Explore the Arctic in 2017

Explore the Arctic in 2017

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Greenland Iceland Norway Franz Josef Land

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South & West Greenland22 May 2017 | 16 days

Day 1: Reykjavík, Iceland. Your hotel for the night has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the voyage.

Day 2: Embarkation in ReykjavíkEmbark your luxury expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit this afternoon.

Day 3-4: Across Denmark StraitProceed forthwith across Denmark Strait toward Cape Farewell, the southern tip of Greenland. Presentations and workshops by expert staff, as well as a range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that these days at sea are not idly spent.

Day 5-15: Exploration of South and West GreenlandOur experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant.

Possible sites of exploration include:

Hvalsey – The island of Hvalsey is the site of Greenland’s largest and best-preserved Norse ruins.

Qaqortoq – Formerly called Julianehåb. Colour-ful historical buildings reflect the town’s Danish colonial past.

Narsaq – The colonial sealing and trading port of Narsaq was built in an area formerly inhabited by Vikings.

Paamiut – The picturesque town of Paamuit has one of Greenland’s finest churches, built in 1909 from wood in the Norwegian style. The area is also known for an abundance of white-tailed eagles.

Home of Vikings and Icebergs

Nuuk – The world’s northernmost capital, located only a few kilometers further north than Reykjavík.

Itilleq – Located just north of the Arctic Circle, Itilleq (also known as Itivdleq) is a settlement on a small island with about 100 inhabitants.

Sisimiut – The second-largest town in Greenland boasts a youthful, urban vibe and is also is known for adventure sports, especially dog sledding.

Ilulissat – Formerly called Jakobshavn, the town of Ilulissat is best known for unbelievable quantities of icebergs issuing from the nearby Ilulissat Icefjord, into which one of the world’s fastest moving and most active glaciers calves 46 cubic kilometers of ice annually.

Qeqertarsuaq – Located on volcanic Disko Island, the small town of Qeqertarsuaq enjoys views of basaltic mountains and the huge ice-bergs of Disko Bay.

Eqip Sermia – This active tidewater glacier is situated in a wild and scenic fjord. In the period after tWW2 this area functioned as a starting point for expeditions onto the ice cap conducted by the French explorer Paul Emile Victor, whose hut still stands today.

Uummannaq – Founded in 1763 on the island of the same name, the town of Uummannaq is a hunting and fishing base with a canning factory and a marble quarry.

Day 16: Disembarkation in Kangerlussuaq, GreenlandAfter breakfast say farewell in Kangerlussuaq, before transferring to the airport.

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Voyage to the Arctic

Iceland, Norway & Svalbard15 June 2017 | 15 days

Day 1: Reykjavík, Iceland. Your hotel for the night has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the voyage.

Day 2: Embarkation in ReykjavíkEmbark your luxury expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit this afternoon.

Day 3-5: Exploration of IcelandHead northwest through the bay of Faxaflói, where it is possible to encounter our first whales. After rounding the dramatic Snæfellsnes peninsula we continue north through Breiðafjörður. We then encounter the scenic Vestfirðir where deep fjords and rugged mountains create one of the country’s most scenic coastlines. After passing the wild Hornstrandir peninsula we head east through waters known for whales toward Tröllaskagi and the island of Grímsey.Possible sites of exploration include:

Snæfellsnes – The famous Snæfellsjökull volcano and picturesque Kirkjufell mountain are dominant features in the impressive landscape of the Snæfellsnes peninsula.

Flatey Island – The unassuming island is home mostly to various species of migratory bird, especially the puffin.

Látrabjarg – The impressive sea cliff of Látrabjarg is the summer breeding site fo rmillions of seabirds including puffins, north-ern gannets, guillemots, and razorbills.

Dynjandi – Located in Vestfirðir these breath-taking waterfalls, also known as Fjallfoss, have a cumulative height of 100 metres.

Grímsey – The small, green island of Grímsey, is the northernmost inhabited territory of Iceland. The Arctic Circle runs through the island.

Day 6-7: Across the Norwegian SeaSail east toward Norway, crossing the Prime Meridian on the way. Our crossing of the Norwegian Sea coincides with the summer solstice. The sun will not set again for the duration of our voyage.

Day 8-11: Exploration of the Coast of NorwayWe meet the coast of Norway just north of the Arctic Circle near Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park, home to the second largest glacier in mainland Norway. We then sail north through Vestfjorden toward the legendary islands of Lofoten.

The amazing scenery does not end as we continue past the mountainous islands of Vesterålen, Senja, Ringsvassøy, and Sørøya. Finally we reach Nordkapp at the top of Norway. Anticipated sites of exploration include:

Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park – The landscape in the western region of this gorgeous national park is dominated by verdant forests, high mountains, and glaciers.

