Total Solar Eclipse in The Far North
Highlights
- Sail the fjords of NW Spitsbergen, where polar bears roam the ice and whales glide beneath towering, silent glaciers.
- Step ashore remote Jan Mayen, with its active volcano and tiny weather station—one of Earth’s most isolated outposts.
- Explore East Greenland’s Scoresby Sound, the world’s largest fjord, rich in Inuit culture and breathtaking Arctic scenery.
Embark on this extraordinary 14-day Arctic odyssey that links the mythic shores of Svalbard, the volcanic solitude of Jan Mayen, the cultural richness of East Greenland, and the dramatic fjords of Iceland’s wild northwest coast. This unique itinerary is a journey through some of the planet’s most remote and least-touched polar landscapes, tracing the historical routes of legendary explorers like Amundsen and Scoresby, while offering a modern-day adventure laced with discovery and wonder.
Departing in the High Arctic during summer, this voyage grants travelers long daylight hours and optimal conditions for wildlife viewing. You’ll explore Northwest Spitsbergen’s glacier-chiseled coastline where polar bears may be seen stalking the ice, reindeer graze the tundra, and Arctic foxes dart across the snow-dusted terrain. Ny-Ålesund, a former coal mining town turned international science hub, offers a rare glimpse into Arctic research life—and the world’s northernmost post office.
Jan Mayen, a surreal, weather-beaten volcanic island hidden in the Arctic Ocean, is a true explorer’s prize—its remote black beaches and glacier-wrapped Beerenberg volcano visible only to a fortunate few. In East Greenland, venture deep into the colossal fjords of Ittoqqortoormiit and Scoresby Sound, where sharp alpine peaks rise above a seascape of sculpted ice, and the colorful homes of Inuit villages offer warmth against a stark, magnificent backdrop.
Throughout your journey, days at sea provide rest and enrichment—attend fascinating lectures, scan the waves for marine life, or simply take in the endless Arctic horizon from the ship’s decks. Zodiac excursions and shore landings led by expert guides allow intimate encounters with nature and culture in these raw, seldom-visited lands.
Standard Activities
About the Total Solar Eclipse in The Far North
Embark on this extraordinary 14-day Arctic odyssey that links the mythic shores of Svalbard, the volcanic solitude of Jan Mayen, the cultural richness of East Greenland, and the dramatic fjords of Iceland’s wild northwest coast. This unique itinerary is a journey through some of the planet’s most remote and least-touched polar landscapes, tracing the historical routes of legendary explorers like Amundsen and Scoresby, while offering a modern-day adventure laced with discovery and wonder.
Departing in the High Arctic during summer, this voyage grants travelers long daylight hours and optimal conditions for wildlife viewing. You’ll explore Northwest Spitsbergen’s glacier-chiseled coastline where polar bears may be seen stalking the ice, reindeer graze the tundra, and Arctic foxes dart across the snow-dusted terrain. Ny-Ålesund, a former coal mining town turned international science hub, offers a rare glimpse into Arctic research life—and the world’s northernmost post office.
Jan Mayen, a surreal, weather-beaten volcanic island hidden in the Arctic Ocean, is a true explorer’s prize—its remote black beaches and glacier-wrapped Beerenberg volcano visible only to a fortunate few. In East Greenland, venture deep into the colossal fjords of Ittoqqortoormiit and Scoresby Sound, where sharp alpine peaks rise above a seascape of sculpted ice, and the colorful homes of Inuit villages offer warmth against a stark, magnificent backdrop.
Throughout your journey, days at sea provide rest and enrichment—attend fascinating lectures, scan the waves for marine life, or simply take in the endless Arctic horizon from the ship’s decks. Zodiac excursions and shore landings led by expert guides allow intimate encounters with nature and culture in these raw, seldom-visited lands.
This itinerary is perfect for travelers seeking to push the boundaries of conventional cruising—those drawn to remote places where silence reigns and every sight feels like a discovery. Whether crossing the Arctic waters once sailed by history’s great explorers or marveling at ancient basalt cliffs in Iceland’s Westfjords, this voyage delivers not only awe, but a deep sense of personal achievement. You’ll return changed—touched by the vastness, humbled by nature’s grandeur, and inspired by the rare privilege of having walked in some of Earth’s last true wildernesses.
Itinerary Day to Day
Embarkation day - Paris/Longyearbyen
Embarkation day – Paris/Longyearbyen
Flight Paris/Longyearbyen selected by Antarctica Cruises.
Approximate flight duration: 4 h 30.
We highly recommend you arrive in Paris the day before this flight.
We suggest you to be at the check-in counter 2 hours before departure.
Meet & greet at the airport by our local English-speaking representative.
Transfer to the pier for embarkation.
– Cruise aboard your cruise ship –
Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.
Please note
- Flight included in the programe is as of today, operated in economy class, on a European airline.
