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Visit some of the most remote islands on the planet, where only a small number have ever left their footprints
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Brünnich’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.
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.
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 Lilliehöök 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.
The time has come to say farewell to your newfound friends and Expedition Team. After disembarking, you will be transferred to the airport for your included flight to Oslo (2022) or Helsinki (2023) where your adventure ends.
12 nights on the ship, 1 night hotel in AberdeenExpedition cruising in
comfortable conditions
All meals while on the ship included.Typical MealsThe 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.
12 nights on the ship, 1 night hotel in AberdeenExpedition cruising in
comfortable conditions
Travelling ConditionsThe voyages are designed to be as flexible as possible,
taking advantage of circumstances and events as they occur, as well as
passengers' wishes and particular interests wherever possible. The atmosphere
on board is relaxed and friendly with expedition staff, including naturalists
and Polar experts, on hand and the opportunity to mingle with people from all
over the world. The ship is kept warm, clean and comfortable with a wet/mud
room in which to hang gear and store boots ready for the next adventure.On
the Zodiac cruises you are sitting still for most of the time with the
potential for some sea spray and a cold headwind - if you are not dressed
appropriately you will get cold. On the shore excursions, the majority of
landings are wet which means that the Zodiacs beach and you are helped to
slide into the ankle deep shore break before walking up onto dry land
(wellington boots are issued to all passengers). There are, of course, no
paths, so be prepared for slippery, rough terrain and sometimes fairly deep
snow. Back on board the cosy ship after each adventure, you can have a sauna
and/or a hot shower and then relax with a tea, coffee, hot chocolate or
something stronger from the bar.Optional activitiesSea kayaking
option:Kayaking in the Arctic is probably one of the most intimate and
inspiring ways you can explore the rugged coastlines and calm bays of the
regions we visit.Kayaking in the Polar Regions is highly weather-dependent,
however we guarantee at least one outing throughout your voyage, but your
kayak guides will take you out as many times as possible throughout your
voyage.Offered on most Arctic voyages, spaces are limited and require some
kayaking experience. All equipment, guides and instructions are provided by
Quark.Polar ItinerariesAll Polar itineraries should be treated as a guide
only - it is possible that, amongst other things, the capricious nature of
wind, visibility and ice, intelligence from previous sailings, changes in
local landing regulations or the expert opinion of the crew onboard may lead
to adjustments to the route published.Booking ConditionsPlease note that,
as with all Polar holidays and voyages, the booking conditions for this
trip differ from our standard conditions. The required deposit is 25% per
person of your selected travel arrangements (minimum £1000 per person or
equivalent in booking currency) and the balance of the price of your travel
arrangements must be paid at least 133 days before your departure date. The
deposit is non-refundable, and at 133 days before departure date, our
cancellation penalties are 100% of the holiday cost. COVID-19 Vaccination:
Please note that as a condition of travel on any of our Polar voyages,
clients must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Clients must provide
proof of their vaccination status to Quark staff before boarding the
ship. For full terms and conditions please refer to our Quark Book and
Travel with Confidence Policy, found here:
https://www.exodus.co.uk/quark-book-and-travel-confidence If you have any
questions, please contact our specialist Polar sales team on 020 8003 9957 or
at polar@exodus.co.uk for further details.
OCEAN ADVENTURERThe Arctic Saga: Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen
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
ShipsThese 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.
OCEAN ADVENTURER[[{"fid":"153716","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default"}},"attributes":{"height":"340","width":"959","class":"media-element
file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]The Ocean Adventurer is a comfortable
vessel with spacious cabins, which all have private bathroom facilities and
exterior views. Designed to carry travellers in comfort to the most remote
corners of the world, Ocean Adventurer was built in 1976, and underwent
extensive upgrades in 2017. This multi-million dollar investment included
renovations to the interior of the ship, significant technical upgrades, and
the addition of a new cabin category, the Owner’s Suites. The refurbishment
gave the ship new bathrooms in every cabin, and upgrades to the Lounge,
Dining Room, gym, and suites. Technical enhancements – including two new
engines, generators, gear boxes, drive systems, and re-bladed propellers –
resulted in increased fuel efficiency, and a minimized carbon
footprint. [caption caption="Lower Deck Twin - Ocean
Adventurer"][/caption][caption caption="Deluxe Cabin - Ocean
Adventurer"][/caption][caption caption="Dining Room - Ocean
Adventurer"][/caption][caption caption="Main Lounge - Ocean
Adventurer"][/caption]Cabin Class:TRIPLE: From 145 sq. ft. (13.5 sq. m), a
Triple Cabin is equipped with two lower berths and one upper berth. Located
on the Main Deck, it has private facilities, and a porthole with exterior
views.LOWER DECK TWIN: From 115 sq. ft. (11 sq. m), a Lower Deck Twin Cabin
is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Lower Deck, it has private
facilities, and a porthole with exterior views.MAIN DECK TWIN PORTHOLE: From
115 sq. ft. (11 sq. m), a Main Deck Twin Porthole Cabin is equipped with two
lower berths. Located on the Main Deck, it has private facilities, and a
porthole with exterior views.MAIN DECK TWIN WINDOW: From 115 sq. ft. (11 sq.
m), a Main Deck Twin Window Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located
on the Main Deck, it has private facilities, and a window with exterior
views.SUPERIOR: From 132 sq. ft. (12 sq. m), a Superior Cabin is equipped
with two lower berths. Located on the Upper and Captain’s Decks, it has
private facilities, and windows with exterior views.DELUXE: From 144 sq. ft.
