HIGHLIGHTS
- Zodiac-cruise
beneath dramatic bird cliffs in Iceland’s Westfjords
- Visit
the remote island of Jan Mayen, home to Mount Beerenberg, the
world’s northernmost active volcano
- Photograph
walrus and reindeer while keeping an eye out for polar bears hunting on
the pack ice
- Hike
through a marvellous, diverse terrain: ice caps, tundra, polar desert
and rocky hillsides
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1: Reykjavik, embark Greg Mortimer
After
making your own way to Reykjavik pier, embark the Greg Mortimer in the
late afternoon from 4.00 pm. You’ll have time to settle into
your cabin before our important safety briefings.
Days
2-3: Westfjords
One
third of Iceland’s coastline is in the Westfjords, and the
entire peninsula is carved and cut by long fjords. The Westfjords
region is home to Látrabjarg; the westernmost point in
Europe, and one of the continent’s most remarkable seabird
breeding cliffs, a delight for bird-lovers. It is one of the best
places in Iceland to photograph puffins, an opportunity
you’ll have on a Zodiac cruise, weather permitting.
We
plan to explore the Westfjords region, featuring outstanding landscapes
with jaw-dropping views of dramatic fjords carved by ancient glaciers,
sheer table mountains that plunge into the sea and pristine North
Atlantic vegetation. The region features attractive towns such as
Isafjordur, the famous Dynjandi waterfall, and spectacular fjords
offering kayaking excursions, hiking trails, and bird-watching.
In
true expeditionary style, we keep our itinerary flexible to allow for
spontaneity based on weather and sea conditions. We plan to visit
Hornstrandir peninsula, one of Iceland’s remotest and most
pristine regions filled with many deep and dramatic fjords, towering
bird cliffs, stunning natural beauty and opportunities for wildlife
encounters. Enjoy the bountiful silence and magnificent landscapes seen
only by the few adventurers that make their way here.
Day
4: At Sea
Cross
the Denmark Strait to Jan Mayen Island accompanied by sea birds while
keeping a look out for whales. Enjoy a presentation from our team of
experts, get to know your fellow expeditioners, stay fit at the gym or
treat yourself to a massage in the wellness centre.
Day
5: Jan Mayen
The
approach to Jan Mayen is spectacular. The huge Beerenberg volcano
(2,277 metres/ 7,470 feet altitude) is the world’s
northernmost active volcano, and last erupted in 1985. The northern
part of the island is a great place to look for whales and dolphins,
and contains impressive glaciers, some of which reach the sea. If the
weather is friendly, we will try to land at Kvalrossbukta, a relatively
sheltered bay on the island’s west coast. This is one of the
landings used to supply the weather station Olonkinbyen, situated on
the eastern side of the island. We hope to land on front of the
Norwegian station at Olonkinbyen, stop to visit the weather station
before embarking on a three-hour hike (weather permitting) to the other
side of the Island where the Greg Mortimer will be waiting for us in
Kvalrossbukta, and our trusty Zodiacs will transport us back to the
ship.
Day
6 -7: At Sea
The
sea around Jan Mayen offers excellent whale-watching opportunities
(bottlenose, fin, and perhaps bowhead whales in the pack ice). Sail
towards Svalbard, searching for the ice edge as we continue north,
retracing the route of Dutch explorer Willem Barents who discovered
Spitsbergen and the Barents Sea, named after him. It’s
breeding season for the harp seals and we hope to see them breeding on
the sea ice. As we approach Svalbard, all eyes will be focused on
spotting polar bears in the pack ice.
Day
8 -10: Svalbard
Svalbard
offers unspoiled, raw Arctic wilderness at its best. With majestic
mountains, iridescent sea ice, countless glaciers and superb
wildlife-viewing opportunities. Our experienced expedition team, who
have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to
design our voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on
the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.
We
generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day.
You’ll want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises to
witness walrus colonies hauled-outs on sea ice or on beaches, under
towering cliffs of nesting sea birds or glide past glistening icebergs
in your kayak.
We
plan to cross 80° North, always on the lookout for polar bears
on the pack ice, to reach Moffen Island, famous for its large walrus
colony. Our expedition team work tirelessly, so that you may experience
these incredible wildlife encounter. Ship cruising along spectacular
fjords offers great opportunities for photography, hike upon colourful
tundra, perhaps tasting wild blueberries along the way.
Day
11: Disembark Longyearbyen
During
the early morning we cruise back into Longyearbyen. Farewell your
expedition team and enjoy a town tour, where you will visit Svalbard
Museum and Galleri Svalbard, and take in the main sights of
Longyearbyen including Office of the Governor, Svalbard Church, Nybyen
(new town), a few of the town’s mines such as Santa Claus
Mine, and a quick photo stop at the famous beware of polar bear street
sign. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your onward journeys.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Half
day tour of Longyearbyen upon disembarkation on day 11 including
transfer to the airport afterwards
- On-board
accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
- All
meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
- Beer,
house wine and soft drinks with dinner
- Captain's
Welcome and Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house
cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
- All
shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
- Educational
lectures and guiding services from expedition team
- Complimentary
access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
- A
3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
- Complimentary
use of muck boots during the voyage
- Comprehensive
pre-departure information
- Port
surcharges, permits and landing fees
Not
Included
- International
or domestic flights, unless specified
- Transfers
not mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport
arrival or departure taxes
- Passport,
visa, reciprocity and vaccination charges
- Travel
insurance or emergency evacuation charges
- Hotels
and meals not included in itinerary
- Optional
excursions not included in the itinerary
- Optional
activity surcharges
- All
items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic
beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry
services, personal clothing, additional medical expenses such as
medication, gratuities, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Sea
Kayaking: USD 900
- Bird
watching: Free
- Lectures
on wildlife, our environment, history and destinations: Free
- Photography:
Free
- Polar
plunge: Free
- Trips
ashore: Free
- Walking:
Free
- Whale
and mammal spotting: Free
- Zodiac
cruises: Free
