Three Arctic Islands: Iceland, Greenland, Spitsbergen

Across 15 magical days, you’ll explore the rugged, snow-topped coastline of Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen on a cruise through the arctic. A wildlife wonderland, you can expect to spot walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer as well as Arctic terns, skuas, and Brunnich’s guillemots. Plus, if the weather allows, you could wave to Santa and sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole. On-shore visits and Zodiac excursions will make it possible for you to explore the wilderness that sports spectacular glacial fronts and tundra in bloom as well as towering mountain terrain. One for the true explorers – this trip is not to be missed! As you’d expect, temperatures in the Arctic are very cold. A warm parka will be provided along with waterproof boots and unlimited hot drinks, but you should also bring base layers and lots of warm clothing. Please see the trip notes for further important information about what to bring.Weather depending, you will be making regular excursions in a Zodiac boat to explore the local area and look for wildlife. It can get very cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you are dressed appropriately and that you keep your camera safe and dry. Sturdy sea legs are needed as you make wet and dry landings from the boat, and on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. Some ships have a lot of stairs, so please hold on to the handrails if seas are rough.The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned for. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially to such a remote area.This trip takes places during the time of year that Spitsbergen enjoys 24-hour daylight. Just one of the benefits of this is that incredible wildlife can be seen at any time of the day – be prepared to be woken at any time so as to not miss out on exciting animal sightings.Polar bears are one of the most incredible and appealing animals on the planet, but they are also powerful predators with little fear of humans. Therefore it’s necessary to be aware of the guidelines surrounding any contact with Polar bears. Follow your leader’s instructions and do not stray from your group – your leader carries equipment to protect you.