Departures:
09/04/2013
Ship(s):
Fram
Trip Highlights:
Cruise onboard a spacious exploration ship on an exclusive voyage to witness the stunning landscapes and wildlife of Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland.
Summary: Embark on an extraordinary and exclusive expedition to three Arctic islands; Spitsbergen, Greenland, and Iceland. Explore Northwest Spitsbergen National Park with a landscape varying from large tundra plains to alpine peaks with dramatic glaciers calving into the ocean. An emphasis of the voyage is the rarely visited Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest in the world and the least visited with only about 500 visitors every year. The voyage concludes in the city of Reykjavik, Iceland.
Stay overnight at your hotel. The evening is at your own leisure.
Day 2: Longyearbyen / Barentsburg
Longyearbyen is a Norwegian settlement often referred to as the capital of Svalbard. This is a lively small town, situated in a fantastic Arctic landscape. Barentsburg is a Russian settlement with an exotic collection of Russian artifacts and architecture.
Day 3: Kongsfjorden / Northwest Spitsbergen National Park
Kings Bay is the largest fjord on the northwest coast of Spitsbergen. At 78º 55’ N, Ny Ålesund is the world’s northernmost permanently inhabited community, where a number of countries run their own national research stations. Activity here is particularly high in the summer. When Dutchman Willem Barents first discovered Svalbard in 1596, the name he gave to this new land was ‘Spitzbergen’ (“Spitz” meaning sharp), reflecting the sharp and steep mountains in the area. Magdalenefjorden is home to a very important piece of cultural heritage; a whaling station from the 16th century, including a graveyard of whalers who died during the first “oil adventure."
Day 4: Moffen / At Sea
Moffen is a high latitude islet at 80°N with a walrus colony and bird sanctuary. The atoll-like shape of the island made it a perfect safe harbor for any early whalers caught in bad weather.
Days 5 - 11: Northeast Greenland National Park, Greenland
Leave the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream to enter the cold water current that follows the coast of East Greenland. Make your way south, within the boundaries of Northeast Greenland National Park; the largest national park on Earth. The mountains are alpine, the waters are scattered with large icebergs and the valleys are populated with Musk oxen. This voyage will take you to one of the most isolated places on Earth – but aboard one of the most capable specially-built expedition vessels. Expert guides and lecturers will safely guide you on hikes and small boat trips in addition to briefings and lectures on the places you visit.
Day 12: Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund)
Ittoqqortoormiit or Scoresbysund is the most isolated town in Greenland. The trappers living here are the only ones allowed to hunt within the North East Greenland National Park.
Day 13: Isafjörður
Sailing across the Denmark Strait to Iceland, arrive at Ísafjörður on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Snæfellsnes is known as “Iceland in a nutshell” due to of the diversity of its landscape; lava and rock formations, glaciers and volcanic activity, and a wealth of bird life. Ísafjörður has a long history as center of commerce and fish trading. Take a stroll in the cosy town with its timber houses built by wealthy foreign traders in the 18th century.
Day 14: Grundarfjörður, Iceland
Grundarfjörður is considered a place of unusual beauty and is one of very few places in the world where the authorities have provided reserved areas for the “hidden people” or elves!
Day 15: Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city and referred to locally as the “smallest big city on Earth.” In relative close surroundings of the city, you may find glaciers, waterfalls, geysers and mountains. Here is where your voyage ends.
The above itinerary is a guide only, as the exact program depends on weather and ice conditions and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. ExpeditionTrips is not responsible for itinerary changes.
Mandatory Travel Insurance:
As a requirement of participation on this expedition, all passengers must purchase trip cancellation coverage and full medical and emergency evacuation insurance. ExpeditionTrips strongly recommends at least $100,000 Emergency Medical/Evacuation coverage for trips which includes coverage for cancellation, trip disruption, baggage and personal property. ExpeditionTrips can assist you with this.
Included:
Cabin accommodations; wind and water-resistant jacket; coffee and tea; CD log; suites include a selection of drinks with meals on board; transfers and sightseeing in Longyearbyen; 1 night accommodation in Longyearbyen with breakfast.
Not Included:
International flights; travel insurance; luggage handling; passport and visa expenses; optional excursions and gratuities; fuel surcharge may apply.
Why does AntarcticConnection partner with ExpeditionTrips?
True experts with first-hand polar experience, the ExpeditionTrips staff has sailed on the ships they represent; with a combined amount of 100 Antarctic trips between them;and can help you thoroughly compare and contrast the expeditions.
Their approach to travel is highly personal and professional, offering unbiased travel assistance to ensure you choose the very best Antarctica trip to meet your needs!
ExpeditionTrips works only with the highest quality small ships-all under 200 passengers-ranging from a 48-passenger Russian research vessel to a 200-passenger luxury expedition ship.