Scotland,Faroe Islands,Iceland:North Atlantic Saga

From Aberdeen, Scotland to Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Iceland and Greenland
  • All Arctic Cruises
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Tour Description

Explore the North Atlantic on an 11 day expedition cruise, remote Scotland sites, the culture of the Faroe Islands, and volcanic landscapes in Iceland.

Following in the footsteps of the Vikings on this epic expedition. On board the Ocean Endeavour, you'll travel from Scotland to the Faroe Islands and then to Iceland, discovering the breathtaking beauty that the ancient Vikings discovered.

Seeing some of the Arctic's most untouched landscapes firsthand is a life-changing experience that you can only get on this trip. Create unforgettable bonds with your fellow travellers over shared experiences in these extraordinary locales. Check out the impressive bird cliffs that the brave puffins and storm petrels call home. Visit Torshavn and learn about its fascinating Viking past before seeing Iceland's exotic landscapes, which include stunning cliffs, volcanoes, and fjords.

A trip to some of the Arctic's most culturally significant locales, this one will humble you.

Viva's Best Bits...

Take the perfect photo at the Múlafossur waterfall, plunging into the North Atlantic from Gásadalur, a small village home to about twenty people.

Take a stroll through the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 4,000-year-old Ring of Brodgar.

Visit charming Tórshavn, the quaint capital of the far-flung Faroe Islands. Admire the history and beauty of Tórshavn's red-painted wooden buildings covered with turf roofs.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Aberdeen, Scotland

Board the Ocean Endeavour for an evening departure after enjoying some self-guided exploration in Aberdeen.

Many of the historic stone buildings here are made of locally quarried granite; high in mica, they can sparkle like silver.

The city is also famed for its forty-five parks, gardens, and floral displays. Though it is now a modern city, Aberdeen retains its old-world charm.

Day 2
Kirkwall, Orkney

Visit the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site
Wander through the stone walls of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll find the 4,000-year-old Ring of Brodgar.

Tour the Hall of Clestrain, childhood home of Arctic explorer John Rae. In Kirkwall, let yourself be captivated by the city’s sights, dominated by the massive St. Magnus Cathedral dating back to 1137.

Experience its lively pubs, vibrant music scene, fabulous shopping opportunities, and thriving artisan community.

Step back 5,000 years to the Neolithic village of Skara Brae. Considered one of the most important Neolithic ruins in Europe today, wander the well-preserved stone houses and learn what daily life was like here.

Day 3
Fair Isle

Enjoy Birdwatching at a Serene Island Community
Journey to charming Fair Isle, once a Viking hub and now an idyllic island colony of artists and shepherds.

Keep your binoculars handy to spot some of the 350 bird species that the island boasts, including puffins and great skuas in substantial numbers.

Take a tour of the local museum, dedicated to preserving the island's heritage.

Day 4
Vágur, Suðuroy Island, Faroe Islands

Immerse Yourself in Faroese Culture
Visit Vágur, where the warm hospitality of its 1,300 residents awaits you. Relish in the opportunity to witness Faroese chain dancing and share in stories of Vágur‘s captivating past. Enjoy the abundance of birdlife that the island boasts.

Let your senses feast on the view of Suðuroy’s towering west side. Admire majestic cliffs, stunning mountains, sea stacks, and the magnificent Beinisvørð mountain as it stands tall from afar.

See for yourself why the island is famed for its dramatic cliffs towering over the North Atlantic and enjoy this paradise for birds, including European storm petrels and Atlantic puffins.

Day 5
Tórshavn

Visit Galleries, Shops, and Restaurants
Explore the splendid little city of Tórshavn (“Thor’s harbour”), the Faroe Islands’ capital and a former Viking trading centre.

Stroll through the enchanting streets of the old town, where you'll discover a treasure trove of galleries, charming shops, and restaurants.

Admire the buildings with their grass roofs and black timber façades, offering a glimpse into traditional Faroese architecture and culture.

Day 6-8
Western Faroe Islands

Soak in Dramatic Mountains and Waterfalls
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.

Explore remote Faroese villages Elduvik and Funningur via Zodiac. With a population of only 12 and 70 respectively, these villages offer a glimpse into Faroese island life. As you meander through the dramatic landscape surrounded by beautiful mountains, get to know the locals and enjoy exploring the picturesque bays these villages call home.

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 9
At Sea

Deepen your understanding of the environment, cultures, and history of the region as we steam across the North Atlantic towards Iceland.

Enjoy workshops and presentations, watch a documentary, and get out on deck!

Day 10
Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands), Iceland

Marvel at 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. 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 11
Reykjavik

Complete your journey in Reykjavík, Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital that was established in the year 874 CE.

Food, culture, and nightlife abound, while the National Culture House preserves treasures like the Poetic Edda and the Norse Sagas in their original manuscripts.

Disembark the Ocean Endeavour in the morning and say your farewells in what is widely considered one of the cleanest, greenest cities in the world.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 Cabin accommodation on board vessel
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals whilst on board
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 All scheduled landings & excursions
  • Included Copy 20 All port fees & landing fees
  • Included Copy 20 Complimentary expedition jacket
  • Included Copy 20 Sightseeing and community visits
  • Included Copy 20 Guiding and lectures by experienced expedition team and crew
  • Included Copy 20 Special access permits, entry, and park fees
  • Included Copy 20 Educational program and Interactive workshops
  • Included Copy 20 Evening entertainment
  • Included Copy 7 Flights, Visa fees, Travel insurance, Personal expenses, Gratuities, optional acitvities
Transportation

Ocean Endeavour

200 Passengers

Activities

  • Included Hike emerald mountainscapes to the stunning Múlafossur waterfall
  • Included Wander through sites of Neolithic Scottish history at Orkney's Ring of Brodgar
  • Included Visit charming Tórshavn, the quaint capital of the far-flung Faroe Islands
  • Included Witness spectacular volcanoes, caves, cliffs, and fjords in Iceland’s geological wonderland
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

11 days

Price from

$5,395 USD

Per person, twin share

Based on a quad cabin

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