Three Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland

Named one of National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime,” this extraordinary expedition takes you through three of the Arctic’s most breathtaking destinations—Spitsbergen, East Greenland, and Iceland.

Your journey begins above the Arctic Circle in Spitsbergen, often called the “wildlife capital of the Arctic.” Here, you’ll navigate past towering glacier fronts and across wind-swept tundra, where you may encounter walrus, Svalbard reindeer, thousands of seabirds, and perhaps even the elusive polar bear.

Continuing to the remote and rugged east coast of Greenland, you’ll explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep watch for muskoxen, which make up nearly 40% of the world’s population. The dramatic cliffs, immense glaciers, and pristine fjords of this untouched landscape create a truly awe-inspiring experience.

Your journey concludes in Iceland, a land of volcanic beauty and rich Nordic culture. From the vast Arctic wilderness to the stunning coastal scenery, this expedition is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the raw, untamed beauty of the polar north.

Join the Women’s Travel Club on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure and return home with memories as boundless as the Arctic itself.

Highlights of the Three Arctic Islands Expedition:

      • Explore Spitsbergen: Discover the “Wildlife Capital of the Arctic,” home to polar bears, walrus, Svalbard reindeer, and thousands of seabirds.
      • Zodiac Cruising & Shore Landings: Experience thrilling Zodiac rides past towering icebergs and step onto the Arctic tundra for guided hikes.
      • Witness Greenland’s Breathtaking Fjords: Sail through the stunning Scoresbysund, the world’s largest fjord system, known as the birthplace of icebergs.
      • Visit Remote Arctic Settlements: Explore Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most isolated communities in the Arctic, and learn about the traditional Inuit way of life.
      • Search for Muskoxen & Arctic Wildlife: Keep an eye out for muskoxen, Arctic foxes, and seabirds in the untouched landscapes of Greenland’s east coast.
      • Cross the Denmark Strait: Enjoy engaging presentations from the Expedition Team as you sail the historic route between Greenland and Iceland.
      • Luxury & Comfort Aboard Ultramarine: Travel in style on a state-of-the-art expedition ship, featuring gourmet dining, a spa, a sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows, and exceptional sustainability features.
      • Experience Reykjavik: End your journey in Iceland’s lively capital, with opportunities to explore its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural wonders.

INCLUSIONS & HIGHLIGHTS

  • 1 Night deluxe accommodations in Helsinki
  • 13 Nights shipboard accommodations
  • All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices are on board
  • Free beer, standard wines, spirits, and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
  • Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
  • Zodiac cruising with assistance from the expedition staff
  • Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
  • Photographic journal documenting the expedition
  • Waterproof expedition boots are on loan for shore landings
  • An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • All luggage handling aboard the ship
  • Charter flight from Helsinki to Longyearbyen
  • Arrival transfer in Longyearbyen
  • Arrival transfer in Reykjavik to central downtown location
  • Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax
  • $250 shipboard credit
  • Women’s Travel Club Tour Host

If the minimum number of members is not met, the tour will continue without a tour host.

ITINERARY

**Prices are subject to change and availability. Space is limited and activities and specific hotels are subject to change. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you may experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife encounters as described are expected but not guaranteed. Your Expedition Team will use their considerable experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife
is not guaranteed.

IMPORTANT DETAILS & PRICING

Rates

Early Booking Bonus! Book by April 30, 2025 get these rates!

Solo Panorama
Single Occupancy: $22,892 USD per person

Explorer Suite 
Double Occupancy: $16,592 USD per person
Single Occupancy: $28,207 USD per person

Balcony Suite
Double Occupancy: $18,167 USD per person
Single Occupancy: $30,884 USD per person

Deluxe Balcony Suite
Double Occupancy: $21,317 USD per person

If you would like the double occupancy rate but don’t have a roommate, we will match you with a suitable roommate. The single occupancy rate will give you your own room. Single occupancy may be limited. USD = United States of America dollars.

Payment of 25% due at time of booking.
Final payment due on March 14, 2026

*All payments are non-refundable after due date.  Please see full terms and conditions. Prices are subject to change based on availability.

Activity Level

Moderate Activity
The activities included in this tour are fairly moderate but there are more active activities available. You should be able to walk for extended periods of time on uneven and possibly slippery terrain and get in and out of a zodiac easily.

Group Size

Minimum – 10 ladies
Maximum – 18 ladies

If the minimum number of members is not met, the tour will continue without a tour host.

Exclusions

  • International Airfare
  • Airport transfers
  • Visa/passport handling fees
  • Meals not listed in itinerary
  • Gratuities
  • Optional Activities
  • Expenses of a Personal Nature
  • Early check-in and late check-out of hotel
  • Travel Insurance

Weight Restriction

There is a strict luggage weight limit on checked luggage (50 lbs or 23kg)  and cabin baggage (18lbs or 8 kg) on the flights between Helsinki and Longyearbyen. There is NO option to pay for additional luggage.

