HIGHLIGHTS
- Spot
minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises and several
other cetaceans, including orcas (killer whales)
- Visit
Jan Mayen, a stark volcanic island crowned by the snow-capped summit of
Mt. Beerenberg 2,300-meter-high (7,545 feet)
- Watch
broken glaciers grasp out into the frigid sea
- Bask
in the midnight sun
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1: Northward bound
You
board the vessel at midday in Vlissingen, headed north. Far north.
Days
2–3: Sea life on the move
Crossing
the North Sea and sailing by Doggersbank, you stand an excellent chance
of spotting minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises.
Several other cetaceans, including orcas (killer whales), are also
native to these seas.
Day
4: Birds, seals, and world-famous knits
At
Fair Isle, in the Shetlands, the roughly seventy inhabitants (renowned
for their knitwear) welcome you for a walk to the local bird
observatory. This location is a haven for sea birds, though you may
also spot grey seals.
Days
5–6: Jan Mayen marine life
You
sail north to the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, 300 nautical miles
northeast of Iceland. Your two days at sea do not pass idly, however.
Keep a close lookout for any spouts of water from the surrounding seas,
heralding the arrival of a minke, fin, orca, or blue whale.
Day
7: Snow-capped seaside volcano
Jan
Mayen is a stark volcanic island crowned by the snow-capped summit of
Mt. Beerenberg. From the slopes of this imposing 2,300-meter-high
(7,545 feet) volcano, broken glaciers grasp out into the frigid sea.
With permission from the Norwegian authorities, you can now visit the
weather station. You can also walk to the remains of a 17th- century
Dutch whaling station amid the thick moss beds of this stark volcanic
landscape.
Days
8–10: Under the midnight sun & along the ice edge
Basking
in the midnight sun, you sail north along the edge of the sea ice in
search of bowhead whales, harp seals, polar bears, and a variety of
seabirds. You then change direction after about 79° north,
cutting west to the rocky edges of the continental shelf of west
Spitsbergen. Here you have a good chance of seeing fin whales and
– near the glacial mouths of the gaping Spitsbergen fjords
– surfacing minke whales.
Day
11: The Arctic island of Spitsbergen
Forlandsundet,
between the main island of Spitsbergen and the narrow Prins Karls
Forland, is a place of great beauty and fascinating wildlife. Walruses
sometimes haul out here. Alternatively, you might sail into
St. Johns Fjord or head south to the mouth of Isfjorden, landing at
Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for
fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation.
Day
12: Journey's end in Longyearbyen
Every
adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You
disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen,
taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next
adventure lies. But if you're still craving additional chances to spot
the Arctic's most iconic apex predator, stay on board for our
seven-night north Spitsbergen voyage, “in search of polar
bears & pack ice.”
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Voyage
aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea.
- All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff.
- Free
use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Transfers
and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for
those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen.
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- AECO
fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material.
Excluded from this voyage
- Any
airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre-
and post- land arrangements.
- Passport
and visa expenses.
- Government
arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals
ashore.
- Baggage,
cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
- Excess
baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry,
bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The
customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other
service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
ADVENTURE OPTIONS
- Zodiac Cruising
- Shore-based Walking
- Walk on Fair Isle
