MOL 03 24 May - 01 June 2008 (9 Days) aboard Professor Molchanov
A circumnavigation of Iceland, the largest of the North Atlantic islands, with its awe-inspiring landscape of volcanoes, icecaps, rugged glaciated mountains, fjords and coastal cliffs. Expect to see countless seabirds and keep a look out for the great whales such as Humpback, Minke and Blue that inhabit these waters.
This voyage begins and ends in Keflavik, the capital of Iceland and takes place in spring when seabirds are at start of the breeding season. The islands and towering cliffs that we visit are home to great nesting colonies of Puffins, Black Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Northern Gannets and Fulmars.
Our journey takes us north to the dramatic coastal scenery of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and the western fjords, and then on to Grimsey, to the north, within the Arctic Circle. This volcanic island is home to huge colonies of seabirds. Heading down the east coast we reach the island of Skrudur, and its colony of nesting Gannets. From there visits to Heimaey, in the Westman Islands and the island of Surtsey will allow us to see the results of recent, in geological time, volcanic eruptions.
We are offering this cruise on the Professor Multanovskiy, an expedition cruise ship that spends much of its time in the Arctic and Antarctic.
Please note that the following itinerary is for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
Itineraries
Day 1
Late in the afternoon we board ship in the port of Keflavik, a short distance from the international airport, to begin the circumnavigation of Iceland. The largest of the North Atlantic islands, Iceland's volcanoes, icecaps, rugged glaciated mountains, fjords and coastal cliffs and beaches together form one of the most inspiring landscapes on earth. We sail north to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, which is crowned by a beautiful snow-capped volcanic cone, 1442m high Snaefellsjokull. In the mellow evening light (at this time of year it is light all night) it is worth staying on deck to watch for whales in this often very productive location.
Day 2
We arrive in the broad and shallow bay of Breidafjordur, which is peppered with thousands of islands and skerries. If we are very lucky, we may glimpse the White-tailed Eagle among these historic islands, from where Erik the Red set sail to discover Greenland. We land on Flatey and explore its delightful fishing village, strolling among the many well-preserved traditional timber buildings and visiting the church, with its paintings by the Spanish-Icelandic artist Baltasar Samper, and restored library. On and around Flatey, Black Guillemots, Puffins, Common Eiders and Red-necked Phalaropes can be seen. Later we land on Klofningur a basalt island with breeding Shags, Fulmars and Great Black-backed Gulls. Sailing to the north side of the bay, we use the Zodiacs to cruise the cliffs and sea caves of Látrabjarg, at the westernmost point of Iceland. Home to the world's largest Razorbill colony, Iceland's most extensive bird cliffs are 14km long and rise to over 400m in height. Our expedition naturalists will point out the other bird species that nest on the cliffs and also the seals on the rocks.
Day 3
Today we explore the Isafjordur Peninsula, geologically the oldest region in Iceland, its imposing basalt mountains scoured out by Ice Age glaciers. We sail into Adalvik in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Once farmed, this beautiful, sheltered fjord has been deserted for 50 years. As sheep no longer graze here and the human impacts are minimal, fauna and flora thrive on a scale unknown in other parts of Iceland. We continue our voyage by sailing along the Hornstrandir Peninsula, spotting the remains of other farmsteads along the coastline of golden sand beaches set between sheer basalt cliffs. We aim to land at Hornvik, where we can follow an old path, used by fowlers, to reach the top of 300m high Hornbjarg. From the dizzy heights of this cliff we can marvel at one of the biggest seabird colonies in Iceland, with tens of thousands of Brünnich's Guillemots and Kittiwakes.
Day 4
If the East Greenland pack- ice, will be less than 100 nautical miles north of Iceland, and the weather will be good, we will sail towards the edge and spend some time in and near the ice. During our 24 hours at sea, there will be plenty of time to watch for the spout of large whales, and to observe the northern migration of skuas and other Arctic birds. When we sail along the pack ice edge, we may also see Harp Seals.
If the pack-ice will be more than 100 nautical miles north of Iceland we will land at the east side of the Isafjordur Peninsula in Furufjördur, Tharalátursfjördur and Reykjafjördur, from where we will have a good and near view on the northern side of the glacier Drangajökull. Walkers can make a hike of a view hours from one fjord to the next on an old trail with cairns. In Furufjördur we will find bogs and lakes, and in Reykjafjördur hot pools, in which we can take a bath. Harbour Seals and Grey Seals are common in this fjord.
