Three Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland — Self-Launched
15 days · Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland
Exodus charges £11,200
No-markup version: ~£7,500 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This is one of the most remote and extraordinary journeys on Earth — and while you can't fully replicate a polar expedition ship independently, you can get remarkably close by booking directly with independent Arctic expedition operators, self-booking connecting flights, and staying in budget guesthouses in Helsinki and Reykjavik. The key savings come from cutting out the tour operator's premium margin, choosing shared cabin berths on independent polar voyages (e.g. via Oceanwide Expeditions, Albatros Expeditions, or Poseidon Expeditions), and booking your own international flights. Note: the at-sea cruise days are inherently guided by the nature of polar expedition sailing — what you're self-launching here is the booking, logistics, and land arrangements around the voyage. All costs below are approximate estimates in GBP per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, Finland
Fly independently into Helsinki Airport (HEL). Budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, or Norwegian often serve Helsinki from major UK airports. Book your own accommodation near the centre or airport. Spend the afternoon exploring Helsinki's iconic landmarks — the Senate Square, Temppeliaukio Rock Church, and the vibrant Design District. Grab dinner at a local market hall such as the Old Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli). If you have time, hunt down a public sauna — Löyly or Allas Sea Pool offer affordable entry (~£15–20).
🚌Fly independently to Helsinki (HEL). Airport train to city centre (~£5). Budget £80–£150 for UK–Helsinki flights.
🛏Generator Helsinki or Hostel Suomenlinna — dorm from £25/night, private room from £60/night
- →Explore Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral (free)
- →Visit Temppeliaukio Rock Church (~£5 entry)
- →Wander the Design District (free)
- →Experience a public sauna at Löyly or Allas Sea Pool (~£15–20)
- →Dinner at Old Market Hall (~£15–20)
Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard & Board Your Expedition
Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Book your own flight from Helsinki (HEL) to Longyearbyen (LYR) via Oslo with Norwegian or SAS — expect to pay £150–£300 return depending on season. Arrive in Longyearbyen, the world's northernmost town, and check in for your independently booked polar expedition cruise. Operators such as Oceanwide Expeditions, Albatros Expeditions, Poseidon Expeditions, and Quark Expeditions all offer bookable-direct Arctic voyages covering this route. Look for shared cabin (triple or quad berth) options to maximise savings. Explore Longyearbyen town briefly before embarkation — visit the Svalbard Museum (~£12) and grab a meal at Kroa or Huset restaurant.
🚌Helsinki to Oslo to Longyearbyen — book direct with SAS or Norwegian. Approx £200–£350 per person.
🛏On board expedition vessel (included in cruise booking)
- →Fly Helsinki to Longyearbyen via Oslo (book direct with Norwegian or SAS)
- →Visit Svalbard Museum (~£12)
- →Explore Longyearbyen town centre (free)
- →Board your independently booked Arctic expedition vessel
Explore Spitsbergen — Glaciers & Wildlife
Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Your first full day of Arctic exploration aboard the expedition vessel. Your ship's naturalist team will lead Zodiac excursions to spectacular glacier fronts and steep-walled fjords. Keep watch for polar bears, walrus, Svalbard reindeer, and a spectacular array of Arctic seabirds including Arctic terns, kittiwakes, and ivory gulls. All meals and core excursions are included as part of your cruise fare.
🚌Ship navigation — included in cruise
🛏On board expedition vessel
- →Zodiac cruise to glacier fronts
- →Wildlife spotting: polar bears, walrus, Svalbard reindeer
- →Seabird watching: Arctic terns, kittiwakes, ivory gulls
- →On-deck polar exploration with naturalist guides
Explore Spitsbergen — Fjords & Tundra Hiking
Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Continue exploring Spitsbergen's dramatic landscapes. Today may include tundra hiking ashore, where expedition staff guide small groups through wind-swept Arctic terrain. Optional sea kayaking (bookable as an add-on directly through your cruise operator) offers an unparalleled up-close experience of icebergs and glacial bays.
