Scotland to Greenland

Join us for a new adventure as we journey from the rolling hills of Scotland, to the remote island shores of the Faroe Islands, the geothermal wonders of Iceland and the dynamic glaciers of Greenland. Our journey takes us from the North Sea, though the North Atlantic, touching into the Norwegian Sea and on to the Arctic Ocean. This is a voyage of variety and contrasts, with Celtic, Norse and Inuit cultures represented as we explore their language, culture, bird life and history.

Beginning in Aberdeen, Scotland we’ll call in at beautiful Fair Isle. A key destination in Viking times, it now hosts a hospitable population of some 70 people who happily combine a respect for tradition with a modern outlook. Great skuas greet visitors seeking puffins, while a charming museum is devoted to island heritage. We’ll call into Lerwick, capital of the Shetland Isles, for our last taste of Scotland before heading out to the remote Faroe Islands.

The Faroes have ancient ties to Irish, Scottish and Viking cultures, but today are a selfgoverning dependancy of Denmark. As early as the fourth century, Saint Brendan, an Irish monastic saint, named one of the islands the “Paradise Island of Birds,” a moniker that remains true to this day. On our visit to the Mykines, we’ll find Faroese subspecies of the Common Eider, European Starling, Winter Wren, Puffin, Gannet and Black Guillemot. BirdLife International has identified this area as an Important Bird area, because of the almost 2,000,000 birds that come here to breed. We’ll also start to see the transition towards Arctic-alpine flora as we set sail for our next great island - Iceland.

Iceland will bring us a new language, culture and landscape as we sample some of the natural wonders that have made this island famous. Volcanoes, bird and marine life will give way to the lively city of Reykjavik - and we’ll cap it all off with a relaxing visit to the famous Blue Lagoon. Twenty-four hours of daylight will let you enjoy each day to the fullest.

From Iceland we sail onto the remote eastern side of Greenland, sparsely populated, but rich in glaciers, looming mountain ranges and marine life. Here, we’ll pick up the East Greenland Current and follow the icebergs down the coast of Greenland into the sheltered waters of beautiful Prince Christian Sound. Emerging on the west side of Greenland, we’ll make our way North, with visits to the small, colourful Greenland village of Ivigtut and then the world’s smallest capital city - Nuuk. Here we’ll visit the final resting place of the Greenlandic mummies, before heading North, into the Arctic Circle and one of Greenland’s longest and most picturesque fjords.

This voyage promises to be one of great variety, with diverse cultures, dramatic landscapes and natural wonders as we head into the land of the midnight sun.

Highlights

• 13 days onboard the Sea Adventurer amid stunning scenery

• Top notch resource team

• Experience the Summer Solstice in Greenland

• Enjoy and explore several distinct cultures and regions

• Visit bird cliffs at Mykines Island in the Faroes

• Bathe in the healing waters of Iceland's Blue Lagoon

• Sail the rich waters of Denmark strait looking for marine mammals
 

Day 1 - Aberdeen

We board the Sea Adventurer after out morning tour of Aberdeen.

Day 2 - Fair Isle & Lerwick

Fair Isle has a National Trust Bird Observatory. A key destination in Viking times, it now hosts a hospitable population of some 70 people who happily combine a respect for tradition with a modern outlook. Great skuas greet visitors seeking puffins, while a charming museum is devoted to island heritage.

Day 3 - Sumba, Suouroy, Faroe Islands

Sumba is in the south of the island or Suouroy and is the village where the Faroese chain dance has had a particular stronghold. We’ll be treated to a cultural presentation here and those looking to stretch their legs can hike to the Beinisvørð Mountain formed as a long grass slope that ends in a dramatic drop on the opposite side with beautiful panoramic views.

Day 4 - Torshaven & Mykines, Faroe Islands

Tórshavn is the capital and largest town of the Faroe Islands with a population of 13,000. The Vikings established their parliament on the Tinganes peninsula in 850 thus Tórshavn was made capital of Faroe Islands and has remained so ever since. All through the Middle Ages the narrow peninsula jutting out into the sea made up the main part of Tórshavn. Early on, Tórshavn became the center of the monopoly trade, thereby being the only legal place for the islanders to sell and buy goods. We will have a chance to explore the town in the morning.

In the afternooon, we’ll have a chance to visit the island of Mykines, designated an Important Bird area by Bird Life International. Large numbers of puffins and gannets inhabit Mykines and Mykineshólmur. On the rocks at the waters edge there are colonies of cormorants while the eroded tuff layers in the cliffs make perfect nesting ledges for guillemots and Razorbills. On the grassy slopes above the bird cliffs, thousands of puffins have their burrows, and their guano fertilizes the slopes. Northern fulmars, kittiwakes and Common guillemots are also routinely spotted here.

Day 5 - At Sea

We will enjoy lectures and seascapes en route to Iceland.

