Having made your way to Aberdeen, you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival, kindly remind hotel check-in staff to provide you with Aurora Expeditions cabin tags for your luggage. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number. 
Enjoy a light refreshment this evening as you meet your fellow expeditioners at a Welcome Reception and Pre-Embarkation Briefing. Afterward, dine at your leisure (dinner not included).

This morning, your luggage will be collected from your hotel, sanitized, and delivered to your cabin on board. Ensure your luggage has cabin tags with your name and cabin number, and keep valuables with you.

After breakfast and check-out, leave your luggage in the foyer and keep day items in your hand luggage. We'll explore Aberdeen, visiting Kings College Chapel and St Machar Cathedral, then head to Glen Garioch Distillery for a tour and tasting. The day continues with a trip to Huntly Falconry Centre for a birds of prey demonstration.

Return to Aberdeen to board the Greg Mortimer ship in the late afternoon. Settle into your cabin, attend safety briefings, and join the Welcome Dinner to meet the crew and fellow travelers as we set sail for an exciting adventure.

Among Orkney’s archipelago of 70 windswept islands, nine kilometers (six miles) north of the Scottish mainland, a rich tapestry of archaeology, history, and wildlife awaits. We follow the passage of time – from 5,000-year-old World Heritage Neolithic sites, past relics from wandering Vikings, and reminders of World War II occupation – to present-day crofting communities. Imposing sea cliffs teem with seabirds, and clifftop paths and bleak moors beckon the keen hikers among us, while our kayakers use paddle power to explore sections of Orkney’s fascinating coastline.

Discover the rich history in Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands. Initial impressions are misleading, as the harbor area looks modern. Still, the narrow winding streets and lanes of the old town, which have remained relatively unchanged over the centuries are appealing. Everything west of Kirkwall is known as West Mainland, an area of rich farmland, rolling hills, and moorland, with dramatic cliffs along the Atlantic coastline. Some of the main archaeological attractions we may see include the standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar, and the chambered tombs of Maes Howes that to this day still have unresolved mysteries.  

You can choose from a selection of shore excursion options that best suit your interests and level of fitness: 

Option 1. Orkney Treasures - Skara Brae 
Explore the World Heritage heartland of Orkney, known for its prehistoric archaeology. Visit the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar, and Skara Brae, an ancient village preserved for 5000 years. Learn about its history and see the dwellings uncovered by storms 150 years ago. Visit Skaill House, built in 1620 on Norse-period grounds, and discover its 400-year history and impressive collection.

Option 2. The Heart of Neolithic Orkney 
Explore Orkney's Neolithic Heartland, a World Heritage Site rich in pre-historic archaeology. Visit the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness, Europe's oldest known stone circle. Stop by Barnhouse, a Neolithic village, and the bird hide by Harray Loch. End the day at St Magnus Cathedral, showcasing the Vikings' architectural skill. Discover Fair Isle, a bird watcher’s paradise located between Orkney and Shetland. Spot seabirds and eastern rarities at the European bird observatory and enjoy warm hospitality from the villagers. Explore the island's beauty, famous knitwear, and shipwrecks.
 

Britain’s most northerly islands lie almost 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of the Scottish mainland, at a similar latitude to the southern tip of Greenland, or Bergen in Norway. Kept relatively warm by the Gulf Stream, Shetland’s 100 islands experience almost 24 hours of daylight in summer. They abound with nature reserves and archaeological sites and offer a taste of traditional island life. We plan to visit some of Shetland’s best-preserved and most complex archaeological sites, brochures – fortified Iron Age towers. 

As we sail towards the Norwegian coastline, the bridge or the outer decks offer an excellent and warm vantage point for birdwatching. Our historians and naturalists will delight us with their informative talks.

We spend three days exploring the superb Norwegian coastline, cruising the intricate maze of seldom-visited inlets and outer islands.

You can choose from a selection of shore excursion options that best suit your interests and level of fitness:

Option 1. Hike the Mythical Mountain of Torghatten (2.5 hours)
Grade: Intermediate/Difficult
Embark on a quest to discover mythical trolls and explore Norway's Mt. Torghatten, famous for its hat shape and central hole. Start your hike at the trailhead, enjoying stunning sea and island views. The tunnel through the mountain, seemingly small from a distance, reveals its grand scale up close: 525 feet long, 115 feet high, and up to 65 feet wide, created by sea erosion. Legend says it was carved by an arrow from the Horseman of Hestmannen Island.

