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Expedition Fire & Ice
Longyearbyen to Reykjavik Includes 12-day cruise on Silversea Expeditions ship Prince Albert II, 1 night’s accommodation in Oslo, charter flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen Fully escorted by Carole Smethurst owner of Bicton Travel and cruisefinder.com.au Expedition Highlights: Cruise amidst pristine landscapes of rugged mountains, massive glaciers, and icebergs Explore deep fjords and lava caves Search for polar bear, walrus, reindeer, Arctic fox, seals and birds such as Ivory gulls, auk and puffins, fulmars, and snow buntings Watch for whales: minke, beluga, humpback, blue, fin, and sei Visit historic whaling sites and remote Jan Mayan Island Learn of Viking lore and legends See geothermal landscapes of sulphur pits, boiling mud pools, and lava formations Day 1 — Longyearbyen, Norway Embark the Prince Albert II and depart on your exciting 12-day Silversea Expedition – Expedition Fire & Ice. This evening, you will be introduced to your Expedition Leaders and receive a Zodiac briefing. Days 2–5 — Cruise & Explore Svalbard Join us for a journey along an expansive archipelago of the Arctic Ocean woven between the North Pole and Norway. Svalbard is one of the last major European wilderness areas with pristine mountains, fauna, deep fjords, picturesque icebergs, and massive ice sheets. Our goal on this voyage is to explore the eastern and least-visited sections of Svalbard’s breathtaking and dramatic Spitsbergen Archipelago. Once there, we will locate wildlife and spend the maximum amount of time possible hiking on the tundra. Spitsbergen is home to approximately 5,000 polar bears and we hope to encounter a good number of them during this trip. We will travel along the same routes as famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Nordenskiöld, Amundsen and Nobile. We will trek along beaches blanketed with walruses, get to know the indigenous reindeer, and maybe even spot the Arctic fox or Bearded seal. Seabirds, such as Ivory gulls, auks and puffins, will be our constant companions as we admire their playfulness and grace. We might even encounter a few whales. A variety of known species frequent the area, in particular the Minke and Beluga. Our flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favourable ice and weather conditions. We will search for walruses, seals, reindeer, Arctic foxes and polar bears. Shore walks and Zodiac landings will bring us up close to the mystical settings and passing icebergs. Each day our Expedition Leader and Captain will determine our best course, depending on changing weather, ice conditions and the wildlife we encounter. In the true spirit of adventure cruising, our Expedition Leader will provide daily updates. Here is a list of places we may visit: Edgeøya – Enter the realm of the polar bear on the third largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. Conditions permitting, we will go ashore at the hard to get to Diskobukta, where we will discover interesting fauna and flora and take a walk amongst thousands of Kittiwakes and Arctic foxes. The coastal waters often provide fantastic opportunities to see walrus and polar bear on the ice flow. Barentsøya – Just north of Edgeøya lies the fourth largest island in Svalbard. Here we are immersed in a wide tundra and distinctive landscape, perfect for long hikes and short walks. We may encounter polar bears and discover the ruins of 15th-century Russian Pomors. Hornsund – The southernmost fjord on the rugged west coast of Spitsbergen Island. Jagged mountain peaks tower above glacier-filled bays. Listen for the crash of white thunder as huge chunks of ice fall into the fjord. Amidst floating icebergs jewels, watch for bearded seals, the rare Beluga whale and the king of the Arctic – the polar bear. Sightings are fairly common as the polar bear’s favourite food, the Ringed seal, breeds in the fjord. The surrounding bird cliffs are home to thousands of pairs of nesting Little auks. We may visit the Polish research station or the remains of whaling stations and trappers’ huts. Kongfjord or Kings Bay – Cutting into the west coast of Spitsbergen and reaching inland about 15 miles (24 kilometres) and spanning up to 6 miles (10 kilometres) wide, Kongfjord is a splendid place to behold. Together with our onboard geologist, we will explore its complicated geological formations and visit the 14th of July glacier. We also hope to land at Blomstrand, a name not referring to a flower-covered Svalbard beach, but rather in memory of a Swedish chemist. Prins Karls Forland – Off the West coast of Spitsbergen, we encounter the island home of Forland National Park with cragged mountains, massive glaciers and remarkable wildlife. The entire island and the surrounding seas make up Forland National Park. Members of our Expedition Team take us a shore at Poolypnten, a well-known walrus haul out, where our marine biologist explains the habits and habitat of these amazing creatures. Days 6–7 — At Sea Our knowledgeable Lecture Staff members are experts in a variety of scientific fields. Gather in The Theatre to hear their fascinating tales of adventure and to learn more about the region’s endemic wildlife and remarkable nature. Other onboard diversions include spa treatments, a workout in the Fitness Centre, and, of course, exquisite dining experiences. Day 8 — Cruise & Explore Jan Mayen Island, Norway Curious Humpback and Minke whales may approach as we near this volcanic island of towering ebony peaks and broad black lava beaches. The primordial landscape is dominated by the 7,500-foot-high (2,300-metre-high) Mt Beerenberg, an active volcano covered in glacial ice that last erupted in 1985. With permission from the Norwegian authorities, we will make a landing at this rarely visited outpost to visit the research