HIGHLIGHTS
- Follow
in the footsteps of the Norsemen on Fair Isle and the Vikings in the
Faroe Islands
- Explore
the volcanic and glacier-covered Jan Mayen Island, in the heart of the
North Atlantic Ocean
- Encounter
iconic arctic wildlife, such as puffins, reindeer, whales and seabirds
- Cruise
in a Zodiac to explore diverse landscapes and wildlife
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Explorer Triple | Solo Panorama | Explorer Suite | Balcony Suite | Deluxe Balcony Suite | Terrace Suite | Penthouse Suite | Owner's Suite | Ultra Suite |
|---|
| Apr 29, 2025 | May 12, 2025 | 11,495 | 21,495 | 15,395 | 16,995 | 19,995 | 20,795 | 21,495 | 27,595 | 30,695 |
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Package Cost: USD 695 per person
- One night's pre-expedition hotel night in Aberdeen
- Group transfer from Aberdeen hotel to ship on embarkation day
- Departure transfer in Longyearbyen on disembarkation day
- Charter flight from Longyearbyen to finishing city (Helsinki)
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Explorer Triple | (Mid-range)
Deluxe Balcony Suite | (High-end)
Ultra Suite |
|---|
| Apr 29, 2025 | May 12, 2025 | 11,495 | 19,995 | 30,695 |
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Package Cost: USD 695 per person
- One night's pre-expedition hotel night in Aberdeen
- Group transfer from Aberdeen hotel to ship on embarkation day
- Departure transfer in Longyearbyen on disembarkation day
- Charter flight from Longyearbyen to finishing city (Helsinki)
Day
1: Embark in Aberdeen, UK
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.
Day
2: Embarkation Day
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.
Day
3: Exploring Fair Isle
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 colorful 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.
Days
4 and 5: Exploring the Faroe Islands
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 remain
mysterious. 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 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,
separated by narrow sounds and fjords, and delight in their surreal
landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and rock formations. You'll see green
valleys engulfed by steep mountains, protecting picturesque villages
with colorful turf-topped homes. 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 to historic
Kirkjubøur not only unlocks some of the country's best
medieval history but also rewards with sweeping views over the southern
islands of Koltur, Hestur & Sandur. 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.
Days
6 and 7: At Sea
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 your 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.
Days
8 and 9: Exploring Jan Mayen
North
of the Arctic Circle, about 280 miles (450 km) east of Greenland and
340 miles (550 km) north of Iceland, the mysterious Jan Mayen rises
from the depths of 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 meters)
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
burst 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.
Day
10: At Sea
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 your Expedition Team looks out for whales, seals
and a variety of seabirds.
Days
11-13: Exploring Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Rugged,
wild and situated entirely within the Arctic Circle, the largest island
of the Svalbard archipelago is unforgettable. From immense glaciers to
lush tundra 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. You may visit Isbjornhamna, a bay
at the entrance of the fjord, where we hope to explore colonies of
delightful little auks. You may also spot Svalbard reindeer and hike to
a viewpoint for views of calving glaciers.
A 12-mile (20 km) long sound, Bellsund lured miners a century ago to
its natural resources. Today, visitors come to Bourbonhamna and
Calypsobyen to see historic mining and trapper sites and marvel at the
magnificent vistas. It may also be possible to hike along the colorful
tundra, dotted with flowers bursting for a taste of sunshine, and
discover old whale bones.
Day
14: Disembark in Longyearbyen
The
time has come to say farewell to your newfound friends and Expedition
Team. After disembarking, spend the day exploring the frontier-style
settlement of Longyearbyen or catch your homeward flights.
Note: for
2022 itineraries, the trip will end in Longyearbyen. For 2023,
the trip will end in Helsinki.
Ultramarine (Luxury Expedition, 199-guests)
Ultramarine is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and immerse you in the best the region has to offer. Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, Ultramarine offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. It also features a best-in-class 70-day operational range and an innovative mix of sustainability features that exceed all industry standards.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Leadership
throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including
shore landings and other activities
- All
Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
- All
shore landings per the daily program
- Shipboard
accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All
meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage
(Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as
possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare
kosher meals.)
- Select
beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around
the clock
- Formal
and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as
scheduled
- A
photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A
pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac
cruising excursions
- An
official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Hair
dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All
luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency
Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD
$500,000 per person
Rates
above do not include the following:
- Mandatory
Transfer Package*
- International
airfare
- Arrival
and departure transfers, except where listed in the Mandatory Transfer
Package
- Passport
and applicable visa expenses
- Government
arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
- Meals
unless otherwise specified
- Baggage,
cancellation, interruption and medical travel
insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage
fees on international flights
- Mandatory
waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any
other gear not mentioned
- Laundry,
bar and other personal charges, unless specified
- Phone
and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
- Voluntary
gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
- Additional
overnight accommodation
- Adventure
Options not listed in Included Activities
