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Arctic Islands & Fjords

Arctic Discovery: Iceland, Jan Mayen & Svalbard 13 Nights Discovery Cruise

V1623062313
Dates
06/23/23 - 07/06/23
Ship
SH Vega
Duration
13 Nights
Guests
2 Guest
Price From
$ 0
Per Person
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Trip Details

Discovering the Arctic on an expedition vessel is one of the world’s last great adventures. Board our Arctic Discovery cruise in the land of fire and ice and explore regions in the northernmost part of the world, from Iceland to East Greenland, the rarely visited Jan Mayen Island and Svalbard inside the Arctic Circle. By venturing to Greenland, you experience some of the most interesting indigenous cultures and ways of life in sparsely populated regions, as well as national parks, protected areas for wildlife - such as arctic hare and muskoxen - and the world’s most extensive fjord system. Our journey continues via Jan Mayen Island on to the northern archipelago of Svalbard, where the midnight sun throws shadows on the icy landscape in our pursuit of polar bears, walruses, seals and whales, and millions of seabirds. Join us on our boutique expedition ship and make your Arctic cruise an unforgettable trip of a lifetime.

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Trip Highlights
Explore Northeast Greenland, the world’s largest national park with polar bears, muskoxen, reindeer, seals and walruses
Sail through Greenland’s breathtaking ice-filled fjords to remote indigenous settlements
Step foot onto the soil of the rarely visited, most northerly volcanic island of Jan Mayen Island
Sail past Spitsbergen’s most beautiful glacier, Monacobreen, as it calves icebergs
Spy on hundreds of polar bears as they roam their natural habitat
Itinerary Map
Itinerary
Longyearbyen Day 1

Longyearbyen is the world’s most northerly town and with it comes the world’s most northerly high street and pub. On Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island, Longyearbyen is home to The North Pole Expeditions Museum which chronicles early efforts to reach the pole by air. The nearby Svalbard Global Seed Vault preserves duplicates of seeds held in gene banks worldwide. The surrounding Arctic waters are populated by whales including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are regularly seen hauling.

Svalbard Day 2-8

Located deep inside the Arctic Circle, approaching the Svalbard archipelago feels a lot like sailing towards the edge of the world. Known as the kingdom of the polar bears, we’ll be hoping to spot some of its subjects as we explore some of the most varied polar landscapes in the Arctic. Down in our Zodiac boats, we’ll get close to the gargantuan glaciers, rapidly retreating from the oceans that they feed. In the north of the archipelago, past the magnificent fjords, the remaining sea ice offers the perfect hunting ground for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, the landscape is punctuated with large areas devoid of snow and ice alongside vast tundra and exposed beaches. Alongside Svalbard’s 600 polar bears, this Arctic wildlife hotspot is also home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seal, the arctic fox and many species of marine mammals and seabirds.

Day at sea Day 9

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Jan Mayen Island Day 10

The snow-covered stratovolcano Beerenberg dominates the ice cap and glaciers at the northeast end of Jan Mayen Island. Halfway between Svalbard and Iceland, the only residents on this Norwegian island are members of the Norwegian Armed Forces or working at the meteorological station. During a nature walk to the station, and along the black sandy beach, you can see numerous plant species. Nesting northern fulmars, Brünnich’s and black guillemots and little auks make the island an important birding area.

Day at sea Day 11

Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

Grimsey Island Day 12

Grímsey is a remote island located 40km off Iceland’s north coast. Many people travel here for the purpose of setting foot in the Arctic Circle, the only place in Iceland where you can do so. The island is also home to fewer than 100 people, but over one million seabirds. Birdlife thrives here thanks to the lack of egg predation (there are no rats or mice on the island) and the rich, well-stocked surrounding seas. Grímsey has one of Iceland’s largest tern nesting sites and largest puffin colonies.

