Arctic Saga: Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen

Arrive any time on Day 1 and make your way to your included hotel. The
gateway for your Arctic adventure, the Scottish city of Aberdeen, has many
monikers, but its most famous is Granite City, as it was once the granite
capital of the world. Wandering the streets, you’ll soon see why, as the
Victorian buildings sparkle in the sun. A bustling cultural hub, Aberdeen
also offers a range of museums, galleries, theaters, shops, cafés and
restaurants to explore.

Day 2

Today you will have some free time before being transferred to the port to
board your ship. As you set sail this afternoon, you’ll want to be out on
deck, camera in hand—the area’s coastal waters offer excellent
possibilities for spotting Bottlenose and White-beaked dolphins, Harbor
porpoises and Minke whales.

Day 3

The U.K.’s most remote inhabited island, the extraordinary Fair Isle is
located halfway between the Shetland and Orkney Islands. Boasting a rugged
beauty, Fair Isle’s landscape is diverse, with fields and moors dominated
by seaside cliffs and an astounding amount of sea stacks, natural arches and
caves.

Despite its small size, the island offers activities for history, nature and
photography buffs alike. Visit the museum to immerse yourself in local
artifacts, photos, knitwear and other historic memorabilia. Don’t forget to
snap a shot of the circa 1935 classic red phone booth by the post office!

In terms of wildlife, Orcas are native to the waters around Fair Isle, and
they sometimes come close in pursuit of seals. But the island is best known
for its coastal cliffs teeming with seabirds in spring and summer. The star
attraction is the Atlantic puffin, a clown-like bird that clings to the steep
slopes. Photographers will surely want to capture pictures of their bemused
expressions, and Fair Isle’s easily accessible grassy banks make it one of
the best places in the Shetlands to observe these colourful creatures.
Northern fulmars, kittiwakes, Storm petrels, razorbills and guillemots are
also likely to be spotted, soaring over the open waters.

Visitors to this community of crofters, artisans and artists may be able to
pick up a traditional Fair Isle sweater to keep you warm during the rest of
your arctic voyage. Be sure to pick one up, along with a matching hat, scarf
and mittens, at the town hall.

Day 4-5

Known for its beautiful, unspoiled landscape, with verdant pastures giving
way to rugged, steep cliffs, the Faroe Islands have a storied past, though
the details of the archipelago’s early history are a bit hazy. The first
settlers may have been seventh-century Irish monks seeking solitude on these
islands far removed from any continent. Their isolation ended in 800 AD, with
the arrival of Norse farmers, and Norwegian colonization continued throughout
the Viking Age. Today, many of the inhabitants of the Faroe Islands, now a
self-governing country within the Kingdom of Denmark, are descendants of
Norwegian Vikings.

We will have two days to explore this unspoiled and seldom-visited
archipelago made up of 18 rugged islands located about halfway between
Scotland and Iceland. The mighty North Atlantic is omnipresent wherever we go
with no place on the Faroe Islands farther than 3 miles (5 km) from its
shores. The sea has always dominated life on the Faroes – throughout
history as much as today: rich fisheries, magnificent ocean views and
thriving sea bird colonies make up this rare Nordic jewel – often referred
to as Europe’s best kept secret.

We will spend a day exploring the outer islands of the archipelago which are
separated by narrow sounds and fjords and delight in their surreal
landscapes, dramatic cliffs and rock formations, green valleys engulfed by
steep dramatic mountains, protecting small picturesque villages with colorful
turf-topped housed. Wind, weather and sea conditions will influence and shape
our activity options, but we will of course always keep our eyes out for
marine and bird life especially the iconic Atlantic puffin.

Our second day in the Faroes will be dedicated to the capital city of
Tórshavn, where the Vikings established their government in 825 AD. One of
the world’s smallest capitals, the picturesque Tórshavn has a relaxed vibe
and a number of historical and cultural sites. Meander the maze of narrow
laneways of the Old Town, admiring the quaint wooden houses with traditional
sod roofs and white paned windows. If you’re looking for more action, a
hike up to the historic fort, built in 1580 to guard against pirate raids,
offers stunning views of the port below. Or perhaps you prefer to wander the
charming harbor, filled with cafés, pubs and old warehouses, and simply gaze
out at the sea while sipping a latte.

