HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit
picturesque villages and castles that were once strongholds of Scottish
clans
- Encounter
Neolithic sites dating back more than 5,000 years
- Sail
north across the imaginary line that defines the boundary of the Arctic
Circle
- Experience
some of the north's most spectacular fjords and glaciers in Svalbard
- Search
for the mighty polar bear and encounter enormous walrus haulouts
- Sail
beneath towering cliffs alive with breeding birds
DATES / RATES
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// Rates are listed per person in USD
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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ITINERARY
Day
1 Aberdeen
Having
made your way to Aberdeen, you will be met by a representative of
Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival,
kindly remind hotel check-in staff to provide you with Aurora
Expeditions cabin tags for your luggage. Please clearly label the tags
with your name and ship cabin number.
Day
2 Embark Aberdeen
This
morning, your luggage will be collected from the hotel and transferred
directly to the port for sanitisation, clearance and delivered to your
cabin ahead of your arrival on board. Please ensure that your luggage
is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin
number. Any valuables or personal items should be kept on you
throughout the day.
Days
3-4 Orkney Islands
Among
Orkney's archipelago of 70 windswept islands, nine kilometres (six
miles) north of the Scottish mainland, a rich tapestry of archaeology,
history and wildlife awaits. We follow the passage of time - from
5,000-year-old World Heritage Neolithic sites, past relics from
wandering Vikings and reminders of World War II occupation - to
present-day crofting communities. Imposing sea cliffs teem with
seabirds, and clifftop paths and bleak moors beckon the keen hikers
among us, while our kayakers use paddle-power to explore sections of
Orkney's fascinating coastline.
Midway
between Orkney and Shetland is Fair Isle, home to quaint croft houses
and famous for its knitwear and historical shipwrecks. The 70 or so
islanders mostly live in traditional crofts on the more fertile
low-lying southern part of the island.
Day
5 Shetland Islands
Britain’s
most northerly islands lie almost 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of
the Scottish mainland, at a similar latitude to the southern tip of
Greenland, or Bergen in Norway. Kept relatively warm by the Gulf
Stream, Shetland's 100 islands experience almost 24 hours of daylight
in summer. They abound with nature reserves and archaeological sites,
and offer a taste of traditional island life. We plan to visit some of
Shetland’s best preserved and most complex archaeological
sites, brochs - fortified Iron Age towers.
Day
6 At sea
Days
7-10 Norwegian Coast
We
spend three days exploring the superb Norwegian coastline, cruising the
intricate maze of seldom-visited inlets and outer islands. The
cod-fishing island of Sor Gjaeslingan welcomes us with its delightful
wooden houses and cheerful inhabitants. Here, we search for nesting
kittiwakes and reclusive sea otters. Delight in the hunt for fabled
trolls, passing through Torghatten - meaning 'mountain with a hole' -
said to have been caused by a troll's arrow.
Crossing
the Arctic Circle, we make our way to the stunning Lofoten - meaning
puma's foot – Islands. This is a land scoured by ice and
legend, the towering crags with their sharp edges, standing in silent
protection of the villages below.
Days
11-14 Bear Island & Svalbard
We
approach Spitsbergen at its most southerly point, South Cape or
Sorkapp, and explore the coastline, entering a different world - that
of the polar desert. Enormous peaks and deeply gouged fjords make our
visit to Hornsund a powerful experience. As Hornsund is the
southernmost fjord in Svalbard, we keep a lookout for polar bears, and
Zodiac-cruise along glacial fronts that are home to bearded and ring
seals, kittiwakes and guillemots. Here in Svalbard we continue our
exploration into human history dating back 400 years, encompassing
trapping and hunting, whaling and mining. If the skies are clear we may
catch a glimpse of the dramatic Hornsundtind, peaking at 1,430 metres
(4,695 feet).
Dramatic
folds characterise the geological landscape of Bellsund and here we
will enjoy magnificent vistas, steep bird cliffs and lush vegetation,
always an open invitation to arctic fox and polar bears. Little auks,
guillemots, northern fulmar and pink-footed geese make this their
breeding home. Reindeer graze the slopes peacefully and as the fjord
branches, there are numerous places to explore.
Day
15 Disembark Longyearbyen
During
the early morning, we cruise into the port of the remote village,
Longyearbyen, the 'capital' of Spitsbergen. After bidding farewell to
newfound friends, we are transferred into town, where there is time to
explore and shop before transferring to the airport in the afternoon.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Transfer
from airport to our group hotel on day 1
- Welcome
reception/pre-embarkation briefing on day 1
- One
night’s hotel accommodation in Aberdeen on day 1 including
breakfast
- Mandatory
pre-embarkation health screening and COVID test on day 2
- Half-day
city tour of Aberdeen prior to embarkation on day 2
- Transfer
from pier to airport or hotel on day 15
- 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 reception including four-course dinner, house
cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
- Transfer
from pier to airport upon disembarkation
- 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
- Gratuities
for ship crew
Not
Included
- International
or domestic flights, unless specified
- Transfers
not mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport
arrival or departure taxes
- Passport,
visa, reciprocity fees 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, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone
charges.
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Sea
Kayaking: USD 900
- Scuba
Diving: USD 940
