- Witness a total solar eclipse from a polar ship in the High Arctic
- Learn about the cultural and scientific significance of solar eclipses from guest experts
- Take a heli–flight over remote Greenland
- Cross the Arctic Circle twice, southbound and northbound
- Explore the seldom-visited Westfjords, the hidden gem of West Iceland
- Witness the wildlife of Northeast Greenland National Park
Iceland to Greenland: Total Solar Eclipse
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Polar Expeditions
Activity Level
Easy
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Itinerary
Reykjavik, Iceland Reykjavik, Iceland
Start Reykjavik, Iceland
Arrive in Reykjavik and transfer independently to your included hotel for the night. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to explore the fascinating capital of Iceland.
Embark in Reykjavik and explore the Westfjords
After breakfast, you are transferred to your ship, the technologically advanced Ultramarine. Today we set sail for what’s often referred to as “Iceland’s best-kept secret” – the Westfjords. This rugged peninsula, on the remote northwestern tip of Iceland, is a stunning region of mountains and fjords. Mountains slope down to the sea in a dramatic fashion, providing plenty of opportunities for incredible landscape photography. We spend the day exploring the fjords and shores of one of Iceland’s oldest regions (home to volcanic rocks dating back 16m years) by Zodiac and ship, and during guided shore landings.
The views are diverse: dramatic cliffs, gushing waterfalls, colourful beaches, rolling green hills, high moorlands dotted with rocky outcrops and tiny lakes. You’ll likely spot Icelandic ponies and shaggy sheep grazing the hillsides. A few outposts include small fishing communities nestled on the edges of the fjord and along the shores of the Denmark Strait. These modest settlements preserve a maritime heritage that dates to the Viking era. Possible community visits include Vigur island in Safjarðardjúp fjord, and the little town of Ísafjörður, noted for its wooden houses, fishing boats and hospital-turned-community hub.
At Sea: Crossing the Denmark Strait
As we sail north across the Denmark Strait between Iceland and Greenland, your Expedition Team prepares you for the exciting adventures ahead – both on and off the ship. Our team of polar experts present on a wide range of topics, including Arctic history, wildlife, geology and climatology. The team also searches for seabirds soaring about the ship – and they’ll most certainly alert you whenever there’s a whale sighting.
Northeast Greenland: Explore Kong Oscar Fjord and countdown to the eclipse
Navigating within the boundaries of the Northeast Greenland National Park, the planet’s largest national park, we sail into Kangerluk Kong Oscar, also known as King Oscar Fjord, on the northern border of Scoresby Land peninsula. This major fjord system, poplar for its famously bright sandstone, stretches 70mi (110km) long and 6mi-15mi (10km-25km) wide. When conditions allow, guests can hike in Skipperdal Valley, where mineral deposits have painted the hills red and magenta – landscape photographers take note.
As we prepare to position the ship to maximise views of the solar eclipse on Day 7, we can also visit Blomsterbugten (also known as Flower Bay) on Ymer Island. The floral name was chosen by noted archaeologists Gunnar Seidenfaden and Arne Noe-Nygaard during the Lauge Koch expedition in 1929 upon discovering an abundance of specimens for their botanical collection. Blomsterbugten is also home to a little hut known as Varghytten (the wolf hut). Built in 1929, it is still used by the Sirius Patrol, a special military unit of the Danish Armed Forces. It’s possible we’ll also hike to the seldom-visited Noa Lake.
There will be a palpable sense of excitement in the air as anticipation builds for our much-awaited eclipse viewing. Behind the scenes, your Expedition Leader, guest eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler and the Ship Captain will work closely together, monitoring sea and ice conditions and atmospheric forecasts, to strategically position Ultramarine in the best location possible to view the solar eclipse. Relatively few humans get to experience the awe of a polar expedition, even fewer get to combine the wonders of an Arctic expedition with a solar eclipse viewing.
Expect presentations by our two special guests, eclipse experts David Baron and Michael Zeiler, in the leadup to the 12 August solar eclipse. These veteran eclipse enthusiasts will draw on their vast knowledge to ensure you have an eclipse viewing like no other.
On the evening of Day 6, guest expert David Baron delivers a keynote presentation titled Scientific America: The Eclipse That Enlightened a Nation, during which he’ll delve into the societal impacts of eclipses. Baron will discuss how epic events such as a solar eclipse have spurred societies (and individuals) to scientific greatness.
Solar eclipse viewing: in the path of totality
Ultramarine sails further into King Oscar Fjord where the team will identify the optimal viewing point along the path of totality. With the total eclipse of the sun lasting 2 minutes and 17.2 seconds, this region of the Arctic provides the longest duration of totality along the entire eclipse path. The eclipse will begin at 2:34pm; totality will begin at 3:34 pm and end at 3:36 pm. The eclipse viewing experience, a duration of two hours, one minute and three seconds, concludes at 4.35pm
This 2026 eclipse is part of Saros series 126, which is a cycle of solar eclipses that repeats approximately every 18 years. It’s worth noting that total solar eclipses in Polar regions are relatively rare due to the smaller land area and the fact that the sun only illuminates each pole for part of the year. To reiterate, the last total solar eclipse observable north of the Arctic Circle was 2008.
