HIGHLIGHTS
- In
Iceland, experience one of the planet’s youngest countries
and marvel at its spectacular volcanic landscape.
- Cross
the Arctic Circle from Iceland to Jan Mayen Island as we head to
magical Svalbard situated in the High Arctic.
- Be
one of few people to attempt to land on remote Jan Mayen Island, home
to Mount Beerenberg, the northernmost active volcano in the
world.
- Explore
Svalbard, where dazzling scenery, mesmerising wildlife and adventure
awaits.
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 |
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ITINERARY
Day
1 Arrive Reykjavik
Having
made your way to Reykjavik, you will be met by a representative of
Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival,
you will be provided with Aurora Expeditions cabin tags for your
luggage. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin
number.
Enjoy
free time, and in the evening, dine at your leisure (dinner not
included).
Accommodation:
Fosshotel Reykjavik (or similar)
Day
2 Embarkation in Reykjavik
This
morning, please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags
clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Your luggage will be
collected from your hotel and transferred directly to the port for
clearance and delivered to your cabin ahead of your arrival on board.
Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the
day.
Check
out and enjoy a classic tour of Reykjavik on a panoramic tour to
experience the city's unique architecture and culture before
transferring to the pier for embarkation.
After
boarding, there’s time to settle into your cabin before our
important safety briefings.
This
evening, meet your expedition team and crew at the Captain’s
Welcome Dinner.
Days
3-5 Westfjords, Iceland
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 shore excursion from Patreksfjordur.
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 Latrabjarg birdcliffs, waterfalls, and
spectacular fjords where you can enjoy kayaking, hiking and
birdwatching.
In
true expeditionary style, we keep our itinerary flexible to allow for
spontaneity to discover 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
6 At Sea
We
sail across the Denmark Strait to Jan Mayen Island accompanied by sea
birds while keeping a close watch for whales. Enjoy informative and
entertaining lectures and presentation from our team of experts, get to
know your fellow expeditioners, stay active at the gym or treat
yourself to a massage in the wellness centre.
Day
7 Jan Mayen
The
approach to Jan Mayen is spectacular. The huge 2,277-metre (7,470 foot)
Beerenberg volcano is the northernmost active volcano in the world, and
it 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 favourable, 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 our vessel will be waiting for us in Kvalrossbukta, and our
trusty Zodiacs will transport us back to the ship.
Days
8-9 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 is breeding season
for the harp seals, and we hope to see them breeding on sea ice. As we
approach Svalbard, our focus will be on spotting polar bears hunting on
the pack ice.
Days
10-14 Svalbard Archipelago
Svalbard
offers Arctic wilderness at its best. The members of our experienced
expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will
use their expertise to tailor our day-to-day itinerary, choosing the
best options, based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions and
the possibility of encounters with wildlife.
Phenomenal
fjords, magnificent mountains ranges, and a polar desert rich in
fossils, set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See
walrus hauled-out on sea ice or on beaches. On land, we stretch our
legs on walks across tundra carpeted in brightly coloured wildflowers.
We visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots, and scree
slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies. Most
memorable will be encounters with the majestic polar bear on pack ice.
Your Expedition Team is just as keen as you are to find them
– they will be on constant watch to spot these inspiring
creatures.
If
you have chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you will have an
opportunity to enjoy that activity when conditions allow. For those who
are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, as soon as
conditions are suitable, you will hear the announcement to prepare for
an exhilarating dip – a memory you will savour for years to
come.
Day
15 Disembark in Longyearbyen
Farewell
your expedition team, before further enjoying explorations of
fascinating Longyearbyen to learn the town’s history, its
geology, flora, fauna and the modern community that call the place
home. Visit Svalbard Museum and Galleri Svalbard, Office of
the Governor, Svalbard Church, Nybyen (new town), some of the
town’s mines including Santa Claus Mine, and make a quick
photo stop at the famous beware of polar bear street sign. Afterwards,
transfer to the airport to continue your journey.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All
airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
- One
night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Reykjavik
on Day 1.
- Half-day
tour of Reykjavvik on Day 2, prior to embarkation.
- Onboard
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 receptions including four-course dinner, house
cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
- All
shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
- Educational
lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
- Complimentary
access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial
consultation).
- One
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.
- Gratuities
for ship’s crew and local guides.
Exclusions
- International
or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Transfers
– unless specified in the itinerary.
- Airport
arrival or departure taxes.
- Passport,
visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
- Travel
insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
- Hotel
accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Optional
excursions and 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, medical expenses, wi-fi, email or phone
charges.
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Sea
Kayaking: $620 per person
- Photography:
FREE
- Bird
watching:
FREE
- Lectures
on wildlife, our environment, history and destinations:
FREE
- Polar
plunge:
FREE
- Trips
ashore:
FREE
- Walking:
FREE
- Whale
and mammal spotting:
FREE
- Zodiac
cruises:
FREE
