The Polar Travel Company

A pioneering 14-day expedition venturing off the beaten path into the far reaches of Northeast Greenland. From the alpine fjords of Scoresby Sund to the unexplored waters of the Northeast Water Polynya, this journey offers the chance to reach 80� North latitude, witness the Northern Lights, and track Arctic wolves and muskoxen in territories where very few ships have ever sailed.

� OEX

Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Starts: Akureyri, Iceland
Ends: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Language: English speaking voyage

The final plan is determined by the Expedition Leader based on ice and weather conditions.

Included

This expedition is a true journey of discovery into remote Northeast Greenland. Starting in Iceland, we cross the Greenland Sea under the Northern Lights to enter the world's largest fjord system, Scoresby Sund. As we head north, the landscape becomes more alpine and secluded, passing through the Antarctic Sound and surrounding colossal mountains with impressive layered geology. This itinerary stands out for its historical depth, visiting Thule culture remains and sites of legendary expeditions such as those of Wegener and Koldewey.

What defines this program as "Extreme" is its incursion into Germania Land and the Northeast Water Polynya�a semi-permanently open water area surrounded by ice, rich in marine life, where we search for the rare Ross's gull and the northernmost fulmar colonies. This is the realm of muskoxen and the lonely Arctic wolf. The voyage culminates by crossing to the Svalbard archipelago, linking two of the Arctic's wildest destinations in a single epic adventure.

Highlights:
Exploration of the Northeast Water Polynya, reaching latitudes near 80� North.
Unique opportunity to witness the Northern Lights in areas with zero light pollution.
Sightings of rare Arctic wildlife: Arctic wolves, muskoxen, and the elusive Ross's gull.
Visit to historical Thule culture sites and century-old scientific research stations.
Sailing among monumental icebergs and the outer fringes of the pack ice.
Landing at Isle de France to view archaeological remains guided by experts.

� OEX

Day 1: On the Iceland road
Heading North
Morning departure from Reykjavik via chartered bus to Akureyri. Embarkation in the afternoon and sailing through the fjord with potential whale sightings while crossing the Arctic Circle.

Day 2: Ocean life beneath the Northern Lights
Greenland Sea navigation
A sea day searching for marine life in mixing zones. At night, clear skies offer the opportunity to witness the magical Northern Lights.

Day 3: In the footsteps of Arctic explorers
Wegener and Polar history
Entering Kong Oscar Fjord. Landing at Wegener Halv�ya in tribute to Alfred Wegener. Possible muskoxen sightings at Antarctic Havn.

Day 4: Alpine landscapes
Geology and ancient culture
Visit Karl Jakobsens Bugt and Thule remains at Botaniker Bugt. Transit through Antarctic Sound surrounded by 1000m peaks and the towering Teufelsloss (Devil�s Castle).

Day 5: Remains of the Thule Culture at Eskimonaes
Historical encounters
Landing at Clavering �, site of the only recorded encounter with Thule people in NE Greenland in 1823. Exploration of their ancient dwellings.

Day 6: Arctic islands with lesser-known history
Sabine � and walruses
Visit Sabine Island, site of historic pendulum experiments. At Hvalros Island, search for returning walrus populations. Start of round-the-clock daylight.

Day 7: Dove Bugt
Wolf and Muskox territory
Sailing through Dove Bugt with potential landings at Store Koldewey or Kap Bismarck. We enter the southern realm of the Arctic wolf in Greenland.

Day 8: Germania Land
Unprecedented exploration
Sailing past the Sirius Patrol Station and landing on the east coast of Germania Land. Exploring regions rarely visited by expedition ships.

Day 9: Isle de France
Archaeology at the edge
Ice permitting, we land at Kap St. Jacques to view Independence II culture remains with a National Greenland Museum archaeologist.

Day 10 - 11: Into the Northeast Water Polynya
Latitude 80� North
Sailing through open waters surrounded by permanent ice. We search for Ross�s gull and visit Mallemukfjellet, the northernmost fulmar colony in the world.

Day 12: In the fringes of the pack ice
The world of ice
Sailing southeast through the outer fringes of the pack ice. Observing marine mammals and birds that thrive in this otherworldly habitat.

Day 13: At sea to Spitsbergen
Transoceanic crossing
Sailing east across the Greenland Sea following the Gulf Stream. Possible late-day landing at Poolepynten (Svalbard) to see walruses.

Day 14: Largest town, biggest island
Arrival in Longyearbyen
Disembarkation in the capital of Svalbard. Time to visit local museums and the church before airport transfers for the flight to Oslo.