Greenland with Kelsey and Karim

AUG 27 - SEPT 03, 2026

An extraordinary Greenland journey guided by two renowned champions of the ocean

How to apply for this Expedition

Read through the information on the web page

Find the Calendly call block section at the bottom of the web page

Fill in the short questionnaire and apply to join!

I'm ready to apply!

The Best of the Arctic. In One Week.

IN ONE WEEK: FLY TO GREENLAND, SAIL IN GREENLAND, FLY BACK TO ICELAND

With the expeditionary tradition of the past and the trappings of the future, an array of dramatic nature and Arctic wildlife awaits you!

8 days, 7 nights. Passengers: 12

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS

  1. Remember what its like to be a kid again, to experience pure unadulterated excitement.

  2. Explore the remote coast of Northeast Greenland

  3. Get a taste of the golden age of exploration on a traditionally rigged, wooden sailing vessel

  4. Visit some of the most remote, ice-free fjords in East Greenland

  5. Visit the world’d largest fjord system

  6. All of this with a small ground of 12 amazing people from all over.

  7. Enjoy stunning Arctic vistas and landscapes with the trappings of civilisation

  8. Pursue an intentional, knowledge-oriented expedition experience with respect to the destination

  9. Experienced crew and Expedition Leader that are at least as excited to be there as you (!)

  10. Eat well, drink well and live well whilst traversing the most remote parts of the Arctic.

Maps of the Expedition Area

How to apply for this Expedition

Read through the information on the web page

Find the Calendly call block section at the bottom of the web page

Fill in the short questionnaire and apply to join!

I'm ready to apply!

The human exploration of Scoresby Sound is but a brushstroke upon a tremendous and exuberant canvas on one of the oldest places in the world.
We propose to seek out its secrets, and reveal them, with you.

It is said that there are two phases in life: life before Greenland and life after Greenland.

Greenland is the portal through which one passes and cannot pass back through: whatever you think Greenland is, it’s more, its bigger, and grander.  This expedition will lay bare Greenland’s secrets in an unparralled setting.

OUR PEOPLE MEAN EVERYTHING TO US. MEMORIES FROM YEARS PAST.

JOINING YOU ON BOARD

The Great Expedition Company has no back-office. Expedition leader Joe Shutter has carefully curated this unique sailing itinerary, along with the expertise of S/V Linden’s Captain, Rasmus Jacobsen, and together they will sail with you through the wonders of the Svalbard seas.

Karim Iliya

YOUR COSMIC OCEAN DIVER

Adventure specialist and intrepid explorer 

Karim Iliya is a photographer, filmmaker, whale swimming guide, and former dearMoon crew member based in Iceland. He also co-founded Kogia, a nature conservation non-profit. Karim grew up in the Middle East and Asia and developed an insatiable curiosity for the natural world which has taken him into the midst of exploding volcanoes, battling whales, ice worlds of the Arctic, and many of the incredible places where humans and animals make their homes. Through his photography and films, Karim takes his audiences to hidden underwater worlds and documents other natural places in an effort to protect Earth’s delicate ecosystems. Karim has worked in over 50 countries, won multiple awards, and his work has been featured in numerous distinguished magazines, documentaries, and publications.

@karimiliya

Kelsey Williamson

YOUR PRINCESS OF THE SEAS

Hi! I’m Kelsey,  an underwater photographer, expedition leader, and ocean advocate with a love for wild places and powerful encounters with nature. What began as a personal obsession with the sea quickly evolved into something bigger: organizing small group expeditions where people can swim alongside marine life, explore remote coastlines, and reconnect with something ancient and awe-inspiring beneath the surface.

Over the past 7+ years, I’ve led trips across French Polynesia, Mexico, Norway, and beyond, capturing moments that remind us how deeply we belong to this Earth. My mission is simple: to help others fall so in love with the ocean and nature so that they feel inspired to protect it.

 

 I’m so excited to share the magic of this place with travelers who crave meaning, depth, and a passion for wildlife, nature and landscapes. 

Storyteller, photographer and filmmaker. Would be a mermaid and live with the whales if she could.  

@kelseywilliamson

Joe Shutter

YOUR EXPEDITION LEADER

Founder of The Great Exped & Expedition Leader

Welcome, curious explorer! Joe here. British-Brazilian, I made Iceland my home 10 years ago.

I’ve spent many summer seasons sailing in Eastern Greenland and traversing the harsh highlands of Iceland. In recent years, I have had the pleasure of developing my knowledge of the Arctic and Antarctic.

I prosecute a gratuitous and exuberant expedition leading style. I believe fervently in enjoying myself and fomenting an atmosphere of merriment and jubilation with my expeditions. I strive to use my expedition time on the most remote and unique places and experience, but I’m always ready for whatever nature has lined up for me. I am always there for my people.

