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Arctic Highlights Southbound
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Length
15 Days
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Quality
This indicates the overall quality of the tour operator's products. A low rating does not mean it is not good - it just means that it does not include as much, or perhaps is of a more standard quality than the higher quality tours. For example, a 3 star quality rating means that it is a more standard/economical tour, while 5 stars is a very luxurious tour that often includes a lot of amenities. -
Starts in
Longyearbyen (Svalbard, Norway)
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Ends in
Keflavik
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Available Tour Start Dates
AUG 31, 2026 to SEP 15, 2027
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Activity Level
Easy
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Style
Fully-Guided
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Guaranteed Date(s)
Yes means that there is at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur. No means that there is not at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur, which usually means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on each tour in order for each one to occur. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).Yes
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Special Interest(s)
Includes Cruise, Sailing and/or Rail
Small-ship adventures on the world's great seas, rivers, and other places only accessible by boat.
From
Pricing listed is per person, based on double occupancy, and is the least expensive price for at least one departure date of this tour. Price is for the tour only. Additional items, including but not limited to, airfare (unless noted otherwise), travel insurance, and more, are additional.
$8,649.00
Contact Us for a Special Price!
Overview
Sailing from Svalbard to Greenland, follow the ice's edge with an eye peeled to the horizon for wildlife. Navigating south, you'll explore this remote landscape not only by ship but also on foot and via Zodiac. This journey highlights the contrast and change in the Arctic as you move south, finally ending in Iceland, "the Land of Fire and Ice." An Inuit village, unique wildlife, and remote destinations are just some of the highlights on this truly unforgettable voyage through the Arctic.
Visited During Tour
Ittoqqortoormiit (Greenland) | Keflavik | Longyearbyen (Norway) | Svalbard (Norway)
Dates, Offers & Prices
Tour Itinerary
More Details
Dates, Offers & Prices
The following are Arctic Highlights Southbound tour dates available from G Adventures. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
Tour Itinerary
G Adventures Tour Code XVHANX-11930
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Day
1Longyearbyen
Embark aboard the Expedition in the afternoon and depart Longyearbyen. An arrival transfer is included. Guests should follow the joining instructions provided in their welcome information for luggage drop-off and embarkation details.
Please make sure you drop your checked luggage off at the meeting point between 10:30am - 3:40pm. A local representative will be in the luggage storage room. They can provide general information about the town or your embarkation process.All passengers will be transferred to the ship as a group for embarkation at 4pm. Please ensure that for embarkation you have your passport accessible (not in your luggage which is being transferred separately to the ship).
Please ensure your flight arrives by 2pm at the latest in order to be on time for today's 4pm embarkation.
- Meals Included:
- Dinner
Exclusive Inclusions:
Embarkation of the Expedition
In the afternoon, join your fellow passengers to take your group transfer and begin your journey on the Expedition. Please refer to your welcome letter or the joining instructions posted in the lobby of the start hotel. Make sure you have your passport handy as you are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Arrival Transfer
Locate the G representative for your included arrival transfer.
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Day
5Svalbard
Begin the expedition among the fjords, glaciers, historic sites and tundra landscapes of western and northwestern Spitsbergen. The expedition team will use local weather, sea-ice and wildlife conditions to select the best available opportunities for landings, Zodiac cruises and scenic ship cruising before setting a course toward Greenland.Look for Svalbard reindeer, Arctic foxes, seals, whales and the region's diverse birdlife. Polar bears also inhabit the archipelago, although sightings can never be guaranteed.
Over four full days, explore a small portion of the western coast of Svalbard. Entering the fall the days are getting shorter so try to take advantage of all of the sunlight possible to search for wildlife. Spend these days in search of the elusive polar bears as they hunt seals. Look out for Svalbard's unique subspecies of reindeer. Although much smaller than their southern relatives, they still carry impressive antlers. Keep a sharp lookout for Arctic foxes. By not having a set itinerary, we take on an expedition spirit and are free to take advantage of the best that Svalbard has to offer.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Exclusive Inclusions:
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Zodiac Excursion (Arctic)
Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather and ice conditions.