Day 6 - Jokulsarlon Bay, Iceland

Jökulsárlón (literally “glacial river lagoon”) is a large glacial lagoon in southeast Iceland, on the borders of Vatnajökull National Park. Situated at the head of Breiðamerkurjökull, it evolved into a lagoon after the glacier started receding from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The lake has grown since then at varying rates because of melting of the Icelandic glaciers. The lagoon now stands 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) away from the ocean’s edge and covers an area of about 18 km2 (6.9 sq mi).

Day 7 - Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik, which aptly means “steamy bay”, a cosmopolitan capital city and as much a part of the Icelandic experience as the midnight sun or the fire and ice that creates the island’s landscape. Entirely powered by geothermal energy harnessed from the Earth below, the city boasts air that is crisp, clean and pollution-free. We’ll have a full day to explore Reykjavik and the famous Blue Lagoon.

Days 8 & 9 - At Sea

During these two days, we will be on the lookout for marine life, and be treated to lectures, musical performances and cocktail parties. As we near Greenland we will be greeted by the icebergs moving down the east coast.

Day 10 - Prince Christian Sound, Greenland

Today we continue on the trail of the Vikings, making an expedition stop at Herjolfsnes, an important first landfall of the Norse upon reaching Greenland. A landscape of gothic peaks will surround us as we sail through Prince Christian Sound.

Day 11 - Ivittuut, Greenland

Ivittuut, is an abandoned mining town near Cape Desolation in southwestern Greenland. Its site is on the ruins of the former Norse Middle Settlement. We’ll have a chance to explore this abandoned, but eerily beautiful community.

Day 12 - Nuuk, Greenland

Nuuk is the oldest town in Greenland, but this world’s smallest capital city is bustling in Greenlandic terms with 15,000 inhabitants. A short walk up from the harbour is ‘the Brodtet’ where the day’s catch of seal, birds and fish is offered for sale. We have a chance to explore the Katuaq Cultural Centre and its collection of traditional kayaks (Greenland’s best-known invention) and the Greenland National Museum where the famous 600-year old mummies from northern Greenland are housed.

Day 13 - Kangerlussuaq and Sondrestomfjord

We will make our journey down spectacular Sondre Stromfjord to Kangerlussuaq, where we will board our charter flight to Toronto. If the day is clear, it is possible to see the largest ice cap in the world from your airplane window.

Date: June 12 - 24, 2013

Duration: 13 days

Price: $2,995-9,995 USD

Vessel: Sea Adventurer

Tour Starts: Aberdeen, Scotland

Tour Ends: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

What's Included:

• All entry & park fees

• Your complete itinerary

• Team of resource specialists

• Educational program and pre-departure materials

• All shipboard meals

• All Zodiac excursions

• Service charges and port fees

What's Not Included:

• Commercial flights

• Mandatory medical / evacuation insurance

• Personal expenses

• Additional expenses in the event of delays or Itinerary changes

• Discretionary gratuities to ship's crew (approximately $10 - 14 per passenger per day)

• Visas, or inoculations, if required

• Physician's fees confirming you are fit to travel

• Possible fuel surcharges 

• $250 Discovery Fund Fee

• Includes all meals

• Charter flights are additional

• Exact itinerary is weather and ice dependant

• Onboard educational program by diverse resource team

• Shore excursions by zodiac

• Easy to moderate walking

Our program features activities such as walking, wildlife viewing and Zodiac cruising, all at a relatively easy to moderate level of exertion. You will need to be able to climb in and out of the Zodiacs (assistance is provided), and some of our landings will be “wet”, requiring that you wear waterproof boots. A reasonable level of mobility is required to fully enjoy this travel program and to ensure the steady movement of the larger group of passengers. If you have any questions regarding your level of mobility, please contact us prior to booking. A complete clothing list and suggested reading list will be provided upon your registration. Meals are a great opportunity to meet new friends and recount the day’s adventures, and special diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Safety is also a top priority with Eagle-Eye Tours – our team has extensive experience in the field, and all of our Voyages are run in conjunction with operators with the highest safety standards.
 

 The Sea Adventurer Specifications Deck and Cabin plan Adventurer

Capacity: 118 guests

Registry: Bahamas

Overall length: 90m (295 feet)

The 122-passenger Adventurer, among the very few vessels in the world specifically constructed for expedition voyages to the far reaches of this remote land. Her ice-strengthened hull permits her to glide easily and safely through ice-strewn waters that are not accessible to conventional cruise vessels.

She has advanced communications and navigation equipment, and newly installed, state-of-the-art Sperry Gyrofin stabilizers. In 1998 the Adventurer had a $13 million conversion done in Scandinavia. She is a handsome expedition vessel, done in the style of great ocean liners when ships were ships. With lots of varnished wood, brass, and wooden decks, the ship has all new outside cabins, with lower beds and private facilities.

There is a Main Lounge, bar, Clipper Club, library/card room, gymnasium, sauna, gift shop, and beauty salon. American staff serves American and Continental cuisine. The ship has a fleet of 10 Zodiacs and a special loading platform. An ice class rating of A-1 allows the Clipper Adventurer to go to places larger cruise ships can only dream of, and she does it in comfort and style unsurpassed by other vessels her size.

Cabins: All cabins have a window with outside view. Each has private facilities and climate controls.