Tour Host

Women’s Travel Club tours are hosted tours. Your tour host is in addition to local tour guides. Your Women’s Travel Club tour host is your tour concierge and there to make sure every part of the tour runs smoothly. Our trained hosts are seasoned travelers who are with you every step of your tour so that you only have to worry about enjoying yourself and having fun.
The Women’s Travel Club Tour Host for this tour is TBA.

Roommate Matching Policy

Roommate matching is done as a courtesy, and while most matches result in wonderful friendships, success is not guaranteed. If, during the tour, you decide you would no longer like to share a room with your roommate, you will need to request (and pay for) a single room at all accommodations. This can be shared between the two people in the room if it is a mutual decision. If you are a very light sleeper or snore, you may want to consider getting your own single room.

Flight Information

The Women’s Travel Club recommends booking flexible/refundable air tickets when possible.

Arrive in Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Helsinki (HEL) at any time on or before the first day of the tour.
Depart from Keflavik International Airport, Reykjavik (KEF) Suggest flights in that afternoon, as ship may be delayed in arrival.

Travel Insurance:

Out-of-country medical insurance is required. We strongly recommend that you obtain cancellation and interruption insurance to protect your investment.
Use this link to request an insurance quote.

Insurance Quote

Optional Experiences:
These experiences book up very quickly, we recommend booking as soon as possible.

Sea Kayaking – Sold Out

Antarctic Sea Kayaking

Positioning yourself in the seat of a kayak is one of the most intimate ways travelers can connect with the polar regions—at water level, up close, where you can touch and feel every polar sensation imaginable. The Sea Kayak Program enables a small group of like-minded individuals to forge bonds as they explore fjords, glacial faces or mazes of sea ice.

Quark Expeditions Sea Kayak Program is a voyage-length program available in Antarctica, in which kayakers (those who have minimal experience as well as seasoned paddlers) will enjoy the polar regions from a unique perspective.

Conditions and logistics permitting, your kayak guide(s) will endeavor to have you paddling as often as possible throughout the voyage. Typically, sea kayakers are shuttled by Zodiac from the ship to an ideal starting point, where the kayak excursion begins. Guests return to the ship by Zodiac at the end of their paddling experience. Some kayak excursions are designed so guests can go ashore and explore.

In addition to the kayak guides, a safety driver in a Zodiac will always stay nearby to offer assistance if required. Excursions typically last one and a half to three hours.

Note: Due to its popularity and limited space, if you want to ensure a space in the Sea Kayak program, please register when you book your expedition. While the program routinely fills up well before the voyage, if there are vacant spaces when you board the vessel you may sign up. Quark Expedition guides attempt to lead guests on as many sea kayak excursions as possible, but the number of excursions will depend on weather and sea conditions as well as logistical factors. Be prepared to paddle in a double or single kayak depending on availability.

Is Kayaking Experience Necessary?

The Sea Kayak program was developed to accommodate kayakers with a range of experience. Please don’t hesitate to consult with our polar travel advisors if you have any questions.

Provided gear

  • Sea kayaks (single or double)
  • Paddle
  • Spray-skirt
  • Drysuit
  • Insulated rubber gloves and pogies*
  • PFD (personal flotation device)
  • Neoprene booties
  • 10L dry bag
  • Water bottle (provided in rooms upon embarkation)

Other recommended gear/clothing

  • Thermal base layer top and bottom (synthetic or wool, no cotton)
  • Thin fleece 200 weight top or wool sweater
  • Fleece pants
  • Liner socks
  • Thick wool socks
  • Neckwarmer
  • Thin fleece or wool liner glove to wear under rubber gloves (if you wish)
  • Warm hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen
  • Camera (either waterproof, in exterior waterproof housing, or stored in a drybag)
  • Waterproof backpack or a drybag

Paddling Excursion – $295 USD

Antarctic Paddling Excursion

Every sweep of the paddle as your craft glides through the pristine polar waters creates an incredible soundtrack: the jostle of glacial ice, the lapping of waves against the rocky shore, the perpetual drip from your paddle, the call of seabirds, and the occasional splash as wildlife break the surface of the water.

Our Paddle Excursion Program provides sit-on-top, two-person, inflatable kayaks that provide guests with an intimate, water-level experience in unforgettable locations in both the Arctic and Antarctica. These stable, rugged and comfortable crafts are an ideal way to see the polar regions from a different perspective. On-ship, you’ll be provided with instruction and equipment including dry suits, personal flotation devices (PFDs), and waterproof gloves. Experienced guides will lead you safely throughout the paddling excursion. Your group will always be escorted by a safety driver in another kayak who will stay close by to provide additional support.

Excursions last a minimum of one hour and are offered to participants once per voyage. Each group includes 10 paddlers, 1 guide, and 1 one safety Zodiac driver. The wind, weather and water conditions determine the timing and location of paddling excursions.

Is Kaying Experience Necessary?

The Paddle Excursion was created for guests with little or no paddling experience, or for those who want a single paddle experience to add variety to their expedition. Participants must be fit enough to enter and exit the kayak from the Zodiac, and to maneuver with your paddle.

