Scotland to Spitsbergen

Your Arctic expedition will begin in the Scottish city of Aberdeen where after arriving independently you can make your way to the hotel for an overnight stay. You may wish to arrive a couple of days early to allow time to sample some of the highlights of this “granite city” that is renowned for its culture and architecture.

On the morning of day 2 you will have some free time to see more of the city before transferring to the port to board your ship and settle in to your comfortable surroundings. As we set sail you may wish to spend some time on deck looking for the minke whales, harbour porposies and white-beaked and bottlenose dolphins that are often found in the waters around here. Your experienced expedition crew will brief you on what’s ahead as you embark on your Arctic adventure.

The first stop on our expedition will bring us to Fair Isle, the UK’s most remote inhabited island where we will spend the day discovering the island’s rugged beauty. The diverse landscape of imposing seaside cliffs, natural caves and moors is a delight to explore and despite its small size there will be plenty here to interest lovers of history, nature, photography and wildlife. The coastal cliffs teeming with birdlife play host to Atlantic puffins, Northern fulmars, guillemots, kittiwakes and storm petrels amongst many other species, while the waters often attract seals and even orcas. The museum is also well worth a visit here, and don’t forget to pick up a famous Fair Isle sweater to keep you warm in the colder climes to come.

Our next stop brings us to the beautiful unspoiled landscapes of the Faroe Islands where we will enjoy 2 days of exploration and learning all about the islands’ storied past. This seldom-visited archipelago lies midway between Iceland and Scotland and is made up of 18 rugged islands which host dramatic scenery, abundant birdlife and a rich history.

Our first day will be spent among the fjords and narrow sounds of the outer islands of the archipelago where dramatic cliffs and lush valleys surround picturesque villages and colourful turf-roofed houses. The activities for today will be dependent on weather and sea conditions but we should expect plenty of time to explore around and search for more sightings of the iconic Atlantic puffin.

On our second day we plan to visit picturesque Tórshavn, one of the world’s smallest capitals. Here you can spend the day wandering through the maze of narrow laneways of the Old Town which are home to quaint wooden homes, relaxing by the charming harbour with a glass of wine in one of the pretty cafes and pubs, or enjoying a hike up to the historic fort which will reward in beautiful views over the port.

Over the course of the next four days we will be sailing north towards your next stops on this exciting itinerary. Take the time to relax and enjoy the comforts of your expedition ship, watch a movie, sip on a cocktail from the bar or take advantage of the free time and collate the many pictures you will no doubt have taken in Spitsbergen. You can join interesting presentations and talks about the wildlife and history of Greenland, whilst on deck the nature experts onboard can help you to identify the seabirds that follow the ship.

Eventually we will reach the location of our next adventure…the wild, mysterious and remote volcanic island of Jan Mayen. This impressive nature reserve deep in the North Atlantic Ocean is in fact so remote that very few people have ever been lucky enough to enjoy an exploration here. Weather permitting, we hope to spend two days here enjoying exciting Zodiac cruises for close-up views of the breathtaking Beerenberg volcano and shore visits in search of the island’s abundant birdlife. The birding enthusiasts among us will be on the lookout for the glaucous gulls, Brünnich’s guillemots, kittiwakes, northern fulmars and little auks that are found in great numbers on this BirdLife International designated Important Bird Area.

Today you can enjoy another relaxing day at sea as we continue our sail far north towards Spitsbergen. Your expedition team will brief you on what’s ahead, including bio-diversity guidelines for your time on the island and what to expect in terms of wildlife observations and shore adventure.

Welcome to spectacular Spitsbergen, the largest of the islands in the Svalbard archipelago, an area teeming with abundant wildlife and stunning scenery. You will cruise along the glaciers and fjords of the southwest coast in search of sightings of polar bear, walrus, reindeer and various whales. Birding here is fantastic with likely sightings of Arctic terns, skuas, long-tailed ducks, kittiwakes, little auks and the rare ivory gull. Our itinerary here will be flexible and dependent on weather and ice conditions but there will be ample opportunities to get up close to Spitsbergen’s diverse landscapes of immense glaciers, Polar deserts and surprisingly colourful tundra.

Expected landing sites here include Hornsund, Isbjornhamna and Bellsund amongst others. Zodiac cruises, hikes, and visits to historical sites and known wildlife hotspots will fill your days and your cameras as you explore around this “wildlife capital of the Arctic.”

Arrival into Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of Svalbard, will signal the end of our Arctic expedition. After disembarkation, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Helsinki where your itinerary will conclude. You may wish to extend your trip with a stay in this unique Arctic town and a transfer can be provided to a central downtown location should you prefer. Various Arctic adventures are available here so please feel free to ask for details and options for extending your stay.