HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore
Iceland’s rarely visited Westfjords region
- Lookout
for an incredible variety of seabirds including Arctic tern, puffins
and eiders
- Visit
Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the world’s most remote settlements
- Glide
through the pristine waters of world’s largest fjord network
in east Greenland
- Learn
about Heimaey’s dark history and its recent volcanic past
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Aug 14, 2023 | Aug 26, 2023 | Too low to show |
Too low to show |
40% off sales rate. Contact us for rates.
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Aug 14, 2023 | Aug 26, 2023 | Too low to show |
Too low to show |
40% off sales rate. Contact us for rates.
ITINERARY
DAY 1
REYKJAVIK
Despite its small size, you won’t be short of things to see
and do in this diminutive but dramatic city. To get your bearings, take
the elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church,
designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is
one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to
earth, visit the city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert
Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated
harbour – also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of
cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland
from past to present. The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an
impressive contemporary collection including eye-catching pieces by
Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometres outside the city
lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s
original Viking parliament.
DAY 2
ISAFJORDUR
Surrounded by fjords in the Westfjords region,
Ísafjördur is a bustling fishing town in northwest
Iceland with colourful wooden 18th- and 19th-century houses in the old
town of Neskaupstadur. Ísafjördur was one of the
largest fisheries in Iceland, but tourism has now taken over. Nearby is
Sudavik, home to the Arctic Fox Centre. Iceland’s only
mammal, the arctic fox lives on the lush tundra of Hornstrandir Nature
Reserve - the northernmost peninsula in the Westfjords with two of
Europe’s largest bird cliffs.
DAY 3
AT SEA
You can spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available.
Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or
relax in the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way.
If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to
an informative talk or have a chat with one of our knowledgeable
on-board experts.
DAY 4
ITTOQQORTOORMIIT
One of the most remote towns in the world, thick sea ice makes
Ittoqqortoormiit inaccessible by ship for nine months of the year.
Founded in 1925 by Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen and a group of 80 or
so Inuit, the town’s 450 present-day residents are largely
self-sufficient. Hunting and fishing at sea are the only ways that this
community can survive. Although a small number of residents now also
work service industry. Ittoqqortoormiit is also the gateway to the
Scoresbysund fjord system; the world’s largest fjord network
with an area of just under 40,000 square kilometres.
DAY 5-6
SCORESBYSUND
Over the next few days, we’ll explore the vast Scorebysund
fjord network. The imposing basalt mountains create a striking backdrop
against the brilliant white ice floating in the mirror-like waters. The
mountains offer protection from the Arctic winds, providing excellent
shelter for an abundance of Greenland’s iconic wildlife.
We’ll be hoping to spot muskoxen, Arctic foxes and mountain
hares along the frozen shores. Birds also thrive in this delicate
ecosystem. With the help of our expedition team, we’ll be
looking out for little auks, Atlantic puffins, fulmars, snowy owls, the
Greenlandic gyrfalcon and great black-backed gulls. Seals and whales
are also common sightings in the fjord waters.
DAY 7-8
KONG OSCAR FJORD
King Oscar Fjord forms the northern border of the Scoresby Sound. This
seemingly endless maze of valleys eventually gives way to the open sea.
The imposing mountains, deep waters and sparkling ice create the kind
of dramatic and emotive landscape that photos just can’t
emulate. This other-worldly place is beautiful and imposingly hostile
all at once. Whilst cruising through King Oscar Fjord, we’ll
observe the fascinating Berzelius Bjerg, a mountain with clear bands of
coloured strata – formed millions of years ago when the
mountains here were once part of the seabed.
DAY 9
AT SEA
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world
go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of
the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle
with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible
trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books.
Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or
perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our
onboard professional photographers.
DAY 10
SEYDISFJORDUR
Regarded as east Island’s cultural hub, brightly painted
wooden houses line Seyðisfjörður’s
port. With a lively arts scene disproportionate to its small size,
Seyðisfjörður has attracted many writers and
artists over the years and also hosts an annual summer arts festival.
Surrounded by incredible nature, the Skálanes nature reserve
is a short distance from the town. The area covered by the reserve is
known for its diverse wildlife with over 47 species of bird and over
150 plant species. Reindeer are also seen here, with seals and
porpoises frequently spotted along the shores.
DAY 11
DJUPIVORGUR
Home to fewer than 500 residents, the quiet fishing village of
Djupivogur dates back to the Viking era. Despite its formidable
origins, the village is better known these days for its unhurried pace
of life. Djupivogur’s most famous artistic offering may be
the first thing you notice as you disembark. The 34 large granite eggs
that line the road along the bay are not easy to miss. The art
installation, named ‘The Eggs at Merry Bay’ (Eggin
í Gleðivík in Icelandic) represents the
34 species of birds that nest locally. Immerse yourself further into
the wild on a trip to nearby Vatnajökull National Park.
Covering 14% of Iceland’s land mass, this vast area is home
to giant ice caps, thundering glacial rivers, grumbling active
volcanoes and a host of other geological wonders. Take a guided tour
out onto Vatnajökull Glacier, Europe’s largest ice
cap, and experience the glory of true Icelandic wilderness for yourself.
DAY 12
HEIMAEY
A small 13-kilometre square island off the south coast of Iceland,
Heimaey’s history has been surprisingly eventful. From the
escapee 16th century Irish slaves to the reaches of the Ottoman Empire
and subsequent pirate invasion, the island was a place of danger and
terror until the mid 18th century. Once these events subsided, for 300
years the people of Heimaey assumed that their days of action were a
thing of the past. That was until 1973 when residents awoke to a
devastating volcanic eruption. Fissures over a kilometre wide snaked
through the town, the lava engulfing over 400 homes. Remarkably, only
one person is thought to have died as a result of the eruption, with a
quick rescue response ensuring that the 5,300 residents were swiftly
evacuated to the safety of the mainland. Evidence of this recent
geological activity can be seen just about everywhere on Heimaey and is
the focus of the fascinating Eldheimar museum.
DAY 13
REYKJAVIK
Your cruise ends in Reykjavík. Make sure there is sufficient
time before you begin your journey home to explore this diminutive but
dramatic capital city. Despite its small size, you won’t be
short of things to see and do. To get your bearings, take the elevator
to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church, designed by
famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is one of the
most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the
city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert Hall, located at
the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated harbour –
also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of cultural spaces, tour
the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland from past to present.
The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary
collection including eye-catching pieces by Erró. And, of
course, just 50 kilometres outside the city lies Thingvellir National
Park, the site of Iceland’s original Viking parliament.
SH Vega (Luxury Expedition, 152-guests)
Making her maiden voyage in April 2022, our 5 star elegant Scandi-design boutique ship offers you an intimate setting from which you will be fully immersed in all the sights and scenery of your voyage.
Our brand new ship has been designed to journey to off the beaten path destinations and remote polar regions in style and comfort. The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Return
regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation
(where specified)
- Group
return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included
accommodation where applicable)
- One
night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or
onboard
- All
meals onboard
- 24-hour
room service
- Coffee,
tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours
per day
- Lecture
programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
- Standard
WiFi
- Onboard
gratuities and port taxes
- One
selected shore excursion/expedition activity per port of call
- Branded
Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
- Itineraries
are correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change