For me, seducing the spirits of fellow explorers and sharing in the wonders of the Arctic is my eternally-repeatable aim. Bringing people together with a common passion has always been my favourite thing: there’s a special energy in this that I have never found anywhere else.⁣

Rasmus Jacobsen

YOUR ARCTIC CAPTAIN

Captain of S/V Linden & Experienced Navigator

Growing up in Denmark and living on a yacht, my family raised me within a maritime lifestyle and eco-friendly culture from childhood. Since then, I’ve enjoyed over 30 years on the ocean thus far: working on galleons, square rigs, research vessels and passenger ships.

My passion lies in seeking out the most untouched arenas of the Arctic, placing a great emphasis on exploring without any signs of human activity. 

My crew and I are committed to embodying an environmentally-friendly approach to sailing, inspired to seek out the abundant beauty of Svalbard in a purposeful manner. Hence, collaborating with The Great Expedition Company is a harmonious eco-expedition match.

WE ARRANGE

  • Accommodation on board, incl. bedding & towels

  • All meals, snacks, tea and coffee throughout.

  • Your inbound flight to ICELAND to GREENLAND at the beginning of the expedition. (Expedition A + B +C)

  • Your return flight to GREENLAND to ICELAND via at the beginning of the expedition. (Expedition A + B)

  • Provision of a complimentary “Great Expedition Kit” : a curated collection of Expedition essentials to enhance your expedition.

  • Expedition champagne and port supply.

  • Usage of the ship’s cigar humidor

  • Free use of onboard sauna

  • Extensive Pre-Departure Preparation Material

    • Equipment and Information Pack

    • Destination-specific Expedition Preparation Guide - everything we think you need to know about your location before you get there.

  • All guided hikes ashore

  • All guided zodiac excursions to shore

  • Educational and Informational services from the Expedition Leader and crew

  • Port surcharges, permits and landing fees

  • Photography guidance and tuition in-the-field, as-we shoot

  • Editing session on board in the salon upon request

  • Some other goodies and extras that are not mentioned

YOU ARRANGE

  • Your flights to Iceland

  • Your flight from Iceland at the end of the expedition.

  • Additional Alcoholic beverages beverages on board (outside of champagne and port form the expedition supply)

  • Personal travel & health insurance

  • Crew gratuities (entirely discrentionary)

  • Personal equipment and gear for the expedition

DETAILS

  • Dates: 

    • AUG 20-27

    • AUG 27 - SEPT 03

    • SEPT 03-10

    • SEPT 10-17

    • SEPT 17-24

  • Berths: 12

  • Cost:

    • €9,945

    • 25% deposit payable to secure your spot

  • Starts: Reykjavik, Iceland

  • Ends: Reykjavik, Iceland

  • Linden Saloon

  • Linden beside a glacier in Svalbard

  • Linden Cabins made up

  • Linden Saloon: rear.

  • Learning the ropes

LIFE ON BOARD S/V LINDEN

S/V Linden is undeniably a swoon-worthy vessel.  This elegant 50 meter three-masted tall ship captures everyones attention as she glides on the polar seas. Built in 1993, as a modern take on the original Linden from 1923, she has been sailing for more than thirty years around the northerly seas

Linden will host us in her bright and comfortable main saloon, where you can watch the waves roll by. Accommodation is made up of 6 twin bunk-style cabins. Day to day life on board is exciting yet easy-going: we will discuss the upcoming route over a hearty breakfast, plan our days activities, share life experiences and keep our binoculars close to hand as we scout for wildlife.

There is, of course, a well-sized sauna on board, which will be the perfect refuge after a polar-plunge!

EXPEDITION ITINERARY

Below is our intended sailing route. This is a natural part of the adventure of sailing. Our strength is to abide by the conditions which nature gives us, never against it, still making the best out of our time.

All expedition itineraries are approximate and are designed to give you a rough idea of the sorts of places we will go and the sorts of places we will see. A true expedition must respond to the prevailing conditions such as the weather, ice, and wildlife opportunities. That being said, the backbone of the expedition will head north and then down south again roughly on the following basis.

EXPEDITION ITINERARY

The expedition will start in Iceland. From there, a private charter flight will take us to Constable Point. We explore  the fjord system for the rest of the week and return you to the airport at the end of our week together.

Reykjavik
Pop: 135,688

Reykjavik will very likely feel very small (unless you’ve come from somewhere smaller)

Constable Point (CNP)

Less of an asphalt operation and more of a wet (and sometimes dry) dirt operation. No jets, just turbo props.

Ittoqqortoormiit
Pop: 345

One of the world most remote village at the mouth of the fjord system where it meets the ocean.