Lofoten – These famous islands are among the most scenic in the world. Scenic fjords such as Trollfjord showcase the islands’ wild side.

Tromsø – Historically significant yet attrac-tively modern, Tromsø is major cultural hub distinguished by its centuries-old wooden houses.

Voyage to the Arctic


Nordkapp – Situated on the island of Magerøya, the area of Nordkapp (“North Cape”) includes the northernmost point of land on the European continent.

Day 12: Across the Barents SeaFrom the top of Norway head north through the Barents Sea toward Svalbard. On the way we encounter the small, remote island of Bjørnøya (“Bear Island”).

Day 13-14: Exploration of SvalbardSvalbard is a true High Arctic wilderness and this part of the voyage is a real expedi-tion. As such, our route and exploration opportunities here are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions.

Our first opportunities for exploration will be on the southwestern part of the island of Spitsbergen. We take in stunning views of glaciers and towering mountains on our starboard side as we proceed up the west coast of Spitsbergen toward Isfjorden and the town of Longyearbyen.

Polar bears and other quintessential Arctic wildlife can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard. Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to walrus and a wide variety of whales.

Day 15: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, SvalbardSay farewell in the town of Longyearbyen before transferring to the airport.

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West Spitzbergen & Ice Cap 28 June 2017 | 11 days The Arctivc in Focus

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The Arctivc in FocusDay 1: Longyearbyen, SvalbardYour hotel for the night has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the voyage.

Day 2: Embarkation in LongyearbyenIn the afternoon we welcome you aboard the luxury expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit. The scenery as we sail through Isfjorden on our first evening is spectacular and there is already the possibility of marine mammal encounters.

Day 3-10: Exploration of West SpitsbergenWe anticipate exploring the spectacular fjords, coasts, and islands in the northwest-ern part of Svalbard.

This area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks. Immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into tur-quoise waters. On ice floes and on fast ice several species of seals watch vigilantly for polar bears.

Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox. Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to walrus and a wide variety of whales. The whole area is alive with migratory birds, including numerous rare species, taking advantage of summer’s fe-cundity in 24-hour daylight.

And over it all presides the polar bear,monarch of the North. This wild corner of Svalbard is one of the best places in the

world to observe polar bears hunting in their preferred habitat: the pack ice.

We take the ship as close as safely possible to the jumbled and broken edge of the polar ice cap, where polar bears stalk the frozen sea in search of seals.

To complete the Arctic experience we also explore places rich with history. Our area of exploration contains the historical remnants of whaling camps, coal mining operations, trappers’ cabins, staging areas for historic attempts to discover the North Pole, and even an abandoned polar research station.

Human habitation in this area can be found only at Ny Ålesund, a former mining town that is now home to an international com-munity of Arctic researchers. This is one of the world’s most northerly settlements, complete with museum, gift shop, and post office.

The days are filled with memorable excur-sions, sumptuous meals, presentations by our experts, and enough stunning scenery and wildlife to fill your camera and over-whelm your emotions.

Day 11: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, SvalbardAfter breakfast say farewell in the town of Longyearbyen, where we started. As you look back on your wonderful experience in Svalbard, you may already be looking for-ward to your next incredible adventure to the ice!

Franz Josef Land 14 August 2017 | 16 days

Day 1: Longyearbyen, SvalbardYour hotel for the night has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the voyage.

Day 2: Embarkation in LongyearbyenIn the afternoon we welcome you aboard the luxury expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit. The scenery as we sail through Isfjorden on our first evening is spectacular and there is already the possibility of marine mammal encounters.

Day 3-4: Across the Barents SeaFrom Isfjorden we proceed forthwith around Svalbard and east to Franz Josef Land across the Barents Sea. In these far northern latitudes it is possible to encounter sea ice any time of the year. All along the way we remain vigilant for sightings of ice-depen-dent marine mammals such as the elusive bowhead whale, various Arctic seal species, and the majestic polar bear.

Day 5-11: Exploration of Franz Josef LandThis is expedition cruising at its most authentic. As such, our route and explora-tion opportunities in Franz Josef Land are heavily dependent on weather and sea ice conditions. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic.

Between obligatory initial and final stops at the Russian polar station Nagurskoye in wildlife-rich Cambridge Bay, we are free to explore the many waterways and islands of this unique Arctic wilderness in whatever way best suits the conditions we encounter.

