Scotland, The Faroe Island, & Iceland: North Atlantic Saga

Description

Stunning Múlafossur waterfall
The perfect photo backdrop, the Múlafossur waterfall plunges into the North Atlantic leaving behind Gásadalur, a small village and the home to about 20 people. Settled under the highest mountain on Vágar island, Gásadalur until recently could only be accessed by foot.

Mykines island’s puffin colony
The breeding ground for a wide range of migratory seabirds, Mykines has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. The western part of the island is covered with puffin burrows and seabird nests.

Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands
Admire the history and beauty of Tórshavn’s red-painted wooden buildings covered with turf roofs. Home to the Faroese government and a former Viking trading centre, this nation’s capital is a splendid little city to explore. The National Art Gallery is a treasure, surrounded by gorgeous grounds with walking trails.

Iceland, the realm of the active earth
At the edge of the Arctic Circle, Iceland is dominated by geology—and defined by the sea. Volcanoes, waterfalls, mountains, fjords, sea stacks, bird cliffs, lava fields, glaciers, and caves… even if you’re not a geologist, Iceland has something for you!

Neolithic Scottish history – only seen by sea!
Off the north coast of mainland Scotland, Orkney has been settled for at least eight thousand years. Many Neolithic archeological sites have been preserved here, including villages, ceremonial sites, and burial chambers.

Trip Name

Scotland, The Faroe Island, & Iceland: North Atlantic Saga

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 137m Passenger Capacity: 199 Built: 1982 - refurbished 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018 Ocean Endeavour is a comfortable, well-appointed small expedition ship expertly engineered to explore the Polar Regions. The ship has an ice-strengthened hull, Zodiacs for exploration and remote landings, and advanced navigation equipment. The newly-refurbished vessel offers a superb guest experience with an expansive choice of cabin categories, large cabins and common areas, a sundeck and observation area, plenty of deck space for polar landscape viewing, and lounges for learning and reflection. The ship’s interiors have a contemporary aesthetic that provides a bright and spacious feel throughout. Endeavour is also the only polar adventure ship in Antarctica focused on health and wellness , and offers a contemporary approach to cuisine and newly-designed health and fitness features. Facilities include a spa serviced by organic spa provider VOYA, His & Hers saunas, a salt water pool, a gym, and a juice and smoothie bar. Complimentary activities include yoga and stretching classes, an exclusive Polar Photography program, the Scientists in Residence program, and more adventure activities than any other Quark vessel. The ship also has a polar library, and a Polar Boutique for gifts and any needed gear. Features of the Ocean Endeavour VOYA spa treatments and beauty products, Choice of 13 cabin categories, Bright, spacious cabins and common areas, Plenty of deck space for observation, Lounge with expansive views, Quiet zone for contemplation, Newly-refurbished restaurant, Contemporary dining with complimentary wine with dinner, Juice and smoothie bar, Lecture theater, Polar library, Polar boutique, Health and Wellness, Spa treatments and beauty products by spa provider VOYA - Organic Beauty From The Sea, Spa menu for face, body, hair and nails, including the exclusive Quark Explorer’s treatment, and signature VOYA hand and foot rituals, Yoga and stretching classes, His & Hers saunas, gym, and heated salt water pool Full range of adventure activities including: kayaking, camping, mountaineering, cross-country skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, Zodiac cruising, shore landings and hiking/ walking. Deck plan varies for the trips to Antarctica

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1: Aberdeen, Scotland The Adventure Begins

Many of Aberdeen’s historic stone buildings are made of locally quarried granite; high in mica, they can sparkle like silver. The city is famed for its forty-five parks, gardens, and floral displays. Though it is now a modern city, Aberdeen retains its old world charm. We board the Ocean Endeavour in the afternoon.

Day 2 - Day 2: Kirkwall, Orkney Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site

Kirkwall is dominated by the massive St. Magnus Cathedral, dating from 1137. We’ll visit the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we’ll find the 4,000-year-old Ring of Brodgar. We’ll also tour the Hall of Clestrain, childhood home of Arctic explorer John Rae.

Day 3 - Day 3: Fair Isle Birdwatching & Island Culture

Once a Viking hub, Fair Isle is now an idyllic island colony of artists and shepherds. The island boasts 350 bird species, including puffins and great skuas in substantial numbers. The local museum is dedicated to preserving island heritage.

Day 4 - Day 4: Sumba, Suðuroy Island, Faroe Islands Faroese Culture & Spectacular Hiking

Suðuroy Island, Faroes, is famed for its dramatic cliffs towering over the North Atlantic, and is a paradise for birds, including European storm petrels and Atlantic puffins. The village of Sumba, population 239 and occupied since the seventh century, is a stronghold of Faroese chain dancing. Hiking is excellent in the foothills of nearby Beinisvørð Mountain, affording spectacular, panoramic views of the region.

Day 5 - Day 5: Tórshavn Museums, Shopping, and Cafés

Tórshavn, “Thor’s harbour,” is the Faroe Islands’ capital and largest town. A former Viking trading centre, Tórshavn is a splendid little city to explore. The National Art Gallery is a treasure surrounded by gorgeous grounds with walking trails. We will visit Nordic House and experience excellent shopping, restaurants, and pubs.

Day 6 - Day 6–7: Western Faroe Islands Dramatic Mountains & Waterfalls

The northwestern shores of Eysturoy and Streymoy islands are perfect for hiking, birding, and photography. Charming villages connected by high-tech tunnels through mountains and beneath the ocean floor are a unique and startling feature of Faroese life. The spectacular waterfall at Gásadalur is reached through one such tunnel—but look for the old switchback trail over the mountain, once used by the local postman!

Day 7 - Day 8: Mykines Island Birdwatching

Mykines is the westernmost of the Faroes and a geological marvel. Great columns of balsalt (called the Stone-wood) tower thirty metres above the ocean. On the western end of the island, connected by a forty metre footbridge, is the islet Mykineshólmur, famed for its sea stacks and a lighthouse dating to 1909. Mykines has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.

Day 8 - Day 9: At Sea Onboard Learning

Today we will enjoy a day at sea with plenty of onboard education opportunities. We'll also spend time out on deck, using our binoculars and keeping our eyes open for marine wildlife and seabirds!

Day 9 - Day 10: Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands), Iceland Volcanic Landscapes

Vestmannaeyjar lies off the south coast of Iceland and comprises fourteen islands, numerous rocks, and skerries. Only the largest island, Heimaey, is inhabited. Numerous species of seabirds, including the famous puffin, nest in the steep rock faces along the ocean cliffs, which make for beautiful Zodiac cruising.The volcanically active area has seen two major eruptions in recent times: the formation of the island of Surtsey in 1963, and the Eldfell eruption ten years later that destroyed much of Heimaey.

Day 10 - Day 11: Reykjavík, Iceland A Fond Farewell

Reykjavík (“smoky bay”) is a cosmopolitan capital city on the site of what is believed to be the first permanent settlement in Iceland, established in the year 874 CE. Entirely powered by geothermal energy, Reykjavík is among the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities in the world.We’ll disembark the Ocean Endeavour in the morning.

Day 11 - Please Note:

Adventure Canada itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather, ice, and sea conditions.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Enjoy stunning Múlafossur waterfall
Discover Mykines islnad’s puffin colony
Visit Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands
Explore Iceland, the realm of the active earth
Discover Neolithic Scottish history – only seen by sea!