Scotland to Spitsbergen (Ocean Nova)

15 days
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Small Ship Cruise
Cruise through lands where time has left its imprint, not only in the crevices of the mountains, the arcs of the coastlines and the smooth curves of the rocks but in the villages and cultural sites weathered by thousands of years of human and natural history. Then there is the wildlife – walrus, seals, whales, polar bears and birds who play out roles that hav...

Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • The historic sights of Orkney: the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar, Skaill House and Skara Brae
    • Visiting the remnants of a prehistoric Norse settlement in Jarlshof
    • Absorbing the old-world atmosphere of Trondheim's historic town
    • Getting to experience the rustic beauty of Reine
    • The Arctic's creative hub, the artsy, eclectic Tromso
    • Hornsund's abundant wildlife, including reindeer, auk and polar bears

What's this trip about?

    Cruise through lands where time has left its imprint, not only in the crevices of the mountains, the arcs of the coastlines and the smooth curves of the rocks but in the villages and cultural sites weathered by thousands of years of human and natural history. Then there is the wildlife – walrus, seals, whales, polar bears and birds who play out roles that have existed for millennia. This journey from Scotland to Spitsbergen is a wonder of history, culture and nature that allows you the time and pace to embrace this remote and uncompromising environment. From the ancient culture of the Orkney and Shetland islands, the charming villages of Bergen, Trondheim and Tromso, and the striking scenery and incomparable wildlife of Vega Island, Bleiksoya, Nyksunf and Hornsund, you will be immersed in the diversity of this remote and little-visited region.

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeGroup - max of 83 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityEdinburgh
End CityLongyearbyen

Travel Themes

  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • Norway

Activities

  • Sailing
  • Wildlife viewing

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map
Day 1 Arrive Edinburgh
Arrive Edinburgh and board your small expedition ship. Consider arriving a few days early to explore all this UNESCO World Heritage site has to offer. Surrounded by stunning scenery, historic buildings and wonderful architecture it is one of Europe’s favorite tourist des...
Day 2 Kirkwall
The morning finds us in Orkney, an archipelago of almost 70 islands, with a history dating back 8,500 years to the first Mesolithic tribe that inhabited the area. We will travel back in time here, with visits to the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar, Skara...
Day 3 Lerwick, Shetland Islands
The Shetland Islands are known for their archaeological sites, and we will visit a few of the most impressive. We visit Lerwick, the capital of the Shetlands, and Jarlshof, the prehistoric Norse settlement which dates back 2,500 years. We’ll see the progression of human ...
Day 4 Bergen
We arrive at Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen, after crossing the North Sea. Here we’ll have our first taste of Norwegian culture, with a rich history dating back over 1,000 years. We will tour the city’s world heritage sites, medieval houses, and some of the best street art in Norway.

Day 5 Alesund
In the morning we should arrive in Alesund at the mouth of the Geiranger Fjord. We’ll have time to explore this beautiful city and its Art Nouveau architecture. We’ll also travel up to the top of Mount Aksla for a spectacular view of the town.

Day 6 Trondheim
In the morning we will call into Trondheim, the historic capital of Norway. We will walk through the quaint historic district, characterised by wooden architecture, where you can visit small, specialist shops and enjoy a coffee at one of the pleasant cafés. We will also ...
Day 7 Vega Island
Vega is an ornithologist’s dream, and a World Heritage Site. Chief among the bird population are eider ducks, raised for their feathers - the birdhouses built for them can still be seen alongside lighthouses, fishing villages and dramatic landscapes. The archipelago reflects the way fishermen and farmers have, over the past 1,500 years, maintained a sustainable living from eiderdown harvesting.

Day 8 Moskenesøy Island
We will also stop into Reine on Moskenesøy Island. The island is one of the wildest and most intriguing spots in Norway, where the landscape is characterised by sweeping mountains and narrow shorelines, sculpted by glaciers. Reine is one of the most beautiful and tranquil fishing villages in Norway. Despite its remote location, its sheer beauty draws in thousands of visitors annually.

Day 9 Bleiksøya and Nyksund, Lofoten Islands
Arriving at Bleiksøya in the morning, we will Zodiac cruise around one of the most prolific bird populations in Norway. Here we should find large numbers of puffins, razorbills, sea eagles, cormorants and others in thousands. We will navigate some of Norway’s northern fj...
Day 10 Tromsø
Tromsø is a cultural center and home to festivals, theaters, museums, galleries, and a thriving music scene. While a multicultural and modern retreat for visitors, it is rich in history, with many traditional Norwegian wooden houses. Surprisingly, you’ll find botanical gardens here, as the warming Gulf Stream gives Tromsø a more temperate climate than surrounding areas.

Day 11 At Sea
Today, we’ll set sail observing wildlife, stunning fjords, polar flora and immense icebergs.

