Sunrise at the Ring of Brodgar, Orkney Islands

Scotland to Svalbard

from £7895 excluding flights

  • 12 nights
  • May
Home Destinations Polar Arctic Scotland to Svalbard

Highlights

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See prolific bird life including puffins, guillemots and eagles

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Visit the Ring of Brodgar on the Orkney Islands

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See the snow capped peak of Mt Beerenberg on Jan Mayen

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Take in Spitsbergen's flora and fauna under the midnight sun

Why this trip...

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Immersive exploration

Immerse yourself in your surroundings on a true exploration of remote and spectacular areas

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Expertly guided

In-depth knowledge and expertise will enrich your experience on this trip

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Style of vessel

This holiday is based on a ship ideally suited to the areas visited and the conditions

Overview

Sail from Scotland, via the Shetlands and Jan Mayen Island, to the spectacular, wildlife rich shores of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard Archipelago.

Follow the Viking route from Scotland to the land of the midnight sun, taking in the remote islands of the Orkneys, Shetlands, Faroes and Jan Mayen en route to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.

Discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Standing Stones of Stennes and the mystical Ring of Brodgar, visit archaeological sites, marvel at a wealth of seabirds against the volcanic backdrop of Jan Mayen, and explore icy fjords in search of polar bears.

Scotland to Norway

You may also wish to consider a 13-day voyage on board the G Expedition, which cruises from Edinburgh to Tromso in northern Norway, taking in the Orkneys, Shetland Islands, Bergen, Flam, Trondheim, Vikingen and the Lofoten Islands.

Itinerary

On arrival in Scotland’s beautiful capital make your own way to your included hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city, perhaps visiting the famous castle or taking in the view from Arthur’s Seat.

You will be transferred to the ship today for embarkation, before setting sail towards Kirkwall.

Visit the historic and mystical sites of mainland Orkney (the archipelago’s largest island) by coach. Explore the Standing Stones of Stenness, the intriguing Ring of Brodgar, and the village of Skara Brae.

Skara Brae, Orkney Islands
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Continue north to the Shetland Islands. Fair Isle is a real paradise for birdwatchers. Huge numbers of birds inhabit the lush grasslands and spectacular cliffs with over 345 recorded species – more than anywhere else in Britain. You may spot northern fulmars, kittiwakes, northern gannets, puffins, and great and arctic skuas as you hike on the island.

Land at the Faroes’ capital, Torshavn, for a tour to Kirkjubøur. Once the ecclesiastical and cultural centre of the Faroes, the imposing ruin of the 13th century Saint Magnus Cathedral still dominates the site.

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Keep watch for whales and seabirds as you cruise north to Jan Mayen.

Jan Mayen is a stark volcanic island crowned by the snow-capped summit of Mt. Beerenberg. From the slopes of this imposing volcano, broken glaciers grasp out into the frigid sea. The only inhabitants are the staff at the Norwegian weather station, who share the island with northern fulmars, kittiwakes and Brunich’s guillemots.

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Your Expedition Team will prepare you for the Arctic encounters to come with some informative presentations as you continue your voyage north.

Over the next few days your Expedition Team will take advantage of local ice and weather conditions to explore the highlights of south west Spitsbergen. Discover spectacular fjords, jagged snowy mountain peaks and immense tidewater glaciers that calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox, whilst bountiful seas entice walrus and a wide variety of whales. The whole area is alive with migratory birds, including numerous rare species, taking advantage of summer’s fecundity in 24-hour daylight. You may also visit the historical remnants of whaling camps, coal mining operations, trappers’ cabins and even an abandoned polar research station.

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Your expedition comes to an end as you disembark in Longyearbyen this morning.

  • All voyage itineraries are intended as a guideline only – embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy of expedition travel. Actual routes and landings will be dependent on weather, sea and ice conditions. A degree of flexibility is essential in the polar regions!
  • The above sample itinerary is based on the 13-day voyage on the Sea Spirit. Other departures may vary in duration and routing, please contact us for specific details.

Prices and Departures

Price from £7895 excluding flights

Airfares are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

★ Voyage prices shown are standard for twin cabins but you can be assured that any relevant offers will be applied with your quote.

What's Included

  • Shipboard accommodation
  • All breakfasts, lunches & dinners on board
  • Tea & coffee available around the clock
  • All Zodiac transfers, cruising & shore landings
  • Presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers
  • Expedition jacket - yours to keep
  • Loan of rubber boots during voyage
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

2024 and 2025 Departures

Prices are per person, based on a twin cabin. The indicative prices shown in the table below are the standard voyage fare and do not reflect any applicable special offers or discounts. Single, triple and quad cabins are also available. Please get in touch for a tailored quote based on the best available price for your preferred voyage and cabin type.

Departure Duration Vessel Activities Prices from (pp)
29 May 2024 13 days Sea Spirit £8,295
27 May 2025 13 days Sea Spirit £7,895

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Tailor made trips

As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.

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Travelling sustainably

We believe travel is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and broadening minds through new experiences and cultural interaction.