The archipelago, part of the Russian Arctic National Park since 2012, is a nature sanctuary. Polar bears and other quintessen-tial High Arctic wildlife—such as walruses and some rare whale species—can be spot-ted anytime, anywhere in and around Franz Josef Land. Scree slopes and cliffs around the islands host enormous nesting colonies of migratory seabirds such as guillemots, dovekies, and ivory gulls. We take advan-tage of 24-hour daylight to exploit every opportunity for wildlife viewing.

Franz Josef Land is also home to some interesting geological features, such as the mysterious stone spheres on Champ Island.

Franz Josef Land also offers visitors the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of famous polar explorers at well-preserved historical sites. The journals of explorers such as Julius von Payer, Benjamin Leigh Smith, Frederick George Jackson, and Fridtjof Nansen come alive at Cape Norway, Cape Flora, Eira Harbour, and Cape Teget-thoff.

Tikhaya Bukhta is currently a Russian Arctic National Park ranger station occupy-ing Soviet-era research buildings and was also a major base for polar expeditions. Nearby the fascinating columnar basalt cliffs of Rubini Rock are home to thousands of nesting seabirds.

Day 12-13: Back across the Barents SeaAfter our amazing time in Franz Josef Land we cross back through the bountiful waters of the Barents Sea.Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be

Arctic for Explorers


enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies.

Day 14-15: Exploration of SvalbardAfter a technical stop in Longyearbyen, we begin our exploration of Svalbard. As this is a true High Arctic wilderness, this part of the voyage is also a real expedition. Our route and exploration opportunities are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions we encounter. Again you can be sure that our experienced captain and expedition leader will take advantage of every opportunity to allow us to experience excellent wildlife viewing, to appreciate amazing scenery, and to go ashore in this amazing place.

We anticipate exploring the spectacular fjords, coasts, and islands in the northwest-ern part of Svalbard. This area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities.

Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks. Immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. On ice floes and on fast ice several species of seals watch vigi-lantly for polar bears.

To complete the Arctic experience we also explore sites rich with history. Our area of exploration contains the historical remnants of whaling camps, coal mining operations, trappers’ cabins, staging areas for historic attempts to discover the North Pole, and the ruins of a WWII weather station.

Human habitation in this area can be found only at Ny Ålesund, a former mining town that is now home to an international com-munity of Arctic researchers.

Day 16: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, SvalbardAfter breakfast we say farewell in the town of Longyearbyen, where we started.

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Spitzbergen, East Greenland & Iceland 28 August 2017 | 15 days

Day 1: Longyearbyen, SvalbardYour hotel for the night has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the voyage.

Day 2: Embarkation in LongyearbyenIn the afternoon we welcome you aboard the luxury expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit.

Day 3: Exploration of SvalbardSvalbard is a true High Arctic wilderness and this part of the voyage is a real expedition. Our route and exploration opportunities here are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions we encounter. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic.

We anticipate exploring in the northwestern part of the island of Spitsbergen. This area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox. Polar Bears can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard.

Also in this area is Ny Ålesund, a former mining town that is now home to an international community of Arctic researchers. This was also a staging area for historic attempts to discover the North Pole.

Day 4-5: Across the Greenland Sea From Svalbard we head southwest across the Greenland Sea toward East Greenland.

In these far northern latitudes it is possible to encounter sea ice any time of the year. As we head south, darker nights create a high possibility of seeing aurora borealis.

Day 6-11: Exploration of East GreenlandThis is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Again you can be sure that our experienced captain and expedition leader will take advantage of every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing, to discover incredible scenery, and to go ashore wherever possible.

The Kaiser Franz Joseph and Kong Oscar fjord systems are part of Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest national park. Scoresby Sund is the largest and longest fjord system in the world.

This whole area contains some of the Arctic’s most impressive scenery. Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by ice-clad peaks up to 2000 meters high, reach far into the mountainous heart of Greenland. Tidewater glaciers create colossal icebergs that float with wind and tide throughout the fjord system. The landscape—vast, open, and seemingly untouched since the begin-ning of time—is a hikers’ paradise.

The Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit is the only permanent settlement in the region. The community boasts an excellent museum, an abundance of Greenlandic sled dogs, and of course the opportunity to meet Inuit people.

The days are filled with memorable excur-sions, sumptuous meals, presentations by our experts, and enough stunning scenery

The Complete


to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions. Each night brings new possibili-ties for incredible displays of aurora borea-lis—the Northern Lights.

Day 12: Across Denmark StraitAfter our amazing time in East Greenland we cross Denmark Strait toward Iceland, crossing the Arctic Circle on the way. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff, as well as our range of onboard recre-ation facilities, ensure that this day at sea is not idly spent.

