Here is a rare opportunity to combine the remote Orkney and Shetland islands with time spent exploring the stunning Lofoten Islands in Norway and the magnificent landscapes of Spitsbergen into one exhilarating expedition. A voyage by small ship is the ideal way to get up close to nature and explore areas inaccessible to larger vessels and, aboard the 132-passenger Greg Mortimer with her expert team and fleet of Zodiacs, we will be able to land on remote islands and cruise close to shorelines and cliffs crowded with birdlife.
We set sail from Aberdeen and head north past rugged coastlines to some of Scotland’s most remote and inaccessible islands where few cruise ships offer the chance to explore. Discover incredible pre-historic archaeology on the Orkney Islands and meet the islanders and view the prolific birdlife on Shetland’s Fair Isle. After a day at sea sailing towards the Norwegian Coast, we spend three days exploring the Norwegian coastline, cruising the intricate maze of seldom-visited inlets and outer islands and cross the Arctic Circle as we continue to the beautiful Lofoten Islands.
Our onward passage will then take us to what will perhaps be the highlight of the journey for many, Svalbard, where you can be assured of nature in its purest form. This remote and spectacular archipelago of immense glaciers, narrow fjords and abundant wildlife is a true Arctic wilderness and home to species such as polar bears, walrus, seals and whales, all of which we have good chances of seeing during our four days of exploration.
This voyage is operated by our associates at AE Expeditions and undertaken in the spirit of discovery; the pace is unhurried and the options are many, so the day-by-day itinerary shown is a thoughtfully considered framework based on their long experience in this region. With just 130 or so fellow travellers you can enjoy the small ship experience and travel with an expert expedition team who also relish the chance to undertake such a unique journey and share their knowledge and enthusiasm with you.
Greg Mortimer
For our voyage aboard the expedition vessel, the Greg Mortimer we are delighted to be working with our associates at AE Expeditions (part of Aurora Expeditions) who have provided us with an allocation of cabins. Launched in 2019, the Greg Mortimer was designed to be able to undertake expeditions to the most remote places on earth. Accommodating just 132 passengers, the vessel’s design which features a streamlined bow enables her to cross oceans more comfortably and efficiently. The Greg Mortimer’s inviting and spacious public areas include a lecture lounge, multiple observation areas, and a single sitting restaurant whilst the majority of the 79 cabins on board benefit from a balcony. For explorations ashore, the vessel features a fleet of 15 Zodiacs which are boarded via four dedicated sea-level platforms.
Itinerary
In true expedition style AE Expeditions encourage exploration and adventure, offering flexibility in challenging environments in a way that puts you among the action to see and do as much as possible. The itinerary below is only a guide and subject to change due to ice and weather conditions.
Day 1 Aberdeen, Scotland.
Make your way to our hotel in Aberdeen and check in this afternoon. Enjoy the remainder of the day and evening at leisure to explore the city.
Day 2 Aberdeen.
After a leisurely morning we transfer this afternoon to the Greg Mortimer. Be on deck as we set sail this evening before enjoying the welcome dinner on board.
Days 3 to 5 Orkney Islands & Shetland Islands.
Among Orkney’s archipelago of 70 windswept islands, a rich tapestry of archaeology, history and wildlife awaits. We follow the passage of time – from 5,000-year-old World Heritage Neolithic sites, past relics from wandering Vikings and reminders of World War II occupation – to present-day crofting communities. Imposing sea cliffs teem with seabirds, and clifftop paths and bleak moors beckon the keen hikers. Midway between Orkney and Shetland is Fair Isle, home to quaint croft houses and famous for its knitwear and historical shipwrecks. The 70 or so islanders mostly live in traditional crofts on the more fertile low-lying southern part of the island. A bird watcher’s paradise, Fair Isle lies on the intersection of major bird flight paths from Scandinavia, Iceland and the Faroes. It attracts common species and also eastern rarities such as the lanceolated warbler. In summer, the cliffs teem with breeding fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, gannets, shags and puffins. Fair Isle is an excellent place to view seabirds at close range – especially puffins. The island also has more than 250 species of flowering plants, including rare orchids, alpine and wetland species and common wildflowers. We will be welcomed by the hospitable villagers, and may take a hike or visit the museum. The Shetland Islands lie almost 160 kilometres north of 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. We plan to visit some of Shetland’s best preserved and most complex archaeological sites and brochs – fortified Iron Age towers.
