Arctic Norway & Greenland
Solar Eclipse in Greenland
15 days from £18,295pp
Includes: full board expedition cruise, regional flights / transfers, zodiac landings & excursions.
Overview
This voyage onboard the MS Greg Mortimer, offers the chance to witness one of nature’s most incredible wonders as you experience a Total Solar Eclipse in the heart of Greenland’s magical wilderness. This unforgettable adventure also offers a comprehensive European Arctic experience as you uncover the brilliance of Svalbard’s northwest coast, the mysterious island of Jan Mayen, and Greenland’s spectacular east coast.
Every day promises once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether it’s the excitement of Eclipse Day, immersing yourself in Inuit culture, witnessing the fascinating wildlife of the region, or enjoying optional activities such kayaking, this trip guarantees a world of Arctic adventure. Wildlife we hope to see include Reindeer, Arctic fox, Musk ox, incredible birdlife, Walrus, Seals, Whales and Polar Bears.
Highlights:
- Witness a Total Solar Eclipse in the heart of Greenland’s wilderness!
- Explore Spitsbergen’s dramatic fjords
- Sail along the magnificent coastline of East Greenland & see some of the world’s largest icebergs in Scoresby Sund
- Chance to see Musk ox, Arctic fox, Reindeer, Ringed seals, Walrus and Polar bears
- Visit friendly Inuit communities & share in their culture
- Explore mysterious Jan Mayen Island
- Exciting Zodiac cruises, hikes & land visits
- Kayaking options available (additional cost)
- Resident photography guide
“This truly is a trip of a lifetime! Combine the excitement of a Solar eclipse with the wild and beautiful landscapes of the Arctic, surrounded by ancient traditional culture and a backdrop of icebergs, fjords & incredible natural history.”
This holiday can be tailor made to include all of the below itinerary or just part of it. Contact me for options to suit your requirements.
Departure 2 August 2026
- Day 1: Oslo Transfer to your hotel on arrival for overnight.
- Day 2: Join your group transfer to the airport for your included flight to Longyearbyen, the remote and magical administrative capital of the Svalbard archipelago. Time to explore the town before transferring late afternoon to the port for embarkation. Settle in as the ship will set sail out of the beautiful Isfjorden and deep into the Arctic wilderness.
- Days 3-5: Svalbard’s West Coast Over the course of the next three days the ship sails the western and northern coasts of the Svalbard archipelago in search of Polar bears and dramatic scenery. Incredible fjords, magnificent mountains, rich tundra and a variety of wildlife. Ample opportunites to kayak or take a Polar plunge!
- Days 6-7: At Sea & Jan Mayen Sail across the Greenland Sea, as whales and seabirds follow in your wake. Approach spectacular Jan Mayen, an often mist-shrouded island dominated by the imposing Beerenberg volcano, the northernmost active volcano in the world. Should the weather conditions be in our favour, we will attempt a landing at the relatively sheltered bay of Kvalrossbukta. Alternatively, we will Zodiac cruise along the coastline in search of whales and dolphins.
- Days 8-10: Ittoqqortoormiit & Scoresby Sund Exciting exploration of Greenland’s spectacular east coast. Be prepared for ice, and lots of it!! Sail and cruise by Zodiac through deep fjords and narrow channels surrounded by some of the Arctic’s most breath-taking scenery. Glaciers and giant icebergs, walk across multi-coloured tundra which is home to musk oxen and Arctic hare and visit ancient Thule archaeological sites and Inuit villages on this truly unforgettable adventure.
- Day 11: Solar Eclipse Day It’s the day we’ve all been waiting for and, as the captain steers us towards the optimal viewing position, the excitement will be building as we enjoy lunch onboard before making our way to deck to get comfortable in our prime spot for viewing this incredible celestial event. The drama unfolds as the moon starts to take a bite out of the sun, slowly plunging the landscape into an ethereal twilight. Then, the grand finale arrives. Totality transforms the day into night for a breathtaking 2 minutes and 18 seconds. As totality recedes, the sun peeks through, creating a stunning diamond ring effect. Relax and relive this unforgettable experience with your fellow travellers over a celebratory dinner.
- Please note: as with all natural events, viewing of the Eclipse is subject to weather, cloud cover, sea state, ice and other conditions beyond our control.
- Days 12-13: Greenland’s East Coast After the excitement of the Eclipse, there is still time for more adventures as we spend a further two days exploring around this incredible region. Fascinating areas we may visit include the beautiful bay of Cape Humboldt on Ymer Island, the Sefstrom Glacier, Sydkap, Rømer Fjord, Rode Ø, Hare Fjord, Nordvest Fjord, the neo-Eskimo site at Eskimobugt, Skipperdalen and more. As with all polar expeditions, all routes taken will be dictated by weather, sea and ice conditions.
- Day 14: Denmark Strait As your expedition sadly nears its end, we will spend a final day at sea sailing across the Denmark Strait towards Iceland. Spend time on deck looking for whales and seabirds.
- Day 15: Reykjavik, Iceland. Your expedition ends in Reykjavik, Iceland’s vibrant capital city, where after disembarkation a transfer will take you either to the airport or a downtown location.
There are lots of options for tours and adventures in Norway pre cruise or in Iceland post cruise, so please ask for options for extending your trip.
A few impressions…
“It really was a truly incredible trip – the Arctic wildlife and land and sea scapes around Svalbard was just stunning. I even did the Polar plunge!”
Mark Tolcher
Let us begin the journey that will create memories to last a lifetime.