Svalbard - Greenland photo
cruise 2023

AUGUST 14 - 26 ONBOARD THE M/V POLAR PIONER

GREENLAND PHOTO CRUISE

Nature in the High Arctic constantly changes. East Greenland is the place where huge icebergs are born, every day is different, and every season is different. Arctic Wildlife Tours guides this Greenland photo cruise adventure and photography expedition to the biggest fjord system in the world, Scoresby sund, in East Greenland. We are going for an experience of the great landscapes and some of the biggest icebergs in the world on this Greenland cruise. Our journey start on Svalbard and we will get to experience wildlife and landscapes before we set course for the drifting ice to the vest. Then we follow the ice floes all the way down to Northeast Greenland.

This expedition is the first Arctic Wildlife Tours has organized combining both Svalbard, Greenland, and the drifting sea ice in between. In cooperation with WildPhoto Travel we will use the expedition ship Polar Pioneer (52 pax) which has a high ice class and was refit in 2022. 

The main subjects on this Northeast Greenland photo cruise will be grand landscapes, icebergs and Arctic wildlife. We will encounter extreme arctic landscapes and wildlife in one of the most remote places in the world. The Scoresby Sund on Greenland’s east coast is the largest fjord system in the world, and the focus of our new photographic expedition. This extensive fjord system flowing from the Greenland Ice Cap is home to some of the most scenically spectacular landscapes anywhere. There is only a narrow window of time when the sound is open to exploration by boat because of heavy ice, few photographers make it to this remarkable and remote area which is truly of the last great wilderness destinations on our Earth. During the time of our sailing the Scoresby sound is packed with icebergs and water that can often be mirror smooth with superb reflections especially around sunrise and sunset. In Autumn the east Greenland tundra is time for the vibrant colours of dwarf willow, birch, blueberry and the very last alpine flowers. This is a fabulous a photographic adventure combining Svalbard and Greenland, truly the trip of a lifetime.

August is a great time in the Arctic when the autumn light start to be at its best. We use 5 zodiac boats for landings or when searching for the wildlife at sea. There will be maximum 52 guests on this expedition. Arctic Wildlife Tours will host our 15 guests with our own guides.

We start the expedition in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and finish this expedition in Akureyri, Iceland.

Dates: Aug 14 - 26 2023
Duration: 12 nights
Embark: Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Aug 14
Disembark: Akureyri, Iceland, Aug 26

Available spots might not be updated at all times. Please ask for update on how many cabins that still are available and which type of cabins by sending us an inquiry. In addition to the single cabins marked on the deck plan we do offer a single cabin option in one of the  cabins at a price of 1.8 multiplied with the double cabin price. We will use 5 zodiacs for landings or when searching for wildlife at sea. There will be maximum 52 guests onboard.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

  • All nights onboard the MV Polar Pioner
  • Expedition leader, guides and staff
  • Excursions with zodiacs and landings
  • Safety handling
  • All meals onboard

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

  • Flights to/from Svalbard/Iceland
  • Overnight accommodation prior and following the expedition
  • Alcohol and souvenirs purchased onboard the ship
  • Tips fir the vessels crew members
  • Travel insurance and cancellation insurance
polar pioner expedition

TRIPPLE cabin, shared facilities,  USD 8 995 pr person

TWIN cabin, shared facilities, USD 9 950 pr person

TWIN cabin, private facilities, USD 10 995 pr person

We only provide the cabins listed above for this expedition. Please ask us for availability or call for more information or send us an email.

We try to keep available spots updated at any time but please ask us to make sure.
You can send us an email on [email protected]  OR  [email protected]
any time if you have any questions about this expedition. Phone +47 958 97 730 to Svein.

Double cabin at level 5, private facilities.
Double cabin at level 5, private facilities.
Double cabin at level 4, private facilities.
Double cabin at level 4, private facilities.
Double cabin at level three, shared facilities.
Double cabin at level three, shared facilities.
Triple cabin at level three, shared facilities.
Triple cabin at level three, shared facilities.
Longe Bar
Longe Bar

NORTH EAST GREENLAND

This is a very rare opportunity to see and experience the remote areas from Northwest Svalbard to Northeast Greenland during one of the most spectacular times of the year. Very few will ever have the opportunity to venture to this side of Greenland. This is a trip for you who are looking to capture one of the most remote parts of the world and it impressive scenery. During our expedition we explore Scoresby Sound and its fjords. The light during this time of the year is spectacular and offers unique opportunities to capture the arctic landscapes. We have chosen the dates for this trip based on the fact that this is where the sun will be coloring Greenlands icebergs and landscapes with golden light.

Polar bears in these areas they are more rare to see and more shy, but they are possible too bump into. More common wildlife to see is muskox, seals, arctic foxes, whales and maybe snow hare. We will search the ice floes from Svalbard and down to Greenland for polar bears and other wildlife and expect to find that.

Estimated travel route during this photo tour

Itinerary

Northern parts of Greenland is situated at about 80°N, so we schedule this expedition in accordance with prevailing weather and ice conditions. The expedition will start in Longyearbyen (Svalbard) and end in Akureyri (Iceland). A possible itinerary for a Greenland North expedition is described below together with a map below illustrating a possible sailing route. Please note that the sea ice conditions at the end of August will vary from year to year, so it is not possible to know in advance which areas on the northeastern coast of Greenland will be available for landings and zodiac cruises.

DAY 1 - Departure from Longyearbyen (Svalbard) through Isfjorden.

DAY 2-3 - Northwestern coast of Spitsbergen, with possible visits to Kongsfjorden, Magdalenefjorden, Smeerenburgfjorden, Raudfjorden, Liefdefjorden and other areas where we will have great landscape, glaciers and chances for wildlife.

DAY 4-5 - Heading west toward northeastern Greenland, following the edge of the drifting sea ice. In this area it is possible with encounters of polar bears, seals, whales and ice-dependent birds.

DAY 6-9 - Exploring the northeastern coast of Greenland toward Scoresby Sound.

DAY 10-11 - Exploring the outer parts of Scoresby Sound.

DAY 12 - At sea, leaving the coast of East Greenland, heading toward Akureyri (Iceland).

DAY 13 - Disembarking the ship in Akureyri (Iceland) ending the expedition.

Greenland cruise gallery

Booking Information

Booking Inquiry for East Greenland cruise

Registration: You register by sending in the booking forms we send you upon your request and submitting full payment. This inquiry is not a binding booking. As soon you have decided we send you our booking forms which you fill out and sign before returning them.

The deposit payment for registration for this expedition will be USD 2 000.

Booking Inquiry

    Check if you wish to join the list

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