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Day
7Greenland Sea
Cross the Greenland Sea toward East Greenland. Attend lectures and educational programs led by the expedition team, spend time on deck watching for whales, seals and seabirds, and watch for drifting pack ice. If conditions safely allow, the ship may explore near the ice edge for a closer look at the polar marine environment.
Frigid waters drain from the Arctic Ocean in a southwest current along the coast of Northeast Greenland. Often, drifting pack ice is pushed along the coast. We will attempt to approach and follow the pack ice edge to explore the polar seascape. Keep a lookout for sea mammals like seals and whales and also sea birds such as kittiwakes and fulmars.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Exclusive Inclusions:
Arctic Lectures and Educational Programs
Attend lectures hosted throughout the day on anything from local wildlife to the history and exploration of the Arctic.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
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Day
12East Greenland: Scoresbysund, Ittoqqortoormiit and Remote Fjord Exploration
Spend several days exploring the immense fjords and rugged coastal landscapes of East Greenland. Sail among sculptural icebergs, glacier-carved valleys, steep mountain walls and broad stretches of Arctic tundra as the expedition team selects the most suitable opportunities each day.
A planned visit to Ittoqqortoormiit offers insight into daily life, history and culture in one of Greenland's most remote communities. Elsewhere in the region, the flexible expedition program may include hikes, shoreline exploration, Zodiac cruises and scenic navigation through Scoresbysund and remote fjords extending south along the East Greenland coast.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Exclusive Inclusions:
Ittoqqortoormiit Community Visit
Visit Ittoqqortoormiit for an up close look into life in the most remote town in Greenland. This small settlement is home to only 450 individuals and one grocery store. The people of Ittiqqortoormiit rely heavily on hunting and fishing and have honed these skillsets for many generations. They enjoy spending warmer weather on dog sleds, snowmobile trips, or camping excursions. With the closest inhabited settlement hundreds of miles away across some of the most unforgivable terrain in the world, the warmth and sense of community fostered by the people of Ittiqqortoormiit act as a beacon in the Arctic.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
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Day
14Denmark Strait
Cross the Denmark Strait toward Iceland. Continue the onboard lecture series and spend time on deck watching for whales, seabirds and changing ocean conditions.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Exclusive Inclusions:
Arctic Lectures and Educational Programs
Attend lectures hosted throughout the day on anything from local wildlife to the history and exploration of the Arctic.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
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Day
15Port of Keflavik
Disembark shortly after breakfast at the Port of Keflavik. Transfer arrangements will be confirmed onboard before departure. Guests should observe the published onward-flight restrictions when making travel plans.
For guests departing on disembarkation day, G Adventures will provide a complimentary transfer at 8:00am to Keflavik International Airport from the port.For guests who are planning on staying in Keflavik or Reykjavik post trip, taxis will be available for hire at the pier to transfer them to their accommodations. All transfer arrangements will be confirmed while on board prior to departure, to ensure that all needs are met.Please do not book onward travel prior to `12:00pm.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Exclusive Inclusions:
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
More Details
G Adventures is informing us of the following additional details regarding their Arctic Highlights Southbound tour:
Group Size
Max 128 aboard the Expedition.
What's Included
14 nts aboard the Expedition. Arrival transfer. Transfer from meeting point to ship (Longyearbyen). Zodiac excursions with our expert expedition team. Lectures and educational programs. Visit to a local community (Greenland). Departure transfer (Keflavik, depending on flight). Waterproof boots supplied for USA sizes 4 - 16. Expedition parka.
Highlights
Explore the edges of an ice floe by Zodiac, Walk on the tundra searching for birds, Keep an eye out for a variety of whale species, Learn about the Arctic from lectures and on-site briefings, Sail through magnificent fjords and visit a local Greenland community in Ittoqqortoormiit
What are the mandatory travel insurance requirements for this trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Accommodation Summary
Aboard the Expedition in triple-, twin-share cabins, or suites (all with en suite bathrooms and porthole or window, 14 nts). Please note that all cabins consist of twin-size berths and are ocean-facing. Suites have one queen-size bed.