The Quark Expeditions team and guest eclipse experts have been and will continue to research the geography of this region as we prepare for the event. Right up until the day of the eclipse itself, our team will study the mountainous terrain, the angles of the sun, and weather patterns to determine the best possible viewing experience.
Your Expedition Leader will outline the day’s agenda in the days and hours leading up to the total eclipse.
Exploring Scoresbysund and the surrounding region
As we begin to make our way home, we visit Scoresby Sound (Scoresby Sund), a large fjord system on the eastern coast of Greenland. Except for a small population of Inuit at Ittoqqortoormiit, near the mouth of the fjord, Scoresby Sund is largely uninhabited. Warm water polynyas (areas of open water surrounded by sea ice) near the mouth of the fjord support diverse ecosystems of flora and fauna, which is unusual for the Arctic. Numerous mountains, valleys and glaciers line the fjords, giving rise to a spectacular collection of icebergs.
We also plan to journey through Bjornar (Nannut Qeqertaat), a group of islands (also known as Bear Islands) located northeast of Milne Land, named during the 1891-92 Den Østgrønlandske expedition. The collection of 11 main islands fascinates visitors with its network of channels, steep cliff faces and fascinating geology.
While exploring this area, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. We also watch for grazing muskoxen as 40 percent of the world’s population lives in Northeast Greenland National Park. Sailing through spectacular Scoresby Sund, where many icebergs are birthed, you’ll immediately appreciate why previous visitors have described it as the most beautiful fjord system on the planet. We visit sites such as Vikingbukta, known for its shoreline of basalt columns, and Sydkap, where you can explore the tundra and remains of ancient Thule settlements.
At Sea: Crossing the Arctic Circle once more
Our Arctic adventure winds down as we sail back across Denmark Strait, southbound this time. We invite you to use your remaining time onboard to attend an educational presentation by one of our experts, share your photos, book a massage in Ultramarine’s Tundra Spa, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or ask any questions you may have for our enthusiastic Expedition Team, who will also alert guests of any wildlife sightings.
Disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland and end
You’ll disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s bustling capital, at the end of your journey. If you have booked post-expedition accommodation, we provide a transfer to a central downtown location.
Ultramarine
The Iceland to Greenland: Total Solar Eclipse voyage is offered on the Ultramarine which is a Polar Adventure Ship.
Polar Adventure Ships
These are small ice-rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking and many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food and staff are superb and every guest benefits from the technical advances of this superb fleet. Rest assured, our Polar Adventure Ships enable any traveller to maximise their experience
Ultramarine
The newest ship in Quark’s fleet, Ultramarine, is designed to go beyond the familiar in Polar exploration, to discover new places, and to immerse you in the best the region has to offer.
Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters (not available on departures that include Svalbard), Ultramarine offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breath-taking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. It also features an innovative mix of sustainability features that exceed all industry standards. With all this and more, Ultramarine is set to deliver the ultimate Polar expedition experience.
Balcony Suite – Ultramarine
Panorama Lounge – Ultramarine
Dining Area – UltramarineCabin Class:
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.
Features: single bed, floor-to-ceiling window, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.
EXPLORER TRIPLE: Located on Deck 3, and approximately 285 sq. ft. (26.5 m2). This suite is perfect for guests traveling solo who want to share their experience with other like-minded travellers of the same gender, or for groups of three traveling together. Featuring three separate single beds, and amenities for each of the three guests.
Features: three single beds (two of which can be combined into a double bed), sitting area, picture window, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.
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.
Features: one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, picture window, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.
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.
Features: one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.
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.
Features: one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors.
TERRACE SUITE: Located on Deck 6, with approximately 350 sq. ft. (32.5 m2) of indoor living space, and a 100 sq. ft. (9.3 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests wanting generous interiors with a wide layout and the largest balconies on the ship. Centrally located on Deck 6, guests will enjoy minimal movement and motion from the comfort of these suites.
Features: one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private extra-wide balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors.
PENTHOUSE SUITE:The only suite category to be located on Deck 7, with approximately 369 sq. ft. (34.3 m2) of indoor living space, and a 67 sq. ft. (6.2 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests wanting to wake up to unobstructed polar views from the warmth and comfort of their bed onboard the ship. These suites offer the best of everything—views, spacious interiors, full bathrooms and generous balcony sizes—as well as easy access to the wellness centre.
Features: one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors.
OWNER’S SUITE: Located on Deck 6, with approximately 446 sq. ft. (41.4 m2) of indoor living space and a 46.3 sq. ft. (4.3 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests who want it all. A large, luxurious suite featuring a private bedroom, full bathroom, powder room, and two separate living spaces. This suite is perfect for families or couples who want all the comforts of home onboard the ship.
Features: one double or two single beds in a private bedroom with walk-in closet, sitting area with sofa bed and additional closet, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors and separate powder room.
ULTRA SUITE: Located on Deck 6, with approximately 563 sq. ft. (52.3m2) of interior living space, and a 46 sq. ft. (4.3 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests who want to travel without compromise. Our largest and most luxurious suite features the most sleeping, entertainment and storage space onboard the ship. It is perfect for families or travellers who want all the comforts of home onboard the ship.
Features: one double or two single beds in a private bedroom with walk-in closet, sitting area with sofa bed and additional walk-in hallway closet, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors and separate powder room.
DECKPLAN:
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Iceland to Greenland: Total Solar Eclipse
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