Compare Spitsbergen and north east Greenland: 12-night cruise by Audley Travel vs Scenic Iceland & the Northern Lights - Small Group, Winter 2021 2022 Small Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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Scenic Iceland & the Northern Lights - Small Group, Winter 2021 2022 Small Group
by
Insight Vacations
5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 15 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 9,322 | $ 4,095 |
| Price Per Day | $ 621 | $ 585 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
The Arctic’s scenic extremes have long beguiled visitors. In the far north of Svalbard, in the Norwegian Arctic, you’ll see glacier fronts, icebergs and mountainscapes. Thousands of guillemots turn towering cliffs into a riot of movement. In other parts, it’s the encompassing stillness that can stagger you — lonely bays dotted with icebergs, or an unbroken bed of sea ice engulfing the horizon line. Our Polar cruising team have experienced Svalbard on their own voyages, and they’re well-placed to help you choose the ideal itinerary and vessel for your Arctic expedition cruise. |
Experience the iconic sights of Iceland as you gasp in awe at the exploding hot springs in Geysir and lose yourself in the Northern Lights dancing overhead in Reykjavik. From the thundering waterfalls of Skógafoss and the majesty of the Hekla volcano, to the allure of the Golden Circle and the earth shaking Mid-Atlantic Ridge, this one-week tour has it all. Uncover Iceland’s volcanic history at the Lava Centre en route to Vik, visit a geothermal bakery in Fontana where fresh bread is dug out of the hot ground before your very eyes and hone your horticulture skills at the massive greenhouse tomato farms in Friðheimar. Discover how Iceland was settled at a fascinating exhibit in Borgarnes and conclude your tour with a Local Expert in Old Reykjavik, as they guide you through the capital. |
Day 1 : Longyearbyen
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Longyearbyen. Arrive in Longyearbyen and make your way to your hotel.
Day 2 : Polar Cruise
After a morning to explore Longyearbyen and the excellent museum you will board the ship and set sail along the fjord.
Day 3 : Polar Cruise
Spend a day exploring the coast of Spitsbergen.
Day 4 : Polar Cruise
A day at sea.
Day 5 : Polar Cruise
A day at sea.
Day 6 : Polar Cruise
Reach the coast of Greenland and make your first landing.
Day 7 : Polar Cruise
Landings in Greenland will vary from cultural visits to sites of historical and geological significance.
Day 8 : Polar Cruise
Each day will be different with wildlife sightings always a possibility. In Antarcticahavn, a wide valley, it's possible to see musk oxen.
Day 9 : Polar Cruise
Today you may sail down Scoresby Sund, the world's longest fjord, passing the serrated glaciers of the Volquart Boons coastline. If weather conditions allow, you may go out in the Zodiacs to cruise alongside some of the glacier snouts. In the afternoon, you may explore an excellently preserved former Inuit settlement, before heading back into iceberg-choked fjords.
Day 10 : Polar Cruise
Today may see you sailing past Cape Hofmann Halvø. Its shores are full of Arctic vegetation such as dwarf willow, dwarf birch and Arctic blueberry bushes. Keep an eye out for musk oxen. Birdlife includes ptarmigans and great northern divers.
Day 11 : Polar Cruise
Scoresby Land's northwest fjord is one of the shallowest points in the entire fjord, in places only 400 m (1,312 ft) deep. Today, while exploring this area, you might see huge 100 m (328 ft) high icebergs, some of which are grounded on the bottom of the fjord. Later on, in Sydkap, you might visit the remains of dwellings made using whale vertebrae, and thought to belong to Greenland's Thule culture (from whom modern Inuits are descended).
Day 12 : Polar Cruise
Today, you may go ashore at Ittoqqortoormit, a settlement of 500 people in the Scoresby Sund. You may visit one of the world's most remote post offices and in the streets, you'll see vignettes of daily life: dog sleds and the drying skins of seals and musk oxen.
Day 13 : Polar Cruise
Sailing across the open sea to northern Iceland.
Day 14 : Reykjavik
Landing in northern Iceland and transfer to Reykjavik.
Day 15 : International return flight
Make your way to the airport for your onward flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.
Day 1: The Viking City of Reykjavík
Welcome to Iceland. At Reykjavík's Keflavík Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel.Join your Travel Director and travelling companions at 18:15 for your Welcome Reception and enjoy the opportunity to get to know each other, over a pleasant evening of wine and a light buffet. Afterwards, search for the most spectacular show on Earth—the northern lights. See the breathtaking night sky filled with the aurora borealis and its vast spectrum of colour.Please note the northern lights are a natural phenomenon and therefore sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Day 2: South Shore Adventure to Vík Relaxed Start
Take a journey through the stunning landscape of Iceland's south coast and through the land of Njál‘s Saga–a region of breathtaking scenery and legendary stories. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, heading east to visit Iceland’s newest geothermal and electric power station at Hellisheiðavirkjun Your journey continues, as you witness the majesty of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Stand awestruck by the beauty of these thundering waterfalls, before venturing on to view more spectacular phenomena. See the magnificent Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes. See the magnificent Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes and visit the Lava Centre in Hvolsvöllur, dedicated to Iceland's history of volcanic activity and earthquakes. Arrive in the welcoming community of Vík. Later, perhaps enjoy another chance to go in search of the mystical northern lights?
Day 3: The Golden Circle to Flúðir
Embark on a day of discovery around Iceland's Golden Circle, taking in some of the famous landmarks this magical country has to offer. Experience the exploding hot springs at Geysir before continuing on to the mighty Gullfoss waterfalls, the Icelandic equivalent of Niagara Falls. Next stop is Friðheimar, to learn about Icelandic greenhouse horticulture. Visit a family-run vegetable farm, specialising in tomatoes. Explore their greenhouses and sample the sweet, unique flavour of their lovingly grown crop. Continue on to your hotel in Flúðir for another chance to catch nature's theatre unfolding in the night sky.
Day 4: Thingvellir, Borgarnes and Húsafell Relaxed Start
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Fontana on a visit to a geothermal bakery. Here, sample delicious rye bread, dug out from the steaming hot ground and served with butter. Continue to Thingvellir. This remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge line, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. The first meeting of the Icelandic parliament was held here in A.D. 930. Journey along the trail of Viking warrior and poet Egill Skallagrímsson and stop at Reykholt for an orientation with your Travel Director. In Borgarnes, learn about Iceland's history with a fascinating visit to the Icelandic Settlement Centre. Enjoy views of the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls as you drive through glorious landscapes. Your travels continue to Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring.
Day 5: Reykjavík sightseeing Relaxed Start
Journey back to the Icelandic captial, where a Local Expert will show you Old Reykjavík, the 19th century parliament building and Höfði House. In 1986, US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev met here for the famous Reykjavík Summit. Later, visit the colourful harbour and the Hallgrímskirkja, a modern church and landmark that can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 6: Choice in Reykjavik Relaxed Start
Explore Reykjavik with Insight Choice. Choose to experience the magic of Iceland on an exhilarating flight-ride at FlyOver to see incredible scenery from sweeping glaciers to stunning fjords. Alternatively, relax in the Blue Lagoon. Surrounded by lava fields and snowcapped mountains, the lagoon is a wonder of nature and offers a unique experience for both body and soul. With your newfound friends, toast to the culmination of your fascinating journey of discovery during a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7: Farewell Reykjavík
Your Icelandic adventure comes to an end, with a transfer to Reykjavík's Keflavík Airport.