Meals Included
14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners
What are the meals like on this trip?
Onboard our expedition ships you’ll find a diversity of gourmet international cuisines prepared and catered by professional chefs; all meals are included in the price of your expedition. Dining is casual, tables are unassigned and the dining room is capable of seating the entire passenger compliment at one time. There is always a selection of different meals available, and vegetarians will find plenty of options. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice, please advise us at time of confirmation. Coffee, tea and water are all provided free of charge. All other beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic are not included and can be purchased in the dining room, pub, or in the lounge.
Group Leader
One expedition team member per 10 guests.
What is the role of the group leader during this trip?
A carefully chosen team will lead our voyage. Our expedition ships boast an international team of professional naturalists and lecturers. Their goal is to provide an informed and balanced interpretation of the destination, accomplished through stimulating lectures, day-to-day briefings, and informal discussions. Your lecturers and Expedition Leader will cover all aspects of the voyage including ornithology, marine biology, geography, geology, history and the environment, as well as practical things like photography. The expedition staff work conscientiously with you on deck and in the field, improving your observational skills to allow you to experience all that the destination has to offer. Their strong sense of ethics and ecological knowledge make for stimulating and mindful conversation whether onshore or at the dinner table. The expedition staff will pilot the Zodiac landing craft used for shore landings and Zodiac cruises; they are experienced drivers who operate the Zodiacs in a responsible manner.
International Flights
No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour. However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details. In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.
Transportation
Expedition, Zodiac, local bus, walking.
Minimum Age
Minimum age of 10 years for this trip.
Notes
This trip is assigned a Physical Rating of 2. It is accessible to most fitness levels and for those able to do extended walks and light hiking on various terrain. It is important to note that for landings in the Arctic we use Zodiacs and wet beach landings in what sometimes can be extreme environments. This will require you to be able to safely navigate ice and snow on uneven ground, to lift your leg over the side of a Zodiac and push yourself up, walk on wet, rocky beaches and stand throughout the landing with no place to sit. Please also note that the Expedition does not have an elevator and thus staircases must be used to move between decks, and depending on the weather the ship can sometimes find itself navigating rough and choppy sea conditions. For visual examples of the zodiac landings and activities please refer to the Excursions image gallery on the Expedition landing page here.
Checklist
Documents:o Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)o Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)o Passport (required) (With photocopies)o Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)o Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)Expedition:o Waterproof pants (required) (Mandatory for all Zodiac landings, preferably with elastic cuffs to avoid any water seeping in during landings.)o Binoculars (highly recommended)o Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)o Credit cards (Please note the Expedition is cashless and only accepts credit cards for payment.)o Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)o Drybag (To protect your camera and belongings on Zodiac landings)o Ear plugso First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)o Flashlight/torch (Recommended for Antarctic camping)o Fleece jacket or warm layero Fleece top/sweatero Footwear (good gripping) (Please note that open toed shoes are not allowed in public spaces on the Expedition.)o Hato Long pants/jeanso Moisturizer/lip balmo Moneybelto Motion sickness tabletso Outlet adapter (Electricity onboard is 220AC electrical outlets, with European 2 pin round holes, as well as 110-volt shaving sockets in the bathroom for electric razors only.)o Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)o Scarf (Or neck warmer.)o Shirts/t-shirtso Sleepwearo Sunblocko Sunglasseso Swimwearo Thermal base layero Thermal underwearo Toiletries (Shampoo and shower gel are provided aboard the Expedition.)o Walking poles (if desired)o Warm hato Warm waterproof gloveso Watch and alarm clocko Wool/Heavy socksHealth & Safety:o Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)o Hand sanitizero Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
What are the packing guidelines and luggage restrictions?