Day 5
In the early morning, if the weather allows, we sail past Kolbeinsey, a tiny island north of Grimsey, formed from a submarine eruption. Later we land on Grimsey, an island off the north coast and the only part of Iceland which lies within the Arctic Circle (the Circle crosses the island). The island is home to huge colonies of Kittiwakes, Razorbills, Puffins, Fulmars and Arctic Terns, who far outnumber the human inhabitants, numbering just 100. A zodiac cruise along the western cliffs will afford us the opportunity to also admire the seabirds from the water. Later we may sail along the bird cliffs of Raudinupur.
Day 6
If weather allows, we go ashore on the wild and windswept volcanic sands of Heradssandur, formed from debris washed down by mighty glacier rivers. On the marshlands of its braided channels, Whooper Swans, Greylag Geese, and several species of ducks and skuas breed. The see near the mouth of the river is teeming with Harbour Seals. In the afternoon we call at Borgarfjördur. A friendly small village, where people work on Jasper, a precious stone only found in this part of Iceland. We will try to visit a farm with a Common Eider breeding colony, where the birds are protected for down collection in this time of the year.
If the conditions at Heradssansur are adverse we will not land there, but land after Borgarfjördur, at Alftavik, in the natural harbour Lotna, where people lived until 1904.
Day 7
Heading down Iceland's east coast we reach Skrudur, a bird island (Gannets) of 160 m high, where we can not land, but where we will cruise around in zodiacs and enter a huge cave. Later we sail to Papey, where Irish monks made a living in the 9th century. This beautiful, now uninhabited island, is home to thousands of Puffins and other seabirds.
Day 8
We land on Heimaey, an important fishing port and the Westman Islands only permanent community. A short walk allows us to see the results of the surprise 1973 eruption, which destroyed one third of the town and almost sealed off its vital harbour. A highlight of our time ashore will be the multitude of Puffins that breed along the grassy cliff tops and are still harvested annually by the locals. When we have left Heimaey we use the Zodiacs to cruise among the other Westman Islands. We will circumnavigate Surtsey, an island born in 1964 from volcanic activity, and Sulnasker and Hellisey, which have large breeding populations of Northern Gannets.
Day 9
After breakfast we disembark in Keflavik.
M/V Professor Molchanov and Professor Multanovskiy
- Length 71,6 metres (236 feet)
- Breadth 12,8 metres (42 feet)
- Draft 4,5 metres (15 feet)
- Speed 12,5 knots
- Passengers capacity 52
- 20 Russian crew
- 3 international expedition staff
- 3 international hotel & catering staff and 1 emergency doctor
The ships are modern, ice-strengthened research vessels, built in Finland for the Russian Academy of Science. They are under long-term contract to Oceanwide Expeditions and have been converted for passenger use and are ideally suited to expedition cruising in polar areas. They comply with the highest international safety and environmental regulations, as well as the Arctic and Antarctic shipping guidelines. The passengers are accommodated in triple, twin, superior cabins or a suite. All cabins are 'outside' and most cabins have private facilities. The public areas are comfortable and cosy and include a dining room which could also act as the lecture room, a bar with reference books, a small infirmary and a sauna. The best viewing places on board for spotting wildlife are the bridge (where passengers are welcome) and the open-deck areas. The ships carry a full complement of Zodiac crafts, for both cruising and landing ashore. Usually on our voyages the Chef will organize a Polar barbecue on deck. Surrounded by an impressive landscape and accompanied by your fellow-travellers, staff members and the Russian crew members, this event is one to remember.
Accommodation :
Cabins as described above subject to availability.
Travel :
A taxi can be used for the short transfer from the airport to the vessel. We are able to arrange flights and overnight accommodation if necessary.
Leaders:
Guides from Oceanwide Expeditions
| Prices per person: |
| Triple not en suite | £ 1,535 |
| Twin not en suite | £ 1,765 |
| Twin en suite | £ 2,120 |
| Superior twin en suite | £ 2,370 |
| Twin Suite | £ 2,660 |
| Deposit : | £ 500 per person |
Please enquire for single supplements.
The prices are per person and are fully inclusive of the cruise, meals during the voyage, shore excursions by Zodiac and activities throughout the voyage, lectures and leadership by expedition staff, miscellaneous service taxes and port charges and pre-departure information.
The prices exclude flights UK/Iceland taxi transfers Keflavik airport - port, overnight accommodation if necessary in Iceland, passport and visa expenses, Government arrival and departure taxes, travel insurance, optional tips to leaders and crew, drinks, and other personal expenses.
Fuel Surcharges
As you probably have heard in the media, fuel prices have increased tremendously over the last 2 months.
Due to the present fuel prices and the expected continuous increases of the fuel prices in the next months we regret to inform you that we see no other alternative then to include a fuel surcharge for the coming Arctic season, 2008.
We have fixed the fuel surcharge of £ 9.00 per night per passenger. We apologize for any inconvenience caused, but at the same time ask for your understanding.
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