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Now’s the perfect time to set your sights on the next total solar eclipse: August 12, 2026. On our 11-day Arctic expedition aboard Exploris One, witness this rare phenomenon as you cruise round-trip from Reykjavík, Iceland, and along Greenland’s less-traveled yet spectacular east coast.

You will be well prepared and positioned to witness the next total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026 as you cruise round-trip from Reykjavík, Iceland, and along Greenland’s less-traveled yet spectacular east coast. Your prime, yet little-known, viewing location—along the Scoresby Sound, one of the world’s largest fjords systems, in eastern Greenland—is a remote area chosen for optimal conditions of clear skies, extended totality, and a vast, picture-perfect Arctic expanse as your backdrop.

Sled dogging in Greenland is more than a means of transportation—it's a deep-rooted cultural tradition that reflects the resilience, ingenuity, and close partnership between humans and animals in the Arctic. For centuries, Greenlandic mushers have relied on their dogs to navigate vast, frozen landscapes, carrying supplies, hunting game, and connecting distant communities. The practice is passed down through generations, with each musher developing an intimate knowledge of terrain, weather, and the unique personalities of their dogs. Today, while modern snowmobiles have become more common, dog sledding remains a powerful symbol of Greenlandic identity and a living link to Indigenous knowledge and lifeways.

Heather Huson '97, Associate Professor of Animal Genetics, captivated the CAU Summer audience with her lecture on canine genetics. She shared her research on Indigenous sled dog practices in a way that was both accessible and dynamic—leaving everyone eager to learn more. On this trip, Heather will introduce you to the Greenland dog, Canis lupus familiaris, and its importance to the traditions, culture, and economy of local communities you will visit.

This is a shared departure. The CAU group will be joined by alumni groups from Whitman College, Washington University in St. Louis, and more. CAU travelers will enjoy an exclusive pre-tour zoom with your Study Tour leader, Arrangements Abroad, the CAU Team, and fellow travelers. During the tour, you can look forward to an exclusive onboard reception and a reserved, optional seating area in the dining room.

The recently renovated Exploris One (formerly Silversea Cruise Line’s Silver Explorer) was specially designed to sail the world’s most demanding waters in the polar regions. Equipped with a reinforced hull, Exploris One is a global benchmark for exploring glacial regions in a completely safe environment. Enjoy an exceptional level of comfort, along with personalized service. The ship features 60 cabins and 12 suites, among the most spacious available on expedition ships. Enjoy a fitness and well-being area, panoramic decks and lounges, and outdoor Jacuzzis for a moment of relaxation with a view. Onboard Zodiacs allow passengers to disembark all together several times a day, depending on the navigation conditions, in areas that are usually inaccessible.

In addition to Heather Huson '97, Associate Professor of Animal Genetics at Cornell, this tour will also feature lectures by Tansu Daylan, Associate Professor of Physics at Washington University in St. Louis and Dr. Gerard van Belle, Director of Lowell Observatory. All lectures are open to all participants.

Depart for Reykjavík, Iceland, on an overnight flight.

Upon arrival in Iceland, enjoy a half-day of excursions around Reykjavík’s harbor. Following lunch, embark Exploris One, settle into your cabin, and attend a welcome orientation. Enjoy a welcome dinner as the ship sets sail.

(Meals included: Lunch, Dinner)

Arrive at Vigur Island, a green jewel in Iceland’s Westfjords. This tiny private paradise and wildlife sanctuary teems with feathered inhabitants, including puffins. At the heart of this natural spectacle, take an inside look at the local farmstead, which has been settled since the late 12th century. As midday approaches, we’ll set course for Ísafjörður, the bustling hub of the Westfjords where you can stroll streets lined with colorful timber houses from the 18th century. Choose whether you want a guided tour of Ísafjörður Maritime Museum, or to lace up your hiking boots and strike out into the majestic mountains cradling Ísafjörður.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as Exploris One crosses the Denmark Strait. Engage in a variety of onboard activities designed to enrich your Arctic experience, including lectures on Arctic wildlife, where you can learn about the unique species that inhabit this remote region. Enhance your photography skills with specialized workshops that offer tips and techniques for capturing the stunning landscapes and wildlife you’ll encounter. For those seeking tranquility, unwind in the ship’s spa, indulging in soothing treatments and enjoying the serene atmosphere as you sail through the open waters.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Venture into Scoresby Sound, a colossal network of waterways that carves deep into Greenland’s eastern coast. Around each bend, discover a new vista, from snow-capped peaks and massive glaciers to narrow inlets that snake into the mountainous interior. Numerous opportunities for adventure await: You may step ashore and hike across the tundra for panoramic views of this frozen realm. From windswept ridges, gaze out over a landscape sculpted by millennia of ice and stone. You may also join experts for Zodiac excursions up close to icebergs and wildlife, including musk oxen, seals, Arctic hares, and possibly even polar bears prowling the shoreline. Aboard Exploris One, enjoy engaging lectures on the area’s history and environment, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of the complex ecosystem and cultural heritage of this magnificent Arctic wilderness.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

As Exploris One anchors in the Scoresby Sound, anticipation mounts for today’s celestial event—the total solar eclipse. Our destination has been selected to ensure optimal viewing conditions (eclipse duration and probability of clear sky) for the eclipse against the stark Arctic backdrop. With expert guidance from onboard astronomers, you will have rare insights into the mechanics and significance of the eclipse. Participate in guided observation sessions on deck, equipped with special viewing glasses and telescopes to witness the sun’s corona as it briefly eclipses the moon. The ship’s photographers will offer real-time tips, helping you preserve this fleeting moment forever.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After the eclipse, Exploris One will begin its way back to Iceland. Today, relax and reflect on the profound experience you’ve just witnessed. Engage in enlightening educational talks where experts delve into the scientific and cultural significance of solar eclipses, providing a deeper context to the event you’ve just witnessed. Join special film screenings about celestial phenomena and Arctic exploration, offering further insights into the wonders of the natural world. Socialize with fellow passengers during lively gatherings where you can share stories, impressions, and photographs from the eclipse.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

In the morning, Exploris One docks at Grundarfjörður, a small Icelandic fishing town, where you will step ashore for a captivating full-day exploration of the dramatic Snaefellsnes Peninsula. With your expert guide, stop at Mount Kirkjufell, its 1,519-foot peak with a distinctive arrowhead shape reflected in the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall. The three-tiered cascade tumbles 39 feet over ancient lava fields. Walk black-sand beaches forged by volcanic fury and see the wind-sculpted basalt cliffs tower overhead as waves crash against the shore. Your journey concludes at Snæfellsjökull, a 4,744-foot glacier atop a slumbering volcano. This evening, return to Exploris One for the festive farewell dinner.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, disembark this morning to catch your flight back home.

(Meals included: Breakfast)

To reserve your space, contact CAU partner Arrangements Abroad
Phone: 800-221-1944  |  Email: trips@arrangementsabroad.com

January 5 – 17, 2026
Featuring Raymond B. Craib, Associate Chair & Marie Underhill Noll Professor of History
Produced by CAU in partnership with Royal Adventures

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