🚌Ship navigation — included in cruise
🛏On board expedition vessel
- →Guided tundra hiking ashore
- →Optional sea kayaking among icebergs (add-on, book direct with operator ~£150–200)
- →Zodiac cruising through fjords
- →Photography of Arctic landscapes
Explore Spitsbergen — Remote Bays & Possible North Pole Approach
Spitsbergen, Svalbard
When conditions allow, some voyages venture to within 10° of the North Pole — one of the most extraordinary experiences on the planet. Otherwise, explore more remote bays and fjords of northern Spitsbergen, with further wildlife encounters and Zodiac landings at sites inaccessible to larger vessels.
🚌Ship navigation — included in cruise
🛏On board expedition vessel
- →Possible northward push towards the North Pole (weather permitting)
- →Remote bay Zodiac landings
- →Wildlife and birding from deck
- →Naturalist lecture series on board
Final Day Exploring Spitsbergen
Spitsbergen, Svalbard
A final day of exploration around the Spitsbergen archipelago before the ship begins its southward journey toward Greenland. Take advantage of optional paddling excursions if offered. Attend naturalist presentations on Greenland's history and wildlife in preparation for the next chapter of the voyage.
🚌Ship underway south toward Greenland Sea
🛏On board expedition vessel
- →Morning Zodiac excursion to final Spitsbergen sites
- →Optional paddling excursion (book direct with operator)
- →On-board lecture: Introduction to Greenland
- →Photography and wildlife spotting from deck
Cruising the Greenland Sea
Greenland Sea (at sea)
A full day at sea as the ship crosses the Greenland Sea. Expedition staff deliver lectures on Greenland's ecology, indigenous Thule culture, and Arctic exploration history. Spend time on deck identifying seabirds including fulmars, little auks, and gannets. Relax in the ship's bar, share photos with fellow travellers, or catch a documentary screening.
🚌Cruising Greenland Sea — included in cruise
🛏On board expedition vessel
- →Seabird identification sessions on deck (free)
- →Naturalist lectures on Greenland history and ecology
- →Photo review and editing sessions
- →Socialising with fellow expedition travellers
Approaching East Greenland
East Greenland (approaching)
A second sea day as the ship approaches the dramatic coastline of East Greenland. The Denmark Strait is notorious for its iceberg traffic — keep watch from deck as the first bergs come into view. Expedition staff continue their programme of presentations covering muskoxen ecology, Scoresbysund geography, and Inuit history.
🚌Cruising toward East Greenland — included in cruise
🛏On board expedition vessel
- →Iceberg spotting from deck
- →Lecture: Muskoxen ecology and East Greenland wildlife
- →Lecture: Scoresbysund — the world's largest fjord system
- →Relaxation and preparation for shore landings
Exploring East Greenland — Thule Settlements
East Greenland
First shore landings on the remote eastern coast of Greenland. Zodiac excursions take you to ancient Thule and Norse settlement ruins — some of the most isolated archaeological sites in the world. Walk amid the stone remnants of an extraordinary civilisation, guided by your ship's historians and naturalists. Keep eyes peeled for muskoxen grazing across the tundra — Greenland holds 40% of the world's population.
🚌Zodiac shore excursions — included in cruise
🛏On board expedition vessel
- →Zodiac landing at Thule settlement ruins
- →Guided archaeological site exploration
- →Muskoxen spotting on tundra
- →Photography of East Greenland's stark landscapes
Exploring East Greenland — Scoresbysund Fjord System
Scoresbysund, East Greenland
Sail into Scoresbysund (Kangertittivaq), widely regarded as the most beautiful fjord system on Earth and the birthplace of countless icebergs. Towering basalt cliffs, cathedral-scale glaciers, and luminous blue icebergs surround the ship. Multiple Zodiac excursions allow close-up exploration of iceberg alleys and remote coves.