Provided Gear

  • Inflatable Super Lynx sit-on-top kayak
  • Paddle
  • Drysuit
  • Insulated rubber gloves
  • PFD (personal flotation device)
  • Neoprene booties
  • 10L dry bag
  • Water bottle

Other recommended gear/clothing

  • Thermal base layer (top and bottom)
  • Thin fleece or wool sweater
  • Fleece pants
  • Liner socks
  • Thick wool socks
  • Neckwarmer
  • Warm hat
  • Brimmed hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen and lip balm
  • Camera (either waterproof, in exterior waterproof housing, or stored in a drybag)**
  • Waterproof backpack

Tip: It’s a good idea to protect any camera gear in a drybag. Small waterproof cameras should be attached to your PFD with a string and carabiner.

 

ACCOMMODATIONS

Ultramarine

Introducing our latest addition to the fleet, Ultramarine – a vessel meticulously crafted to redefine polar exploration. Its purpose extends beyond the ordinary, immersing guests in uncharted corners of the Polar Regions that have seldom been trodden by humankind.

Ultramarine is furnished with two twin-engine helicopters and 20 swiftly deployable Zodiacs, setting a new standard for off-ship adventure possibilities. This ship boasts an unparalleled range of activities, enhancing your expedition like never before. Delight in the culinary offerings of two restaurants, Balena and Bistro 487. For relaxation, the Tundra Spa and its window-walled sauna await, offering stunning vistas. Abundant wildlife observation spaces and generously appointed suites contribute to the comfortable experience.

What sets Ultramarine apart is its advanced sustainability systems, raising the bar beyond industry norms. A vessel that surpasses expectations in every aspect, Ultramarine is impeccably designed to provide the quintessential polar expedition, delivering an unparalleled experience.

Explorer Suite

Located on Deck 3, and approximately 285 sq. ft. (26.5 m2). These suites are perfect for people traveling together or solo guests looking to share with like-minded individuals. This suite maximizes interior living space while still offering guests the opportunity to stay connected to the outdoors. Our entry-level twin suites are the largest available on a ship of this class.

 

Balcony Suite

Located on Decks 4 and 6, with approximately 226 sq. ft. (21 m2) of indoor living space, and a 52 sq. ft. (4.8 m2) balcony, this entry-level balcony suite is one of the largest available on a ship of this class. This suite is perfect for guests who are looking for both indoor and outdoor living spaces. There are four connecting suites in this category, making this an excellent option for families or groups wanting to stay connected to each other during their expedition.

Solo Panorama

Located on Deck 6, and approximately 132 sq. ft. (12.3 m2). This suite is perfect for solo guests who appreciate privacy and want to wake up to sweeping views from the comfort of their bed. These are the only solo suites with floor-to-ceiling windows available onboard any ship in its class.

Deluxe Balcony Suite

Located on Decks 4 and 6, with approximately 299 sq. ft. (27.8 m2) of indoor living space, and a 70 sq. ft. (6.5 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests wanting a larger living space, full bathroom, and a substantial balcony. Deluxe Balcony Suites are the first suite type to offer additional privacy in the bathroom with an enclosed toilet, a full bath and shower to make it easier for guests to get ready together in the morning

** Occasionally, due to situations beyond our control, specific hotels may change. Any accommodation changes will be to a similar hotel.

FAQ's

Through our own clients and networking clubs we have realized a general desire for women to travel but they don’t always have a companion. We developed the Women’s Travel Club for these women to have a fun and safe group to travel with. We offer a wide range of destinations, so that there is something for everyone.

We have women of all ages, with the average being 45 to 65 years. However, we do have regular travelers anywhere from 30 years to over 80 years of age.

We do not include international flights in the price of our tours. Not including the cost of international flights in the cost of the tour allows members the flexibility to get the flight schedule, price and class of service that best suits them. The Women's Travel Club flight desk will be happy to help arrange your international flights.

Yes, we always negotiate the best possible single supplement rate for our trips. Single spots fill quickly and may be limited so we suggest you book early for a single spot.

Yes, each of our booking forms has an area for you to request to be matched with a roommate. We get some general information that will help us match you with a great new friend.

Weather can be unpredictable in the Arctic. For July, you can expect temperatures to tend to be around -5 to 15 degrees Celsius (20 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit); it can get colder, and of course, on a sunny day, it can feel a lot warmer. You will be given a parka to keep and warm boots to use for the trip. We recommend you bring hats, gloves, and waterproof outer pants.

While our expedition ship, Ultramarine, is designed for stability and comfort, some travelers may experience seasickness, particularly when crossing open waters like the Denmark Strait. To help minimize discomfort, we recommend bringing motion sickness medication, acupressure wristbands, or natural remedies like ginger. Staying hydrated, getting fresh air, and focusing on the horizon can also help. If needed, the ship’s medical team is available to assist. Most guests find that symptoms subside after a day or two as their bodies adjust, allowing them to fully enjoy this incredible Arctic adventure!

Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media, and voice applications. Premium packages are available for more data-intensive applications.

Jul 12 - Jul 26 2026

Tour Level: Signature Tours,
Tour Type: Cruises,
Activities:

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