Scottish Islands - Faroes - Jan Mayen - South Spitsbergen

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

Dag 2
Our first stop is Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, where we visit a Picten Broch.
For those with a strong historical interest there will a possibility to visit a museum and and a cemetry of 16th century Dutch fishermen.

Dag 3
Today we arrive at Thorshavn, 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 harbour 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 afternoon we will visit a whaling station at Vid Air, which is not in use anymore, and sail to Westmanhavn, a fjord where the herding and slaughter of Pilot Whales, takes place in some years.
In the evening we arrive at Tjørnuvik, a village surrounded by mountains shaped like a Greek theatre. In the area around the village there are Viking graves.

Dag 4
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. The passengers who stayed at the ship will reach Saksun from the sea by zodiac. At Saksun is a Natural Heritage Museum.
Continuing along the north side of Streymoy we pass huge seabird colonies. If the weather is favourable, we plan to land 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.

Dag 5 & Dag 6
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.

Dag 7
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.

Dag 8 & Dag 9
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.

Dag 10
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.

Dag 11
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.

Dag 12
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 (MOL06).

11 nachten / 12 dagen
aan boord van de Professor Molchanov

North Spitsbergen

Dag 1
Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre for Spitsbergen, and a former mining town. There will be a chance to visit the Museum, which has an interesting collection on the history of the islands, the mining industry and polar exploration. In the afternoon we sail through scenic Isfjorden, setting course for Alkhornet at the mouth of the fjord, whose cliffs are home to a large colony of Kittiwakes. Below the cliffs is a den of Arctic Foxes, who scavenge on fallen eggs and chicks. We continue to Trygghamna to visit the remains of a 17th century English whaling station and an 18th century Russian Pomor station.

Dag 2
We leave Tryghamna early in the morning and sail through Forlandsundet, the sea passage that divides the island of Prins Karls Forland from the mainland. Weather permitting, we will go ashore at Fuglehuken, where the expedition of Willem Barentsz landed on Spitsbergen and in doing so became the first Europeans to set foot on the islands. Here we can see the graves of whalers and observe impressive colonies of Common Guillemots, Brünnich's Guillemots, Little Auks and Kittiwakes. Nearby, Harbour Seals and Walruses often haul out and prove popular subjects for photography.

Dag 3
Today we visit Ny Ålesund, the northernmost permanent settlement in the world, a centre for polar research and a former starting point for many North Pole expeditions, including those of Amundsen and Nobile. The local bird life has adapted itself to human presence and is exceptionally tame. Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese, Common Eiders, Arctic Terns and several species of wader can be observed and photographed at close quarters. Reindeer can also be seen in the vicinity - they are smaller than their mainland relatives and do not form large herds.

Dag 4
In the morning we sail from Ny Ålesund to the 14th July Glacier where we take to the Zodiacs, for a spectacular cruise along its front. Not far from the glacier we visit an accessible breeding site for Brünnich’s Guillemots, Little Auks and Puffins. The guano of these bird colonies, the southward exposure and the sheltered situation, give rise to a relatively rich vegetation with many species of flowering plants.

Dag 5
Sailing northwards we visit Magdalenafjord, one of the most beautiful places on Spitsbergen, with many impressive glacier fronts. During a shore visit we will view the remains of 17th century English whaling activities. Birdwatchers will not be disappointed as there are substantial seabird colonies here, particularly noted for their Little Auks.
Dag 6
Today we will try to visit Ytre Norskøya, a small island which was used for many years as a lookout point for Dutch whalers. There we can still follow their tracks to the summit of the island, passing excellent bird cliffs on the way. On shore the remains of 17th century blubber ovens can be found, while Arctic Skuas and Common Eiders breed among the graves of 200 Dutch whalers.

Dag 7
Raudfjord on the north coast of Spitsbergen is a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers and an exceptional variety of wildlife. It is a favourite with Ringed and Bearded Seals, has abundant seabird colonies, and offers good chances for spotting Polar Bears and Belugas. Jermaktangen, at the fjord’s eastern entrance, shows marked features of sea erosion.

Dag 8
If sea-ice conditions allow, we may land on the northern-side of Reindyrfla, the largest tundra area on Spitsbergen. Its vast undulating plain provides good grazing for Reindeer and several species of waders also breed here. On the tundra lakes there is a good chance of spotting Red-throated Divers and King Eiders, whose breeding plumage is especially colourful.

Dag 9
Today we visit the remains of Smeerenburg, the largest 17th century whaling settlement on Spitsbergen, and, if we obtain permission, Danskøya, where many historical remains are to be found of the 19th century expedition by the Swedish explorer Andree, who tried to reach the North Pole in a balloon.

Dag 10 & Dag 11
On our way south, we will try to make a landing on the coast of Forlandsundet at Engelsbukta or Sarstangen, where Walruses are often hauled out. From there we head straight for Longyearbyen, but if time allows we could call at Colesbukta, from where fit walkers can walk to Longyearbyen in around six hours, joining the rest of the party when the ship arrives later in the day.

Dag 12
Departure by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo. Departure by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo.

11 nachten / 12 dagen
Aan boord van de Noorderlicht


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