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FAROES - JAN MAYEN - SOUTH SPITSBERGEN 2006

(Aberdeen - Longyearbyen)

12 days, Aberdeen - Shetland Islands - Faroer Islands - Torshavn - Tjørnuvik - Saksun - Streymoy - Mykines -

Sørvagsfjordur - Jan Mayen - Nordaustlandet - Kvalrossbukta - KokslettaI - Spitsbergen - Hornsund -

Ahlstrandhalvøya - Van Keulenfjorden - Recherchefjorden - Longyearbyen

Departures:

MOL04 Jun 02 - 1, Professor Molchanov

GMK04 Jun 03 - 14, Grigoriy Mikheev

The Arctic coastlines offer some of the finest scenery and wildlife experiences in the world. Visitors to the region can witness enormous colonies of seabirds thronging the cliffs and shores, and enjoy the thrilling antics of whales and dolphins at sea and seals and Walrus hauled out on the rocks and ice floes. The lucky may even encounter the very symbol of the Arctic - the Polar Bear. Though remote and sparsely populated today, many of the places we explore have been inhabited in the last 5000 years, and thousands of unique prehistoric and historic sites are a testimony to the thriving cultures of the past.

Our itineraries include Iceland, Jan Mayen, Bear Island, and Spitsbergen.

 

Day 1 Departure Aberdeen
We embark from Aberdeen, famed as the granite city and many times a winner of the Britain in Bloom competition.

Day 2 Fair Isle / Shetland Islands

At Fair Isle, in the Shetlands, we are welcomed by the 70 or so inhabitants (famed for their knitwear, examples of which we will see) and walk to the bird observatory. We view Grey Seals, Black Guillemots, Puffins, Fulmars, Red-throated Divers, Arctic Skuas and a colony of Gannets and a wonderful spring flora. At the southwestern part of the island we make a zodiac cruise through a wonderful maze of channels and stacks, where we observe Grey Seals and Harbor Seals.
If the weather is poor we will sail by Westray, with impressive bird cliffs at the northern tip, and land at Papa Westray, an inhabited island with accessible and varied bird cliffs, and good photo opportunities.

Day 3 Faroer Islands - Torshavn - Kirkjubøer

Today we arrive at Tórshavn, the capital and cultural centre of the Faroes. Here we are free to shop, to visit the museum or just wander at will. In the harbor the small Faroese boats are a reminder of the Viking origins of the islanders. The walkers among us can make an exciting two hours walk across the hills to Kirkjubøer where they will find a medieval cathedral. In the evening we can enjoy some local culture in town.


Day 4  Mykines - Sørvagsfjordur - Streymoy - Saksun

If the weather is favorable, we plan to land in the morning on the island of Mykines, where thousands of Puffins and other seabirds nest. On wave-lashed Mykines, where colonies of Gannets breed, the local people still catch seabirds for food and the island’s tiny village is one of the prettiest in the Faroes. If we can not land we will sail into Sørvagsfjordur and make a walk along a path from Sørvagur, which is a small Faroes village, to Bøer looking at Eider Ducks, seals and salmon nurseries in the fjord. Continuing along the north side of Streymoy we pass huge seabird colonies. We will try to land at Saksun, tucked away at the head of a fjord which was once a superb natural harbour. Today the bay is full of sand and we can only enter by zodiac at high tide. At Saksun is a Natural Heritage Museum.

Day 5 & 6 Jan Mayen - Nordaustlandet

We sail north to the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, situated 300 nautical miles north-east of Iceland. During our two days at sea there will be plenty of time to watch for the blow of a Minke, Fin or Blue Whale, which could herald a rewarding encounter with these gentle giants. Perhaps we might run into a pod of Orcas, who can often be quite curious about boats such as ours.

Day 7 Jan Mayen - Kvalrossbukta - KokslettaI
Jan Mayen is a volcanic island of breathtaking beauty and mystique, dominated by Mt Beerenberg. From the slopes of the 2300m volcano, impressive glaciers spill into the sea. Until recently, the island was off-limits as it is a military base, and was rarely visited by tourists, but with permission from the Norwegian authorities we hope to visit the weather station. We will also walk across the island to Kvalrossbukta to look at the remains of a 17th century Dutch whaling station and a substantial colony of Fulmars. We also plan to sail by Koksletta where thousands of Little Auks and Brünnich's Guillemots breed close to a glacier, watched over by piratical Glaucous Gulls.

