Day 1 - Arrive Oslo, Norway
Arrive in Oslo, your gateway to the Arctic. On arrival,
you are met and escorted to your hotel. This evening, meet
fellow guests for a welcome dinner and cocktail reception.
Day 2 - Norway
Board an early morning charter flight to Longyearbyen, the
capital of Svalbard, also known as Spitsbergen, the sovereign
Arctic archipelago of Norway. It is one of the most remote
groups of islands on the planet, with nearly two-thirds
of its surface covered in luminous glaciers. Tour the tiny
town and its Arctic Museum. This afternoon, board your
expedition cruiser, ‘Le Boreal.’
Day 7 - Norway
Very few people have the opportunity to view the remote
wilderness of the Svalbard Islands. In the archipelago,
polar bears, walruses, Svalbard reindeer and an incredibly
rich variety of birds are abundant, as are cathedrals of ice, glaciers and craggy mountain peaks. An exquisite
assortment of flora also peppers this barren landscape.
The primary objective of your voyage is to spot polar
bears as they roam in their natural habitat. Cruising on
A&K’s exclusive charter limited to just 199 guests grants
you unrestricted access to every navigable area within
the Svalbard archipelago — something ships with larger
capacities cannot provide — allowing the ship to visit any
locale favored by the bears. Your Captain and Expedition
Leader determine the day’s best sightseeing opportunities,
which may include:
Ny Alesund: Home to a polar research station and the
northernmost post office in the world.
Alkefjellet, or “auk cliffs”: Staggering cliffs that drop directly
into the water and provide a home to vast colonies of auks,
diving birds entirely dependent on the sea for their food.
Monacobreen: Formerly known as Monaco Bay, this glacier
reaches down into Spitsbergen and is frequented by polar
bears, harbor and bearded seals, walruses and a multitude
of seabirds.
The Austfonna Icecap: One of the world’s largest icecaps
spanning over 5,000 square miles.
Liefdefjorden (The Love Fjord): Named after a Dutch ship
with the same name, this fjord is another excellent area for
spotting polar bears and wildlife.
Sjuoyane (“Seven Islands”): The most northerly region of
the Svalbard archipelago.
In every region, enjoy endless moments of discovery alongside
A&K’s seasoned Expedition Team, who know intuitively
where and when you’re most likely to see polar bears and wildlife — which you observe from the safety and comfort
of ‘Le Boreal.’ These same experts also scout every landing
site in advance of your arrival, assuring your safety and
maximizing your experience ashore.
Day 8 - At Sea
Cruise south through the Greenland Sea as lecturers
offer presentations on the wildlife, history and geology
of Svalbard and prepare you for visits to Jan Mayen and
Greenland.
Day 9 - Jan Mayen
At the confluence of the Greenland and Norwegian seas,
arrive at Jan Mayen, a fascinating and rugged island
dominated by the 7,500-foot Beerenberg Volcano, which
today stands as the world’s northernmost active volcano.
With special permission and conditions permitting, land
on this rarely visited island to see its meteorological station,
Olonkinbyen, and discover its phenomenal bird colonies.
Designated by BirdLife International as an Important Bird
Area (IBA), Jan Mayen supports large breeding colonies of
northern fulmars, little auks, thick-billed murres and black
guillemots.
Day 11 - Greenland
While crossing the Greenland Sea and cruising along the
Arctic ice edge, your Expedition Team prepares you for the
world’s largest island: Greenland. Arrive at its rarely visited
east coast and Scoresby Sound, the largest and longest fjord
system in the world, both of which you enjoy exploring for
the next three days. Embark on Zodiac excursions through
the fjord’s intricate network, taking in its islands and
icebergs and searching for residents including the musk ox
and Arctic fox. Ice conditions permitting, disembark for a
visit to the small settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the
most isolated villages in Greenland.
Day 12 - Iceland
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea cruising the narrow strip of
water that separates Greenland from Iceland and connects
the Arctic Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. Continue exciting
conversations with your Expedition Team and enrichment
specialists. Watch for seabirds and whales from the deck in
between the insightful lectures they present.
Day 13 - Iceland
Arrive in picturesque Husavik and visit the Husavik Whale Museum, supported by A&K Philanthropy. The museum is
one of the world’s foremost centers for research of whales
and their habitat. Afterward, choose to embark on a scenic
whale-watching tour followed by free time in Husavik, or
else set off for Godafoss Falls and geothermal Lake Myvatn.
Tonight, gather with your Expedition Team and fellow
guests for a special farewell reception and dinner.
Day 14 - Iceland’s Westfjords
The Westfjords of Iceland are more remote and much less
visited than other parts of the country. Settlements are
small and interspersed among spectacular lava-formed
mountains and coves. You might make a visit to Dynjandi
Falls, the grandest waterfall in the Westfjords. Dynjandi is a spectacular sight, with water cascading down tiered
ridges flanked by a green and brown façade. Enjoy leisurely
walks up to a viewing platform or opt for something more
vigorous, like a hike all the way to the top of the falls.
Another possible place you may visit is Red Sand Beach,
one of the most beguiling shorelines in Iceland. Wander
the reddish-hued sands as they subtly change color with the
sunlight, shifting through a palette of reds, golds and greys.
Day 15 - Depart Reykjavik
This morning, disembark ‘Le Boreal’ in Reykjavik and
transfer to the airport for your return flight home, or
continue on in Iceland with a Reykjavik extension.