Coastal Wonders of Norway, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland

• Day 1 - Oslo, Norway

  Arrive in Oslo and transfer to our centrally located hotel. In the afternoon, our introduction to Norway begins with a tour of Oslo, including a visit to the Fram Museum, dedicated to the wooden ship sailed by Norwegian pole explorers such as Nansen and Amundsen. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception, followed by dinner at your leisure.

• Day 2 - Oslo / Tromsø / Embark Ship

  Take a charter flight to Tromsø, known as the “gateway to the Arctic” due to the large number of Arctic expeditions that originated here. Visit the Arctic Cathedral, where the unique architecture evokes icebergs; and peruse the Polar Museum, which showcases the ships, equipment, and seafaring traditions of early Arctic settlers. Embark our ship this afternoon.

• Day 3 - Tysfjorden

  This morning, enter the long fjord of Tysfjorden, where only a few small villages cling to the rocky shores. Glide beneath the fjord’s steep walls on Zodiac and kayak excursions, and explore Hellemobotn Fjord, which reaches far inland, ending
  just a few miles from the border of Sweden.

• Day 4 - Lofoten Islands

  Start your day on deck as we glide into Trollfjorden, one of Norway’s most dramatic fjords. Continue to the Lofoten archipelago, which boasts an enchanting landscape of picturesque villages framed by jagged, granite peaks that rise straight from the sea. Explore the many islets, and reposition to Værøy for walks and kayaking. Seek out Atlantic puffins, razorbills, and guillemots on a Zodiac cruise.

• Day 5/6 - Exploring the Fjords of Norway

  Carved by glaciers over millions of years, Norway’s northern coast is laced with steep-walled fjords, mountainous islands, and chiseled peaks. Cruise in a Zodiac along vertical rock faces, kayak through serene fjords, or go ashore on a secluded sandy beach to hike amid verdant valleys and birch forests.

• Day 7 - At Sea / Shetland Islands, Scotland

  Spend a relaxing morning at sea as we sail toward the Shetland Islands, an archipelago of about one hundred islands and islets located north of the Scottish mainland. Glide past the towering cliffs of Noss to look for murres, puffins, kittiwakes, and other seabirds. This evening, dock overnight in Lerwick.

• Day 8 - Lerwick / Foula

  Lerwick is a town where Norse and Gaelic cultures intermingle. Explore the town, delve into local culture and history at the Shetland Museum and Archives, or embark on a bird-watching or geology walk. Alternatively, venture to the prehistoric
  settlement of Jarlshof to examine its Bronze Age ruins and Viking longhouses. In the afternoon, continue to Foula, a stark but spectacular island edged with towering cliffs and blanketed with peat bogs, where people are drastically outnumbered by puffins.

• Day 9/10 - Exploring the Faroe Islands

  This morning, we arrive in the Faroe Islands, an autonomous archipelago within the Kingdom of Denmark. The legacy of the Vikings persists here, reflected in the language of the Faroese and their love of the sea. Visit Torshavn, the colorful capital of the Faroe Islands, where even the government buildings are crafted in the traditional design of wooden siding with a turf roof. Visit the 12th-century St. Olav’s Church alongside the ruins of Kirkjubøur Cathedral, which was never completed. Explore one of the outer islands in this tiny archipelago to see some of the dramatic sea cliffs and deep fjords that characterize the coastline. Take Zodiacs to look for cliff-nesting puffins, gannets, and northern fulmars.

• Day 11/12 - At Sea / Seyðisfjörður, Iceland / Grímsey

  After a day at sea, we awake along Iceland’s rugged eastern coast, an unspoiled stretch of rocky outcrops, hidden coves, and hills that beckon hikers. We visit Seyðisfjörður, a charming fishing village located in the mouth of a majestic fjord
  and surrounded by dramatic mountains. Choose to explore the town or visit Skálanes Nature Reserve to see its colorful wildflowers and bird cliffs. Continue to Grímsey on the Arctic Circle.

• Day 13/14 - Ísafjörđur / Flatey Island

  Located in the Westfjords region, the town of Ísafjörđur lies on a tiny spit jutting out into the water against a backdrop of steep hills. Spend time hiking and watching for nesting seabirds in this remote setting. The next day, visit Flatey island, a fishing and trading post for centuries.

• Day 15 - Westman Islands

  Spend the day in the Westman Islands, one of the world’s younger archipelagos, formed by undersea volcanos some 11,000 years ago. In 1973, the isle of Heimaey was threatened by lava flows that nearly closed off the harbor. We visit the Eldfell volcanic crater, where the earth is still hot, and take in views over landscapes engulfed in lava rock. We also observe Surtsey, one of the world’s youngest islands, which was formed by volcanic eruptions between 1963 and 1967.

• Day 16 - Reykjavík / Disembark Ship / Home

  Disembark in Reykjavík and take a morning excursion. After lunch, transfer to the airport for flights home.

Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your captain and expedition leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.