Day 12 Hornsund
The possible landing sites at Hornsund are steeped in history and the glaciers are massive. At Gashamna, we’ll explore the old science station. En route, you may have a chance to discover old whale bones, or hike the magnificent glacier. At Isbjornhamna, we might see the...
Day 13 Bellsund
A century ago, miners came to the Bellsund region for its natural resources. Today, visitors come to Bourbanhamna and Calypsobyen to see historic mining and trapper sites, hike along the flower-strewn tundra, and take in beautiful vistas.

Day 14 Poolepynton and Alkhornet
Poolepynton is great for walrus viewing and photography. Coming across a walrus haul-out is a moment you won’t forget. These lumbering giants of the Arctic create a humorous scene, as each walrus vies for a choice spot in the blubbery pile. Alkhornet, a mountain on the w...
Day 15 Depart Longyearbyen
Your adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here we’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight home, or choose to spend some extra time enjoying Longyearbyen. Please book departure flights out of Longyearbyen after 12:00pm.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $8,295
Price per day$553
Last Updated: 2/16/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Peregrine Adventures.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Peregrine Adventures Reviews & Ratings

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Tania

Mar 2020

Written on
Peregrine Adventures Company Reviewsby Peregrine Adventures

Good impression overall

My first trip with this agency, and I will not hesitate to recommend it to friends and family. The right mix of planned activities and free time. Good central locati...

R

Ruth

Mar 2020

Written on
Peregrine Adventures Company Reviewsby Peregrine Adventures

very reasonable

Thank you to Tucan Travel for early cancellation notification of June tours to Africa and the response, which is very reasonable. Even if matters improve by then, ar...

J

Jane

Apr 2020

Peregrine Adventures Company Reviewsby Peregrine Adventures

Expect I'm not the only one

they are 'fair weather friends' I did not receive so much as an email advising of changes in the cancellation policy, discovered when I contacted them to cancel. I n...

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Tour Operator

Peregrine Adventures

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It’s been more than 36 years since our first small group set out to discover Nepal. It’s this heritage and our reputation that keeps travellers coming back time and time again.

We appeal to the well-travelled, discerning traveller. The one who chooses value over price, and wants to immerse themselves in a place instead of just ticking landmarks off a bucket list. The type of person who would rather stay in a family run B&B built in a 16th century Venetian convent than a forgettable hotel. We’re for travellers who want inclusions along the way instead of fiddling around for loose change.

Almost 20 years ago, Peregrine led an industry revolution by solely employing locally born leaders. This innovative approach gives our travellers a deeper insight into the countries they visit. Doorways are opened and a true understanding of the place is fostered.

At Peregrine, we travel in intimate groups and take the time to get under the skin of a destination. Of course we all want to see the Taj Mahal in India. But imagine then heading to a remote Rajasthani village and learning about rural life while in the company of locals. Seeing the famous sites is a must, but it’s often the memory of wandering through a small village or sharing dinner with a local family that will leave a lasting impact.

We promise to share our knowledge and expertise with you, and ensure you will come home with stories you will tell for years to come.

Why we love this operator
Since their founding in 1977 by trekkers exploring Nepal, they’ve maintained a strong connection to local culture and the “traveler spirit”.
What they’re known for
Immersive experiences that prioritize value, authenticity and adventure over luxury touches for older travelers.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Cruise ship (14 nts),

Transportation & Flights

Ship,Zodiac,

Transportation & flights

Ship,Zodiac
Guides
Your voyage will be led by an experienced Expedition Leader. In addition, a number of experts will be on board to add knowledge of their field to your experience. This will include a Marine Biologist, Ornithologist, Glaciologist or Geologist, Polar Historian, Kayaking guide and Naturalist guides. Voyages offering other adventure activities will have additional specialist guides on board.
Travel Insurance
Your voyage fare includes Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of US$100,000 per person. However, it is essential that you have comprehensive personal travel insurance in addition to this to cover all other eventualities.
Visa requirements
As a general rule most countries expect that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Your consultant will contact you when this is required. Take a copy of the main passport pages and other important documents with you, and leave another copy at home with family or friends. Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Your consultant will also be happy to point you in the right direction with acquiring visas. Visas can take several weeks to process, so familiarise yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time. Visas are currently not required for Australian, New Zealand, US, Canadian or EU passport holders wishing to visit the United Kingdom. Some EU nationals may travel in Europe using only an identity card, however it is your responsibility to check with the relevant authorities if this applies to you. Visas are currently not required for Australian, New Zealand, US, Canadian or UK/EU passport holders wishing to visit Norway. Some EU nationals may travel in Europe using only an identity card, however it is your responsibility to check with the relevant authorities if this applies to you.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Finish point Longyearbyen Array Longyearbyen SVALBARD AND JAN MAYEN ISLANDS
Trip ID
peregrine-BQMV

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