Ultimate Arctic Voyage: From Svalbard to Jan Mayen to Iceland
Ultimate Arctic Voyage: From Svalbard to Jan Mayen to Iceland
Ultimate Arctic Voyage: From Svalbard to Jan Mayen to Iceland
13 Days Starting in Helsinki, Finland and ending in Reykjavik, Iceland
Visiting: Greenland Sea, Reykjavik
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PLQ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 199
Age range:
18-99
Interests:
Tour Overview
The adventure begins in the remote Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, renowned for its stunning scenery and abundant, varied wildlife such as Polar bears and walrus. From there, sail south across the Greenland Sea to the mysterious, volcanic Jan Mayen, a nature reserve so remote that few have ever been fortunate enough to explore this Arctic treasure. This epic adventure culminates with a journey under the midnight sun to Reykjavik, where you can soak up Icelandic culture in a city that never sleeps.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Helsinki, Finland
Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its extraordinary architecture and intriguing mix of eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.
Day 2 : Fly To Longyearbyen, Svalbard & Embark
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, as part of the transfer package. As you embark this afternoon, expect great views of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this seaside town.
Day 3 - 6 : Exploring Spitsbergen
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with austere beauty and opportunities to spot its abundant wildlife. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and tundra in full bloom, with walrus, Polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions permit, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole!
Day 7 - 8 : At Sea
Location: Greenland Sea
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
While sailing south through the historic Greenland Sea toward Jan Mayen, the Expedition Team will keep you informed with presentations about the history and politics of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology, ecology and climate, and the incredible sights you will soon explore. On deck, you’ll learn to identify seabirds “on the wing.” The team will also keep a lookout for the whales that frequent the waters here.
Day 9 : Exploring Jan Mayen
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
North of the Arctic Circle, about 280 miles (450 km) east of Greenland and 340 miles (550 km) north of Iceland, the mysterious Jan Mayen rises from the depths of the North Atlantic. Often shrouded in thick fog, the small mountainous island was declared a nature reserve in 2010 and is rarely visited, save for the 18 rotating personnel of the Norwegian military and Norwegian Meteorological Institute, who are the only inhabitants.
Landing here will be dictated by the weather and sea. If conditions allow, as we approach, keep watch on deck as the spoon-shaped island’s highest summit emerges. At 7,470 feet (2,277 metres) high, the breathtaking Beerenberg volcano features a symmetrical cone shape and impressive glaciers that spill into the sea.
If we’re fortunate, we may get a close- up view of the volcano and the stratified cliffs of the spectacular north coast as we Zodiac cruise along the coast of the island, searching for wildlife. Designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for the large numbers of breeding seabirds, Jan Mayen supports colonies of northern fulmars, little auks, glaucous gulls, kittiwakes, and black and Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).
Day 10 - 11 : At Sea
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
As we sail south, the Denmark Strait is your pathway toward Iceland. Take in a presentation, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a film—there are many things to do during your time at sea. Your Expedition Team will also be on hand to answer any questions and point out wildlife.
Day 12 : Disembark Reykjavik, Iceland
Location: Reykjavik
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
You’ll disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, at the end of your expedition, and be transferred to your included hotel for the night.
Day 13 : Depart Reykjavik
Location: Reykjavik
Meals Included: Breakfast
What's Included
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners. -
All meals while on the ship
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Beer and house wine during dinner
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All accommodation
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All transport and listed activities
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Full complement of qualified Expedition Staff
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Mandatory transfer package including flights from Helsinki to Longyearbyen
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We can include flights from the UK. Please contact us for a quote.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
All meals while on the ship included.
Typical Meals
The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale.
Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.
Lunch: Three course set meal or buffet, or the occasional BBQ.
Dinner:Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and coffee.
Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday - please do inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local team can be well prepared.
Accommodation
The Ultimate Arctic Voyage: From Svalbard to Jan Mayen to Iceland voyage is offered on the Ultramarine which is a Polar Adventure Ship.
Polar Adventure Ships
These are small ice rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking and many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food and staff are superb and every guest benefits from the technical advances of this superb fleet. Rest assured our Polar Adventure Ships enable any traveller to maximize their experience sensitively in the Poles.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes a mandatory transfer package with flights from Helsinki to Longyearbyen. The journey is aboard the Ultramarine, a Polar Adventure Ship, offering a unique experience through the Arctic waters with opportunities for Zodiac excursions and wildlife spotting.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of ship is used for the Ultimate Arctic Voyage?
The voyage is offered on the Ultramarine, which is a Polar Adventure Ship. These are small ice-rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters, designed for intimate adventures with flexible itineraries and a variety of activities.
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What wildlife can I expect to see during the tour?
During the tour, you can expect to see iconic Arctic wildlife such as Polar bears, walrus, and Svalbard reindeer. Bird enthusiasts may also spot Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes, and ivory gulls.
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What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking, and many hours on deck to explore areas that other ships may not access. There are also presentations about the Arctic's history, politics, wildlife, geology, ecology, and climate.
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What meals are provided on the ship?
All meals are included while on the ship. Breakfast is buffet style, lunch is a three-course set meal or buffet, and dinner is a three or four-course meal with options including vegetarian dishes. Beer and house wine are served during dinner.
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What is the policy for special dietary requests?
Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday. It is important to inform the team before departure of any special dietary requests so that they can be well prepared.
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What is the significance of Jan Mayen in the itinerary?
Jan Mayen is a remote volcanic island that is rarely visited, with only 18 rotating personnel from the Norwegian military and Meteorological Institute. It is a nature reserve and an Important Bird Area, known for its large numbers of breeding seabirds.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Jul 07, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.