Greenland and the Svalbard archipelago are among the most mountainous regions in the Arctic Circle, with rugged landscapes of unfathomable splendour and scale. Spitsbergen, the largest island of Svalbard, is home to the region’s tallest mountain, Newtontoppen, which stands roughly 1,700 metres above sea level. Meanwhile, in Greenland, the colossal Mt. Gunnbjörn is affectionately known as the ‘Top of the Arctic’, owing to its 3,700-metre height. Majestic and inspiring, these Arctic ranges overlook lands of otherworldly beauty, their ancient foothills descending beneath enchanting fjords, vast glaciers and frozen seas.

Glaciers have influenced the landscape and climate of the Arctic for millions of years, and their slow descent towards the sea continues to sculpt and change the very foundation of the land today. The Svalbard region is home to over 2,100 glaciers, with the largest stretching for mile after mile through the landscape. Indeed, Svalbard is home to one of the world’s largest glaciers, the cathedral-like ice cap of Austfonna, which covers an area of 8,450km2 on the island of Nordaustlandet. Greenland itself has some 200 glaciers, the largest of which is Jakobshavn, which has thickened considerably in recent years.

The Svalbard archipelago comprises hundreds of islands, some small in scale and others vast. The principal isles of this Arctic region are Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet, Kong Karls Islands, Prins Karls Forland and Barentsøya, all of which are covered in ice for much of the year. Easily one of the most famous isles of Svalbard is Bjørnøya, or Bear Island, a protected nature reserve revered as one of the best places in the region to catch sight of polar bears. Indeed, on Bjørnøya and across the entire Svalbard region, these majestic creatures outnumber people – so there’s a chance of encountering one during your voyage.

From Bergen to Scoresby, glacial fjords and lakes pepper these Arctic lands, providing moments of supreme natural wonder. Formed by glaciers over hundreds of years, these deep waterways are among the most beautiful features of Norway, Greenland and Svalbard, their mirrorlike surfaces reflecting back the frozen landscape around them. The most beautiful fjords of Svalbard are found in inner Spitsbergen, where a diverse array of flora grows in the summer months. Elsewhere, Greenland’s vast Scoresby Sound remains the world’s largest glacial fjord, while Norway’s UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord is considered one of the world’s most beautiful lakes.

Permafrost blankets every inch of Svalbard, creating a frozen wilderness as hostile as it is beautiful. So cold is the climate in this region of the Arctic that even during the summer months, only the top metre of ice thaws, meaning that these islands sustain little in the way of vegetation. The same is true of Greenland, where some areas of ice descend to a depth of a mile beneath the surface. Icebergs are a common sight around the archipelago and off the coast of Greenland, and their huge masses are a tremendous sight to behold from the seas. With Scenic Eclipse, you’ll have the chance to get close to these floating giants during guided zodiac and kayak trips, to witness first-hand their vast scale and kaleidoscope of colours.

Away from the frozen coast, the inland areas of Svalbard, Greenland and other areas within the Arctic are covered in tundra – wild, unkept heathlands which emerge during the Polar Summer. Arctic tundra supports a huge diversity of life, from Svalbard reindeer to rare bird species like the Arctic tern, snow goose and little auk, placing it among the most precious ecosystems on Earth. Svalbard itself has several major tundra regions, particularly along its coastal strandflat region, which is home to several species of wading birds.

The beluga whale is an icon of Arctic waters, its distinctive white skin and bulbous forehead setting them apart from other whales in the region. Like many whales, belugas travel vast distances during their annual migration, but always return to the Arctic in the spring and summer months when the sea ice has retreated. Known to be exceptionally sociable, belugas travel in large pods and have been known to approach small boats and kayaks out of curiosity, making it likely that you’ll come across one on the seas.

One of the most unusual and enchanting marine mammals to call the Arctic home; narwhals are a whale species easily identifiable by their long, spiralling ivory tusk. These unusual animals can be found in high Arctic regions, where they negotiate the labyrinthine ice flows with the help of their unicorn-like tusks, which scientists have recently discovered contain thousands of nerve endings. Narwhals are notoriously elusive, but with their numbers improving in recent years, there’s every chance you might encounter one whilst kayaking through the waters of Svalbard and Greenland.

Svalbard reindeer are native to several islands on the archipelago, including Spitsbergen, where they have no natural predators. Thousands of reindeer roam these lands, from the tundra to the coast, and have even been known to enter Longyearbyen in search of food and shelter. Indeed, in Svalbard’s largest city, reindeer can often irritate drivers by wandering out in the road, and several locals have reported finding a small herd grazing in their gardens. These majestic creatures make for an enchanting wildlife encounter away from Svalbard’s hostile coastline.

Seals are among the most numerous animals of the Arctic Circle, and they provide food for predators like polar bears, wolves and orca. Six types of seal live in the Arctic, and the most numerous species you’re likely to encounter are ringed seals, bearded seals and common harbour seals. Huge groups of seals can often be spotted lounging on frozen beaches and lowlands, and these congregations often attract larger predators, so always be on the lookout.