team, who may have information to share with you about pre-embarkation or to provide you with information about where to dine, withdraw cash or purchase last minute items from a local pharmacy or supermarket.

The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.
Accommodation: The Grand Hotel Reykjavik (or similar)

Embarkation

Today we follow the path of one of Reykjavik’s most popular seismic attractions – the Golden Circle. Stops along our route include Thingvellir National Park, accredited as the site of Iceland’s first parliament. A shaky start to the new nation, it is also the point where the Eurasia and North American tectonic plates meet as an open fissure. Our next stop is Gullfoss waterfall. This impressive water feature tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá River, offering a popular photographic opportunity. Next we explore the geothermal fields and geysir’s for which Iceland is famous. The variety of hot springs and bubbling pools are mesmerising as the sheer capacity of water and steam erupting from the ground makes you ponder just how much power is beneath your feet. Late afternoon we return to Reykjavik to board the Greg Mortimer.

After boarding, there’s time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings before we ‘throw the lines’ to begin our Greenland adventure. This evening, meet your expedition team and crew at the Welcome Dinner.

Denmark Strait

In the Denmark Strait, we cruise towards Greenland. We will be on the lookout for whale blows and the many seabirds that trail our ship, riding in the constant winds. In our lecture theatre, enjoy informative and entertaining presentations from our experts on topics such as seabirds, wildlife and ice, or catch up on some rest after busy days of travel.

East Greenland - Day 4 to 8

In the coming days, a host of choices are available to us, and depending on ice and weather conditions, the east coast of Greenland is ours to explore. Our experienced Expedition Team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to tailor our itinerary on a day-to-day basis. This allows us to make best use of the prevailing weather, ice conditions and encounters with wildlife. We generally attempt up to two landings or Zodiac excursions per day, including cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, following whales feeding near the surface.

Be prepared to experience ice – and lots of it! East Greenland contains some of the Arctic’s most impressive scenery. Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by sharp ice-clad peaks soaring up to 2,000 metres (6,562 feet), and glaciers birthing gigantic icebergs that drift throughout the fjord system, combine to create breathtaking scenes. The tundra landscape is home to musk oxen, arctic hare and reindeer. Throughout the area there are ancient Thule archaeological sites, historical trappers’ huts, and the cabins of present-day Inuit hunters. A highlight is a visit to the Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit, the most isolated and northernmost permanent settlement in the region, with approximately 450 inhabitants. The community has an excellent museum, gift shop, an abundance of Greenlandic sled dogs and provides the opportunity to meet the friendly locals.

We hope to explore Scoresbysund, the world’s largest fjord and a favourite hunting ground of the local Inuit. Massive glaciers flow into this fjord, the birthplace of hundreds of majestic Greenland icebergs. It is a spectacular place that simply needs to be seen to be believed. North of Scoresbysund lie Kong Oskar and Kaiser Franz Josef fjords, two of the most significant fjord systems in Greenland, each one encompassing several smaller fjords and sounds. Thanks to the fertile volcanic soil and the surrounding mountains offering protection from strong winds, the area is rich in wildlife. You may spot everything from musk ox and arctic foxes to mountain hares, and even reindeer, near the fjord. Look skyward and you could catch a glimpse of birds, including the glaucous gull, black-legged kittiwake, northern fulmar, common raven and common eider.

We will attempt to enter Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, a remote and rarely visited fjord system with countless opportunities for exploration, located within the Northeast Greenland National Park. Cruising through Kong Oskar Fjord, we marvel at the geological beauty of the mountains. We will then head south along the coast of Liverpool Land, with our passage dependent on ice conditions.

We stretch our legs on hikes across tundra in search of ancient graveyards and summer villages occupied 3,000 years ago by Inuit. We may see musk ox, arctic hare and reindeer grazing. The maze of calm, interconnecting waterways in this area provides excellent opportunities for sea kayaking. We will see ring seals, perhaps catch a glimpse of the elusive narwhal, and maybe even a polar bear hunting on pack ice.

Greenland Sea

As we sail towards the coast of East Greenland, we may encounter whales feeding in the rich waters of the north. As we approach East Greenland, be prepared to encounter more pack ice and perhaps spot seals and a variety of seabirds, including the northern fulmar and Brünnich’s guillemot.

