Jewels of the Arctic | Sylvia Earle Expedition Ship

Jewels of the Arctic

Explore the beauty of Svalbard. This realm is bathed almost constantly in daylight. You will be enthralled by the sight of polar bears and walruses on the sea ice. The cries from guillemots resting high up the mountains are sure to raise your adrenaline. Scoresbysund, the largest fjord in the world, is located on the east coast of Greenland. Ittoqqortoormiit is one of the most remote Inuit settlements on the planet. Cruise amidst icebergs that have been shaped in fantastical shapes, or stroll through tundra decorated with bright flowers and wild berries.

Day by day

Day 1: Longyearbyen

Aurora Expeditions will be there to meet and greet you at Longyearbyen. They will then transfer you directly to your group's hotel. Visit the Aurora Expeditions desk upon arrival to pick up luggage tags. Consult with the team of ground operators for any pre-departure details, including information about dining, withdrawals, and last-minute purchases. You can spend the rest of your day at leisure and pay for meals yourself.

Book a room at Funken Lodge or a comparable accommodation.

Day 2: Embarkation

Your hotel will pick up your luggage this morning for cleaning and transfer directly to the port. This ensures that it gets delivered in your cabin prior to your departure. Keep valuables close to you and ensure that your luggage is clearly marked with your name, cabin number and hotel. Join fellow adventurers for a city tour after breakfast.

Your guide will give you an insight into Longyearbyen’s past on the way to Camp Barentz, located in Advent Valley. A traditional lavvo hosts a talk at Camp Barentz. You can also meet huskies, buy souvenirs, and attend a presentation. Visit the Svalbard Museum in town before returning to your vessel late that afternoon.

After the tour, proceed directly to the embarkation pier. Assemble in your cabin and attend the safety briefings. Enjoy the excitement as you depart. Join the Welcome Dinner in the evening to meet fellow adventurers, the Expedition Team and crew. This is a great way to celebrate the start of a thrilling journey.

Day 3, 4 & 5: Svalbard

Day 6 & 7: Greenland

Day 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13: East Greenland

Day 14: Denmark Strait

Day 15: Reykjavik

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Highlights

Approach musk oxen and reindeer quietly on tundra walks.

Navigate Svalbard's pack ice for polar bears and ringed seals.

Zodiac-cruise along vast glacial fronts in Øfjord, painted pink by the sunset.

Witness arctic foxes hunting beneath cliffs with guillemot and fulmar colonies.

Activities

Sea Kayaking

Under full instruction from your sea kayaking guide, experience true tranquillity as you paddle through clinking ice floes and realise the enormity of the surrounding scenery. Look out for breaching whales, lounging seals and penguins zipping alongside your kayak. Some experience is required.

Ice Camping

Camp out on the ice and experience the silence which blankets the continent by night. This is your chance to completely connect with this ethereal ice world – wrap up warm and embrace the Antarctic elements.

Snowshoeing

Get a spring in your step when you slip on a pair of snowshoes in Antarctica. Enabling you to easily scale gentle slopes, this unique activity allows you to access hard to reach places and seek out the most impressive views.

Photography

Learn to capture wildlife and landscape shots in a small group photography program, including critiquing sessions and editing classes. Plus, Explorer Boat excursions with a dedicated photography expert on landings.

Explorer Boats

Achieve the best views and photographs from a forward facing Explorer Boats. They allow you to sit comfortably and securely while crackling through the ice-strewn waters. Look out for wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales as you cruise.

Yoga

It doesn’t get more serene than complimentary yoga classes to the tune of glacial scenery. Join the most unique exercise setting in the world after a day of exploration. Classes are regular but are dependent on weather conditions and swell.