Shore Excursion
view
Life in Arctic Circle
  • Duration: 02 h 30 m
  • Included
  • Visit the church that was built from driftwood in the 19th century, demonstrating the resourcefulness and resilience of those who have shaped the island's story
  • Be prepared for an exhilarating physical challenge that will take you across approx. 7.5km of invigorating nature walk with some inclines towards the Arctic circle
  • In addition to active birds flying above, you might also get to encounter the abundant marine life of the area
Isafjordur Day 13

Surrounded by fjords in the Westfjords region, Ísafjördur is a bustling fishing town in northwest Iceland with colourful wooden 18th- and 19th-century houses in the old town of Neskaupstadur. Ísafjördur was one of the largest fisheries in Iceland, but tourism has now taken over. Nearby is Sudavik, home to the Arctic Fox Centre. Iceland’s only mammal, the arctic fox lives on the lush tundra of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve - the northernmost peninsula in the Westfjords with two of Europe’s largest bird cliffs.

Shore Excursion
view
Whale Watching from Isafjordur
  • Duration: 02 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Sail along the beautiful Snæfjallaströnd (Snow-Mountain-Coast) while looking out for whales in the water
  • Besides whales we might encounter seals as well as dolphins
Westfjords Life and Culture
  • Duration: 03 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Discover the time-honoured local methods of salting fishing
  • Go back in time as you enter the turf-and-stone fishing shacks, greeted by a local dressed in a traditional sheepskin fisherman's outfit
  • Visit the Maritime Museum, housed in some of Iceland's oldest buildings, to delve into the history of the fishing industry that has sustained the area for centuries
Secluded Valley & Flavours of Isafjordur
  • Duration: 03 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Get to know the history of the Stadardalur Valley , which at one point was inhabited by multiple farms and one of the first places in Iceland to be settled by the Vikings
  • Visit the farm and interact with the animals and enjoying Icelandic delicacies
Vigur Island Day 13

Island of Vigur is a real pearl of the Western Fjords. The second-largest island in the fjord, measuring two kilometres by 400 metres, it’s a significant seabird colony, which is home to arctic terns, puffins, black guillemots and eider ducks. As one of only two inhabited islands in the fjord, Vigur is also the site of a single farm, which has been in the same family for generations. During your time on the island, you might see Iceland’s only windmill, the country’s smallest post office and oldest boat, which was built more than 200 years ago and in regular use until relatively recently.

Shore Excursion
view
Vigur Island Walking Tour
  • Duration: 01 h 30 m
  • Included
  • Spot eider ducks nesting in great numbers, you might even see the majestic birds plucking down from their chests to make a warm shelter for their eggs
  • Get up close with a 200-year-old, eight-oar rowing boat and the oldest windmill in Iceland
  • See the charming houses that dot Vigur's landscape including Viktoria House,built in 1862 and restored by the National Museum of Iceland in 1993, as well as a house established by a young priest in 1884
Reykjavik Day 14

Your cruise ends in Reykjavík. Make sure there is sufficient time before you begin your journey home to explore this diminutive but dramatic capital city. Despite its small size, you won’t be short of things to see and do. To get your bearings, take the elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church, designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated harbour – also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland from past to present. The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary collection including eye-catching pieces by Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometres outside the city lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s original Viking parliament.

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Rates Include
Regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (ONLY available for Antarctica cruises starting or ending in Ushuaia, Arctic cruises starting and ending in Longyearbyen and Kangerlussuaq)
Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
All meals onboard
Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
24-hour room service
Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
Standard WiFi
Onboard gratuities & port taxes
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Itinerary Map

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK
Stateroom
Number of Guests
Oceanview D4
19 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 4 at the centre of the ship. Light, bright and crafted from natural materials Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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$ 0
Oceanview M4
19 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 4 at the bow. Light, bright and crafted from natural materials Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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$ 0
Balcony D5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 5 at the bow and aft, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 balcony.
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$ 0
Balcony M5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 5 at the centre of the ship, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony D6
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 6, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 panoramic balcony.
Price From
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Suite
44 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 5 and 6 at the centre of the ship, our spacious Suites with a 12 sq.m. private balconies are a favorite with discerning guests, and those that prefer a little more space and comfort.
Price From
$ 0
Premium Suite
49 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 6 at the aft, our Premium Suites with a 12 sq.m. private balconies are the most luxurious accommodation on board. A favorite for those who want nothing but the best.
Price From
$ 0

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK