HIGHLIGHTS
- After
the classic Golden Circle Tour through Iceland's volcanic wonderland,
embark on Albatros' own expedition vessel Ocean Atlantic on a
spectacular voyage into the high Arctic
- We
will make calls on the enigmatic island of Jan Mayen and the glaciated
islands of Svalbard
- This
is early summer, the air is filled with migrating birds – and
sun never sets. When approaching Svalbard, we will all scout for sea
mammals and seal-hunting polar bears on the pack ice.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Category G | Category F | Category E | Category D | Category C | Category B | Category A | Premium Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Category G | (Mid-range)
Category C | (High-end)
Premium Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
DAY
1: ARRIVAL TO ICELAND
Welcome
to Iceland! Keflavik
Airport is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula and numerous buses will
take you to Reykjavik close to our hotel. You might want to start your
journey by visiting the most famous spot here, the Blue Lagoon. There
are buses going via The Blue Lagoon to Reykjavik. The peninsula is an
active geothermal area with many hot springs and recent lava fields
revealing a relatively barren landscape. Near the geothermal power
plant Svartsengi, we reach the wellknown Blue Lagoon or the
“Bláa Lónid”. Here you can
take a healthy swim in the 37-39 degree in the warm and very light blue
water.
The extraordinary color of the water is due to silicon mud and a
special blue-green algae, which even has a healing effect on psoriasis.
Stylish changing and bathing facilities are part of the visit. Remember
to bring swim suit; towel and bathrobe can be rented on site. After the
relaxing bath, you continue towards the capitol of Iceland, Reykjavik.
Upon arrival and check in to our hotel and the rest of the
day spent on strolling the streets of this small and charming city. You
will meet you guide for the next 2 days in the lobby of the hotel
before going for dinner in a local restaurant.
DAY
2: REYKJAVIK AND GOLDEN CIRCLE EXCURSION
After
breakfast we meet our local Icelandic guide and a bus to begin possibly
the most classic excursion on Iceland: The Golden Circle.
You
can look forward to magnificent scenery and an exciting insight into
the dramatic millennium-old history of Icelanders. We begin at
Skálholt, where the island’s bishop’s
diocese was established in 1056. Unfortunately, an 18th-century
earthquake destroyed most of the original diocese. From the present
church, built in the 1960s, there is a great view of the surrounding
countryside, and in clear weather, Iceland’s most famous
volcano, Hekla, is visible in the horizon. About 40 kilometers from
Skálholt we’ll find the Gullfoss waterfall,
possibly the most impressive sight in Iceland. Dropping 32
meters in terraces through a deep gorge, Gullfoss was first
known by the
outside world at the beginning of this century.
A short drive from Gullfoss is Geysir, the hot spring giving name to
all other geysers. Geysir began erupting in the late 13th century,
becoming dormant afterwards for many years. It became active again a er
a volcanic eruption in 2000, but today it is considered to be asleep. Its
immediate neighbor Stokkur is wide awake, regularly spewing boiling hot
water masses 20 meters into
the air, an impressive sight! On our way to UNESCO-protected
Thingvellir National Park, we stop at Laugarvatn, a popular excursion
destination for Reykjavík residents who come here during
weekends to relax at the hot springs. Thingvellir is a fascinating
geological place as well as being the frame of the oldest parliament in
the world, dating back to the year 930. The
Icelandic Alting, where all major historical decisions were taken,
gathered here until 1798.
Together
with Iceland’s largest lake, Thingvallavatn, the area was
laid out as a national park 1930. The many gorges and cracks that run
through the Thingvellir plain mark where the Mid-Atlantic Spreading
Zone “goes ashore” and two of the Earth’s
major tectonical plates, the European and American plates, move apart.
At every little earthquake in Iceland, Thingvellirsletten and Iceland
become a little bit wider!
A lunch
will be served during the excursion. Upon returning to
Reykjavík the rest of the evening is free in
Reykjavík. The city has a large and rich selection
of restaurants for all tastes and wallets and is definitely worth a
night out.
DAY
3: DAY AT LEISURE AND EMBARKING THE OCEAN ATLANTIC
Before
embarking our expedition ship, the Ocean Atlantic there’s now
time to explore Reykjavik on your own. Take a stroll through the main
street of Laugavegur, visit the full sized whaling exhibition, Whales
of Iceland or visit the Hallgrímskirkja church. Al this can
be done before our journey through the North Atlantic to the high
Arctic begins.
Mid
afternoon we are transferred to the ship and we board Ocean Atlantic
and set our course northbound through the Denmark Strait for our first
destination, the remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen.
DAY
4: AT SEA TOWARDS JAN MAYEN
During
our voyage our lecturers onboard will make inspiring and enriching
presentations about both Iceland’s past history and about
nature, wildlife and climatology.
DAY
5: WE MAKE A SHORE LANDING BY ZODIACS ON JAN MAYEN, AT THE FOOT OF THE
2200 METER BEERENBERG VOLCANO
Listen
to a lecture from our experienced expedition staff, see a film about
Arctic nature – or go out on deck to catch glimpses of
migrating birds and hopefully some whales in their natural habitat.
Approximately
in the middle of the North Atlantic lies the enigmatic volcanic island
of Jan Mayen. And if not exactly in the middle, at least it is located
precisely on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, the reason for its volcanic
existence. And enigmatic it is, not only because of its isolation but
also due to the almost perpetual clouds and fog that hovers above it.
Jan Mayen belongs to Norway, and the mountain Beerenberg is one of the
higher of Norway’s 300 summits above 2,000 meters.
The island
is inhabited by only 18 persons, running the meteorological station and
the Norwegian Defence. We will try to go ashore at the narrowest part
of the island, from either south or north, depending on the prevailing
wind and surf. The volcanic origin is visible all over with cinder
cones, lava flows and the Mount Fuji-like appearance of Beerenberg
looming above. After a pleasant stroll on the narrow isthmus we board
the Zodiacs and Ocean Atlantic to continue our voyage north.
DAY
6: AT THE SEA TOWARDS SVALBARD
Lectures,
movies or maybe a game are some of the activities and this sea day.
DAY
7: SVALBARD IN SIGHT. EVENING CALL IN BEAUTIFUL BELLSUND
We
are getting closer towards the islands of Svalbard, and it should be
possible to spot the largest island, Spitsbergen, during the afternoon.
Our
route for this day is much depending on conditions. Not least the pack
ice coming from theArctic Sea as well as from calving glaciers, and
also solid winter sea ice.
Our vessel
has an ice class of 1B and the Captain should be able to safely
approach the edge of the ice to give us the opportunity to spot our
first polar bear, hunting for seals. During the night the ship will
sail towards the main town of Svalbard, Longyearbyen.
DAY
8: LONGYEARBYEN, DISEMBARKATION
Early
in the morning the ship arrives in Longyearbyen. After breakfast and
farewell greetings to the expedition team and crew, disembarkation will
take place.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
INCLUSIONS
- 2
nights in Reykjavik in Center Hotel Plaza, Reykjavik
- Welcome
dinner
- Excursions
to Golden Circle incl lunch
- Transfer
to ship
- 6-day/5-night
cruise in a shared outside double cabin with private bathroom/toilet.
- English-speaking
guides.
- Zodiac
landings.
- Nature
hikes and Zodiac cruises as per itinerary, when conditions permit.
- Information
briefings and lectures by expedition team.
- Full
board on the ship.
- Free
coffee, tea and afternoon snacks on the ship.
- Taxes
and tariffs.
- Guiding
and lectures by our experienced expedition leader and team .
- Special
photo workshop.
- Welcome
and farewell cocktails.
- Digital
visual journal link after voyage, including voyage log, gallery,
species list and more!
EXCLUSIONS
- International
flights to Reykjavik Iceland /from Longyearbyen, Svalbard (*).
- Travel
insurance.
- Cancellation
insurance.
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Single
room supplement.
- Meals
not on board the ship.
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea).
- Tips
for the crew (USD 14 per passenger per day).
- Personal
expenses.
- Anything
not mentioned under 'Price includes'.
(*)
Flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo available on request
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Glacier
Trip
- Tundra
- Zodiac
Cruises
