HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit Bear Island, Svalbard's southernmost island, roughly half way between Spitsbergen and Norway's North Cape
- Explore Svalbard's Southern and Northern Regions
- Enjoy Shore Excursions and Zodiac Cruises with the Silversea Expedition team
- Go Hiking and Kayaking with the Silversea Expedition team
- Visit Jan Mayen Island and see Humpback and minke whales cavort and feed in the waters around the impressive volcanic island
- Visit Vigur Island, the second largest island in the Isafjardardjup Fjord, and more...
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Starting from |
|---|
| Jul 11, 2022 | Jul 20, 2022 | 12,900 |
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Starting from |
|---|
| Jul 11, 2022 | Jul 20, 2022 | 12,900 |
ITINERARY
Day
01: Tromsø, Norway
Feel
your heart flutter, as you catch your first glimpse of that famous
emerald haze dancing across the stars, during your visit to this
wonderful Arctic gateway. Located in the far north of Norway, a visit
to Tromso beckons you to the extremes of this magical country, to
explore a fairytale land of jagged mountains, glistening glaciers and
husky-pulled sledges. Despite its remote location, you'll discover a
perhaps surprisingly cosmopolitan city, with a healthy student
population injecting plenty of energy. Sat 250 miles above the Arctic
Circle - at 69° north - you can bathe in the midnight sun's
glow during summer, before winter brings the thick blackness and starry
skies of endless polar nights. The darkness doesn't stop the fun - with
a polar night half-marathon taking place in January - but the return of
the sun is always a reason for a celebration here. To get the best view
over the city, take the cable car to Storsteinen's amazing viewpoint.
Magnificent views down over the city, fjord and Tromso's arching bridge
will unravel before you. Learn more about northerly traditions, polar
expeditions and arctic hunting at the Polar Museum. The Science Centre,
meanwhile, explains how humans have harnessed and survived these epic
landscapes over the years, and explores Tromso's breathtaking natural
spectacle - the northern lights. The city is famed for its
extraordinary viewing opportunities, which are often said to be the
best in the world. The Alpine Botanic Garden is the most northern such
garden on the planet, showcasing some of Norway's hardiest plantlife,
which survives and thrives at this nose-bleeding altitude.
Days
02: Cruise & Explore Bear Island, Svalbard
Bear
Island is considered Svalbard's southernmost island, roughly half way
between Spitsbergen and Norway's North Cape. Although the last polar
bears were seen in 2004, the name goes back to Dutch explorer Willem
Barentsz and his visit in 1596. The island has been used to hunt
walrus, for whaling, and even coal mining has taken place. The
strategic location on the border of the Norwegian Sea and the Barents
Sea has led to a meteorological station being set up by Norway near
Gravodden on Bear Island's north coast. Some two thirds of the island
is a relatively flat plain with shallow freshwater lakes and Ramsar
Wetland, while the entire island and the surrounding waters are a
Nature Reserve. Bear Island has also been designated an Import Bird
Area as it is a staging area for Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese and the
steep cliffs south of Sørhamna are home to thousands of
breeding seabirds. This is a specially protected area where Zodiacs are
allowed to cruise along the cliffs around Kapp Kolthoff. In smaller
amounts Atlantic Puffins, Northern Gannets, Glaucous Gulls and Great
Skuas are found in between the large Black-legged Kittiwake, Little
Auk, Common Guillemot and Brünnich's Guillemot colonies. The
constant battering of the sea has not only created impressive sea caves
and tunnels, but unfortunately the Russian vessel Petrozavodsk
shipwrecked near Revdalen at the base of the limestone cliffs and the
waves are causing a continuous disintegration of the remains of the
ship.
Days
03-04: Svalbard Southern Region
Svalbard's
Southern Region and specifically Spitsbergen's west coast is less
ice-clogged than the rest of Svalbard due to the moderating influenced
of the Gulf Stream. Several fjords cut into the western coast of
Spitsbergen and have been used by trappers and hunters, as well as the
different mining companies that tried to exploit the riches of the
archipelago's largest island of Spitsbergen. Remains of huts and mines,
as well as active commercial and scientific settlements can be found
and visited. Depending on the time of the season, glaciers can be
visited on foot or by sea. Hornsund will reveal fascinating views of
geological formations, craggy mountains, spectacular glaciers and a
variety of seabirds and seals.
4
Included Shore Excursions
Zodiac
Cruise with Silversea Expedition team
Activity Level: Moderate
Hiking with Silversea Expedition team
Activity Level: Extensive
Kayaking with Silversea Expedition team
Activity Level: Extensive
Expedition Activities with Silversea Expedition team
Activity Level: Moderate
Days
05-07: Svalbard Northern Region
Svalbard's
northern region is less influenced by the Norwegian Current coming
through the Greenland Sea than the southern region and shows more ice.
