Northern Lights Expedition Cruise with Iceland · Greenland & Icelandic adventure! Day 2: Reykjavik...
Transcript of Northern Lights Expedition Cruise with Iceland · Greenland & Icelandic adventure! Day 2: Reykjavik...
Day 1: Australia - - Reykjavik
Depart Australia today to begin your incredible
Greenland & Icelandic adventure!
Day 2: Reykjavik
On arrival into Reykjavik, transfer from the
airport to your Reykjavik hotel as per your own
arrangement, then explore the world’s
northernmost capital at your leisure for the
remainder of the day. Reykjavik, on the coast of
Iceland, is the country's capital and largest city.
It's home to the National and Saga museums,
tracing Iceland’s Viking history. The striking
concrete Hallgrimskirkja church and rotating Perlan glass dome offer sweeping views
of the sea and nearby hills. Exemplifying the island’s volcanic activity is the
geothermal Blue Lagoon spa, near the village of Grindavik
Day 3: Reykjavik - Golden Circle - Gullfoss - Geysir - Reykjavik (B)
Today you will be collected from your hotel to enjoy a tour of some of Iceland’s
natural wonders. Begin with the awe-inspiring Gullfoss waterfall. Gullfoss (Golden
Waterfall) is an iconic waterfall of Iceland offering a spectacular view of the forces and
beauty of untouched nature. Gullfoss is part of the Golden Circle tour, located in
South Iceland on the Hvítá (White) river which is fed by Iceland´s second biggest
glacier, the Langjökull. The water plummets down 32 meters in two stages into a
rugged canyon which walls reach up to 70 meters in height. On a sunny day
shimmering rainbow can be seen over the falls. Continue on to explore the bubbling
mud pools, geysers and hot springs of the Geysir district. One of the greatest natural
attractions of Iceland, Strokkur (The Churn), erupts at regular intervals every 10
minutes or so and its white column of boiling water can reach as high as 30 meters.
The whole area is a geothermal park sitting on top of a vast boiling cauldron. Travel
on to the UNESCO Thingvellir National Park to witness its natural beauty. The whole
tour takes approximately 8 hours, after it’s conclusion you will be dropped back at
your Reykjavik hotel where the evening is at leisure.
International airfares
7 night Small Ship Expedition cruise to Greenland
3 nights twin share accommodation
Breakfast daily, plus all meals onboard your cruise
Shore excursions by Zodiac landings
Return transfers to Akureyri
Lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
All taxes and port charges
13 Day Greenland’s Scoresby Sund &
Northern Lights Expedition Cruise with
Iceland
8 September 2017 15 September 2017
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(B) - Breakfast / (L) - Lunch / (D) - Dinner
Flight
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Train
Day 4: Reykjavik - Akureyri (B,D)
Today, make your way to the Hotel Reykjavik Centrum in the centre of Reykjavik. From
here you will be transferred by dedicated coach to the port town of Akureyri to board your
small ship expedition cruise to Greenland’s Scoresby Sund and hunt of the Aurora Borealis.
The journey takes approximately 6 hours, but takes you through the stunning scenery of
Northern Iceland. On arrival you will be welcomed by the crew and board the ice-
strengthened vessel M/V Plancius. In the early evening we leave Iceland and sail north
towards the Denmark Strait.
Day 5: At sea through the Denmark Strait (B,L,D)
Today you are at sea, sailing north through the Denmark Strait. We are almost certain to
see Fulmar, Kittiwake, Gannet and rafts of Common Guillemot. We cross the Arctic Circle
and continue north, perhaps seeing whales. In the evening we will spot our first icebergs
appear as we approach the east coast of Greenland near Kap Brewster.
Day 6: Sailing along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Coast (B,L,D)
In the morning we sail along the ragged and glaciated Volquart Boons Coast. Here we may
organise a zodiac cruise along one of the glacier fronts of this coast, and have our first
landing near a glacier, like Måne Glacier or in Vikingebugt. Later we land on Danmarks Ø
where there are the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The
circular ‘tent rings’ of stones indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be
seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, allowing entrances and even bear-
proof meat caches to be identified. There are also grave sites. In the evening we continue
our sailing through the beautiful fjords to the west, choked with icebergs.
Day 7: We land at Cape Hofmann Halvø, we can spot Musk Oxen (B,L,D)
Today we go ashore by zodiac at Cape Hofman Halvø, a reliable spot for viewing Musk
Oxen. We may also spot Rock Ptarmigan and at sea Great Northern Diver. The landscape
here is particularly beautiful, especially during autumn when the Dwarf Willow and Dwarf
Birch change colour. Arctic Blueberry and Crowberry add their own colourful touch - the
berries are tasty too! In the evening we sail through the fjord towards Scoresby Land
enjoying the contrast between the warm autumnal colours of the vegetation on shore,
backed by huge dark mountains, and the cold blue of the icebergs.
Day 8: Today on our way Sydkap we encounter huge icebergs (B,L,D)
On our way to Sydkap in Scoresby Land in the morning, we encounter huge icebergs, some
over 100 m high and more than a kilometre in length. Most of the bergs are grounded as
the fjord is only about 400 m deep here. We land near Sydkap to view the remains of the
Thule culture winter houses. As many as 20 people lived in these tiny houses, hunting
Greenland Whale and using their vertebrae to build the houses.
Day 9: We visit Ittoqqortoormiit (B,L,D)
In the morning we land by zodiac at a lagoon at the south coast of Jameson Land, an area
with waders and geese collecting for the autumn migration. The landscape here is gently
undulating. Musk Oxen and Collared Lemming - survive on the meagre vegetation. In the
afternoon we visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the biggest settlement near Scoresbysund with about
400 inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards, or just wander
around to see the sledge dogs and the drying skins of seals, Musk Oxen and Polar Bear.
Day 10: At Sea spotting the Aurora Borealis (B,L,D)
The whole day at sea offers excellent opportunities to see large whales and seabird
migration and, at night the Aurora borealis (Northern Lights).
Day 11: Akureyri—Reykjavik (B)
Today we arrive back in to Akureyri, Iceland. Your motorcoach will be waiting to transport
you back to Reykjavik (6 hours). On arrival, you will be dropped at the Hotel Reykjavik
Centrum. Make your own way from here to your centrally located hotel where the rest of
the evening is at leisure.
Day 12: Reykjavik (B)
After breakfast, check out of your hotel for your onwards journey. Make your own way to
the airport to board your flight. We hope you have enjoyed your Arctic experience!
Day 13: Australia
Arrive home today.
Please note: some flights arrive home 1 day later