Day 6 At Sea.
As we sail towards the Norwegian coastline, the bridge or the outer decks offer an excellent and warm vantage point for birdwatching. Our historian and naturalists will delight us with their informative talks.
Days 7 to 10 Norwegian Coast.
We spend three days exploring the superb Norwegian coastline, cruising the intricate maze of seldom-visited inlets and outer islands. The cod-fishing island of Sør Gjæslingan welcomes us with its delightful wooden houses and cheerful inhabitants. Here, we search for nesting kittiwakes and reclusive sea otters. Delight in the hunt for fabled trolls, passing through Torghatten – meaning ‘mountain with a hole’ – said to have been caused by a troll’s arrow. Crossing the Arctic Circle, we continue to the stunning Lofoten – meaning puma’s foot – Islands. This is a land scoured by ice and legend, the towering crags with their sharp edges, standing in silent protection of the villages below. As we travel north, the days are noticeably longer and we search for blue whales, humpbacks, orca, minke whales, pilot whales and dolphins in the deep, squid-rich ocean trenches off Andenes.
Days 11 to 14 Bear Island & Svalbard.
We approach Spitsbergen at its most southerly point, South Cape or Sørkapp, and explore the coastline, entering a different world – that of the polar desert. Enormous peaks and deeply gouged fjords make a visit to Hornsund a powerful experience. As Hornsund is the southernmost fjord in Svalbard, we keep a lookout for polar bears, and Zodiac-cruise along glacial fronts that are home to bearded and ring seals, kittiwakes and guillemots. Here in Svalbard, we continue our exploration into human history dating back 400 years, encompassing trapping and hunting, whaling and mining. If the skies are clear we may catch a glimpse of the dramatic Hornsundtind, peaking at 1,430 metres (4,695 feet). Dramatic folds characterise the geological landscape of Bellsund and here we will enjoy magnificent vistas, steep bird cliffs and lush vegetation, always an open invitation to Arctic fox and polar bears. Little auks, guillemots, northern fulmar and pink-footed geese make this their breeding home. Reindeer graze the slopes peacefully and as the fjord branches, there are numerous places to explore. Polar bears pass through the area on their way to the west coast, and if we are lucky, we may encounter the elusive and alluring white beluga whale.
Day 15 Longyearbyen to London.
Disembark after breakfast in the town of Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard. We will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London via Oslo.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy6 to 20 June 2024 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
Aurora Stateroom Triple with porthole windows - Deck 3 | Not Available | |
Aurora Stateroom Twin with porthole windows - Deck 3 | £8595 | |
Balcony Stateroom C - Deck 4 & 6 | £9395 | |
Balcony Stateroom B - Deck 4 & 6 | £9895 | |
Balcony Stateroom A - Deck 4 & 6 | £10595 | |
Balcony Stateroom Superior - Deck 4 & 6 | Not Available | |
Junior Suite - Deck 7 | Not Available | |
Captain’s Suite - Deck 4 | Not Available | |
Aurora Stateroom Twin for sole use - Deck 3 | £12895 |
Tour Reference Code: SCGM060624
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel from Longyearbyen to London • Overnight hotel accommodation in Aberdeen with breakfast • 13 nights aboard the Greg Mortimer on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner on board • Expedition team • Noble Caledonia Tour Manager • Shore excursions • Polar expedition jacket • Use of Muck (waterproof) boots on board • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes • Airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, lunch on days 1 & 2, dinner on day 1.
During this expedition you will be visiting out of the way destinations and will be accompanied by an expedition team. Landings and excursions will be made by Zodiac landing craft. The use of Zodiacs will be key to the operation of the itinerary as shown. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage, please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants.
Greg Mortimer
For our voyage aboard the expedition vessel, the Greg Mortimer we are delighted to be working with our associates at AE Expeditions (part of Aurora Expeditions) who have provided us with an allocation of cabins. Launched in 2019, the Greg Mortimer was designed to be able to undertake expeditions to the most remote places on earth. Accommodating just 132 passengers, the vessel’s design which features a streamlined bow enables her to cross oceans more comfortably and efficiently. The Greg Mortimer’s inviting and spacious public areas include a lecture lounge, multiple observation areas, and a single sitting restaurant whilst the majority of the 79 cabins on board benefit from a balcony. For explorations ashore, the vessel features a fleet of 15 Zodiacs which are boarded via four dedicated sea-level platforms.
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000