Sail from Scotland, via the Shetlands and Jan Mayen Island, to the spectacular, wildlife rich shores of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard Archipelago.
Follow the Viking route from Scotland to the land of the midnight sun, taking in the remote islands of the Orkneys, Shetlands, Faroes and Jan Mayen en route to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.
Discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Standing Stones of Stennes and the mystical Ring of Brodgar, visit archaeological sites, marvel at a wealth of seabirds against the volcanic backdrop of Jan Mayen, and explore icy fjords in search of polar bears.
Itinerary
All voyage itineraries are intended as a guideline only – embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy of expedition travel. Actual routes and landings will be dependent on weather, sea and ice conditions. A degree of flexibility is essential in the polar regions!
The below sample itinerary is based on the 13-day voyage on the Sea Spirit. Other departures may vary in duration and routing, i.e. alternative embarkation or disembarkation ports, or do not include the pre-voyage hotel night. Please contact us for specific details.
On arrival in Scotland’s beautiful capital make your own way to your included hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city, perhaps visiting the famous castle or taking in the view from Arthur’s Seat.
You will be transferred to the ship today for embarkation, before setting sail towards Kirkwall.
Visit the historic and mystical sites of mainland Orkney (the archipelago’s largest island) by coach. Explore the Standing Stones of Stenness, the intriguing Ring of Brodgar, and the village of Skara Brae.
Continue north to the Shetland Islands. Fair Isle is a real paradise for birdwatchers. Huge numbers of birds inhabit the lush grasslands and spectacular cliffs with over 345 recorded species – more than anywhere else in Britain. You may spot northern fulmars, kittiwakes, northern gannets, puffins, and great and arctic skuas as you hike on the island.
Land at the Faroes’ capital, Torshavn, for a tour to Kirkjubøur. Once the ecclesiastical and cultural centre of the Faroes, the imposing ruin of the 13th century Saint Magnus Cathedral still dominates the site.
Keep watch for whales and seabirds as you cruise north to Jan Mayen.
Jan Mayen is a stark volcanic island crowned by the snow-capped summit of Mt. Beerenberg. From the slopes of this imposing volcano, broken glaciers grasp out into the frigid sea. The only inhabitants are the staff at the Norwegian weather station, who share the island with northern fulmars, kittiwakes and Brunich’s guillemots.
Your Expedition Team will prepare you for the Arctic encounters to come with some informative presentations as you continue your voyage north.
Over the next few days your Expedition Team will take advantage of local ice and weather conditions to explore the highlights of south west Spitsbergen. Discover spectacular fjords, jagged snowy mountain peaks and immense tidewater glaciers that calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox, whilst bountiful seas entice walrus and a wide variety of whales. The whole area is alive with migratory birds, including numerous rare species, taking advantage of summer’s fecundity in 24-hour daylight. You may also visit the historical remnants of whaling camps, coal mining operations, trappers’ cabins and even an abandoned polar research station.
Your expedition comes to an end as you disembark in Longyearbyen this morning.
Prices
What's Included
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Shipboard accommodation
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All breakfasts, lunches & dinners on board
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Tea & coffee available around the clock
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All Zodiac transfers, cruising & shore landings
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Presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers
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Expedition jacket - yours to keep
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Loan of rubber boots during voyage
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All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £7895 Excluding Flights
12-13 Nights
Apr-May
The inclusions for this cruise are dependent on the vessel chosen – those shown are applicable to all. Please contact us for full details and to discuss the options best for you.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Doug
10
Kilometres ran in Longyearbyen
4
Countries seen northern lights in
2025 departure & price guide
Prices are per person, based on a twin cabin. They do not reflect any applicable special offers or discounts. Single, triple and quad cabins are also available. Please get in touch for a tailored quote based on the best available price for your preferred voyage and cabin type.
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.
Experts with real experience
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Phoebe
Travel Specialist
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Dawn
Head of Customer Experience
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Eric
Travel Specialist
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Ben
Travel Specialist
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Darren
Travel Specialist
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Lauren
Travel Specialist
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Kieran
Travel Specialist
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Freya
Travel Specialist
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Jo
Travel Specialist