The strong, icy currents have isolated East Greenland from the Polar Basin, attracting large numbers of fish, seals and whales. Climatic conditions and the concentration of ice in the vicinity often create thick morning fog that only vanishes in presence of the midday sun. Our experts will inform and entertain us with fascinating discussions on plants, animals, ice and heroic tales of exploration.

Svalbard - Day 10 to 12

Svalbard offers arctic wilderness at its best. The members of our experienced Expedition Team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to tailor our itinerary, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions and opportunities for wildlife encounters.

Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountains ranges, and a polar desert rich in fossils set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walrus hauled-out on sea ice or on beaches. On land, we stretch our legs on walks across tundra carpeted in brightly coloured wildflowers. We visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and puffins, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies.

If you have chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you will have an opportunity to enjoy that activity when conditions allow. For those who are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you will hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating dip – a memory you will savour for years to come.

Svalbard

During the early morning we cruise back into Longyearbyen. Farewell your Expedition Team upon disembarkation before transferring to the airport for our charter flight to Oslo.

Note: the arrival time in Oslo is contingent on the approved allocated slot of our charter flight to and from Longyearbyen, which we expect to receive in February 2026.

*Cruise itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions, ice conditions and other factors.

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WHY CHOOSE THIS CRUISE?

  • Watch arctic fox hunt beneath towering cliffs that are home to enormous colonies of guillemots and fulmars

  • In Svalbard, push through pack ice, watch for polar bears and ringed seals

  • Quietly approach musk oxen and reindeer on tundra walks

  • Zodiac-cruise along vast glacial fronts and into Øfjord as sunset paints the surrounding 2,000-metre (6,562-feet) walls a vibrant pink

Sylvia Earle

Sylvia Earle

Featuring industry-leading technology and streamlined cruising design the Sylvia Earle is one of the most modern and technologically advanced vessels sailing the polar regions. Named after the first female Chief Scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Sylvia Earle lives up to her namesake with a deep focus on protecting the natural environment. The ship features one of the lowest polluting marine engines in the world, with low energy consumption and higher fuel efficiency bringing an overall 80% reduction to emissions compared to Tier 1 engines. The ship also utilises virtual anchoring technology along with thrusters and propellers to minimise damage to the ocean floor caused by conventional anchors. 

The Sylvia Earle carries a maximum of 132 passengers and has 71 on board cabins. Between landings, guests will be able to enjoy time in the gym, sauna or wellness centre. For zodiac excursions the vessel has four dedicated, sea-level launching platforms making boarding as efficient and safe as possible, allowing you to get off and experience the magical sights of fjords, glaciers and icebergs as quickly as possible. Cabins and suites are elegantly designed and spacious to give guests the most comfortable experience possible.

Certified 100% Climate Neutral, with a fully equipped Citizen Science Centre, expert lectures and participative Citizen science programs, to enrich your knowledge and connection to the polar regions. 

Ice Class: Length: 104m
Breadth: Max
Draft: Cruising
Speed: 10-12 knots
Electricity: Passenger
Capacity:
126

View Ship Details

Accommodation

We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.

Standard

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Superior

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Deluxe

Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Optional Activities vary for each itinerary. Limited spaces available. Contact your Destination Specialist for pricing & availability.

Kayaking

Experience the unforgettable thrill and serenity of kayaking in Antarctica as part of a small, expertly guided paddling group.

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Pricing per person & date

Jewels of the Arctic from Reykjavik 2026 | Sylvia Earle from USD 19,195
Departing Ending Duration
22 Jul 202605 Aug 202615

Important Information

  • Prices are based on per person, may be based on quad/triple/twin share.

    Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time. 

    Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions

  • INCLUSIONS

    All transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
    One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Reykjavik on Day 1.
    Sightseeing tour of Iceland, prior to embarkation, on Day 2 (time permitting).
    Charter flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo on Day 13.
    Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
    All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.
    Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.
    Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
    All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
    Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
    Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
    One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
    Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
    Comprehensive pre-departure information.
    Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
    Wi-Fi. Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable.

     

    EXCLUSIONS

    International or domestic flights – unless specified in itinerary
    Transfers – unless specified in itinerary
    Airport arrival or departure taxes
    Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges
    Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges
    Hotels and meals – unless specified in the itinerary
    Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges
    All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, wi-fi, email or phone charges

  • 2 (light adventure)
  • Subject to availability upon request. Contact us for more details. 

  • Departure date, fuel surcharges, cabin category, currency fluctuations, seasonality and availability.