Scoresbysund
Pop: 0, just us

Area: 38,000 sq.km. Longest fjords: 340–350 km. (210-216 mi.). Vast, untouched Arctic wilderness.

DAY 1

Meet at Reykjavik Domestic Airport. Fly to Constable Point. Board S/V Linden, introduction from Captain Rasmus and crew, then sail to Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the world’s most isolated villages. 

DAY 2

Sunrise at Sun Glacier. Sail west between palaces of icebergs that gently drift under the influence of the arctic waters.

DAY 3 

Get up close to the Red Island and land on the red sandstone shore. The journey continues north through Rødefjord which is often filled with ice crust.

DAY 4  

Spend the day searching for regional Arcticv wildlife: Muskoxen, snow hares, and grouse and if we’re lucky, the elusive Gyrfalcon that are known to live in the region. 

DAY 5

Sailing continues on day 5 through the awesome Øfjord. Staggering mountain peaks and granite walls  rise close to 2000 meters up in either direction directly from the sea.

DAY 6

Known as the Arctic Riviera, here we can hike in and around Jyttes Havn on the Bear Islands. With feet on the ground, you can really appreciate how special it is here.

DAY 7

Huge vistas of the archipelago as it fades away into the distance.  By the end of this long sail, we are in position at Constable Point for the flight for following morning.

DAY 8

We disembark S/V Linden for the last time for our return flight back to Reykjavik. The adventures of the expedition begin to sink in and your life after Greenland begins. We say goodbye to each other, not forever, just until the next time we sail!

FAQ’s

Below are some answers to a few commonly asked questions, with some additional suggestions. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, then you can raise it with us via a Zoom call.

  • What level of photography do I require?

    • This is not expressively a photography workshop, but Joe will be happy to assist and guide you as you wish. You can be as photographically creatively active or as inactive as you like, and we welcome many other forms of creativity. We even had a dressmaker join us on expedition once and it was amazing to watch her conjure up her design based on the inspiration she was getting from nature.

    How fit do I need to be?

    • You can engage in as much or as little physical exertion as you like, but you do need to be able to get into and out of the ship and zodiac, and go up and down the stairs.

    What & where will we eat?

    • All meals will be prepared and served by a chef on board Linden, and dietary requirements can be supported.

    Will we see the Northern Lights?

    • No, not during the Arctic summer as the midnight sun reveals itself for longer periods. Although it is rare, it can also rain in Svalbard too.

    What will the weather be like during June in Svalbard?

    • The weather in June will be near 5 °C / 40 °F throughout the day, dropping to 0 °C / 30 °F at night. With this said, windchill may decrease the temperature - please see the ‘Clothing’ FAQ section. Our "Equipment and Information" One of the aspects of our extensive pre-departure material, will make sure you have all the bases covered.

  • Althopugh we provide an exhaustive list of what to pack in our "Equipment and Information Pack", part of our extensive Pre-Departure material, wee do offer the following as a guide for the initially curious.

    There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes! It’s essential to dress appropriately for arctic conditions. Below are our recommendations:

    • Sturdy hiking boots for getting off the boat and exploring land (if you wish to)

    • Comfy and warm shoes for below deck, such as slippers

    • 1st layer: base layer, like merino wool or bamboo long-sleeve & leggings

    • 2nd layer: mid-layer, like a wool jumper, fleece, or packable puffy jacket

    • Main outer layer: like a down-filled coat. We will be sailing in “summer”, but the Arctic does not follow any usual weather rules, so you must come prepared

    • Waterproof layer: GORE-TEX zip-up coat or similar, and ideally it’s also windproof to tolerate any windchill.

    • If you enjoy reading then definitely bring a book or two. You’ll likely cherish that book in the future, knowing where you read it

    • If you like journaling and writing then bring along a pen & notebook

    • Sunblock! The Arctic sun has no mercy, and reflects strongly off the snow, ice and sea water

    • In the same vein as sunblock, bring lip balm, as the Artic summer is drying

    • A water bottle. It’s much easier to use on board than a regular cup

    • Finally, don’t forget to bring your expeditionary spirit!

    • Bring something from your home country to share with the group!

HOW TO APPLY TO JOIN - WHO ARE YOU?

A proper expedition is always comprised of an elaborate mosaic of characters, each with their own story and each with something to offer to the expedition group.

Our role is to put together an incredible group of people: similar enough to embrace the spirit of adventure in the Arctic, different enough to introduce healthy diversity and counterpoint in the individual and shared experience of the Arctic.

The Great Expedition Company follows a curation procedure when selecting guests to join us. 

Do you have what it takes? Probably. If you’re open to new places, new people and unforgettable sights, then that’s all we ask.

Find the Zoom call scheduling window below, tell us something about yourself and then book a call with us to discuss your participation.