14 days / 13 nights
Longyearbyen • Greenland • Reykjavik
Join an extraordinary and exclusive Hurtigruten expedition taking you to Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland. The emphasis is on the rarely visited North East Greenland National Park which is the largest in the world and the least visited with only about 500 visitors every year. This is a special opportunity to experience the Arctic in autumn before winter closes in and makes this corner of the planet unhabitable for all but the hardiest of species.
Northeast Greenland National Park is the largest national park in the world, with an area of 972,000 km2, making the park larger than 163 countries. It is the only national park in Greenland, and the most northerly national park in the world. Its most northerly point reaching slightly further than the most northerly point in Quttinirpaaq National Park in Canada.
The park encompasses the entire northeastern coastline and interior sections of Greenland. The park shares borders, largely laid out as straight lines, with the Sermersooq municipality in the south and with the Qaasuitsup municipality in the west along the 45° West meridian on the ice cap in the west. The large interior of the park is part of the Greenland Ice Sheet, but there are also large ice-free areas along the coast and on Peary Land in the north.
Originally created on 22 May, 1974 from the northern, practically uninhabited part of the former Ittoqqortoormiit Municipality in Tunu (East Greenland), in 1988 the park was expanded by another 272,000 km2 to its present size, adding the northeastern part of the former county of Avannaa (North Greenland). In January, 1977 it was designated an international biosphere reserve. The park is overseen by the Greenland Department of Environment and Nature. The historical research camps on the ice sheet-Eismitte and North Ice-fall within the boundaries of the present-day park.
Itinerary
Day 1 Longyearbyen and Barentsburg : Longyearbyen is a Norwegian settlement often referred to as the capital of Svalbard. This is a lively small town, situated in a fantastic Arctic landscape. Barentsburg is a Russian settlement with an exotic collection of Russian artefacts and architecture.
Day 2 Kongsfjorden and North West Spitsbergen National Park : Kings Bay is the largest fjord on the North West coast of Spitsbergen. The landscape varies from large tundra plains to alpine peaks with dramatic glaciers calving into the ocean. At 78° 55' N, Ny Ålesund is the world's northernmost permanently inhabited community, where a number of countries run their own national research stations. Activity here is particularly high in the summer. When Dutchman Willem Barents first discovered Svalbard in 1596, the name he gave to this new land was 'Spitzbergen' ("Spitz" meaning sharp), reflecting the sharp and steep mountains in the area. Magdalenefjorden is home to a very important piece of cultural heritage; a whaling station from the 16th century, including a graveyard of whalers who died during the first "oil adventure".
Day 3 Moffen / At Sea : Moffen is a high latitude islet at 80°N with a walrus colony and bird sanctuary. The atoll-like shape of the island made it a perfect safe harbour for any early whalers caught in bad weather.
Days 4 - 10 North East Greenland National Park, Greenland : You''re leaving the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream to enter the cold water current that follows the coast of East Greenland. You will make your way south, within the boundaries of North East Greenland National Park; the largest national park on Earth. The mountains are alpine, the waters are scattered with large icebergs and the valleys are populated with Musk oxen. This Hurtigruten voyage will take you to one of the most isolated places on Earth - but aboard one of the most capable specially built expedition vessels. Expert guides and lecturers will safely guide you on hikes and small boat trips in addition to briefings and lectures on the places you visit.
Day 11 Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund) : Ittoqqortoormiit or Scoresbysund is the most isolated town in Greenland. The trappers living here are the only ones allowed to hunt within the North East Greenland National Park.
Day 12 Ísafjörður : Sailing across the Denmark Strait to Iceland you arrive at Ísafjörður on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Snæfellsnes is known as "Iceland in a nutshell" due to of the diversity of its landscape; lava and rock formations, glaciers and volcanic activity, and a wealth of bird life.
Day 13 Grundarfjörður, Iceland : Grundarfjörður is considered a place of unusual beauty and is one of very few places in the world where the authorities have provided reserved areas for the "hidden people" or elves!
Day 14 Reykjavik, Iceland : Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital city and referred to locally as the "smallest big city on Earth". In relative close surroundings of the city you may find glaciers, waterfalls, geysers and mountains. Here is where your Hurtigruten voyage ends.
DEPARTURES 2012 :
6 September
National Park Expedition - PRICES : 2012Move cursor over cabin grade for description.
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| 2012 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin Grade | July | ||
| I | Twin | Brochure Price | 5669 |
| Inside |
Single | Brochure Price | 9922 |
| FJ | Twin | Brochure Price | 6098 |
| Outside Superior |
Single | Brochure Price | 10672 |
| N | Twin | Brochure Price | 6098 |
| Outside |
Supp* | Brochure Price | 10672 |
| U | Twin | Brochure Price | 6527 |
| Outside |
Single | Brochure Price | 11423 |
| F | Twin | Brochure Price | 6956 |
| Outside Superior |
Single | Brochure Price | 12173 |
| M | Twin | Brochure Price | 7921 |
| Suite | Single | Brochure Price | 13862 |
| MG | Twin | Brochure Price | 8296 |
| Grand Suite | Single | Brochure Price | 14519 |
All above prices are in £s per person based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin cabin/room.
YOUR HURTIGRUTEN VOYAGE PRICE INCLUDES :
- Voyage in cabin grade of your choice including full board.
- Suites also include a selection of drinks with meals on board.
- Wind and waterproof jacket.
- Landings in Polarcirkel boats.
- Lectures by expedition team.
- Free tea and Coffee / CD log
NOT INCLUDED :
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Luggage handling
- Optional excursions
- Gratuities
ADD A FLIGHT PACKAGE - Price from £712 per person
FLIGHT PACKAGE PRICE INCLUDES :
- Flight in Economy class from London Heathrow to Longyearbyen and from Reykjavik to London Heathrow including current taxes and charges.
- Airport transfer in Longyearbyen and Reykjavik.
NOT INCLUDED :
- Travel insurance.
- Regional departures and upgrades may be available at extra cost.
