Expedition
Plancius - 108 Guests
Northeast Greenland Solar Eclipse Explorer Voyage
Experience the iconic wildlife of Svalbard and Greenland

Get the ultimate Arctic experience on this amazing voyage of Svalbard and Greenland, experiencing not only the solar eclipse but also getting the option for long hikes far from our landing sites. Our route takes us through some of the best areas for viewing polar bears, Arctic foxes, various seals, and even more species of whale.

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Venture far into the wild Greenland backcountry, exploring a variety of rugged terrain on an exhilarating hike that will give you the true expedition experience
  • Visit Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord which is a large East Greenland fjord system lies between Cape Mackenzie and Cape Franklin
  • Visit Ittoqqortoormiit, a small settlement on Greenland's rugged eastern coast. Ittoqqortoormiit is one of the most remote towns on the island and in the world
  • Visit Sydkap, an area of Scoresby Sund where wildlife, striking terrain, and ancient Thule culture converge
  • Witness a Total Solar Eclipse, a riveting cosmic event only fully experienced along a narrow terrestrial pathway
  • Watch Minke Whales - though the smallest of the fin whales, these migrating mammals can let out a cry as loud as a plane taking off
  • Among the few hooved animals to survive the last ice age, the Musk Ox are goat-like creatures that have an underlayer of fur that is one of the world's warmest natural fibers
  • Look out for Polar Bears - Awe-inspiring icons of the circumpolar north, polar bears are majestic to behold, terrifying to confront, and as essential to the Arctic as ice and snow

DATES / RATES

Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
Start DateEnd DateQuadruple PortholeTriple PortholeTwin PortholeTwin WindowTwin DeluxeSuperior
Aug 03, 2026Aug 16, 20268,55010,55012,45013,40014,40016,150
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
Start DateEnd Date(Starting from)
Quadruple Porthole		(Mid-range)
Twin Window		(High-end)
Superior
Aug 03, 2026Aug 16, 20268,55013,40016,150


ITINERARY

Day 1: Largest town, biggest island
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 we might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.

Day 2: Sabine observatory and Raudfjorden
In 1823 the Irish scientist, soldier, and explorer Edward Sabine had an observatory on Indre Norskøya, in northwestern Svalbard. Using a pendulum to study gravity, he suggested a project to measure the meridians (lines of longitude through the poles) on Spitsbergen, the goal of which was to define the curvature of the Earth. We will try to get to Sabinehaugen, where he did his observations. Sailing next into Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, we’ll see in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by ringed seals, bearded seals, and polar bears. The cliffs and shoreline of this fjord also support thriving seabird colonies.

Day 3-4: Onward to East Greenland
We may eventually see the jagged edge of East Greenland sea ice flashing into sight ahead, depending on the conditions. Keep watch for whales and migrating seabirds here.

Day 5: Tundra, mountains, and icebergs
As we approach Greenland, we may sail through the sea ice into Foster Bay and land at Myggebugten. Beyond the old hunters’ hut (where Norwegian trappers hunted for polar bear and Arctic fox in the first half of the 20th century), there is a sprawling tundra populated by musk oxen, with geese floating the small lakes. From here we’ll sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and bright interior icebergs.

For those who choose to attend, we will have our first long hike (6-7 hours) today. We’ll start at Myggbukta station and head into Badlanddal, then turn south to Fangsthytte near Kap Bennet. A Zodiac will sail ahead of the walking party and parallel to the coast to watch out for bears. We will then sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and bright interior icebergs.

Day 6: Islands of Antarctic Sound
We arrive at Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle), a mountain with layered geology. On the other side of the fjord is Blomsterbugt and the intended landing site. In the afternoon, we head into Antarctic Sound to find the islands of Ruth, Maria, and Ella. Maria is the most likely spot for a landing.

Day 7: Alpefjord’s lofty peaks
In the morning, we enter Segelsällskapets Fjord, with the streaked slopes of the Berzelius Mountains bordering the north side. We land on the south shore, where ancient sedimentary formations lie right at our feet. A hike takes you near a small lake with good chances to see musk oxen, Arctic hares, and ptarmigans. In the afternoon, the ship ventures into Alpefjord, aptly named for the spire-like peaks that thrust up around it. We may then embark on a Zodiac cruise around Gully Glacier, which once blocked access to the interior of these waters. Continuing deep into the fjord, we’ll experience a definitive Greenland adventure.