and weather station, and the remains of a 17th-century Dutch whaling station. Bird observations may include puffins, fulmars, auks and snow buntings. Day 9 — At Sea As we make our way toward Iceland, head out on deck to watch for seabirds and whales. Attend informative lectures that will prepare you for the upcoming ports-of-call and the adventures that lie ahead. Peruse an array of titles and topics in the well-stocked Library, enjoy the finest cigars and cognacs at the Connoisseur’s Corner or indulge in any of the other special amenities offered aboard ship. Day 10 — Húsavík, Iceland This morning we awake in the idyllic Skjálfandi fjord, which is the blend of the Skjálfandafljót (a glacier river) and the salmon-rich Laxá, a freshwater river. Húsavík is quaint village, where we go ashore. From Húsavík, we venture into the mystical realm of Viking lore. Our stop at Ásbyrgi reveals a lush horseshoe-shaped canyon, where legend claims an airborne horse, Sleipnir, belonging to the Norse god, Odinn, shaped the canyon when accidentally touching the ground. (It is actually the result of a catastrophic flood that took place thousands of years ago.) Next, a stop is made at Hljodaklettar – The Whispering Cliffs – a bizarre-looking group of crater plugs and basalt columns whose formations cannot help but conjure up all sorts of bizarre images in the imagination. The cliffs’ name is derived from an acoustic effect created by some of the spiral formations that makes it impossible to determine the direction of the noisy river. At these “Echo Rocks” we will stop to enjoy our lunch. Afterwards, we head to the mighty Dettifoss waterfall, Europe's most powerful waterfall, 44m high and 100m wide, where up to 1,500 tons of water, mud and sand can be witnessed rumbling into Jokulsargljufur. We continue on our adventure to view Namaskard geothermal field with its sulphur pits and boiling mud pools before completing the circle over Holasandur and arriving in Husavik and the Prince Albert II. Alternatively, enjoy the magnificent wildlife and stunning scenery aboard a traditional oak fishing boat. There is perhaps no better place in the world to see the friendly minke whale – than Skjalfandi Bay. Normally quite timid creatures, they have been known to approach the boats and surface right alongside. Whales are often encountered within 20 minutes of leaving the harbour and appear to take as much interest in humans as we do in them. Boisterous white beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises frequently join the party and sometimes humpback and other large whales are spotted. Following our adventure, we will visit the award-winning Húsavík Whale Centre, where we will learn about the habitats of whales around Iceland before returning to the Prince Albert II for a late lunch. Day 11 — Bildudalur, Iceland Our maiden call at Bildudalur is not only a first for Silversea but for any cruise ship. Our adventures today begin in the Selárdalur valley on the west side of Arnarfjörður, a place that rarely receives visitors. The West Fjords are a mass of fjords, mountains and isolated villages on spits of lands surrounded by water and mountains. The area includes its own glacier, the magnificent, remote Hornstrandir and Europe's westernmost point at Látrabjarg, where millions of birds nest, a must for bird watchers. We will also visit the sculpture garden of artist Samuel Jonsson who lived in the isolated valley of Selárdalur between 1885 and 1969. And, time and weather permitting, we will cruise into the fjord by Zodiac to see the beautiful Dynjandi waterfall. Day 12 — Grundarfjördur, Iceland This morning we will anchor along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, just 60 miles (97 km) off the coast of Reykjavik, at the port of Grundarfjördur. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is known for its rugged mountains, waterfalls, hot springs, lava caves and glaciers. Upon leaving Grundarfjördur, our tour coach takes us along the dramatic coastline on our way to the Snaefellsjokull ice cap. The peninsula is dominated by the Snæffellsjokull glacier, which was made popular in Jules Verne’s classic Journey to the Center of the Earth. We make our first stop at Djúpalónssandur for a short, refreshing walk to the shore of the Atlantic Ocean where strange rock formations are found. After a short drive past the cliffs of Londrangar, we arrive in the tiny fishing village of Arnarstapi. Here we will find an idyllic setting with interesting lava formations and an abundance of birdlife. Many stories and sagas are connected to this area, lending an even more mysterious appeal to these stunning surroundings. At Arnarstapi, a refreshing walk takes us along a pathway with many interesting geological phenomena and rich bird life. A scenic drive takes us to Budir, famed not only for its dramatic, black lava surroundings but also for its yellow sand beach. We might be lucky enough to spot seals as they bask on the skerries out in the bay. Continuing over “The Old Hag’s Pass” or Kerlingarskard, we head towards Stykkisholmur, where we make a short spiritual stop at Helgafell – The Holy Mount. A lot of local history and charm is attached to this stop. Even those not up to the climb will be sure to enjoy listening to the guide tell tales of local heroines and the combination of spiritual forces connected to this holistic site. A short visit to Stykkisholmur, before returning to Grundarfjördur and lunch at Hotel Búdir. Day 13 — Reykjavik, Iceland Following breakfast, disembark Prince Albert II. Expedition highlights and wildlife listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into account the prevailing weather, wildlife activity and ice conditions. Expedition Team members scheduled for this voyage are subject to change or cancellation.
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