(13 sq. m), a Deluxe Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the
Captain’s Deck, it has private facilities, and windows with exterior
views.SUITE: From 215 sq. ft. (20 sq. m), a Suite is equipped with one
double bed made up of two twin berths. Located on the Captain’s Deck, it
has windows with exterior views and private facilities.OWNER’S SUITE: From
208 sq. ft. (19 sq. m), an Owner’s Suite Cabin is equipped with one double
bed made up of two twin berths. Located on the Bridge Deck, it has private
facilities, and windows with exterior views. Cabin 403 has a bathtub and
shower; other Owner’s Suites have showers.DECKPLAN:
The Exodus group forms part of the ship’s complement (max of approx. 100),
enjoying the relaxed, intimate and informal atmosphere, which breaks into
smaller groups to facilitate the frequent excursions. We offer these cruises
in conjunction with our partner, Quark Expeditions, and Exodus participants
will join an international group, not all of whom have booked through Exodus.
Occasionally some of these may be younger than 12 years old, the Exodus'
stated minimum age for this trip.We work with many fine Expedition Leaders
and Polar Experts, bringing a diversity of interests including zoology, Polar
history, geology, ornithology and ocean sciences. The ship’s operating crew
have many years of experience in Polar Regions and are committed to ensuring
a safe and memorable journey. Each day your cabin will be serviced by the
housekeeping crew, and your meals served by the friendly and attentive
restaurant staff. There is also a resident medical officer.
All meals while on the ship included.Typical MealsThe 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.
During the expedition, you will visit remote and isolated sites that are
accessible only by Zodiac landing craft. Designed for expedition work, these
large and heavy-duty inflatable vessels are extremely safe.
Travelling land only: 14 days starting in Aberdeen and ending in
LongyearbyenYour trip normally starts at our hotel in Aberdeen in the
afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point
are provided in the Final Joining Instructions - sent approximately two weeks
before departure.
Spitsbergen has a short season from mid June to mid August; and there is 24
hour daylight in all three months. There may be more sea ice in the earlier
months and some more flowers, but in reality with the capricious nature of
the weather and wildlife there is not much to choose between different
dates.Jan Mayen and the Faroe Islands have an Arctic climate with average
temperatures that do not exceed 10° C in the warmest summer months.
However, the conditions in the coastal regions of the Arctic during the
northern summer are both mild and changeable. Enjoyable sunny days can
swiftly change to cold, windy storms with snow flurries and rolling seas.
Average daily temperatures in mid-season are between -4 and +2 Celsius;
however, wind conditions can make it seem colder. It is common that you will
experience daytime temperatures below freezing.
Boots – Rubber boots are essential for a Polar expedition, but to eliminate
these from your packing list we will loan you a pair for the duration of the
voyage.Parkas – A complementary Quark parka will be provided on the
ship.Trousers – Waterproof trousers are essential for Zodiac travel as well
as activities on shore.Gloves – To keep your hands warm and dry, pack a
minimum of two pairs of gloves: a pair of thin polypropylene gloves to be
worn underneath warm outer gloves.Hat and Scarf – Pack a warm, woollen hat
or cap that covers your ears, as well as a scarf, neck gaiter or other face
protection.Socks – For maximum warmth, we suggest that you wear two pairs
of socks to wear inside the rubber boots.Outer Clothing – Pack woollen or
fleece jumpers and tops, plus several turtlenecks for layering.Underclothing
– Pack silk or polypropylene underwear since it will keep you warm without
adding bulk.Knapsack or Backpack – To keep your hands free for shooting
photograph, bring a water resistant or waterproof knapsack or backpack.Shoes
– Non-slip shoes for walking around the vessel.
SwimsuitSunglassesBinocularsCamera, extra batteries, film or memory
cardsProtective sunscreenElectric converter with adapter plug setSmall
medical kit containing prescription medicines and over-the-counter medication
for basic ailments such as stomach upsets, allergies, headaches and
seasicknessSnow poles or trekking poles
On board the ships all transactions are in US dollars. At the conclusion of
your voyage, you will be presented with an account. This will include any
drinks from the bar, laundry or ship’s shop purchases for which you have
signed. You may pay for this in US Dollars cash, credit card (Visa or
MasterCard ONLY) or US dollars Traveller’s Cheques.Please note: on the last
evening, once your ship account has been settled, credit card payments are no
longer accepted. It is therefore advisable to bring at least some US$ cash if
you wish to purchase drinks from the bar or any items from the on board shop
at this time.
The appropriate amount to tip the staff and crew is a personal matter but it
is customary to provide an end-of-cruise gratuity (as a rough guide
approximately US$13-15 per day per passenger would be appreciated)
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request)Visas or
vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.