Day 8: Sights of the Arctic autumn
The first half of the day we will spend in Antarctic Havn, an extensive valley where you can spot groups of musk oxen. At this time of year, the sparse vegetation is wearing the fiery colors of autumn.

Day 9: Largest fjord in the world
Today we reach Scoresby Sund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. We may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. In the afternoon, we plan to sail along the east coast of Milne Land among a multitude of giant icebergs. If we can also land at Charcot Havn, we will make a walk to Charcot Glacier before continuing to Bjørneøer.

Day 10: Total Solar Eclipse
We will have a Zodiac cruise near Sorte Ø in the morning, surrounded by icebergs. Their austere blue-white contrasts sharply with the sediment slopes nearby. At midday we will position the ship in the center of the moon shadow in Øfjord. In the afternoon, we watch the solar eclipse either from the ship or one of the nearby shores.

Latitude 70.878 north, longitude 27.286 west
(Øfjord in Scoresby Sund)

Duration of Eclipse: 2 hours, 1 minute
Duration of Totality: 2 minutes, 17 seconds

Time (GMT minus 1 hour)
Start of Eclipse 02.33 pm
Start of Totality 03.33 pm
Max. Eclipse 03.35 pm (Alt. 25.0)
End of Totality 03.36 pm
End of Eclipse 04.34 pm

If ice conditions prevent us from getting into Scoresby Sund, we will sail south along the ice edge and find another zone of totality along Blosseville Coast, for instance at latitude 68.630 north, longitude 26.509 west.

The primary goal of our solar eclipse voyages is to position our ships in the center of totality on Aug 12, 2026. This itinerary allows us to reach this goal when we have an average sea ice situation, as we’ve had in the past fourteen years. If this is not the case, we will adapt the itinerary and skip landing areas on our sailing from Longyearbyen to Øfjord. If we can’t get into Scoresby Sund, we sail to Blosseville Coast, south of Søkongens Bugt.

Day 11: Enormous bergs, Arctic hares
In the morning, we will encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (330 feet) high and more than a kilometer (.6 miles) long. We’ll then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and Arctic hares. Today's long hike goes from Sydkap to Satakajik, showing us the remains of Thule winter houses built with whale vertebrae. In the evening, we sail into Øfjord.

Day 12: Settlement at Scoresby Sund
Today we make a tundra landing on Liverpool Land, in Hurry Inlet. The afternoon stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresby Sund at about four hundred inhabitants. At the post office, you can buy stamps for your postcards or just stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen. In the afternoon, we sail south, passing the picturesque landscapes of the Blosseville Coast.

Day 13: Sea life under the northern lights
A sea day grants us the opportunity to spot whales and seabirds – and at night, the magical northern lights.

Day 14: Journey’s end at Akureyri
Even the greatest adventures eventually come to an end. We disembark in Akureyri, where on request you can transfer by chartered bus (six-hour drive that must be booked in advance) to the bus stop at Harpa Concert Hall at Austurbakki, Reykjavík.

Plancius (Expedition, 108-guests)

MV Plancius offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. The vessel has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 4), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs.

(Click image to view Ship details)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
  • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
  • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
  • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
  • Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
  • Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen.
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
  • AECO fees and governmental taxes.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure material.
  • Free 1.5 GB of Wifi
Excluded from this voyage
  • Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
  • Pre- and post- land arrangements.
  • Transfers to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen.
  • Passport and visa expenses.
  • Government arrival and departure taxes.
  • Meals ashore.
  • Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
  • Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
  • The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).


ADVENTURE OPTIONS
  • Zodiac Cruises
  • Long Hikes
Long hikes are for groups of 24 passengers maximum, accompanied by two armed expedition staff and a Zodiac that will sail ahead to watch for polar bears along the shoreline. Passengers who join this activity should have the willingness and ability to hike at least 15 km (9 miles) in semi-rough terrain that includes shorelines, tundra, low hills, and river crossings. Hikes will take around six hours from start to finish, rest times included. We will hike at a modest pace and not cross any alpine terrain. Guests who do not wish to take part will have a landing in the morning at the start point of the hike, then sail to the end point for their second landing in the afternoon.

 

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DISCLAIMER: Rates are per person and subject to change.
   





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