HIGHLIGHTS
JAN
MAYEN
There
are few places more removed from the tourist track than Jan Mayen.
Accessible only by boat, the island’s designation as a nature
sanctuary protects its pristine Arctic ecosystem, including important
breeding sites for hundreds of thousands of seabirds. The landscape is
dominated by the heavily glaciated Beerenberg, an impressive
stratovolcano considered to be the northernmost active volcano on the
earth’s surface. The island is uninhabited except for
personnel who work at the Norwegian weather station, which we hope to
visit. We also hope to explore more of the island on foot to discover
remnants of the island’s whaling history.
SPITSBERGEN
The
fjords and islands on the west and north coasts of Spitsbergen offer
dramatic scenery and some of the High Arctic’s best wildlife
viewing opportunities. This remote wilderness is home to impressive
colonies of nesting seabirds, a variety of seal and whale species, and
a high concentration of polar bears stalking the ice. In this varied
landscape of mountains, tidewater glaciers, and flowering tundra we
also find sites significant in the history of early polar pioneers. We
may also visit Ny Ålesund, a research settlement complete
with museum, post office, and gift shop. There may even be a chance to
swim in the Arctic Ocean.
ICELAND
Explore
the Westfjords area of Iceland where mass tourism disappears
— only about 10% of Iceland's visitors ever see the region.
Visit the tiny island of Grimsey which lies exactly on the Arctic
Circle. Grimsey is remarkable for majestic basalt rocks and bird
colonies where one can see the Atlantic puffins, known also as the
"clowns of the sea".
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
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1: Reykjavík, Iceland
Welcome
to Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and starting point of
our expedition. After arriving via scheduled commercial flight service,
you are free to explore this fascinating city. Reykjavík is
home to a wealth of cultural institutions including museums, galleries,
and the Hallgrímskirkja church. Leisure possibilities inside
the city include parks, gardens, and thermal baths. You can also take
advantage of Reykjavík’s wide range of shopping
possibilities, excellent dining options, and famous nightlife. Your
hotel for the night has been arranged by us and is included in the
price of the voyage.
Day
2: Embarkation in Reykjavík
In
the afternoon, we welcome you aboard the luxury expedition ship M/V Sea
Spirit. Explore the ship and get comfortable in your home away from
home for the extraordinary adventure to come. Savor the anticipation of
your Arctic dreams coming true as we slip our moorings and sail out of
the harbor.
Day
3: Westfjords, Iceland
Our
expedition day in the Westfjords area reveals the rare beauty of the
part of Iceland where mass tourism disappears — only about
10% of Iceland’s visitors ever see the region. Taking
advantage of every weather favorable condition, we choose the best
places to discover breathtaking coastal fjords, jagged bird cliffs, and
tiny fishing villages embracing traditional ways of life.
Day
4: Grimsey Island, Iceland
The
tiny island of Grimsey lies exactly on the Arctic Circle. Grimsey is
remarkable for majestic basalt rocks and bird colonies where one can
see the Atlantic puffins, known also as the "clowns of the sea".
Day
5: Jan Mayen Island
Jan
Mayen hosts the landscapes of breathtaking beauty and northernmost
subaerial active volcano on the planet – the Beerenberg. The
island is wild and uninhabited not including members of Norwegian
weather station. The signboard at the entrance door says (translated
from the Norwegian): “Theory is when you understand
everything but nothing works. Practice is when everything works but
nobody understands why. On this station, we combine theory and practice
in a way that nothing works and nobody understands why”.
Northern fulmars, Kittiwakes, and Brünich’s
guillemots breeding on steep cliffs and slopes represent the birdlife
of Jan Mayen.
Day
6: At sea
The
lectures of our invited speakers prepare us for meeting with the unique
Arctic wildlife and awesome landscapes of Svalbard.
Day
7-11: Exploring Svalbard
This
is a real expedition in a true High Arctic wilderness. As such, our
route and exploration opportunities here are heavily dependent on the
weather and sea ice conditions we encounter. Our experienced captain
and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans
as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best
possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us
by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic.
Polar
bears and other quintessential Arctic wildlife can be spotted anytime,
anywhere in and around Svalbard. We exploit every opportunity to
experience excellent wildlife viewing, to discover incredible scenery,
and to walk in the footsteps of the historic polar expeditions that
came before us.
We
anticipate exploring the spectacular fjords, coasts, and islands in the
western part of Svalbard. This area contains the
archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the
Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Deep fjords and
narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks. Immense
tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of
flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox.
Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to walrus and a wide
variety of whales. The whole area is alive with migratory birds,
including numerous rare species, taking advantage of summer’s
fecundity in 24-hour daylight.
To
complete the Arctic experience we also explore places rich with
history. Our area of exploration contains the historical remnants of
whaling camps, coal mining operations, trappers’ cabins,
staging areas for historic attempts to discover the North Pole, and
even an abandoned polar research station.
Human
habitation in this area can be found only at Ny Ålesund, a
former mining town that is now home to an international community of
Arctic researchers. This is one of the world’s most northerly
settlements, complete with museum, gift shop, and post office.
The
days are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals,
presentations by our experts, and enough stunning scenery and wildlife
to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions.
Day
12: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
After
breakfast we say farewell in the town of Longyearbyen, the
administrative capital of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard. We
provide a transfer to the airport or to the town center if you wish to
spend more time here. In this case, be sure to see the excellent
Svalbard Museum and take advantage of quality shopping and dining
opportunities in this fascinating Arctic settlement.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 1
pre-voyage night on Day 1 in the hotel in Reykjavik;
- Group
transfer to the ship on day 2;
- Shipboard
accommodation;
- All
meals on board throughout the voyage;
- Tea
and coffee station 24 hours daily;
- All
scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather and ice conditions);
- Leadership
throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader &
Expedition Team;
- Branded
Poseidon Expeditions parka;
- Rubber
boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise;
- Welcome
and Farewell cocktails;
- All
port fees;
- Group
transfer to airport or central location upon disembarkation;
- Pre-departure
materials;
- Digital
Voyage Log;
- Wi-Fi
on board.
Rates
Do Not Include:
- Airfare;
- Visa
and passport fees (if applicable);
- Luggage
and trip cancellation insurance;
- Soft
drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and
celebrations;
- Personal
expenses such as laundry and telecommunication charges;
- Tips
for the local guides and drivers;
- Emergency
evacuation insurance to a minimum coverage of US$ 200,000 per person;
- The
cost of any applicable medical tests (such as COVID-19) or vaccinations
required either by a national government or Poseidon Expeditions
before, during or after the cruise;
- Staff
gratuities.
