Explore Svalbard, a world of near-endless daylight, where polar bear sightings quicken your pulse, walrus haul out on sea ice and guillemot cries echo from towering cliffs. In East Greenland, sail deep into the world’s largest fjord, Scoresbysund, visit Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the world’s remotest Inuit settlements, cruise among iridescent icebergs sculpted into fantastic shapes, and walk across tundra blooming in brightly coloured flowers.
Prices Shown After Discount
Subject to Availability
This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.
For more information on the Douglas Mawson please view the ship page.
Having made your way to Reykjavik, you will be met by a representative and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival at your included hotel, please visit the hospitality area where you can leave your luggage and enjoy refreshments if arriving prior to 4pm. Whilst here you can collect your luggage cabin tags speak with our ground operations team, who may have information to share with you about pre-embarkation or to provide you with information about where to dine, withdraw cash or purchase last minute items from a local pharmacy or supermarket.
The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.
Accommodation: The Grand Hotel Reykjavik (or similar)
Today we follow the path of one of Reykjavik’s most popular seismic attractions – the Golden Circle. Stops along our route include Thingvellir National Park, accredited as the site of Iceland’s first parliament. A shaky start to the new nation, it is also the point where the Eurasia and North American tectonic plates meet as an open fissure. Our next stop is Gullfoss waterfall. This impressive water feature tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá River, offering a popular photographic opportunity. Next we explore the geothermal fields and geysir’s for which Iceland is famous. The variety of hot springs and bubbling pools are mesmerising as the sheer capacity of water and steam erupting from the ground makes you ponder just how much power is beneath your feet. Late afternoon we return to Reykjavik to board the Douglas Mawson.
After boarding, there’s time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings before we ‘throw the lines’ to begin our Greenland adventure. This evening, meet your expedition team and crew at the Welcome Dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
In the Denmark Strait, we cruise towards Greenland. We will be on the lookout for whale blows and the many seabirds that trail our ship, riding in the constant winds. In our lecture theatre, enjoy informative and entertaining presentations from our experts on topics such as seabirds, wildlife and ice, or catch up on some rest after busy days of travel.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
In the coming days, a host of choices are available to us, and depending on ice and weather conditions, the east coast of Greenland is ours to explore. Our experienced Expedition Team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to tailor our itinerary on a day-to-day basis. This allows us to make best use of the prevailing weather, ice conditions and encounters with wildlife. We generally attempt up to two landings or Zodiac excursions per day, including cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, following whales feeding near the surface.
Be prepared to experience ice – and lots of it! East Greenland contains some of the Arctic’s most impressive scenery. Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by sharp ice-clad peaks soaring up to 2,000 metres (6,562 feet), and glaciers birthing gigantic icebergs that drift throughout the fjord system, combine to create breathtaking scenes.
The tundra landscape is home to musk oxen, arctic hare and reindeer. Throughout the area there are ancient Thule archaeological sites, historical trappers’ huts, and the cabins of present-day Inuit hunters. A highlight is a visit to the Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit, the most isolated and northernmost permanent settlement in the region, with approximately 450 inhabitants. The community has an excellent museum, gift shop, an abundance of Greenlandic sled dogs and provides the opportunity to meet the friendly locals.
We hope to explore Scoresbysund, the world’s largest fjord and a favourite hunting ground of the local Inuit. Massive glaciers flow into this fjord, the birthplace of hundreds of majestic Greenland icebergs. It is a spectacular place that simply needs to be seen to be believed. North of Scoresbysund lie Kong Oskar and Kaiser Franz Josef fjords, two of the most significant fjord systems in Greenland, each one encompassing several smaller fjords and sounds. Thanks to the fertile volcanic soil and the surrounding mountains offering protection from strong winds, the area is rich in wildlife. You may spot everything from musk ox and arctic foxes to mountain hares, and even reindeer, near the fjord. Look skyward and you could catch a glimpse of birds, including the glaucous gull, black-legged kittiwake, northern fulmar, common raven and common eider.
We will attempt to enter Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, a remote and rarely visited fjord system with countless opportunities for exploration, located within the Northeast Greenland National Park. Cruising through Kong Oskar Fjord, we marvel at the geological beauty of the mountains. We will then head south along the coast of Liverpool Land, with our passage dependent on ice conditions.