🚌Ship navigation within Scoresbysund — included in cruise
🛏On board expedition vessel
- →Zodiac cruise through Scoresbysund iceberg alley
- →Close-up glacier viewing by Zodiac
- →Arctic fox and Arctic hare spotting ashore
- →On-deck panoramic fjord photography
Exploring East Greenland — Possible Ittoqqortoormiit Visit
Ittoqqortoormiit, East Greenland
If ice and weather conditions permit, the ship may call at Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most remote communities in the world with fewer than 500 inhabitants. Walk the colourful streets, visit the local hunter's market, and speak with Greenlandic Inuit residents. This is a rare window into an extraordinary way of life.
🚌Zodiac transfer to shore — included in cruise
🛏On board expedition vessel
- →Shore visit to Ittoqqortoormiit village (weather/ice permitting)
- →Local market visit and cultural exchange
- →Photography of colourful Arctic village
- →Alternative: further Zodiac cruising in Scoresbysund if village inaccessible
Final Greenland Explorations
East Greenland
A final day of shore landings and Zodiac excursions along the East Greenland coast before the ship turns south toward Iceland. The expedition team will make the most of remaining opportunities for wildlife sightings and landscape photography. Arctic fox, ringed seal, and humpback whale are all possible sightings.
🚌Ship underway south toward Denmark Strait
🛏On board expedition vessel
- →Final Zodiac excursions along Greenland coastline
- →Whale watching from deck (humpback, minke)
- →Seal spotting from Zodiac
- →Farewell to Greenland — on-deck reflections with expedition team
Cruising the Denmark Strait
Denmark Strait (at sea)
Sailing south through the Denmark Strait toward Iceland. The expedition team delivers presentations on the history of Arctic exploration — Nansen, Amundsen, Shackleton — and the future of the region under climate change. Watch for pods of dolphins and migrating seabirds as the landscape shifts from polar to sub-Arctic.
🚌Cruising south through Denmark Strait — included in cruise
🛏On board expedition vessel
- →Lecture: Arctic exploration history
- →Lecture: Climate change and the future of the Arctic
- →Dolphin and seabird spotting from deck
- →Final photo editing and journalling
Approaching Iceland
North Atlantic / approaching Reykjavik
The final day at sea as the ship approaches Iceland. The expedition team hosts a recap evening — sharing highlights, favourite sightings, and reflections from the voyage. The first glimpses of Iceland's volcanic coastline appear on the horizon. Pack your bags and prepare for disembarkation in Reykjavik the following morning.
🚌Cruising toward Reykjavik — included in cruise
🛏On board expedition vessel
- →Final expedition recap presentations and celebration
- →Sighting Iceland's coastline from deck
- →Q&A with naturalists and expedition leaders
- →Pack and prepare for disembarkation
Disembark Reykjavik, Iceland — Explore the Capital
Reykjavik, Iceland
Disembark in Reykjavik and transfer independently into the city centre (Strætó bus line 55 runs from the port area, ~£4, or a taxi costs ~£15–20). Book your own accommodation in Reykjavik for a night or two if extending your stay — highly recommended. Explore Hallgrímskirkja Church (free outside, £8 tower entry), the colourful old harbour, and the Harpa Concert Hall. Grab Icelandic lamb soup at Café Loki (~£12) and end the day with a craft beer at Mikkeller & Friends. Book your return flight home from Reykjavik Keflavík Airport (KEF) — Icelandair, easyJet, and Wizz Air serve UK routes from ~£80.
🚌Port to city centre: Strætó bus (~£4) or taxi (~£15–20). KEF airport bus (Flybus) ~£20.
🛏Kex Hostel Reykjavik or Loft Hostel — dorm from £35/night, private from £90/night
- →Self-guided walk around Reykjavik old town (free)
- →Visit Hallgrímskirkja Church and tower (~£8)
- →Explore Harpa Concert Hall exterior (free)
- →Lunch at Café Loki — traditional Icelandic lamb soup (~£12)
- →Fly home from Keflavík Airport (KEF) — book direct with Icelandair/easyJet
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£7,500 | £11,200 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £3,700 per person (33%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£7,500
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Three Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £7,500 per person for 15 days in Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £11,200 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £7,500 — a saving of roughly £3,700 (33%) per person.
How long is the Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, wildlife, slow-travel trip through Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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