Day 13: Ísafjörður, IcelandSituated in beautiful Vestfirðir (Westfjords), the town of Ísafjörður embodies Iceland’s unique blend of rich cultural heritage andcontemporary charm. Ísafjörður’s longstanding significance as a fishing and trading port. The town contains the country’s largest collection of old timber frame houses, mostly constructed by foreign traders in the 18th century. The local folk museum contains the oldest house in Iceland, built in 1734. Yet the small, relatively isolated town has a surprisingly vibrant and modern feel to it.

Day 14: Snæfellsnes, IcelandThe famous Snæfellsjökull volcano and pic-turesque Kirkjufell mountain are dominant features in the impressive landscape of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. A rich cultural and literary history and the success of fishermen and merchants are evident in local fishing villages.

Day 15: Disembarkation in Reykjavík, IcelandAfter breakfast we say farewell in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and ending point of our expedition.

The CompleteArctic

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East Greenland 10 September 2017 | 13 days

Day 1: Reykjavík, IcelandYour hotel for the night has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the voyage.

Day 2: Embarkation in ReykjavíkIn the afternoon we welcome you aboard the luxury expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit.

Day 3: Ísafjörður, IcelandSituated in beautiful Vestfirðir (Westfjords), the town of Ísafjörður embodies Iceland’s unique blend of rich cultural heritage and contemporary charm. Ísafjörður’s long-standing significance as a fishing and trad-ing port are reflected in its many historical buildings and museums. The town contains the country’s largest collection of old tim-ber frame houses, mostly constructed by foreign traders in the 18th century. The local folk museum contains the oldest house in Iceland, built in 1734. Yet the small, relatively isolated town has a surprisingly vibrant and modern feel to it.

Day 4: Across Denmark StraitFrom Iceland we head across Denmark Strait toward Scoresby Sund in East Green-land, crossing the Arctic Circle on the way. There is a good possibility of whale sight-ings in this stretch of water. After nightfall, we have our first opportunity to see the aurora borealis.

Day 5-10: Exploration of Scoresby Sund, GreenlandScoresby Sund is a true Arctic wilderness and this part of the voyage is a real expedition.

Our route and exploration opportunities here are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions.

Scoresby Sund is the largest and longest fjord system in the world. This area con-tains some of the Arctic’s most impressive scenery. Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by ice-clad peaks up to 2000 me-ters high, reach deep into the mountain-ous heart of Greenland. Tidewater glaciers create colossal icebergs that float with wind and tide throughout the fjord system.

On shore, fields of multicolored tundra are home to musk oxen and Arctic hare. The landscape—vast, open, and seemingly un-touched since the beginning of time—is a hikers’ paradise. Throughout this area we also find ancient Thule archeological sites, historical trappers’ huts, and modern Inuit hunters’ cabins.

The Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit is the only permanent settlement in the region. The community boasts an excellent muse-um, a gift shop, a post office, an abundance of Greenlandic sled dogs, and of course the opportunity to meet Inuit people.

The days are filled with memorable excur-sions, sumptuous meals, presentations by our experts, and enough stunning scenery to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions. Each night brings new possibili-ties for incredible displays of aurora borea-lis—the Northern Lights. This is the perfect time and one of the world’s best places to experience this otherworldly celestial phenomenon.

Arctic Sights and


Day 11: Back across Denmark StraitAfter our amazing time in Scoresby Sund we head back across Denmark Strait toward Iceland. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff, as well as our range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that this day at sea is not idly spent. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoram-ic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies. Nighttime offers still more possibilities for aurora borealis!

Day 12: Snæfellsnes, IcelandThe famous Snæfellsjökull volcano and pic-turesque Kirkjufell mountain are dominant features in the impressive landscape of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. A rich cultural and literary history and the success of fishermen and merchants are evident in local fishing villages.

Day 13: Disembarkation in Reykjavík, Iceland After breakfast we say farewell in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and ending point of our expedition.

Arctic Sights and

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Northern Lights

Call us free on 0800 988 3369 or email [email protected] for more information or to book

Holidays Cruises River Cruises Discover Expeditions Jardín Tecina

All offers are subject to availability and change and can be withdrawn at any time. Full operator terms and conditions apply. We include complete financial protection for all of the holidays we provide, with our ABTAand ATOL bonding. Early Booking Discounts available for new bookings made before 30th September 2016. ^saving of £1590 based on three people sharing a triple classic cabin on the Franz Josef sailing, 14 August 2017. All savings have been applied to the advertised fares. Air fares are not included in the advertised fare and can be arranged on request at an additional cost. E&OE.

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Explore the Arctic in 2017

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