Spitsbergen, Eastern Greenland & Iceland
Spitsbergen, Eastern Greenland & Iceland
Spitsbergen, Eastern Greenland & Iceland
During this 14-day active adventure from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway, to Reykjavik, Iceland, we intend to explore the islands of Spitsbergen, Moffen, Greenland and Westmann. Optional kayaking adds adrenalin to an Adventure Ship expedition that includes Zodiac cruising and shore landings.
DAY 1- Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen: Embarkation
This three-country Arctic adventure begins on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, in the Svalbard archipelago. We welcome you at the airport and transfer you Longyearbyen where, in the afternoon, you board the ship.
DAY 2–4- Exploring Spitsbergen
Spitsbergen is the largest of the Svalbard Islands, an Arctic archipelago first visited by Europeans in 1596. We’ll spend the next three days exploring, taking advantage of local weather and ice conditions to seek polar bear and walrus. Anticipate visits to the 14th of July Glacier, the settlement of Ny Alesund and Monaco Glacier. Sightings of Arctic Terns, Arctic Skuas, Long- tailed Ducks, Kittiwakes and Glaucous Gulls are possible. Kayakers will enjoy paddling among ice floes.
The temperature drops as we continue northward, crossing 80° N, 965 km (600 miles) from the North Pole. Polar bear and walrus are known to inhabit the waters around Phippsoya, a small archipelago, the most northerly in Svalbard!
Days 5-6: Greenland Sea
While at sea, the Expedition Team will deliver illustrated presentations about the wildlife and cultures you will encounter in Greenland, the second of the three countries you will visit during this expedition.
Greenland is under home rule, but its international relations are conducted by Denmark. The naturalists assist with seabird identification from the deck of the ship. You may participate in as many or as few shipboard activities as you choose.
DAY 7–12- Eastern Greenland
The coast of eastern Greenland is wild, rugged and often ice -bound, an excellent habitat for wildlife that require ice floes to thrive. We’ll sail the ice edge searching for walrus and polar bear. We will lower Zodiacs from time to time to cruise at ocean level or to go ashore. We’ll compare cultures as we visit the remains of ancient Thule settlements and a remote modern-day village. At all times, we’ll be on the alert for musk oxen, because 40% of the world’s population lives on the eastern coast of Greenland. Before leaving Greenland, we plan to sail into Scoresbysund, the largest fjord complex in the world, and the birthplace of many icebergs.
DAY 13- Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar)
The history of the Westman Islands is as shrouded by the mists of time as a Norse Saga. We know that westman was the name used by the Norse to refer to Irishmen. In the 1600s, a fleet from the Ottoman Empire that included Barbary pirates raided the islands, capturing 400 Icelanders.
You’ll learn more of the history of the islands on a walking tour of the town of
Heimaey. You’ll see a documentary about the 1973 eruption of Eldfell. Like the rest of
Iceland, the Westman Islands are volcanically active, creating, as recently as 1973, the new Island of Surtsey.
DAY 14- Reykjavik, Iceland: Disembarkation
This expedition disembarks in Reykjavik, the capital of the third Arctic country you will visit, Iceland.
Included:
• Group transfers to embark the ship and upon disembarkation
• Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.
• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage.
• All shore landings per the daily program.
• Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities.
• All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program.
• Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled.
• Photographic Album on DVD, documenting the voyage.
• A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings.
• A Expedition parka – yours to keep.
• Coffee, tea , cocoa available around the clock.
• Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin.
• Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader.
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
• All luggage handling aboard ship.
• Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person.
Not Included:
• Any airfare.
• Optional kayaking.
• Passport and visa expenses.
• Government arrival and departure taxes.
• Any meals ashore.
• Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance.
• Excess baggage charges.
• Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges.
• Telecommunications charges.
• The customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for Hospitality Team members, ship’s crew and Expedition Team members.
