Arctic Golden Autumn and Northern Lights

Having made your way to Keflavik airport, you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our pre-voyage hotel. Please visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk, located in the lobby. Our team will run through your embarkation day, answer your questions, and give advice on the local area. They will also provide you with cabin tags for your luggage. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number. 

Enjoy free time, and in the evening, dine at your leisure (dinner not included).  

Accommodation: Foss Hotel Reykjavik or Grand Hotel Reykjavik (or similar) 

Breakfast and check-out. Join our guided Golden Circle and Geothermal Energy tour. With 85% of its electricity sourced from renewable sources, Iceland sets an outstanding example when it comes to sustainable energy.  

Our journey takes us to the famous seismic sights of the Golden Circle route – Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir, and history-rich Thingvellir National Park, before we experience first-hand how green, sustainable energy is produced at one of the largest single-site geothermal power plants on the planet at the Geothermal Energy Exhibition and Ljósafossvirkjun Power Station.  

We’ll also spend time at a true eco-village. Powered with thermal and solar energy, Sólheimar is fully sustainable, boasting greenhouses and forestry programmes, while it’s sustainable workshops are dedicated to candle-making, carpentry, weaving and soap-making. Late afternoon we return to Reykjavik to board our ship. 

Over the next two days, we explore the Westfjords region featuring outstanding landscapes with jaw-dropping views of dramatic fjords carved by ancient glaciers, sheer table mountains that plunge into the sea and pristine North Atlantic vegetation.    

Immerse yourself in the tranquillity as we cruise northward, taking in breathtaking landscapes and keeping a watchful eye for whales. Later, we’ll embark on a Zodiac landing to witness the awe-inspiring power of Dynjandi waterfall.  

On Vigur Island, birdwatchers can try and tick a few species on their list, while others can enjoy walks and hikes of varying levels of difficulty, soaking in the stunning surrounds. The island’s unique ecosystem is a haven for birdlife, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Stroll along the coastline, keeping an eye out for puffins and other seabirds, or venture deeper into the island to discover hidden gems. With its rolling hills, picturesque landscapes, and fresh sea air, Vigur offers an unforgettable experience.  The region also features attractive towns such as Ísafjörður, surrounded by sheer mountains and steeped in history, evident in its preserved wooden architecture. Delight in its lively cultural scene and abundant outdoor activities.  

We sail across the Denmark Strait to Jan Mayen Island accompanied by sea birds while keeping a close watch for whales. Enjoy informative and entertaining lectures and presentation from our team of experts, get to know your fellow expeditioners, stay active at the gym or treat yourself to a massage in the wellness centre. 

The approach to Jan Mayen is spectacular. The huge 2,277-metre (7,470 foot) Beerenberg volcano is the northernmost active volcano in the world, and it last erupted in 1985. The northern part of the island is a great place to look for whales and dolphins and contains impressive glaciers, some of which reach the sea. If the weather is favourable, we will try to land at Kvalrossbukta, a relatively sheltered bay on the island’s west coast. This is one of the landings used to supply the weather station Olonkinbyen, situated on the eastern side of the island. We hope to land on front of the Norwegian station at Olonkinbyen, stop to visit the weather station before embarking on a three-hour hike (weather permitting) to the other side of the Island where our vessel will be waiting for us in Kvalrossbukta, and our trusty Zodiacs will transport us back to the ship.

The Norwegian Sea surrounding Jan Mayen offers excellent whale-watching opportunities (bottlenose, fin, and perhaps bowhead whales in the pack ice). Sail towards Svalbard, retracing the route of Dutch explorer Willem Barents who discovered Spitsbergen and the Barents Sea, named after him.  

Svalbard offers Arctic wilderness at its best. Our experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design our day-to-day itinerary, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions, and wildlife encounters.  

Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountains ranges and a polar desert rich in fossils set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walrus hauled-out on sea ice or on beaches. On land, stretch our legs on walks across tundra coming out in brightly-coloured wildflowers. We visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and puffins, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies. Most memorable are encounters with the majestic polar bear on pack ice.  

If you have chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you’ll have the option to enjoy the activity when conditions allow. For those who are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you’ll hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating plunge, a memory you’ll savour for years to come. 

Svalbard offers Arctic wilderness at its best. The members of our experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to tailor our day-to-day itinerary, choosing the best options, based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions and the possibility of encounters with wildlife.

Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountains ranges, and a polar desert rich in fossils, set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walrus hauled-out on sea ice or on beaches. On land, we stretch our legs on walks across tundra carpeted in brightly coloured wildflowers. We visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies. Most memorable will be encounters with the majestic polar bear on pack ice. Your Expedition Team is just as keen as you are to find them – they will be on constant watch to spot these inspiring creatures.

If you have chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you will have an opportunity to enjoy that activity when conditions allow. For those who are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you will hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating dip – a memory you will savour for years to come.

Enjoy informative talks from our team of experts, get to know your fellow expeditioners or stay active in the gym. Remember to look to the skies at night and hope for sightings of the northern lights. 

Over the next few days, we explore parts of Norway’s remarkable 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) coastline. Starting in North Cape, in the very north of the country, we make our way south, stopping in the Lofoten Islands. 

The spectacular northern lights are a natural phenomenon that is most commonly seen in the sky above the Arctic Circle, between autumn and early spring. As we are near North Cape in northern Norway, keep a close watch in hope of witnessing this dazzling spectacle in the night sky. The North Cape is located at a latitude of 71° 10´ 21 and is Europe’s northernmost point. 

Personalise your expedition with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences that best suits your interests and level of fitness. 

Option 1: Behind the scenes of the seafood industry  

Duration: 3 hours 

Level of difficulty: Easy 

During this tasteful and educational tour, you will learn all there is to know about the leading industry in Finnmark and more specifically, in North Cape municipality. Visit a local fish factory and observe their daily operations before tasting the local delicacies at one of the most scenic locations on the island. 

As one of the largest factories in the municipality and exporter of king crab, your host does much more than simply processing fish. Your guide will show you around the factory and tell you about the production of stockfish, klipfish, fresh fish, king crab and less know products such as roe, liver, fish heads and much more. 

Undoubtedly, a tour like this requires a seafood tasting! After your visit to the factory in Nordvåg you will be taken to a lavvo restaurant in Sarnes. As one of the most scenic areas on the island, this is the perfect location for a guided seafood tasting. You will have the opportunity to savour various delicacies and taste the national spirit of Scandinavia while your guide explains you exactly what is on your plate. 

Note: Make sure to wear sturdy (waterproof) footwear. 

Option 2: Trek to Kirkeporten

Duration: 3 hours 

Level of difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous  

Just a short hike away from the village of Skarsvåg, Kirkeporten boasts one of the most spectacular views on the island of Magerøya with the North Cape Horn peeking through a gated cliff. 

After a short drive to the village of Skarsvåg make your way up the hill, and if weather permits you will have a spectacular view to the North Cape Horn. This monolith pokes out of the side of the North Cape plateau and makes it very easy to orientate oneself. Continuing down into Mefjorden, the arch-shaped cliff will slowly reveal itself. Kirkeporten is the name of a geological wonder, a fissure several meters wide in an overhanging cliff shaped as a gate. Both Kirkeporten and the North Cape cliff were places of sacrifice for the indigenous Sami population. 

Note: It is recommended to dress in layered clothing and wear proper hiking boots/shoes. The hike is approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) on dirt and gravel path with boulders, uneven terrain and some consistent, but gradual slopes. Visibility of sights may be affected in adverse weather conditions. 

Option 3: A Panoramic Journey to the North Cape

Duration: 3 hours 

Level of difficulty: Easy 

Take in magnificent vistas along Europe’s far northern shores and enjoy an independent visit at the splendid North Cape. 

This scenic drive takes you to one of Europe’s most stunning natural sights. Located on the reaches of Magerøya Island where the Norwegian and Barents Seas meet, the cliffs of Nordkapp rise more than 305 metres (1,000 feet) from the sea waters and are topped by a large, flat plateau. 

Upon arrival at the North Cape Hall, you will have time to take in its spectacular vista of barren tundra. The North Cape Hall has shopping facilities, post office and a chapel, a bar, restaurants and a cinema with a 225-degree wide-screen. There will be an audio-visual presentation of Magerøya and the North Cape, showing the magnitude of the areas breathtaking scenery during the four seasons. Adjacent to the cinema there is a Hall of Fame, with models of important events that have taken place at the North Cape Plateau, and Cave of Lights with a terrace offering a nice view of the ocean further north. There will be ample time for photo opportunities, shopping, writing and posting cards, or simply finding yourself the perfect overlook to enjoy the breathtaking views. 

Note: It is recommended to dress in layered clothing and wear comfortable walking shoes. Walking at North Cape Hall is optional and involves uneven terrain to some of the sites. 

Disembark in the early morning at approximately 8.00 am. Farewell your Expedition Team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys. Transfer to Tromsø airport.