Most airlines allow one checked bag and two carry-on per person. To avoid any problems on check-in and with possible excess baggage charges, please consult the airline for specific restrictions.Dress on board is informal. Plan to bring comfortable, casual clothing for all activities. Bring wind and waterproof outer layers. Beware of tight clothing that leaves no room for trapped air, which is an excellent insulator. Wool, silk and some of the new synthetic fibers, like polar fleece, retain heat better than cotton. When packing, we suggest that you do not weigh yourself down with too many clothes or too much gear. Select informal, practical attire that can be worn in layers. In the worlds most remote destinations that the Expedition travels to we cannot offload our plastics, glass or tin waste for recycling. Therefore, we try to reduce what single use items that we use. You will see on the ship that every effort is being used to stop the use of single use plastic containers, bags and other items. In an effort to prevent plastic waste from entering the waste stream, we are asking for your help. We offer exceptional drinking water on the ship with refilling stations for your re-useable water containers. You will be provided a complimentary water bottle to fill up as needed. Plastic Items such as single use shampoo/conditioner plastic containers cannot be recycled, so please plan to bring any plastics back to your home countries for recycling. Please do not bring single use items that you intend to leave behind such plastic bags and throw away razors. Your participating in helping to prevent pollution and promote recycling is greatly appreciated.
What are the tipping guidelines for this trip?
Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. It is an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your expedition. The industry standard and suggested amount is USD $10 - 15 per person per day spent on board. Of course, tipping is a personal choice and the suggested amount is set only as a guideline. Crew tips may be settled using most major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard and AMEX) by the ship's Purser. The money is collected by the Hotel Manager at the end of the voyage and distributed amongst the crew and Expedition Staff. The Officers choose not to participate in the tipping pool.
Trip Specific Responsible Travel
OUR COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLE TRAVELAs a leader in Sustainable Tourism, we are committed to ensuring that all of our marine expeditions operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. All expeditions aboard the expedition ship meet and exceed all environmental regulations and protocols in the regions that we visit.Staff & Crew:Our crew and expedition team act as stewards of the environment and are well versed in the strict environmental protocols on board and on land. All of our travellers are thoroughly briefed in these protocols before being allowed to participate in excursions and are always supervised by our team when on shore.4-Stroke Outboard Engines:In an effort to drastically reduce environmental pollutants 4-stroke outboard engines have been installed on all of our zodiacs. Our 4-stroke outboard motors use less fuel and produce less noise pollution than 2-stroke engines. Since there is no mixing of oil and gas the exhaust is intrinsically much cleaner and friendlier to the environment.Planeterra FoundationThrough our commitment to responsible tourism we have developed the Planeterra Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports local community projects and international charities around the world.Sea Chart Auction:At the end of each departure, the Captain’s Sea Chart is auctioned and all proceeds are donated to international organizations through Planeterra.Our end goal is to minimize the potential negative impact of tourism in the areas we operate while maximizing the positive impact of instilling a widened understanding and appreciation of these regions. During our voyages, we ask all our passengers that they see their visit to these areas as a privilege and that they share their newfound knowledge and experiences with others when they return home. We also hope that by bringing people to these regions that they continue to act as ambassadors and stewards of these areas.
Pricing and availability are subject to change and must be confirmed by one of our travel advisors, who can contact the vendor to do so. Intra-vacation air (also referred to as internal air) is usually based on economy class seating (do not assume otherwise, unless explicity noted otherwise) and may be 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. Air quotes (including intra-vacation airfare) may be subject to change until final payment has been received by the vendor. Flight confirmation may be based on availability. Air reservations may not be able to be confirmed until a passport copy is received by the vendor. The following charges are not included in the vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee, passenger facility charges, Federal domestic flight segment fees, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature. Itinerary details are provided by the vendor. Vendors may reserve the right to change itineraries, even on existing reservations. There may be instances where the name of a tour contains a tour length in it, but where there is a version of the tour that is a different number of days in length. You can check the true length of a tour by referring to the length value listed in association with that tour. Destination images displayed on this web page, some which are supplied by the related vendor and some which are not, are intended to simply give a general representation of the region of the world being visited during the tour. Such images are not necessarily of the exact areas being visited during the tour. Hotel details (including, but not limited to: rating/class, descriptions, images, amenities and addresses) are provided by G Adventures. Hotel amenities may be communicated in shorthand by G Adventures (for example, if "Laundry" is listed that may only mean that the hotel has an optional fee-based service that would allow for your laundry to be done by their staff). We reserve the right to correct errors.