Day 6-7

Say goodbye to the Faroes as we cruise toward the world’s most northerly
volcanic island, Jan Mayen. There are several activities to keep you engaged
while at sea. Learn to identify seabirds gliding alongside your ship, attend
dynamic presentations by the Expedition Team, relax in our polar library or
simply spend some time on deck, admiring the sea. With your binoculars and
camera at the ready, keep your eyes peeled for the blow of a Humpback, Blue
or Fin whale. Encounters with Minke whales or Orcas are also possible, since
their curiosity can bring them near the ship. If you’re lucky, you may even
see Harp seals.

Day 8-9

North of the Arctic Circle, about 280 miles (450 km) east of Greenland and
340 miles (550 km) north of Iceland, is the mysterious Jan Mayen, deep in the
North Atlantic Ocean. Often shrouded in thick fog, the small mountainous
island was declared a nature reserve in 2010 and is rarely visited, save for
the 18 rotating personnel of the Norwegian military and Norwegian
Meteorological Institute, who are the only inhabitants.

Landing here will be dictated by the weather and sea. If conditions allow, as
we approach, keep watch on deck as the spoon-shaped island’s highest summit
emerges. At 7,470 feet (2,277 metres) high, the breathtaking Beerenberg
volcano features a symmetrical cone shape and impressive glaciers that spill
into the sea. During the summer months, the island’s lower landscape is
covered with grass, moss and a smattering of hardy flowers that add a cheery
pop of color to the otherwise barren black lava terrain.

One site we hope to visit is Olonkinbyen and the surrounding area. Named
after Russian-Norwegian Polar explorer Gennady Olonkin, it’s the island’s
only settlement and the location of the meteorological station, where you may
have the chance to learn about Polar research while seeing how weather is
monitored at the top of the world. Another option might be the black sand
beach at Kvalrossbukta, where the remnants of a 17th-century Dutch whaling
station and a large fulmar colony can be found. In 1632, two Basque ships
landed at the small bay and plundered the station. A Dutch party was sent
here the following year to protect the land stations during winter, but all
seven men perished from scurvy. Whaling in the area came to an end about 20
years later.

If we’re fortunate, we may view the volcano and the stratified cliffs of
the spectacular north coast as we Zodiac cruise around the island, searching
for wildlife. Designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for
the large numbers of breeding seabirds, Jan Mayen supports colonies of
Northern fulmars, Little auks, Glaucous gulls, kittiwakes, and Black and
Brunnich’s guillemots (Thick-billed murres). And if we are fortunate, you
might see “sea parrots,” the Atlantic puffin again. The waters here are
rich feeding grounds for marine life, so keep a lookout for Minke, Fin, Blue
or Humpback whales.

Day 10

As we sail farther north, spend some time with your shipmates in the lounge,
swapping stories and photos, or pause for a moment on the bridge, joining in
as the Expedition Team looks out for whales, seals and a variety of seabirds.

Day 11-13

Rugged, wild, unspoiled and situated entirely within the Arctic Circle, the
largest island of the Svalbard archipelago is unforgettable. From immense
glaciers to Polar deserts, the landscape here is as varied as the wildlife.

As we explore the fjords of the southwestern corner of this magical island,
it won’t take long for you to see firsthand why Spitsbergen is the
“wildlife capital of the Arctic.” Some areas we hope to visit include
Hornsund and Bellsund fjords and the Lilliehook Glacier.

The possible landing sites at Hornsund, the island’s most southerly fjord,
have rich histories. En route to Isbjornhamna, a bay at the southern end,
where we hope to explore the former science station, you may have the
opportunity to discover old whale bones. You may spot Svalbard reindeer and
colonies of delightful Little auks.

A 12-mile (20 km) long sound, Bellsund lured miners a century ago to its
natural resources. Today, visitors come to Bourbanhamna and Calypsobyen to
see historic mining and trapper sites and marvel at the magnificent vistas.
It may also be possible to hike along the colourful tundra, dotted with
flowers bursting for a taste of sunshine. Viewing reindeer here is likely, as
they frequent the area.

Day 14

The time has come to say farewell to your newfound friends and Expedition
Team. After disembarking, spend the day exploring the frontier-style
settlement of Longyearbyen or catch your homeward flights. For the 2021
departure, you will be transferred to the airport for your included flight to
Oslo where your adventure ends.