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Spitsbergen, East Greenland & Iceland 2012
This exciting voyage begins in Spitsbergen where we search for polar bears, whales and walruses. The stunning icebergs in Ilulissat epitomises nature's artistry at its best. As we round Greenland visit remote Inuit communities and Viking settlements, all the while watching out for wildlife. Three countries, three versions of the Arctic – this is the expedition for travellers seeking contrasts of landscapes and culture.
Gallery View map
Tour Highlights
- Fjords, icebergs and Inuit, East Coast of Greenland
- Explore the Scoresbysund fjord complex
- Greenland Sea
- Musk Ox
- Arctic Exploration
- Eat fermented shark, Reykjavik
- Iceland’s only native land mammal, the Arctic Fox
- Splash out in Reykjavik’s pools
- On board to a strange new world at Longyearbyen
- Polar bears
- Send a letter from the northernmost postbox in Ny Alesund
- Walk Reykjavik’s Laugavegur day or night
Inclusions
- Transfer on embarkation day(Day 1) from Longyearbyen airport to pier for the start of voyage
- Departure transfer on last day of voyage from Reykjavik pier city centre
- Complimentary expedition parka - yours to keep
- Shipboard accommodation
- Port taxes
- Highly experienced expedition leader, crew and lecturers
- All meals including afternoon teas on most days
- Access to public viewing areas
- Shore excursions by Zodiac boat
- On-board lectures, videos, slide and film shows
- On-board medical officer
- Comprehensive pre-departure booklet and expedition manual
- Rubber boots
- Expedition cruise ship
- Zodiac
- 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 13 dinners
Spitsbergen, East Greenland & Iceland 2012
Day 1
Longyearbyen
Meals Privided:
, Dinner
We board our vessel and explore the Svalbard Archipelago, reaching as far north as Moffen Island and visiting the stunning Monaco Glacier and nearby bird colonies. We cruise in Zodiacs along the face of the glacier where thousands of kittiwakes and glaucous gulls congregate and large chuncks of ice clave into the bay.
Day 2-10
Spitsbergen fjords and local communities of East Greenland
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The fjords along the west and north coasts of Spitsbergen are often teeming with extraordinary wildlife, ranging fro the walrus to the great polar bear, as well as dazzling Arctic scenery. We hike across the stark tundra, often encountering ancient whale bones that now provide shelter for delicate mosses and wildflowers.
Continuing west, we look for seabirds, marine mammals and polar bears during our crossing of the Greenland Sea to Greenland itself - another of the world'd uniquely pristine destinations. Exploring Greenland's east coast fjords is expedition cruising at its best and we head south, seeking landings and Zodiac cruising grounds. Weather and sea ice permitting, we aim to get into Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord and later sail deep within Scoresbysund - the largest fjord complex in the world and the birthplace of monstrous icebergs. We take walks though musk ox habitat and visit facinating ancient Thule settlements. We also learn about life in a remote Greenlandic settlement that is the most northerly community on the island's east coast.
Day 11-13
Denmark Strait and Iceland
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
During the crossing of the Denmark Strait, our expedition staff will host discussions and talks on the wildlife, history and geology of the region. We will be watching out for whales, as several species are often seen in abundance along this leg of the journey.
Reaching the Westmann Islands of Iceland we explore the volcaninc Vestmannaeyjar - one of the world's youngest archielagos.
We hope to call into Heimaey (population 5000) a brightly-painted little town in the shadow of the Eldfell volcano which erupted in 1973. We visit the excellent natural history museum and at the local cinema, the film of the Eldfell eruption shows how the tiny town was buried in volcanic ash and lava floes threatened to block the harbour. We hike up the still-warm slopes of the volcano, as well as cruise by Zodiac along the sea cliffs.
Day 14
Reykjavik
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
We end our voyage after breakfast at Reykjavik - the modern port and capital city of Iceland. After disembarkationyou will be transferred to either your hotel or the airport.
IN A NUTSHELL
14 days
Please call
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