ARCTIC EXPLORER: ICELAND TO SVALBARD
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12 DAYS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Reykjavik, Iceland | Dramatic capital city, Hallgrímskirkja church, Maritime Museum, embark the ship |
| Day 2 | Dynjandi Waterfall | One of Iceland’s most impressive falls |
| Day 3 | Hrisey Island | “Pearl of Eyjafjörður”, true paradise for bird lovers: Arctic terns, puffins, and eider ducks |
| Day 4 | Husavik | Famed for whale watching, Viking history, geothermal swimming spot |
| Day 5 | At Sea | Enjoy stunning views of the passing ocean from the observation decks, attend expert-led presentations |
| Day 6 | Jan Mayen Island | Snow-covered stratovolcano Beerenberg, important birding area |
| Day 7 | At Sea | Make the most of the ship's amenities and mingle with other passengers |
| Days 8 - 11 | Svalbard | Kingdom of the polar bears, varied landscapes, gargantuan glaciers, magnificent fjords, walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seals, arctic foxes |
| Day 12 | Longyearbyen, Norway | Disembark in the world's most northerly town and continue on your onwards journey |
SHIPS OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Swan Hellenic Vega
The SH Vega is a 5 star elegant Scandi-design boutique ship offering you an intimate setting from which you will be fully immersed in all the sights and scenery of your voyage. She made her maiden voyage in July 2022, and carries a maximum of 152 guest in 76 cabins. The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible. For the comfort of guests, suites have a separate living room and bedroom. All staterooms are equipped with spacious wardrobes and bathrooms.
Day 1 Reykjavik, Iceland
Make sure there is sufficient time to explore this diminutive but dramatic capital city. Despite its small size, you won’t be short of things to see and do. To get your bearings, take the elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church, designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík’s regenerated harbour – also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland from past to present. The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary collection including eye-catching pieces by Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometres outside the city lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s original Viking parliament.
Day 2 Dynjandi Waterfall
Considered one of Iceland’s most impressive falls, the thunderous Dynjandi waterfall in the Westfjords region gives the impression of a bridal veil as it spreads down ever-growing cascades.
Day 3 Hrisey Island
Known as the “Pearl of Eyjafjörður,” Hrísey is one of Iceland’s most enchanting islands. Located in the heart of the fjord, this peaceful haven is a true paradise for bird lovers. Home to vast colonies of Arctic terns, puffins, and eider ducks, the island offers an unforgettable close encounter with Iceland’s rich avian life.
Day 4 Husavik
Húsavík, overlooking Skjálfandi Bay, is famed for whale watching, especially the endangered blue whale. The town’s Whale and Exploration Museums focusses on Viking history and Apollo astronaut training, taking place nearby. The town also marks Iceland’s first house from 860 AD. Húsavík is on the Arctic Coast Way and the start of the Diamond Circle route. Nearby, Kaldbakur pond is a popular geothermal swimming spot oddly populated with goldfish.
Day 5 At Sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from onboard professional photographers.
Day 6 Jan Mayen Island
The snow-covered stratovolcano Beerenberg dominates the ice cap and glaciers at the northeast end of Jan Mayen Island. Halfway between Svalbard and Iceland, this Norwegian island’s only residents are the Norwegian Armed Forces or meteorological station staff. Purple saxifrage and endemic dandelions grow next to the black sands, while northern fulmars, Brünnich’s and black guillemots and little auks make Jan Mayen an important birding area.
Day 7 At Sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from onboard professional photographers.
Days 8 – 11 Svalbard
Svalbard is the kingdom of the polar bears, deep in the Arctic Circle, featuring varied polar landscapes and gargantuan glaciers. Beyond magnificent fjords in the north, the remaining sea ice serves as prime hunting grounds for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, tundra and beaches replace snow and ice. Alongside 600 polar bears, this Arctic hotspot is home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seals and arctic fox.
Day 12 Longyearbyen, Norway
The world’s most northerly town, Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island, also claims the most northerly high street and pub. It’s home to The North Pole Expeditions Museum chronicling early pole-reaching efforts by air. Arctic waters around are populated by whales, including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are regularly seen hauling out.