Option 2. Norwegian Aquaculture Centre (2.5 hours)
Grade: Easy
Discover fish farming at the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre. See life in the sea with underwater cameras and learn about aqua-farming. A coach will take you to the Centre, where you'll see outdoor mini-aquariums and learn about modern fish farming. Norway leads in eco-friendly aquaculture and exports fish worldwide. Discover Norway's aquaculture history and local history at the indoor exhibition.

Note: It is recommended to wear layered clothing and proper walking/hiking shoes. This hike covers approximately 2.5 km (1.5 mi) and involves loose gravel and rocks, boulders, stone steps, and a consistent incline.

Crossing the Arctic Circle, we go to the stunning Lofoten – meaning puma’s foot – Islands. This is a land scoured by ice and legend, the towering crags with their sharp edges, standing in silent protection of the villages below.

As you traverse the scenic vistas of Lofoten, marvel at majestic mountain peaks and expansive fertile lands that once set the stage for Viking sagas. Your expedition begins in Sund, where you will visit a blacksmith at the Fishery Museum, famous for his beautiful cormorants made of steel. The decorative wrought iron cormorants are famous worldwide and can be found in the Pentagon, the Kremlin, and the King of Norway's palace.

Drive through the scenic landscapes of Lofoten to Norway's renowned Haukland Beach, a paradisiacal haven with its pearly white sands and sapphire waters, embraced by lush greenery and towering peaks, evoking the essence of an Arctic paradise. We will have ample time to hike from Uttakleiv, to Haukland Beach—a gentle stretch over hills and along the coastal path to the pristine white sand beach.

Upon reaching the Viking Museum in Borg, immerse yourself in an exhibition showcasing archaeological discoveries and meticulous recreations of Viking dwellings. Immerse yourself in the ambiance of a Viking village, gaining a vivid understanding of the daily lives of these seafaring people a millennium ago. The museum endeavours to authentically recreate the Viking village atmosphere, complete with handicrafts, traditional buildings, and era-specific cuisine. As part of this immersive experience, you'll be treated to a soup crafted from an ancient North Norwegian recipe, prepared over an open fire—a culinary journey back in time amid the fascinating history of the Vikings.

You can choose from a selection of shore excursion options that best suit your interests and level of fitness: 

Option 1: Guided hike towards Tjeldbergtind (3 hours)
Hike to the mountain top in Lofoten for a 360-degree panoramic view of the archipelago's peaks, lakes, and surroundings. Wear layered clothing and hiking boots for the 5 km (3.1 mi) hike on uneven terrain with steep inclines. Good physical condition is required. Adverse weather may affect sight visibility.

Option 2: Taste of Lofoten (1.5 hours)
Enjoy a unique gastronomic experience with real flavors in Lofoten, where the inhabitants have been using unique ingredients for centuries. See the fish racks on the way to the tasting venue and taste dried Arctic cod, salmon, Lofoten lamb, cloudberries, locally produced yogurt, and roe/caviar from Arctic cod.
Note that the tour includes tastings of eight delicacies and drinks are not included, but available for purchase.
 

Our team of experts entertain us with informative talks about wildlife, geology, and epic tales of early explorers. As we cross to Bear Island, keep watch for various species of whale. 

We approach Spitsbergen at its most southerly point, South Cape or Sørkapp, and explore the coastline, entering a different world – that of the polar desert. Enormous peaks and deeply gouged fjords make our visit to Hornsund a powerful experience. As Hornsund is the southernmost fjord in Svalbard, we keep a lookout for polar bears, and Zodiac-cruise along glacial fronts that are home to bearded and ring seals, kittiwakes and guillemots. Here in Svalbard, we continue our exploration into human history dating back 400 years, encompassing trapping and hunting, whaling and mining. If the skies are clear we may catch a glimpse of the dramatic Hornsundtind, peaking at 1,430 metres (4,695 feet).

Dramatic folds characterise the geological landscape of Bellsund and here we will enjoy magnificent vistas, steep bird cliffs and lush vegetation, always an open invitation to arctic fox and polar bears. Little auks, guillemots, northern fulmar and pink-footed geese make this their breeding home. Reindeer graze the slopes peacefully and as the fjord branches, there are numerous places to explore.

Polar bears pass through the area on their way to the west coast, and if we are lucky, we may encounter the elusive and alluring white beluga whale.

During the early morning, we cruise into the remote village’s port, Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s' capital.' After bidding farewell to newfound friends, we are transferred into town, where there is time to explore and shop before transferring to the airport in the afternoon.  

Note: After the voyage, the operator does not recommend booking flights departing before 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case of delays.