Day 8 & 9 At Sea
We spend two days at sea, looking out for whalers, dolphins and seals and a variety of seabirds. When we approach the sea-ice at the southern tip of Spitsbergen, we may also encounter moulting Harp Seals.

Day 10 Spitsbergen - Hornsund

Depending on the position of the sea-ice, we cruise the maze of fjords in the spectacular Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, which is ringed by towering mountain peaks. Hornsundtind rises to 1,431m while Bautaen shows why early Dutch explorers gave the name ?Spitsbergen? - pointed mountains - to the island. There are also 14 magnificent glaciers in the area but as well as spectacular scenery, the area is renowned for its abundant and varied arctic wildlife. We have very good chances of seeing seals and with a little luck, the very symbol of the Arctic - Polar Bears. We may visit the Polish research station where the friendly staff will give us an insight into their research projects. Behind the station, the mountains are home to thousands of pairs of nesting Little Auks. Bearded Seals often cruise the inner fjords, whose cliffs are lined with colonies of Brünnich?s Guillemots and Kittiwakes. On the tundra we will have good opportunities to observe foraging Barnacle Geese.

Day 11 Ahlstrandhalvøya - Van Keulenfjorden - Recherchefjorden

Today we land at Kapp Toscana on Ahlstrandhalvøya at the mouth of Van Keulenfjord, where piles of Beluga skeletons are a reminder of the 20th century exploitation of these small white whales. Numbers are now recovering and there is a good chance of spotting small groups in the area. We then move to Recherchefjord, where a walk on the fragile tundra which backs the fjord may yield sightings of Reindeer and where we visit the remains of a 17th century Dutch whaling station at Lagerneset. Alternatively we may land at Midterhuken to explore the remains of 17th century English whaling sites. The weather will determine which good options will be chosen in this area.
 

Day 12 Longyearbyen
We disembark at Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Spitsbergen, for flights south to Norway and onward to home. Alternatively we may stay on the ship and continue our voyage to North Spitsbergen (MOL05).
 

 

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Departure Dates
Faroes - Jan Mayen - South Spitsbergen (Aberdeen - Longyearbyen)
Voyage Date Port Date Port Vessel
MOL04

Jun 02

ABZ

Jun 13

LYR Prof. Molchanov
GMK04 Jun 03 ABZ Jun 14 LYR Grigoriy Mikheev

ABZ = Aberdeen   LYR = Longyearbyen

Prices in US Dollars
Triple Non Private Twin Non Private Twin Private Superior Suite
2,330 2,760 3,230 3,660 4,090
         

Included

  • Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as per itinerary

  • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship incl. snacks, coffee and tea

  • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac

  • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff

  • Transfers and baggage handling between hotels, airports and ship only for those passengers on the group flights in Spitsbergen and in Greenland

  • All miscellaneous services

  • Taxes and port charges throughout the program

Not Included

  • Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights

  • Pre- and post land arrangements;

  • Transfers to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen and Greenland

  • Passport and Visa expenses

  • Government arrival and departure taxes

  • Meals ashore

  • Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (strongly recommended)

  • Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges

  • The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided)

  • $ 25 Service fee

Please note:

All dates & rates are subject to change.

All voyages will operate subject to a minimum of 25 participants (motor vessels) & 12 participants for the ?Noorderlicht?.

All rates are quoted per person in US Dollar, based on twin occupancy.

Twin non private and Twin private cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the share price US Dollar rates apply for all sales outside the area of the European Union.

5% discount will be granted for bookings for one or more consecutive voyages.

All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions, and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.

 

News:

Oceanwide Expeditions is the proud winner of the prestigious award:

WORLD'S LEADING POLAR EXPEDITION OPERATOR 2005

 

Fuel surcharge

Due to the continuous increases of fuel prices a fuel surcharge of US $ 14.00 per night per passenger has been added to the Arctic and North Atlantic Expedition Cruises on board the vessels

m/v “Professor Molchanov”, m/v “Professor Multanovskiy”, m/v “Grigoriy Mikheev” and

m/v “Aleksey Maryshev”.

 

Disclaimer

All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife.
Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.

 

 

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 Copyright Five Stars of Scandinavia, Inc. 2006