Iceland Circumnavigation: Ultimate Fire and Ice

Transcription

1 Iceland Circumnavigation: Ultimate Fire and Ice Our expedition around Iceland offers an in-depth exploration of this small island of geological extremes. Encounter unrivaled natural diversity, from volcanic landscapes to lava fields, ice sheets, gushing hot springs and cascading waterfalls. Our Expedition team will make every effort to maximize your experiences with all the extremes of this land, its incredible bird life, colorful hamlets, friendly and hearty people and serene bays perfect for kayaking. EXPEDITION IN BRIEF: Visit Golden Circle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Watch geysers erupting Visit the Blue Lagoon and the highland lava desert and sulfur pits of Húsavík Experience Icelandic culture, art and food Arctic bird life such as puffins, and great whale watching opportunities DID YOU KNOW? One of the country s most unusual attractions is the Icelandic Phallological Museum, which houses the world s largest display of penises and penile parts. The collection of 280 specimens from 93 species of animals includes 55 penises taken from whales, 36 from seals and 118 from land mammals, allegedly including elves and trolls. ICELAND CIRCUMNAVIGATION: ULTIMATE FIRE AND ICE EXPEDITION DOSSIER 1

2 Adventure Options Booking an Adventure Option on your Ocean Nova expedition is a great way to enhance your Polar experience. These options are all subject to availability and fill up quickly, so be sure to book yours early. KAYAKING Imagine gliding along the surface of a bay in the presence of icebergs and glaciers! Our kayaking adventures are the best way to feel at one with the sea. Taken in small groups of people, multiple times per voyage, kayaking adventures are only done during calm weather conditions. We recommend you have some prior kayaking experience, including the capability to do a wet exit. More information about your Adventure Options, including physical requirements and cost of each option is available by contacting your Polar Travel Adviser. INCLUDED OPTIONS HIKING Hiking is a great way to appreciate the immense windswept landscapes of the Arctic. The tundra comes alive during the brief Arctic summer, with bursts of color from shrubs and plants that eke out a living in this polar environment. You ll find each hike is different - exploring communities, shorelines or glaciated landscapes, often on the lookout for wildlife. Hiking participation is optional and your Expedition Team will advise you of what you can expect prior to each excursion. ICELAND CIRCUMNAVIGATION: ULTIMATE FIRE AND ICE EXPEDITION DOSSIER 2

3 Itinerary DAY 1 Reykjavik Arrive in the Icelandic capital this morning and make your own way to your included Reykjavik hotel. You will have the day on your own to explore the city. Join us at the hotel in the evening for a welcome reception and orientation. ÍSAFJÖRðUR SIGLUFJÖRðUR AKUREYRI HÚSAVÍK SEYDISFJORDUR DAY 2 Golden Circle and Embarkation GRUNDARFJÖRðUR ICELAND After breakfast, we will venture south from Reykjavik along Iceland s famous Golden Circle route, starting with Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we ll enter a dramatic landscape of wild contrasts, with lava plains, clear lakes and wildflowers in the shadow of soaring mountains. This was also the site of Iceland s parliament from 930 until We will also visit Iceland s most famous waterfall, Gullfoss, at the height of its flow. We complete the Golden Circle with Haukadalur, where we ll see the Strokkur geyser erupt every 5-10 minutes as well as plenty of other evidence of the intense geological processes beneath our feet. Later this afternoon we ll make our way to the Ocean Nova and set sail. DAY 3 Grundarfjörður REJKYAVIK BLUE LAGOON GRINDAVÍK HEIMAEY Actual itinerary may vary based on conditions and voyage length. Today we will reach the photogenic Snaefellsnes peninsula and visit our first small Icelandic town. We will sail into the small harbor and have a chance to walk around this picturesque fishing village. In the afternoon, we will sail to the westernmost point of Iceland. If we can stop at the seabird colony, we will spot Atlantic puffins, thick-billed murres and black-legged kittiwakes. JÖKULSÁRLÓN DAY 4 Ísafjörður HÖFN We awake to the sight of the Westfjords area, with its high rock walls carved by intense glacier action. Here we ll find the colorful town of Ísafjörður, home to a charming museum dedicated to Iceland s rich maritime history. We may also have a chance to sample some local Icelandic delicacies and take in some local entertainment. In the afternoon we will explore the dramatic fjords that make this area famous. WANT TO STAY LONGER, OR ARRIVE EARLIER? Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via , live chat or phone ( ) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions. ICELAND CIRCUMNAVIGATION: ULTIMATE FIRE AND ICE EXPEDITION DOSSIER 3

