Four Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland & Iceland
Four Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland & Iceland
Four Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland & Iceland
18 Days Starting in Helsinki, Finland and ending in Reykjavik, Iceland
Visiting: Greenland, Iceland, Arctic
Tour operator:
Tour code:
POT
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 128
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This voyage is ideal for first time visitors who want a taste of everything the Arctic has to offer. Beginning in Norway, this adventure takes you to Spitsbergen, renowned for its stunning scenery and abundant, varied wildlife such as Polar bears and walrus. From there, sail south to the mysterious, volcanic Jan Mayen, a nature reserve so remote that few before have been fortunate to explore it. Then, venture to Greenland’s east coast, cruising deep into Scoresbysund to discover the world’s largest fjord system and icebergs larger than you could ever imagine. Finally, to cap off this epic expedition, sail under the midnight sun to Reykjivik.
Highlights
Itinerary
Our Arctic adventure begins in Oslo, where you may arrive at any time during
Day 1 of the itinerary. Upon arriving in this splendid capital city, known
for its green spaces and museums, you will check into your included airport
hotel.
Day 2
This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private
charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement. As you
embark this afternoon, enjoy great views of the mountainous landscape that
serves as a backdrop for this seaside town.
Day 3-6
Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Norwegian Svalbard
archipelago, rewards you with abundant wildlife and austere beauty. Here,
you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and steep-walled fjords, with
walrus, Polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife
sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Long-tailed
ducks, kittiwakes and Ivory gulls. If conditions permit, we could sail within
10 degrees of the North Pole!
Day 7-8
While sailing south through the historic Greenland Sea toward Jan Mayen, the
Expedition Team will keep you informed with presentations about the storied
history and politics of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology,
ecology and climate, and the incredible sights you will soon explore. On
deck, you’ll learn to identify seabirds “on the wing.” The team will
also keep a lookout for the whales that frequent the waters here.
Day 9-10
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.
If we’re fortunate, we may get a close-up view of 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).
Day 11-15
Our tour of Scoresbysund—the largest, deepest and, some say, most beautiful
multi-armed fjord system in the world—will offer plenty of opportunities to
explore ashore or by Zodiac cruise.
At one moment you’ll be stepping back in time, exploring the remains of
ancient Thule settlements with views of icebergs and towering mountains
rising straight out of the sea, and the next you’ll be immersed in
contemporary culture, meeting the locals and gaining an appreciation for
their way of life in Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland’s most remote community.
At the mouth of the sound, this remote settlement boasts a blend of
traditional and modern lifestyles and is actually closer to Iceland than it
is to its nearest Greenlandic neighbors to the southwest. Here, you’ll have
the chance to support local Inuit artisans by purchasing unique handicrafts.
In terms of wildlife, grazing Musk ox are a possible sight, as 40 percent of
the world’s Musk ox population lives in this region. Polar bear sightings
are also a remote possibility, as are encounters with more elusive Arctic
wildlife, such as the Arctic hare. Seabirds to watch out for nesting atop the
steep cliffs of the sound include Little auks, fulmars and guillemots.
Day 16-17
As we cruise south, the Denmark Strait is your pathway toward Iceland. Take
in a lecture, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a
movie—there are many things to do during your time at sea. The Expedition
Team will also be on hand to answer any questions and point out wildlife.
Day 18
You’ll disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, at the end of your
journey. If you have booked post-expedition accommodation, we provide a
transfer to a central downtown location.
What's Included
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners.
* All meals while on the ship
* Beer and house wine during dinner
* All accommodation
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff
* We can include flights from the UK. Please contact us for a quote.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
Accommodation
The Four Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland & Iceland voyage is offered on the Ocean Adventurer which is a Polar Adventure Ship. Full board accommodation on the ship, generally on a twin share basis in a variety of cabin types, all with en suite facilities.
Polar Adventure Ships
These are small ice rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking and many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food and staff are superb and every guest benefits from the technical advances of this superb fleet. Rest assured our Polar Adventure Ships enable any traveller to maximize their experience sensitively in the Poles.
Food
All meals while on the ship included. Typical Meals The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale. Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal. Lunch: Three course set meal, or the occasional buffet or BBQ. Dinner: Three courses with a starter of soup, salad or anti-pasto, a choice of three mains with at least one vegetarian and one seafood option and a dessert of sweet pudding or ice cream or fruit, tea and coffee. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday - please do inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local team can be well prepared.
Check out our Q&As
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WHAT'S INCLUDED
All meals while on the ship
Beer and house wine during dinner
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff
Mandatory transfer package including return charter flights Toronto to Kangerlussuaq -
Eating and Drinking
All meals while on the ship included.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Aug 09, 2024 - Aug 26, 2024Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.