Arctic Ocean Expedition, Fair Isle - Jan Mayen - Ice Edge - Spitsbergen - Birding | 10 Days | Hondius Cruise

Arctic Ocean Expedition, Fair Isle - Jan Mayen - Ice Edge - Spitsbergen - Birding | Hondius | Arctic ToursArctic Ocean Expedition, Fair Isle - Jan Mayen - Ice Edge - Spitsbergen - Birding | Hondius | Arctic Tours

Your journey begins in Aberdeen, Scotland, where you'll board the expedition vessel. Sailing north, you'll stop at the island of Fair Isle, known for its beautiful knitwear and accessible seabird breeding grounds. You'll then continue to Jan Mayen, a stark volcanic island with a variety of marine life.

From Jan Mayen, you'll sail north along the edge of the sea ice in search of bowhead whales, harp seals, polar bears, and a variety of seabirds. You'll then change direction and sail west to the rocky edges of the continental shelf of west Spitsbergen, where you have a good chance of seeing fin whales and minke whales.

Your final stop is Forlandsundet, a strait between the main island of Spitsbergen and the narrow Prins Karls Forland, where you may see walruses, seabirds, Arctic foxes, and reindeer.

10 Day Artic Itinerary

Day 1: Aberdeen

Arriving in Aberdeen (the Granite City), a frequent winner in the Britain in Bloom contest, is the true start of your trip. The real start to your journey is here. Cetaceans such as orcas, also known as killer whales, are indigenous to the area. You can see Girdle Ness, a lighthouse designed by Robert Louis Stevenson's grandfather. He is the famous Scottish author who wrote such works as Treasure Island or Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. You will be joined by more passengers in Aberdeen.

Meals Included: Lunch / Dinner

Day 2: Fair Isle

Fair Isle is a Shetland island whose 70-plus inhabitants are famous for their knitwear. You may also see grey seals. This location is ideal for seabird breeding and has easy access to the area.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 3 & 4: Jan Mayen

The Norwegian island Jan Mayen is 300 nautical miles north of Iceland. You will not be wasting your two days on the sea. Watch out for any water spouts from surrounding waters, which could be a sign of an orca, minke or blue whale.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 5: Jan Mayen

Jan Mayen, a volcanic island with a snow-capped peak of Mount. Beerenberg. Broken glaciers reach out to the frigid ocean from the slopes this 2,300 meter high (7,545 foot) volcano. The Norwegian authorities have granted permission for you to visit the station. In the thick moss of the stark volcanic landscape, you can walk up to the remains of an old Dutch whaling base from the 17th century.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 6, 7 & 8: Spitsbergen: Sea Ice

You sail along the edge the sea ice, basking in the sun at midnight, in search of the bowhead whale, the harpseal, the polar bear, and many seabirds. After 79 degrees north you change directions and head west towards the rocks of the west Spitsbergen continental shelf. You can see fin whales here, and near the mouths of the Spitsbergen Fjords' glacial fjords you may even spot surfacing minke Whales.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 9: Forlandsundet

Forlandsundet is located between Spitsbergen's main island and the Prins Karls Forland. It has a beautiful landscape and amazing wildlife. Here, you can see walruses hauling out. You can also sail to St. Johns Fjord, or go south, landing in Alkhornet, and then head into Isfjorden. These cliffs are home to seabirds that nest there, Arctic Foxes who search for eggs and chicks below, and Reindeer which graze in the sparse foliage.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 10: Longyearbyen

Meals Included: Breakfast
Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord | Spitsbergen | Grossglockner
Fair Isle | Scotland |  Antarctica | Paradise Bay |  Antarctica | Westman Islands |  Antarctica | Paulet Island |  Antarctica | Falkland | Penguins Colony | Faroe Islands | PuffinLongyearbyen | Svalbard |  Antarctica | Falkland | Rockhopper, Black-browed Albatross colony | Falkland | Commerson’s dolphinsHornsund | Spitsbergen | Arctic landscape | Falkland | Orca | Cierva Cove |  Antarctica

10 Day Artic Itinerary Includes

  • Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
  • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
  • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
  • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
  • Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes
  • Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.
  • Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
  • AECO fees and governmental taxes.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure material.

10 Day Artic Itinerary Does not Include

  • Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post- land arrangements.
  • ​Transfers to the vessel in Ushuaia and Ascension and from the vessel in Ascension and Praia; passport and visa expenses.
  • Government arrival and departure taxes.
  • Meals ashore.
  • Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
  • Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
  • The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

10 Day Artic Itinerary Highlights

  • Visit the remote islands of Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen.
  • Sail along the edge of the sea ice.
  • Learn about the Arctic from an expert guide.

Itinerary Map

Arctic Ocean Expedition, Fair Isle - Jan Mayen - Ice Edge - Spitsbergen - Birding

10 Day Arctic cruise activities

Sea Kayaking
Under full instruction from your sea kayaking guide, experience true tranquillity as you paddle through clinking ice floes and realise the enormity of the surrounding scenery. Look out for breaching whales, lounging seals and penguins zipping alongside your kayak. Some experience is required.
Ice Camping
Camp out on the ice and experience the silence which blankets the continent by night. This is your chance to completely connect with this ethereal ice world – wrap up warm and embrace the Antarctic elements.
Snowshoeing
Get a spring in your step when you slip on a pair of snowshoes in Antarctica. Enabling you to easily scale gentle slopes, this unique activity allows you to access hard to reach places and seek out the most impressive views.
Photography
Learn to capture wildlife and landscape shots in a small group photography program, including critiquing sessions and editing classes. Plus, Explorer Boat excursions with a dedicated photography expert on landings.
Explorer Boats
Achieve the best views and photographs from a forward facing Explorer Boats. They allow you to sit comfortably and securely while crackling through the ice-strewn waters. Look out for wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales as you cruise.
Yoga
It doesn’t get more serene than complimentary yoga classes to the tune of glacial scenery. Join the most unique exercise setting in the world after a day of exploration. Classes are regular but are dependent on weather conditions and swell.

Animals you might see on this itinerary

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Antartida 10 Days
From USD 3500,00 pp
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