Discovering Svalbard and Iceland

Begin your expedition in Reykjavik, Iceland’s lively capital and the gateway to a journey across the High Arctic. Board your vessel and settle into your surroundings before departing in the evening. As the city slips behind, sail north along Iceland’s dramatic coastline towards the remote Westfjords, beginning an adventure that will ultimately lead deep into the Svalbard archipelago.

Arrive in the remote Westfjords and discover Dynjandi, one of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls. Water cascades down the mountainside in a series of dramatic tiers, surrounded by the region’s rugged cliffs and quiet fjord scenery. Spend the afternoon exploring this isolated corner of Iceland before returning to the ship and continuing deeper into the Westfjords.

Continue to Djúpavík, an isolated settlement framed by steep mountains and the waters of Reykjarfjörður. Once shaped by Iceland’s booming herring industry, the village today offers an atmospheric glimpse into the country’s coastal past. Explore its remote surroundings and historic character while enjoying the extraordinary tranquillity of the Westfjords before sailing onwards towards northern Iceland.

Arrive in Húsavík, renowned for the marine life inhabiting nearby Skjálfandi Bay. Venture onto the water in search of humpback and other whales, with orcas also among the wildlife that may be encountered along Iceland’s northeast coast. Alternatively, explore the colourful harbour town or venture into the surrounding landscapes before Silver Endeavour departs for the remote waters of the High Arctic.

Leave Iceland behind and spend the day sailing farther north through increasingly remote waters. Take advantage of your vessel’s observation areas while watching for seabirds and marine wildlife, or join presentations from the expedition team to learn more about the geology, wildlife and history of the High Arctic. The open-ocean crossing marks the transition from Iceland towards the polar landscapes of Svalbard.

Continue north as your vessel approaches the Svalbard archipelago. Spend another relaxing day aboard while preparing for the expedition ahead, where the itinerary will increasingly be shaped by wildlife, sea ice and weather. With long summer daylight illuminating the ocean, watch the horizon as the remote islands and glaciated mountains of Svalbard draw closer.

Reach the northern region of Svalbard and begin five days of expedition exploration. Glaciated fjords, jagged mountains and flowering tundra create an extraordinary Arctic landscape, while the surrounding wilderness provides habitat for polar bears, walruses and vast colonies of seabirds. From this point, the Captain and Expedition Leader adapt each day to local conditions, seeking the strongest opportunities for wildlife observation and exploration.

Continue exploring Svalbard’s northern wilderness, where isolated beaches and rocky shores provide resting places for Atlantic walruses. Depending on conditions, venture out by Zodiac to search for wildlife or make a carefully managed landing to experience the tundra on foot. Surrounded by glaciers and mountains, every excursion reveals another perspective on this extraordinarily remote archipelago.

Journey through Svalbard’s magnificent glaciated fjords, where immense walls of ice descend towards clear Arctic waters. Zodiac excursions may provide closer perspectives on the glaciers, while landings can reveal tundra landscapes alive with hardy summer vegetation. Throughout the day, remain alert for wildlife along the shoreline, across the water and among the surrounding mountains.

Spend another day exploring the islands and waterways of northern Svalbard, with wildlife determining much of the expedition’s rhythm. Search for polar bears roaming the coastline or sea ice, watch for walruses along the shore and scan the cliffs for colonies of Arctic seabirds. With no rigid port schedule, the expedition team can respond to promising sightings and changing conditions throughout the day.

Enjoy a final full day within Svalbard’s northern region. Depending on weather, wildlife and sea conditions, the expedition team may select another Zodiac journey, tundra landing or exploration of a secluded fjord. Take in the archipelago’s soaring peaks, glaciers and wildlife one last time before Silver Endeavour begins positioning towards Longyearbyen.

Arrive in Longyearbyen, the small Arctic settlement surrounded by the mountains and valleys of Spitsbergen. Disembark Silver Endeavour after a journey connecting Iceland’s waterfalls, remote fjords and whale-rich waters with the dramatic wilderness of northern Svalbard. Your expedition concludes after five days among glaciated fjords, tundra and some of the High Arctic’s most iconic wildlife.