4 DAY 5 Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon Today we ll visit one of Iceland s most popular attractions, the Blue Lagoon. You ll be able to soak in the geothermally-heated seawater, rumoured to be good for both the body and soul. For those who don t crave the comforts of the spa, an optional round of golf is also available at the Continental Drift Club, where the American and Eurasian plates meet. DAY 6 Heimay and Surtsey Islands Lying off the southern coast of Iceland, these islands are an example of the constant geological battle being waged underground. In 1973 a volcanic eruption destroyed many buildings on the islands and today a project dubbed the Pompeii of the North aims to excavate those ruins. Not to be outnamed, the entire archipelago has been called the Capri of the North because of all the sea caves created by frequent volcanic activity. Sea birds, including puffins, call this place home. DAY 7 Jökulsárlón and Höfn This morning we visit one of the most impressive wonders of Iceland: Vatnajökull Glacier. At over 300m (1,000 ft) tall, we can t appreciate the full scale of the ice until we get out on Jökulsárlón Lake and sail among the icebergs that frequently calve from the ice face. In the afternoon we arrive at Höfn, a small and traditional fishing community. DAY 8 Seydisfjordur We ll call into Seydisfjordur, a small, friendly town with a thriving art scene. We can visit the power plant museum, shop for locally-produced handicrafts in the town, and join a tour conducted by the locals. The area also boasts over 90 archaeological sites, some dating back 1,000 years. DAY 9-10 Húsavík and Grimsey Island Húsavík is an excellent example of the geological processes that have made Iceland famous. We will spend the day crossing through the highland lava desert, past lava formations, mud pools and sulfur pits en route to the impressive canyons and waterfalls that lie beyond. Returning back to town, we ll have a chance to wander around and visit the Whale and Exploration Museums before boarding the Ocean Nova. This area is the center of the whale-watching industry in Iceland, so we ll be on the lookout for whales as the ship pulls away from this pretty town. In the late afternoon, we should cross the Arctic Circle and reach Grimsey Island. The abundant bird life far outnumbers the fewer than one hundred residents of this small village. DAY 11 Westfjords: Hornvik and Area Today we reach the very top of Iceland, as we venture north into the peaceful bay of Hornvik. Grand landscapes and exploration will be the order of the day, with a chance to stretch our legs and marvel at the geology and bird life that dominate the area. DAY 12 Disembarkation in Akureyri On our last day, we arrive in Akureyri and board our charter flight back to Reykjavik, where we will transfer you to downtown. IMPORTANT REMINDER Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy and excitement of expedition travel. When travelling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. The above is a tentative outline of what you ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. WANT TO STAY LONGER, OR ARRIVE EARLIER? Contact our Polar Travel Advisers via , live chat or phone ( ) for seamless, worry-free booking of all trip extensions. ICELAND CIRCUMNAVIGATION: ULTIMATE FIRE AND ICE EXPEDITION DOSSIER 4

5 Inclusions THIS EXPEDITION INCLUDES Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks on board throughout your voyage All shore landings per the daily program Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader A daily program of lectures by noted naturalists, historians and scientists All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and Special Guests as scheduled Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program All luggage handling aboard ship On embarkation day, transfer to the ship On disembarkation day, group transfer to the Akureyri airport Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of US$100,000 per person Pre-night accommodations as indicated in the itinerary Iceland Cruise Passenger Tax Charter flight from Akureyri to Reykjavik domestic airport Group transfer from the airport to downtown Reykjavik THIS EXPEDITION EXCLUDES Passport and any applicable visa expenses Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel Baggage, cancellation, interruption, and medical travel insurance Excess baggage charges Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified Telecommunications charges The voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew Any overnight accommodation required due to flight connections Optional kayaking activities ICELAND CIRCUMNAVIGATION: ULTIMATE FIRE AND ICE EXPEDITION DOSSIER 5

6 Dates & Rates ICELAND CIRCUMNAVIGATION Expedition Aboard the Adventure Ship OCEAN NOVA Dates Days Emb/Disemb Quad Triple Upper/Lower Upper Deck Bridge Deck Single Rate Aug 26, 15 Sep 06, Reykjavik $6,995 $7,495 $8,295 $8,795 $9,995 $14,950 Please note that these prices are guaranteed against fuel price increases. No fuel surcharge will be applied. HOW TO BOOK YOUR EXPEDITION & ADVENTURE OPTIONS To book your cabin or inquire about the availabilty of adventure options, contact a Polar Travel Adviser ( ) ICELAND CIRCUMNAVIGATION: ULTIMATE FIRE AND ICE EXPEDITION DOSSIER 6

7 ICELAND POSSIBLE LANDINGS AND WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK Thingvellir is the National Park where the Althing, an open-air assembly representing the whole of Iceland, was established in 930 and continued to meet until The Park is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. HAUKADALUR, THE GOLDEN CIRCLE ESKIFJÖRÐUR The area around Eskifjörður is known for its geology, sitting in the shadow of what is considered one of the most beautiful mountains in the area. SEYDISFJORDUR Seydisfjordur, is a small, friendly town with a thriving art scene. The area also boasts over 90 archaeological sites, some dating back 1,000 years. HÚSAVÍK ISLAND Haukadalur is a name shared by three valleys that make up the Golden Circle. Here you can see much of Iceland s beauty, including geysers and over 40 hot springs. BLUE LAGOON The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular attractions visited in Iceland. The geothermal spa is located in a lava field in Grindavík and a must see for anyone visiting the island. HEIMAY ISLAND Heimay Island, also known as Vestmannaeyjar, is home to 4,500 people. Every summer eight million puffins also call Heimay Island home. Many millions of other birds migrate there for breeding and feeding. SURTSEY ISLAND Húsavík is an excellent example of the geological processes that have made Iceland famous. This area is the center of the whale-watching industry in Iceland, so we ll be on the looking for whales as we pull away from this pretty town. GRIMSEY ISLAND The abundant bird life of Grimsey Island far outnumbers the less than one hundred residents of this small village. IMPORTANT REMINDER Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy and excitement of expedition travel. When travelling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. The above is a tentative outline of what you ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. Surtsey is a volcanic island off the southern coast of Iceland. The island is very new; having formed in the 1960 s and was named after Surtr, a fire jötunn or giant from Norse mythology. ICELAND CIRCUMNAVIGATION: ULTIMATE FIRE AND ICE EXPEDITION DOSSIER 7