Svalbard, Greenland & Iceland Arctic Islands

Join expedition cruise pioneers Heritage Expeditions on an unforgettable 15-day exploration of Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland on the ultimate High Arctic expedition cruise. To voyage around these island jewels is to experience some of the Arctic's most dramatic landscapes, home to an astounding diversity of wildlife. This 15-day Svalbard Greenland Iceland cruise ranks among the best Arctic cruises available.

Your adventure begins with a night in Paris, France, before flying to Longyearbyen, Norway, the world's northernmost town and capital of Svalbard, nestled in a deep valley on the shores of the idyllic Adventfjord and surrounded by steep mountains and glaciers. From here we set out to explore Svalbard, a wilderness archipelago full of astonishing sights, stunning scenery, wonderful nature and a fascinating human history. This collection of large islands, just a few hundred kilometres from the North Pole, is blanketed in snow and ice for much of the year, but during the brief summer, when we'll be visiting, they burst into life. Millions of birds use their sea cliffs to breed, and Humpback, Blue and Sperm Whales travel here to feed on the ocean's abundance. Large groups of Walrus haul out on the beaches, and Polar Bears hunt on both land and pack ice. Arctic Fox and Reindeer search for food across the polar tundra, which briefly blooms with a colourful carpet of mosses, lichen and masses of tiny flowers. Being well above the Arctic Circle, under the Midnight Sun, allows for long days of exploration and increases our opportunities for adventure, whenever they arise. A much-loved and true Svalbard cruise highlight for everyone.

Even in high summer the ice never completely loses its grip, giving the landscape a primeval, starkly beautiful character. If we are lucky, we may see huge glaciers calving into spectacular fjords, creating stunning ice cathedrals. As the sea ice begins to break up, it creates a maze of sparkling ice floes, resting places for Ringed and Bearded Seals, as well as a hunting ground for their main predator, the Polar Bear. The eastern and western sides of Svalbard display very different characters, and we plan to explore both. The west, bathed in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, makes for a slightly warmer climate and less sea ice, while on the cooler northern and eastern shores, winter's icy grip seems to cling on for much of the year.

From Svalbard, we sail to Greenland, the world's largest island, and into the heart of the world's largest fjord system, Scoresby Sund, on the east coast. Cutting deep into the interior, like roots on a tree, allows us to explore this magnificent Arctic wilderness at close range and be dwarfed by nature. The giant ice cap covering 80% of Greenland spills from the mountains feeding enormous glaciers, which calve into Scoresby Sund as massive icebergs, some as high as Big Ben or the Statue of Liberty. In summer large areas of ice-free shores reveal fields of tundra home to a diversity of Arctic wildlife, from massive Ice Age survivors Musk Oxen to tiny Lemmings. The sheltered waters of the fjords also harbour whales and seals, and the birdlife is prolific. The rich wildlife, twisting channels and ever-changing vistas create a unique and stunningly beautiful Arctic oasis to explore. A highlight of any Greenland cruises itinerary, and especially memorable for those seeking a Scoresby Sund Greenland cruise.

Our final destination is the rugged northwest shore of Iceland, where we will arrive at the small town of Ísafjörður in the Westfjords. Located on a dramatic sand spit, surrounded by sea and stunning mountains, with quaint old timber houses built by fishing merchants in the 18th and 19th Centuries, it has a very special Icelandic character. We visit the breathtakingly beautiful Dynjandi Waterfall, cascading down in a veil over a series of rocky ledges, as well as the Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall, famously set against the iconic pyramidal Kirkjufell Mountain, one of Iceland's most photogenic locations. We also plan to explore the old-world charm of the remote island of Flatey. Here, brightly coloured houses join a traditional rural landscape, a haven for nesting seabirds, to give the island a wonderfully tranquil feel.

In true expedition style, our travels around all these islands will be dictated by weather and wildlife, with our experienced expedition team making the best of every opportunity. Whether exploring by ship, cruising in Zodiacs, or landing at remote beaches or quaint harbours for adventures on foot, this will allow us to get up close to the natural wonders and fascinating human cultures of these remarkable Arctic islands. A true Luxury Arctic cruise experience from start to finish. This voyage includes the option to join sea kayaking excursions with an expert guide.