Across the Arctic Circle | Greg Mortimer Expedition Ship

Across the Arctic Circle

This journey will take you through three different worlds. Discover Stone Age settlements and Iron Age Forts while exploring the Scottish Heritage found on the Orkney Islands and Shetland Island. Visit the Lofoten Islands, the famous Lofoten Islands, or the Vikings along the stunning Norwegian coast. Svalbard is located beyond the Arctic Circle, where a dazzling ice wonderland with gleaming glinting glaciers and towering cliffs are home to breeding birds.

Day by day

Day 1: Aberdeen

A representative will meet you at Aberdeen and take you directly to your hotel. Visit the reception desk upon arrival to receive luggage tags, and speak with the team of ground operations about the pre-embarkation process, dining options, withdrawals of cash, or any last-minute purchases at the local supermarket or pharmacy. You are free to do whatever you want for the rest of your day. Meals will be at your expense. You can stay at Sandman Signature Hotel or a comparable accommodation.

Day 2: Embarkation Day

Your luggage will be collected from your hotel this morning and taken directly to the port to undergo sanitization and clearance. It will then be delivered to your cabin prior to you arriving on board the ship. Make sure your luggage is marked with the name of your cabin and your cabin number. Always keep valuables close to you. Take a tour around Aberdeen after checking out. Then, transfer to the dock for your embarkation later that afternoon. Assemble in your cabin and attend the safety briefings. Enjoy the excitement as you depart. Join the Welcome Dinner in the evening to meet fellow adventurers, the Expedition Team and crew.

Day 3 & 4: Fair Isle

Day 5: Shetland Islands

Day 6: At Sea

Day 7, 8, 9 & 10: Norwegian Coast

Day 11, 12, 13 & 14: Svalbard: Bear Island

Day 15: Longyearbyen

| Falkland | Rockhopper, Black-browed Albatross colony

+12

Highlights

Sail across the Arctic Circle.

Sail beneath cliffs alive with breeding birds.

Explore Neolithic sites dating back 5,000+ years.

Seek polar bears and witness walrus gatherings.

Experience stunning fjords and glaciers in Svalbard.

Visit Scottish clan strongholds and picturesque villages.

Activities

Sea Kayaking

Under full instruction from your sea kayaking guide, experience true tranquillity as you paddle through clinking ice floes and realise the enormity of the surrounding scenery. Look out for breaching whales, lounging seals and penguins zipping alongside your kayak. Some experience is required.

Ice Camping

Camp out on the ice and experience the silence which blankets the continent by night. This is your chance to completely connect with this ethereal ice world – wrap up warm and embrace the Antarctic elements.

Snowshoeing

Get a spring in your step when you slip on a pair of snowshoes in Antarctica. Enabling you to easily scale gentle slopes, this unique activity allows you to access hard to reach places and seek out the most impressive views.

Photography

Learn to capture wildlife and landscape shots in a small group photography program, including critiquing sessions and editing classes. Plus, Explorer Boat excursions with a dedicated photography expert on landings.

Explorer Boats

Achieve the best views and photographs from a forward facing Explorer Boats. They allow you to sit comfortably and securely while crackling through the ice-strewn waters. Look out for wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales as you cruise.

Yoga

It doesn’t get more serene than complimentary yoga classes to the tune of glacial scenery. Join the most unique exercise setting in the world after a day of exploration. Classes are regular but are dependent on weather conditions and swell.