Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland, Fly & Sail
Sail to the very north of Europe aboard the Rembrandt van Rijn
Length
20 Days
Ship category
Classic
Ship type
Micro-Cruise
Capacity
33 Passengers
Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland, Fly & sail
7 Reviews
Trip highlights
Marvel at the "Towering cliffs of Alkefjellet"
Majestic fjords of Northeast Greenland
Photograph the colorful houses in Ittoqqortoormiit
Spot seals and whales and maybe even a polar bear!
The Polartours experience
Best price guaranteed
Spot musk oxen in Scoresby Sund
Be part of a 33 passenger only sailing expedition
Visit Ny-Ålesund, scientific research town
Embark on an extraordinary adventure to Spitsbergen and Northeast Greenland, where rugged landscapes and abundant wildlife promise an unforgettable experience. This Arctic expedition invites you to explore the stunning beauty and rich history of the region. Traverse through serene fjords, witness the majesty of towering icebergs, and immerse yourself in the tranquil drift ice of the Arctic seas. Every moment of this journey is designed to bring you closer to the Arctic’s untouched splendor, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Your ship: Rembrandt van Rijn
Sailing vessel Rembrandt Van Rijn has a wonderful history. She was originally built as a herring lugger in 1947. In 1994 she was rebuilt as a three-masted passenger sailing schooner in the Netherlands. She then sailed in Spitsbergen between 1994 and 1996 and in the Galápagos from 1998 to 2001. She then underwent another complete rebuild and interior refurbishment before her relaunch in 2011. Her communication and navigation equipment has always been updated according to the latest SOLAS regulations. She is a well-traveled and beautiful intimate arctic cruise vessel.
An arctic cruise aboard … Read more about Rembrandt van Rijn
Cabins
Amenities
Observation Deck
Zodiac Fleet
Food & Drinks
Three simple and tasty meals of international cuisine per day are served buffet style in the restaurant and prepared by our cook.
Map
Itinerary
Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.
Day 1
Your incredible Arctic adventure starts in Longyearbyen
Alkhornet and Trygghamna
You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage. In the evening you sail for Trygghamna, where you see the remains of a 17th-century English whaling station and 18th-century Pomor hunting station, both of which you can visit the next morning.
Day 2
Foxes, seabirds, and grazing reindeer
Alkhornet and Trygghamna
From Trygghamna you walk to Alkhornet, a large seabird cliff where the birds are scouting out breeding places. Below the cliffs is a common place to spot Arctic foxes, and you may also see reindeer grazing on the lush vegetation if there’s not too much snow.
Day 3
Fuglefjorden to Raudfjorden
You sail into Fuglefjorden amid views of Svitjodbreen and Birgerbukta, both breeding places for great skuas as well as likely spots to spy a polar bear. Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, is a fine area for gazing over the glaciers. It’s also a favorite hangout for ringed and bearded seals, colonies of seabird, and the occasional polar bear and beluga whale.
Day 4-7
Onward to East Greenland
You may eventually see the jagged edge of the east Greenland sea ice flashing into sight ahead, depending on the conditions. Keep watch for whales and migrating seabirds here.
Day 8
Remains of the trappers
The goal is to sail into Foster Bay, making your first landing at Myggbukta in the late afternoon or evening. Beyond the old hunters’ hut (where, in the first half of the 20th century, Norwegian trappers hunted for polar bear and Arctic fox) there is a sprawling tundra populated by musk oxen, with geese floating the small lakes.
Day 9
The essential Arctic
Landing at Blomsterbugten, you have a good chance of spotting Arctic hare and musk oxen. Noah Lake is home to great northern divers as well as their young, and the hiking opportunities here are numerous. In the afternoon you venture deeper into Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord, finding shelter in Renbugten. Colossal icebergs and quintessential Arctic scenery accompany you while passing through this narrow fjord system.
Day 10
Bright bergs, big mountains
You sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, enjoying its lofty mountains and bright interior icebergs. In the evening you reach Teufelsschloss, a prominent mountain that comprises part of the Eleonora Bay Supergroup: sedimentary rock created between 950 – 610 million years ago to a depth of 16 km (10 miles). This rust-red multi-layered unique geology defines the scenery over the coming days.
Day 11
Into the Antarctic Sound
Today the aim is to land in Renbugten in search of musk oxen and Arctic hares. Around lunch you head east into the inversely named Antarctic Sound, enjoying views of the ancient sedimentary rock. You should arrive at Maria Island before nightfall.
Day 12
Meeting Menander
You cut into Kong Oscars Fjord for an attempted landing near Menander Øer, a location with lively walking opportunities.
Day 13
Colors of Arctic autumn
Continuing east, you land in Antarctic Havn. You spend the afternoon in this expansive valley, where you can see groups of musk oxen. At this time of year, the sparse vegetation is colored with golden fire. Your guide may be able to tell you about the intriguing geopolitics that played out here in the early 1930s between Norway and Denmark.