Compare Arctic Climate Voyage by Hurtigruten vs Scenic Iceland & the Northern Lights - Small Group, Winter 2022 2023 Small Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1: Reykjavik

Reykjavik and Iceland is the starting point of the Climate Voyage. We sail towards Svalbard in the wake of the Vikings who pioneered this route more than 800 years ago. According to history they sailed for four days and three nights northbound before hitting something with a “cold edge” (the literal meaning of Svalbard). 

Day 2: Ísafjörður

Ísafjörður is the largest town in Iceland's Westfjord peninsula. It is an ancient church site and a trading post since the 16th century. Take a stroll around this cosy town and join one of our wide range of optional excursions.

Day 3: At sea

Crossing the Arctic Ocean we may encounter a variety of large-bodied marine mammals and be followed by the ‘sailors friend’, the Northern Fulmar, a bird of the same family as the graceful albatross. Our Expedition Team offers several lectures about climate change and there will be an on-board auction where the proceeds will go to relevant climate charities.

Day 4: Jan Mayen

The Norwegian island of Jan Mayen is one of the most isolated in the world and home to the northernmost active volcano on earth, Beerenberg. It is located where the North American and the Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Dutch whalers operated from Jan Mayen in the 16th century, but today only a Norwegian weather station accommodates a few brave individuals throughout the year. Visits to Jan Mayen are extremely rare, especially from tourists. MS Fram and her crew will, as one of the very few operating in this water, attempt to make a rare landing on this most exotic Arctic island.

Day 5: At sea

Once again you are welcome to join our lecture programme and observe seabirds and sea mammals from deck.

Day 6: Ny-Ålesund

Situated at 78º 55’ N, Ny-Ålesund is one of the world’s northernmost year-round communities. The settlement i historically rooted in coal mining. In the heroic age of exploration this was the starting point of several historical attempts to reach the North Pole. Names like Amundsen, Ellsworth and Nobile are strongly linked to the place, and you can still see the airship mast that Nobile’s dirigible “Norge” was moored to before its departure on the first trans-polar flight. Today, Ny-Ålesund is an important campus for scientists from leading research institutes such as the Alfred Wegener Institute and the Norwegian Polar Institute. In 2005, a state-of-the-art marine laboratory was opened to facilitate the fieldwork of marine biologists and oceanographers. There is also a small visitor centre in Ny-Ålesund.

Day 7: North West Spitsbergen National Park

We will try crossing the 80th parallel. Until a couple of decades ago, a plan to get this far north would have been inconceivable at this time of the year. If we are lucky we will spot some of the larger species that use these waters as hunting grounds. Keep your eyes open for walrus, whales and polar bears.

Day 8: North West Spitsbergen National Park

The Isfjord is a fraction more hospitable than the savage Arctic Ocean, and is home to several giant bird cliffs. The Alkhorn is nesting place for species like the Brünnich’s Guillemot and the Kittiwake. Seabirds make up an important link between the marine and the terrestrial food chain. We will see evidence of the lush areas below the cliff – fertilised by bird droppings.

Day 9: Longyearbyen/OSLO

When arriving after midnight in Longyearbyen, our Climate Voyage has come to an end. It's time for transfer to the airport and the flight back to Oslo.

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 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.