- Due to limited local transportation resources, waiting might be generated.
- For passengers in transit in Paris, we recommend staying one night in Paris before this flight.
- Programe and flight schedule are subject to change without prior notice.
- We will adapte the content of the transfer offer from airport according to your flight schedule.
North-west region of Spitsbergen
Ny-Ålesund
North-west region of Spitsbergen
At sea
Jan Mayen Island, Svalbard
Ittoqqortoormiit
Scoresby Sound
At sea
Isafjörður
Reykjavík
Route Map
MD rheumatologist (Hospital Cochin Paris 1984-90), PhD Neurosciences (CNRS (1986-1990)), Astronaut, Politician, CEO of a cultural public establishment
Astronaut with 2 space missions: Selected by CNES (French space agency) in 1985 as an astronaut candidate, training in Star City Russia from 1992, first space mission (16 days ) on board Mir space station in 1996, became member of the European Astronaut Corps for ESA (European Space Agency) in 1999, second space mission (10 days) on board the ISS in 2001.
Member of the French Government under the presidency of Jacques Chirac, as delegate Minister for research (2002-2004) and then delegate Minister for European Affairs (2004-2005)
Advisor to ESA’s DG for European space strategy (2005-2009)
CEO of Universcience «PARIS science museum »(Palais de la Découverte + Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie) (2009-2015)
Senior advisor to ESA’s DG (2015-2020) about Lunar exploration
Member of Foundations supporting STEM in education and innovation (Fondation L’Oreal, Fondation AIRBUS, Fondation CGenial)
Gran’croix de l’Ordre National du Mérite, Grand Officier de la Légion d’Honneur
Docteur Honoris Causa (EPFL, Université de Mons, Université Catholique de Louvain), Beihang University (Beijing)
Membre of the French Académie des Technologies, Académie des Sports, Académie des Sciences de l’Outre-Mer, Académie de l’Air et de l’Espace, International Academy of Astronautics, Membre of the Académie des Sciences de Belgique
Réserve Citoyenne de l’Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace française
Spoken languages: English and French
Programme
- An astronaut’s life journey by Claudie Haigneré
- Space challenges (geopolitical, economic, climate change, scientific, technology, etc. ) by Claudie Haigneré
- Challenges and issues of manned space exploration (from low orbit to lunar missions and beyond) by Claudie Haigneré
From 1973 to 1980, Jean-Pierre Haigneré was an officer fighter pilot in the 13th Fighter Squadron at Colmar on Mirage 5, then Squadron Leader in the SPA 100 squadron on Mirage IIIE, and won the Air Defence Cup in 1985. He was posted to the Brétigny-sur-Orge Flight Test Centre in 1981 as project test pilot in the development of the Mirage 2000N and promoted to Chief Test Pilot in 1983. His experience covers test flight time on almost every military aircraft in service in the French air force from 1970 to1985 (fighter and transport) and most categories of civil aircraft (microlights to airliners). In September 1986, Jean-Pierre Haigneré was one of seven astronauts selected by the French Space Agency (CNES) and headed the Manned Flight Division of the Hermès and Manned Flight Directorate until 1990.
In December 1990, Jean-Pierre Haigneré underwent training at the Russian Star City cosmonaut training centre near Moscow. After seven months he was selected for a 21-day mission on board the Soyouz TM-16 and Soyouz TM-17 and the Russian Mir space station (1-22 July 1993). From January 1997 to February 1998, Jean-Pierre Haigneré resumed training at Star City as the back-up astronaut for the 6th French-Russian Pegase space mission. He joined ESA’s European astronaut corps in June 1998 and was cosmonaut flight engineer for the Franco-Russian Perseus mission. It was the last international mission to the Mir space station which was allowed to deorbit and crash into the Pacific in 2001. With a flight duration of 189 days (20 February- 28 August 1999), including a spacewalk, he undertook the longest flight on record at the time for a non-Russian astronaut. Jean-Pierre Haigneré was the European astronaut with the longest experience in space during a period of 22 years, with 210 days spent on the Mir station.
Spoken languages: English and French
Programme
- A cosmonaut’s itinerary by Jean-Pierre Haigneré
- Eclipses and orbital trajectories by Jean-Pierre Haigneré
- Technology and the magic of space vehicles by Jean-Pierre Haigneré
- Spacewalking, or how to transform yourself into a pedestrian in space! by Jean-Pierre Haigneré
What's Included
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Flight Paris/Longyearbyen selected in economy class. Approximate flight duration: 4 h 30. We highly recommend you arrive in Paris the day before this flight. We suggest you to be at the check-in counter 2 hours before departure.
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Meet & greet at the airport by our local English-speaking representative.
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Transfer mentioned in the programme.
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English-speaking assistance.
What's Excluded
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Mandatory travel insurance.
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Personal expenses.
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Any other service not mentioned in the programme.