Mighty polar bears
Spend your days in search of polar bears, the planet’s largest land predator.
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Boat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/06/24 | 20/06/24 | 15 days | £14,295 £11,456pp | Greg Mortimer | Reserve place |
Embark on an expedition-style cruise crossing the Arctic Circle, witnessing dramatic scenery, ice-choked fjords and a myriad of wildlife around the entire archipelago. Combine three unique worlds on one unforgettable adventure.
Start your journey in Aberdeen where you’ll board the boat. From here, you’ll visit Stone Age villages and Iron Age forts before voyaging to the Orkney and Shetland Islands, discovering a proud Scottish heritage. Vikings, fjords and fishing folk await along the Norwegian coastline before sailing to Svalbard.
With new regulations coming into place for visitors to Svalbard from 2025 onwards, travellers will not be able to get within 500 metres of a polar bear; current regulations are 150 metres. With this in mind, save up to £2,839 per person, plus get £1,100 credit towards your air fare if you book by May 2024.
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Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Across the line
Sail north from Aberdeen across the invisible boundary defining the Arctic Circle.
Scottish strongholds
Discover the Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands, visiting villages and castles that were once strongholds of Scottish clans.
Expeditionary boats
The Greg Mortimer uses cutting-edge technology to provide a smoother and faster cruising experience.
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Days 1-2
Aberdeen
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Days 3-4
Orkney Islands
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Day 5
Shetland Islands
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Day 6
At sea
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Day 7
Bronnoysund, Norway
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Day 8
Reine & Leknes, Norway
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Day 9
Svolvaer, Norway
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Day 10
At sea
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Days 11-14
Bear Island & Svalbard
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Day 15
Longyearbyen
Days 1-2
Aberdeen
Spend your days exploring some of Aberdeen’s most famous landmarks.
Days 3-4
Orkney Islands
This archipelago consists of 70 islands, nine kilometres north of the Scottish mainland. Follow a passage through time, from 5000 year old Neolithic sites to past relics from wandering Vikings. Explore Orkney’s spectacular coastline by kayak and discover cliff tops paths.
Day 5
Shetland Islands
Visit some of the best preserved archaeological sites, brochs, which are fortified Iron Age towers.
Day 6
At sea
Day 7
Bronnoysund, Norway
Choose from a selection of shore excursions, from hiking the mythical mountain of Torghatten or visiting the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre.
Day 8
Reine & Leknes, Norway
Cross the Arctic Circle as you make your way to Lofoten Islands, where you’ll find spectacular vistas and soaring mountains.
Day 9
Svolvaer, Norway
Choose from a selection of shore excursions, from a guided hike towards Tjeldbergtind or working your way through a tasting menu of Lofoten delicacies.
Day 10
At sea
Days 11-14
Bear Island & Svalbard
Bear Island & Svalbard – Embark on a Zodiac-cruise along glacial fronts that are home to bearded and ring seals, kittiwakes and guillemots. Search for polar bears in Bellsund as they pass through on their way to the west coast. If you’re lucky, you may even encounter the elusive beluga whale.
Day 15
Longyearbyen
Cutting-edge Technology
The Greg Mortimer
The Greg Mortimer is a purpose-built expedition vessels that feature a revolutionary X-Bow design. One of the most dynamic and state of the art ships on the seas, it’s designed to slice through the water rather than riding over the waves, making for more comfortable and faster travel through the polar seas. Not only this, but it creates fewer disturbances to marine life, produces fewer emissions and uses a combination of GPS, steering innovation, propellers and thrusters to protect the seafloor and minimise the damage caused by conventional anchors.
New 2025 Regulations
Summer 2024 Departures
New regulations are coming into place for travellers visiting the Svalbard archipelago from 2025 onwards. Travellers will not be able to get within 500 metres of a polar bear; current regulations are 150 metres. With this in mind, there’s still availability across multiple departures between June and September 2024. Save up to 20% on selected expeditions.
Other available dates
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Boat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/06/24 | 20/06/24 | 15 days | £14,295 £11,456pp | Greg Mortimer | Reserve place |
Expert-Led Group Tours
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With an average group size of just eight to ten people our group tour itineraries enable you to travel to some of the most intriguing regions of the world in the company of expert guides in the field and, of course, with likeminded people.
Why Choose Steppes?
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