The northern part of the island of Spitsbergen shows quite a number of
impressive fjords, bays and glaciers. The Nordaust Svalbard Nature
Reserve includes Spitsbergen's east coast, the Hinlopen Strait,
Nordaustlandet and some islands further east like Kvitoya and Storoya.
Several walrus haul-outs, spectacular glaciers, bird cliffs and bird
islands, as well as surprising flora in Arctic deserts and the
possibility to see polar bears and to visit historically important
sites make this an area prone for exploration. Ice conditions will
dictate which sites can be seen.
4
Included Shore Excursions
Zodiac
Cruise with Silversea Expedition team
Activity Level: Moderate
Hiking with Silversea Expedition team
Activity Level: Extensive
Kayaking with Silversea Expedition team
Activity Level: Extensive
Expedition Activities with Silversea Expedition team
Activity Level: Moderate
Day
06: Day at sea (International waters)
Days
at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with
what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym,
visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply
topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to
busy days spent exploring shore side.
Day
07: Jan Mayen Island
Humpback
and minke whales cavort and feed in the waters around the impressive
volcanic island of Jan Mayen with its towering ebony peaks and broad
black lava beaches. The primordial landscape is dominated to the north
by the 7,500 feet high (2,300 meters) Mt Beerenberg, an active volcano
covered in glacial ice that last erupted in 1985. With permission from
the Norwegian authorities, a landing is possible at this rarely visited
outpost. Visitors may walk to the research and weather station, or
beyond, for birds-eye views of the meteorological station and the long
black sandy eastern shore of the island. Birds to be seen here may
include Atlantic Puffins, Northern Fulmars, and Snow Buntings.
4
Included Shore Excursions
Zodiac
Cruise with Silversea Expedition team
Activity Level: Moderate
Hiking with Silversea Expedition team
Activity Level: Extensive
Kayaking with Silversea Expedition team
Activity Level: Extensive
Expedition Activities with Silversea Expedition team
Activity Level: Moderate
Day
08: Day at sea (International waters)
Day
09: Vigur Island
Vigur
Island is the second largest island in the Isafjardardjup Fjord,
measuring 2 kilometers in length by 400 meters in width. It is home to
a single sheep farming family, which ferries the sheep in summer across
to the mainland, so that the Eider Ducks nesting on the island will not
be disturbed. One of the export articles from this small island was
eider down and one can still see where the Eider Ducks nest and how the
down is collected and cleaned. The small settlement of a few houses is
on the southern side, next to a small rocky beach, a concrete wall and
floating pier. On approach grey seals can often be seen on the
otherwise seaweed-covered boulders. Apart from the grey of the basalt
and green of the grass, lichens add a splash of color. A path has been
prepared and the grass cut, so that visitors can leisurely walk across
the island to take in the beautiful scenery and to observe the large
colony of Arctic Terns, Black Guillemots and Atlantic Puffins usually
only seen during the summer months. A meticulously preserved historical
landmark, a small windmill dating back to the 1840s was still in use in
1917 to grind wheat imported from Denmark. Viktoria House, one of the
preserved wooden farm houses dating back to 1862, is used as a
café where home-baked cakes and cookies are offered to
guests. One of Europe’s smallest post offices can be found
here, too.
1
Included Shore Excursions
Vigur
Island Walking Tour
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Extensive
Day
09: Isafjordur
Dwarfed by the gargantuan terraces of sloping mountains around it,
Isafjordur hangs on to a spit that rolls out into the scenic fjord
waters of the Skutulsfjörður. A population of 2,600
calls this remote, beautiful location in the Westfjords Peninsula home.
The setting is colossal and otherworldly, with plunging mountains and
gouged fjords jutting inland, but there's a lively feel in town, with
an abundance of cafes and restaurants dotted between pretty,
half-timber houses. Built on the waters of a deep natural harbour,
sea-faring and fishing is written into the DNA here. Delve into these
central traditions at the Maritime Museum, before getting a taste for
Icelandic specialities like the divisive delicacy of fermented shark
meat. Rich, troll-inspired folklore and feisty festivals add even more
colour and intrigue throughout the year – from mud football
mayhem to cross country skiing exhibitions. A place to get active and
involved, hook fish from the frozen depths while ice fishing, strap on
skis in powder-coated mountains, or crack golf balls along rolling
courses while soaking in the gorgeous scenery. The wedding-veil falls
of Tungudalur Valey Waterfall are close by, splashing down the
blackened rocks. Further afield, Hornstrandir Nature Reserve's emerald
marshes and wildflower sprinkled cliffs make for a refreshing shock of
colour amid Iceland's moody, brooding monochrome palette. Excellent
birdlife is waiting offshore on Vigur Island, where puffins and arctic
terns chatter, and traditional farming traditions are kept alive.
