Explore a variety of stunning islands in and around the Arctic region on this fantastic expedition voyage in late spring, when flora is in full bloom.
From Hanseatic Bergen, cruise to Lerwick in the remote Shetland Islands. The town is rich in Norse heritage and has a beautiful waterfront. Continue to the pretty village of Elduvik nestled in the Funningsfjordur inlet in the Faroe Islands. It is surrounded by verdant mountains and divided by the river Stora which meanders through the middle.
Your ship arrives in Iceland, known as the 'Land of Fire and Ice'. Bakkageroi is one of the country's smallest hamlets and close to the Hafnarholmi puffin colony, while Husavik is renowned for its whale watching. Your final port of call in Iceland is Akureyri, Iceland's largest community outside of Reykjavik. It is the gateway to the natural wonders of Lake Myvatn and Godafoss waterfall.
Enjoy a landing on Jan Mayen, a rarely-visited island and haven for seabirds, before cruising to to the spectacular landscapes of North West Spitsbergen National Park. Summertime in the Svalbard Archipelago is when polar bears trek along the coast’s drifting ice on the hunt for seals. You may be lucky enough to spot them during your time in the national park.
NE576 Operated by Hurtigruten Expeditions
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Faroe Islands, Iceland and Spitsbergen Itinerary
Day 1 - Bergen (Norway)
Embark your ship in Bergen.
Day 2 - Lerwick (Shetland Islands)
Built on the herring trade in the 17th century, Lerwick has grown in Scotland’s northernmost town and is home to a third of the Shetland Islands' population. Visit local boutique shops along Commercial Street, wander along the waterfront with its sandstone buildings, or visit the museum to learn more about the town’s Norse heritage.
Day 4 - Elduvik (Faroe Islands)
Located in the Funningsfjordur inlet in the Faroe Islands, the village of Elduvík lies by the shore at the end of a long, lush valley surrounded by stunning green mountains and with the river Stórá running through the middle. Just 23 people inhabit the village, complete with a school, church, dock, pier, and colourful houses.
Day 5 - At sea
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea with onboard lectures from the Expedition Team while we set course towards Iceland.
Day 6 - Bakkageroi (Iceland)
Bakkagerði is one of Iceland’s smallest hamlets, a quiet haven well off the tourist track. The place is so well-known for its fairy-tale-like natural beauty, the locals have come to call the region `The Land of the Elves´. Many puffin colonies also line the nearby fjord, making it a popular place for birdwatching. Included shuttle bus between the port and Hafnarhólmi puffin colony.
Day 7 - Husavik
Húsavík is Iceland’s oldest Norse settlement and considered one of the best whale-watching spots in Europe. Up to 23 species of whale, including the blue whale, are known to visit nearby Skjálfandi Bay. The town also has many interesting museums and an outdoor thermal bath on the picturesque peninsula. Included visit to the whale museum.
Day 8 - Akureyri
Welcome to Iceland’s largest community outside of Reykjavík. Expect comfy cafés, restaurants, and chic art galleries. There are also various museums of interest, distinct churches, and the botanical gardens which will be in full bloom at the time of your visit. Akureyri is also close to natural treasures, such as lake Mývatn and Goðafoss waterfall. Included Akureyri town walk and botanical garden.
Day 10 - Jan Mayen Island
The Norwegian island of Jan Mayen has two main areas. The north is dominated by ice-capped Beerenberg, the northernmost active volcano on earth. The south is flatter and unglaciated, and where 30 people live at a weather station. The island is a breeding site for large numbers of seabirds such as fulmars, auks, and guillemots. Visits to Jan Mayen are extremely rare, and Hurtigruten are one of the few to attempt landings on this Arctic island.
Day 11 - At sea
The day is at your leisure aboard the ship. Relax while gazing out at the view, learn more from the knowledgeable Expedition Team in our lecture series, or swap experiences of the expedition so far with your fellow explorers.
Day 12 - Gnålodden - Hornsund
Summertime in the Svalbard Archipelago is when polar bears trek along the coast’s drifting ice on the hunt for seals. With a bit of luck, we hope to spot one or more of these top predators in the national park. Depending on the movement and thickness of the sea ice, we might visit Kongsfjord´s mighty glaciers and catch sight of icebergs calving into the sea. We also plan to call on Ny-Ålesund, a former mining town now transformed into an international science centre. Here, you’ll find 16 permanent research stations from 10 countries dedicated to the study of glaciology, wildlife, and climate change.
Day 13 - Pyramiden - Skansbukta Bay
Day 14 - Longyearbyen - Oslo (Norway)
Disembark your ship in Longyearbyen and transfer to the airport for your flight to Oslo.
The Captain reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary.
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