Discover The Arctic Riviera with VHF Expeditions

2026-03-05 - 11:05

This article is brought to you in partnership with VHF Expeditions There’s a certain feeling that comes with looking off towards the horizon and thinking, I wonder what’s beyond it. Some call it wanderlust. Others, mere curiosity. Regardless, it’s the quiet pull that asks you to step outside the familiar and move towards something unknown. For many people, that feeling can be a little scary, and so it remains a fantasy for many years. But for others, it is a siren call. Nothing less than a choice to live differently. Just ask the founders of VHF Expeditions; an experienced tour provider and band of adventurers focused on Iceland and Greenland. Photo: VHF Expeditions. In this article, we feel privileged to share with our readers some beautiful black and white photographs of their past adventures; a collection of stunning documentary images that we feel capture that classic aesthetic of adventure and intrigue. Founded by Gabriel Filippusson Patay and Stephan Stephensen, the company takes its name from “Very High Frequency” radio communication, which works only in line of sight. Simple though it might be, the name reflects their attitude towards travel... People moving through landscapes together. Present in the moment. Connected to each other and their surroundings. Photo: VHF Expeditions. Behind the scenes, each crew member has an important role to fulfil in order to ensure the smooth running of VHF Expeditions’ operations. For instance, Gabriel acts as carpenter and engineer, and oversees the technical operation of the vessel. Then there is Stephan, a chef and Paris-trained photographer, who leads the culinary experience onboard. Finally, Captain Viðar Kristinsson commands the aptly named Aurora, the expedition sailboat that serves as both transport and base. Together, the team brings more than 30 years of guiding experience across Arctic terrain. Frankly, there could hardly be a more fitting crowd to host your journeys through this unique and captivating part of the world. Exploring the Remote Photo: VHF Expeditions. When it comes to exploring Iceland, VHF Expeditions’ trips focus on the remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the Westfjords. Accessible only by boat, this dramatic area offers steep fjords, seabird cliffs and uninhabited valleys shaped by centuries of isolation. Departing from the harbour town of Ísafjörður, guests sail across the waters of Ísafjarðardjúp into the Jökulfirðir fjords for three-day adventures. That might take the form of hiking in nature, skiing the slopes of the Westfjords, or sailing further around the fjords. Photo: VHF Expeditions. Photo: VHF Expeditions. Prospective visitors might be wondering how VHF Expeditions manages to fit so much into their schedule. Well, daily excursions typically last four to six hours, with packed lunches in the mountains and evenings spent back aboard Aurora. In neighbouring Greenland, expeditions begin in Kulusuk, a town of under 300 people, before entering the vast Sermilik fjord system. Here, glaciers, icebergs and open space define the rhythm of travel. From the deck of the Aurora, guests will have the opportunity to soak in twinkling Arctic landscapes, no less capture some truly beautiful photographs. Life Onboard Aurora Photo: VHF Expeditions. Aurora accommodates up to nine guests in shared sleeping quarters. Clean sheets are provided, and guests bring sleeping bags. Days begin early, often with coffee in the galley before heading ashore. Evenings centre on shared meals prepared from local ingredients, including seafood gathered along the way when conditions allow. On top of that, a sauna tent is set up ashore on almost every trip and is described by VHF Expeditions as their ‘pride!’ Photo: VHF Expeditions. At its core, boat life is a central part of the tour experience. In remote regions without huts or infrastructure, the vessel becomes a moving mountain refuge, a place to rest, eat and reset between outings. Shared meals in the galley, early mornings with coffee as the anchor is lifted, and evenings spent reviewing the day’s route create a steady routine at sea. With no external distractions, conversation and quiet observation become part of the experience, reinforcing the sense of travelling as a small, self-contained group through a larger landscape. Approach and Philosophy Photo: VHF Expeditions. VHF Expeditions does not position itself around luxury or extreme travel. The focus is on small groups, flexibility and respect for the environment. The team follows a leave-no-trace principle and operates with attention to wildlife and fragile Arctic ecosystems. Here, it is worth mentioning that the landscapes in which VHF operates are shaped by time, weather and isolation. In both Hornstrandir and Greenland, vegetation grows slowly and recovery from disturbance can take years. Steep scree slopes, fragile tundra and nesting areas require careful movement and considered route choices. Photo: VHF Expeditions. For these reason, trips remain flexible, allowing the crew to adapt to local conditions while minimising impact on terrain that has seen little human footprint. Wildlife encounters are also possible but never staged. In Hornstrandir, Arctic foxes and seabirds are commonly observed, while seals may surface in the fjords. In Greenland, whales are occasionally sighted offshore. As mentioned, the guiding approach prioritises distance and respect, ensuring that observation does not interfere with natural behaviour. Photo: VHF Expeditions. Now, some readers might be thinking that the expeditions on offer here require a great level of experience in the realm of outdoor adventuring. But rest easy knowing there is no single “ideal” guest. Trips suit those comfortable in close quarters, open to changing weather and interested in shared experiences at sea and on land. Experience in skiing or hiking is helpful but not essential. Upcoming departures include limited ski-and-sail spaces, late July and early August hike-and-sail weekends, and a three-night solar eclipse voyage in Jökulfirðir. For VHF, the emphasis remains consistent: meaningful travel, direct connection and time spent in landscapes where scale and silence shape the journey. Make sure to check out more photographs from VHF Expeditions below. Photo: VHF Expeditions. Photo: VHF Expeditions. Photo: VHF Expeditions. Photo: VHF Expeditions. Photo: VHF Expeditions. Photo: VHF Expeditions.