We stretch our legs on hikes across tundra in search of ancient graveyards and summer villages occupied 3,000 years ago by Inuit. We may see musk ox, arctic hare and reindeer grazing. The maze of calm, interconnecting waterways in this area provides excellent opportunities for sea kayaking. We will see ring seals, perhaps catch a glimpse of the elusive narwhal, and maybe even a polar bear hunting on pack ice.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
As we sail away from the coast of East Greenland, we may encounter whales feeding in the rich waters of the north. Be prepared to encounter more pack ice and perhaps spot seals and a variety of seabirds, including the northern fulmar and Brünnich’s guillemot.
The strong, icy currents have isolated East Greenland from the Polar Basin, attracting large numbers of fish, seals and whales. Climatic conditions and the concentration of ice in the vicinity often create thick morning fog that only vanishes in presence of the midday sun. Our experts will inform and entertain us with fascinating discussions on plants, animals, ice and heroic tales of exploration.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Svalbard offers arctic wilderness at its best. The members of our experienced Expedition Team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to tailor our itinerary, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions and opportunities for wildlife encounters.
Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountains ranges, and a polar desert rich in fossils set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walrus hauled-out on sea ice or on beaches. On land, we stretch our legs on walks across tundra carpeted in brightly coloured wildflowers. We visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and puffins, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies.
If you have chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you will have an opportunity to enjoy that activity when conditions allow. For those who are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you will hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating dip – a memory you will savour for years to come.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
During the early morning we cruise back into Longyearbyen. Farewell your Expedition Team upon disembarkation before transferring to the airport for our charter flight to Oslo.
Note: the arrival time in Oslo is contingent on the approved allocated slot of our charter flight to and from Longyearbyen, which we expect to receive in March 2027.
This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.
Breakfast included.
Lunch and Dinner included.
| Dates | Cabin | From | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jul 2027 - 09 Aug 2027 | AUD$28876pp | ||
| Aurora Stateroom Twin Share | AUD$28876pp | Contact us | |
| Aurora Stateroom Superior | AUD$30396pp | Contact us | |
| Balcony Stateroom Category C | AUD$31276pp | Contact us | |
| Balcony Stateroom Category B | AUD$32876pp | Contact us | |
| Balcony Stateroom Category A | AUD$35436pp | Contact us | |
| Balcony Stateroom Superior | AUD$38716pp | Contact us | |
| Aurora Stateroom Single | AUD$41995pp | Contact us | |
| Junior Suite | AUD$45996pp | Contact us | |
| Aurora Stateroom Superior Single | AUD$46095pp | Contact us | |
| Captain’s Suite | AUD$52556pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin size: 9.85m² (106ft²) - Deck 3
There are two Aurora Stateroom Single cabins featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they're close to the mudroom and loading platforms.
Features: Private en-suite, Porthole window, Closet space, Room-controlled thermostat, Room safe, 42" flat-screen TV, Mini bar*.
*Please note mini bar items are chargeable in all cabins except Junior Suite and Captain’s Suite
Cabin size: 10.97m² - 15.18m² (118.1ft² - 163.4ft²) - Deck 3 & 7
There are four Aurora Stateroom Superior Single cabins featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Decks 3 & 7.
Features: Private en-suite, Porthole window, Closet space, Room-controlled thermostat, Room safe, 42" flat-screen TV, Mini bar*.
*Please note mini bar items are chargeable in all cabins except Junior Suite and Captain’s Suite
Cabin size: 15.37m² - 22.57m² (165.4ft² - 242.9ft²) - Deck 4
The Douglas Mawson features two Aurora Stateroom Twin cabins featuring windows, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they're close to the mudroom and loading platforms, perfect for adventurers who are looking for a comfortable base that's close to the action.
Features: Private en-suite, Porthole window, Desk area, Closet space, Room-controlled thermostat, Room safe, 42" flat-screen TV, Mini bar*.
*Please note mini bar items are chargeable in all cabins except Junior Suite and Captain’s Suite
Cabin size: 13.97m² - 16.17m² (150.4ft² - 174.1ft²) - Deck 7
With a bit more room to stretch the legs, the Aurora Stateroom Superior are perfect for polar adventurers who travel with plenty of gear.
Located on Deck 7, the Staterooms feature french balconies, floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area.
Features: Private en-suite, French balcony, Desk area, Closet space, Room-controlled thermostat, Room safe, 42" flat-screen TV, Mini bar*.
