Orkneys, Faroes, Jan Mayen and Svalbard

Overview

Combining the North Atlantic Ocean’s wildest outliers, this voyage takes you from historic Orkneys to the lush and craggy Faroe Islands, its cliffs teeming with seabirds, to the ice-covered slopes of Mount Beerenberg – the northernmost active volcano in the world on Jan Mayen Island, before venturing in search of enigmatic polar bears hunting on pack ice in Svalbard.

Arrive in Aberdeen and check into the group hotel where you will have a welcome drink at the voyage briefing in the evening as well as meet your fellow travellers.

In the morning check out of your hotel and enjoy a sightseeing tour before transferring to the pier to board the ship at approximately 4om. You’ll have time to settle into your cabin before the important briefings. After settling in the captain will set sail for the Orkney Islands, where Stone Age villages like Skara Brae, relics of Viking occupation and the wild sea vie for your attention.

Discover the rich history in Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands. Initial impressions are misleading, as the harbour area looks modern, but the narrow winding streets and lanes of the old town, which have remained relatively unchanged over the centuries are appealing. Explore magnificent St Magnus Cathedral built from red and white sandstone and considered the finest medieval building in the north of Scotland before popping across the road to Tankerness House and Gardens, a restored 16th century former manse, now housing the Orkney Museum featuring archaeological artefacts from Neolithic times to the Vikings. The exhibition is a great way to whet your appetite for the archaeological gems you will find on the mainland including the unique and well-preserved 5,000-year-old semi-subterranean village of Skara Brae.

In the middle of the North Atlantic, barely visible on most world maps, you will find the Faroe Islands, an archipelago consisting of 18 islands with a population of only 50,000. The Faroe Islands are built up of layers of volcanic basalt, and are tilted with the eastern shores sloping into the sea and the western coasts rising up in soaring and spectacular cliffs. With their breathtaking beauty, steep mountains covered in soft green grass, deep fjords, long summer nights, unique culture, and humble, friendly and welcoming people, the islands are the perfect destination for travellers wanting something dramatically different from the mainstream. Discover a few of the gems of the Faroe Islands including Tórshavn, Kirkjubour, Mykines and Vestmanner.

Britain’s most northerly islands lie almost 160 kilometres off the Scottish mainland, at a similar latitude to the southern tip of Greenland, or Bergen in Norway. Kept relatively warm by the Gulf Stream, Shetland’s 100 islands experience almost 24 hours of daylight in summer. They abound with nature reserves and archaeological sites, and offer a taste of traditional island life. The plan is to explore some of the following sites: The island of Foula – the most remote inhabited island in the UK. Its small community of about 30 residents welcome you to their island to enjoy the magnificent scenery, large seabird colonies, beautiful wildflowers and remarkable community life. Papa Stour offers some of the best sea caves in Britain where you may be able to explore with Zodiacs and kayaks. Jarlshof is one of Shetland’s best preserved and most complex archaeological sites. It was exposed by storms in the late 19th century. The Old House of Sumburgh, built there in the 17th century, was named ‘Jarlshof’ by Sir Walter Scott in his novel ‘The Pirate’. Mousa Broch, on the small uninhabited island of Mousa, is the best preserved of Scotland’s 570 brochs (fortified Iron Age towers). Storm petrels nest among its stones, which can be seen when visiting the broch at night. In daylight, a large colony of common and grey seals basks on its shores and you may spot otter (Dratsi, in Shetland dialect).

As the ship approaches Jan Mayen you will see the huge Beerenberg volcano (2,277m altitude). This is the world’s northernmost active volcano, and last erupted in 1985. The northern part of the island is a great place to spot whales and dolphins, and contains impressive glaciers, some of which reach the sea. If the weather permits, you may have an excursion at Kvalrossbukta, a relatively sheltered bay on the island’s west coast. This is one of the landings used to supply the weather station Olonkinbyen, situated on the eastern side of the island. You may make a landing at the front of the Norwegian station at Olonkinbyen, and stop to visit the weather station before embarking on a three-hour hike (weather permitting) to the other side of the island where the Greg Mortimer will be waiting for you in Kvalrossbukta.

The sea around Jan Mayen offers excellent whale-watching opportunities (bottlenose, fin, and perhaps bowhead whales in the pack ice). Sail towards Svalbard, searching for the ice edge as you continue north, retracing the route of Dutch explorer Willem Barents who discovered Spitsbergen and the Barents Sea, named after him. It’s breeding season for the harp seals and you may see some on the sea ice. As the ship approaches Svalbard, all eyes will be focused on spotting polar bears in the pack ice.

Svalbard offers unspoiled, raw arctic wilderness at its best. With majestic mountains of jagged peaks, iridescent sea ice, countless glaciers and superb wildlife-viewing opportunities. Our experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design our voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.

Cruise along phenomenal fjords stretching towards magnificent mountain ranges, discover a polar desert with creamy coloured slabs of rock, rich in fossils, hear heroic tales of early explorers contrasted with visits to cultural remains from the time of European whaling mainly Russian and Norwegian, witness walrus colonies hauled-out on sea ice or on beaches. While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, hiking on lush tundra where brightly-coloured summer wildflowers and lichen grow, and where reindeer graze, observe the towering cliffs alive with nesting sea birds, including Svalbard’s largest little auk colony. Without a doubt, our goal is to encounter the majestic polar bear on pack ice, and the expedition team are just as keen as you to find them— they are on constant watch to spot these dazzling creatures.

If you have chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you’ll have the option to enjoy the activity whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters – conditions permitting!

During the early morning the ship will cruise into Longyearbyen. Farewell your expedition team and enjoy a town tour before transferring to the airport in the afternoon for your onward journeys. On the tour of Longyearbyen, you will learn about the town’s history, geology, flora and fauna on a this half day excursion, by bus. You will visit Svalbard Museum and Galleri Svalbard, and take in the main sights of Longyearbyen including Office of the Governor, Svalbard Church, Nybyen (new town), a few of the town’s mines such as Santa Claus Mine, and a quick photo stop at the famous beware of polar bear street sign. After the tour, you will be transferred to the airport.