4
Included Shore Excursions
Experience
Downtown Ísafjörður
Activity
Level: Extensive
Horse
Riding in Thingeyri
Activity
Level: Moderate
Sudureyri
Food Trail
Activity
Level: Moderate
Arctic
Foxes & Avalanches
Activity
Level: Moderate
Day
10: Stykkishólmur
Stykkishólmur,
located in western Iceland at the northern end of the
Snæfellsnes peninsula, is the commerce center for the area.
Its natural harbor allowed this town to become an important trading
center early in Iceland’s history. The first trading post was
established in the 1550s, and still today fishing is the major
industry. The town center boasts beautiful and well-preserved old
houses from earlier times. Stykkisholmur is very environmentally
conscious – it was the first community in Europe to get the
EarthCheck environmental certification, was the first municipality in
Iceland to start fully sorting its waste, and was the first town in
Iceland to receive the prestigious Blue flag eco-label for its harbor.
It has also been a European Destination of Excellence (EDEN), since
2011.
4
Included Shore Excursions
Taste
of the ocean – Boat Adventure around
Breiðafjörður Bay
Activity
Level: Moderate
Stykkishólmur
Walking Tour and Eider down center
Activity
Level: Moderate
Hiking
in the Berserk Lava fields
Activity
Level: Extensive
Bjarnarhöfn
Shark Farm and Helgafell
Activity
Level: Moderate
Day
10: Flatey Island
Flatey is the ‘flat island’ just as the name
sounds. These days Flatey is mainly seasonally populated with many
brightly painted, wooden summer cottages to be found here. Like many
other small islands around Iceland though, Flatey was once a hub for
fishing and trade. This particular island prospered so much that it was
the center of commercial and cultural life in the 19th century for this
part of Iceland. Thanks to the surroundiung nutrient-rich waters 35
species of birds have been counted on Flatey ranging from Eider Ducks
and Atlantic Puffins, to Arctic Terns, Red-necked Phalaropes, Ringed
Plover and Snow Buntings.
1 Included Shore
Excursion
Flatey Island Walking Tour
Activity Level: Moderate
Day
11: Reykjavik, Iceland
The capital of Iceland’s land of ice, fire and natural
wonder, Reykjavik is a city like no other - blossoming among some of
the world’s most vibrant and violent scenery. Home to
two-thirds of Iceland’s population, Reykjavik is the
island’s only real city, and a welcoming and walkable place -
full of bicycles gliding along boulevards or battling the wind when it
rears up. Fresh licks of paint brighten the streets, and an artistic
and creative atmosphere embraces studios and galleries - as well as the
kitchens where an exciting culinary scene is burgeoning. Plot your
adventures in the city's hip bars and cosy cafes, or waste no time in
venturing out to Iceland’s outdoor adventures.
Reykjavik’s buildings stand together in a low huddle - below
the whip of winter’s winds - but the magnificent
Hallgrímskirkja church is a solid exception, with its bell
tower rising resolutely over the city. Iceland’s largest
church's design echoes the lava flows that have shaped this remote land
and boasts a clean and elegant interior. The Harpa Concert
Hall’s sheer glass facade helps it to assimilate into the
landscape, mirroring back the city and harbour. Its LED lights shimmer
in honour of Iceland’s greatest illuminated performance
– the northern lights. Walk in the crusts between continents,
feel the spray from bursts of geysers and witness the enduring power of
Iceland’s massive waterfalls. Whether you want to sizzle away
in the earth-heated geothermal pools, or hike to your heart’s
content, you can do it all from Reykjavik - the colourful capital of
this astonishing outdoor country.
Silver Wind (Luxury Expedition, 298-guests)
Break new waters with Silver Wind. Still timelessly elegant, still luxuriously relaxed, her improved cruising versatility means she is able to whizz from the Polar Regions at the ends of the earth to the iconic ports of the Mediterranean with fluid ease.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Transfers
(between airport, hotel and ship)
- In-country
flights when required by itinerary
- Guided
Zodiac, land and sea tours, and shoreside activities led by the
Expeditions Team
- Parka
- Enrichment
lectures by a highly qualified Expeditions Team
- Spacious
suites
- Butler
service in every suite
- Unlimited
Free Wifi
- Personalised
service – nearly one crew member for every guest
- Choice
of restaurants, diverse cuisine, open-seating dining
- Beverages
in-suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, select wines and
spirits
- In-suite
dining and room service
- Onboard
entertainment
- Onboard
gratuities
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Zodiac
Cruise with Silversea Expedition team
- Hiking
with Silversea Expedition team
- Kayaking
with Silversea Expedition team
- Expedition
Activities with Silversea Expedition team
- Whale
Watching