*Please note mini bar items are chargeable in all cabins except Junior Suite and Captain’s Suite
Cabin & balcony combined size: 21.07m² - 24.87m² (226.8ft² - 267.7ft²) - Deck 4 & 6
We have three cabin categories of our Balcony Staterooms. These are classified as A, B or C depending on the cabin size.
Our 15 Balcony Stateroom Category C cabins are our most economical, fitted with all the necessities and comfortable for up to 2 people. These cabins are scattered throughout Deck 4 & 6.
Features: Private en-suite, Private balcony, Full size window, Desk area, Closet space, Room-controlled thermostat, Room safe, 42" flat-screen TV, Mini bar*.
*Please note mini bar items are chargeable in all cabins except Junior Suite and Captain’s Suite
Cabin & balcony combined size: 222.07m² - 24.97m² (237.6ft² - 268.8ft²) - Deck 4 & 6
We have three cabin categories of our Balcony Staterooms. These are classified as A, B or C depending on the cabin size.
Our 17 Balcony Stateroom – B Cabins are our standard cabin, many fitted with interconnecting features making them great for families or groups. These cabins are located at the fore and aft of Deck 4 and 6.
Features: Private en-suite, Private balcony, Full size window, Desk area, Closet space, Room-controlled thermostat, Room safe, 42" flat-screen TV, Mini bar*.
*Please note mini bar items are chargeable in all cabins except Junior Suite and Captain’s Suite
Cabin & balcony combined size: 23.07m² - 26.77m² (248.3ft² - 288.2ft²) - Deck 4 & 6
We have three cabin categories of our Balcony Staterooms. These are classified as A, B or C depending on the cabin size.
Our 25 Balcony Stateroom – A cabins are our premium cabin, and the most abundant on board. These cabins are located in preferred positions on Deck 4 and 6 which provides easy access between Decks via the internal stairs or elevator.
Features: Private en-suite, Private balcony, Full size window, Desk area, Closet space, Room-controlled thermostat, Room safe, 42" flat-screen TV, Mini bar*.
*Please note mini bar items are chargeable in all cabins except Junior Suite and Captain’s Suite
Cabin & balcony combined size: 27.77m² - 36.27m² (298.9ft² - 390.4ft² ) - Deck 4 & 6
With a bit more room to stretch the legs, the Balcony Stateroom Superior cabins are perfect for polar adventurers who travel with plenty of gear.
Located on Deck 4 and 6, the Staterooms feature floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area.
Some of these rooms are equipped with wheelchair accessible bathrooms.
Features: Private en-suite (wheelchair accessible), Private balcony, Full size window, Desk area, Closet space, Room-controlled thermostat, Room safe, 42" flat-screen TV, Mini bar*.
*Please note mini bar items are chargeable in all cabins except Junior Suite and Captain’s Suite
Cabin & balcony combined size: 41.47m² - 41.87m² (446.4ft² - 450.7ft²) - Deck 7
The four Junior Suites take in some impressive scenery from their vantage points on Deck 7. When you aren't enjoying a landing, you can relax in the suites' separate lounge area, or just watch the world float by from the private balcony.
Features: Private en-suite, Private balcony, Full size window, Separate lounge area, Desk area, Closet space, Room-controlled thermostat, Room safe, 42" flat-screen TV, Mini bar.
Cabin & balcony combined size: 45.22m² (486.7ft²) - Deck 4
The largest of all our rooms, the singular Captain's Suite will take you to the polar regions in ultimate style and comfort. Complete with large lounge area, balcony, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite, you'll need to get in early to secure this suite.
Features: Private en-suite, Private balcony, Full size window, Separate lounge area, Desk area, Closet space, Room-controlled thermostat, Room safe, 42" flat-screen TV, Mini bar.
Cabin size: 23.07m² - 26.77m² (248.3ft² - 288.2ft²) - Deck 4
Our 4 Solo Balcony Stateroom Category A – Solo rooms are our premium room, these staterooms are located in preferred positions on Deck 4 which provides easy access between Decks via the internal stairs or elevator.
Features: Private Ensuite, Private Balcony, Full Size Window, Desk area, Closet Space, Room-controlled Thermostat, Room Safe, 42" Flat-Screen TV, Mini Bar.
*A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.
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