Duration
13 Nights
Journey Type
Sailing from the UK
Ports
8 Ports
17-18 May
Setting sail from Aberdeen
The ‘granite city’ of Aberdeen is flush with money from the North Sea oil boom, and boasts cultural attractions including the fascinating Maritime Museum and the Aberdeen Art Gallery. Head out into the countryside and you’ll find magnificent castles, wild mountain scenery and whisky distilleries aplenty.
19 May
United Kingdom: North Haven (Fair Isle)
Fair Isle is the UK’s most remote inhabited island, lying roughly halfway between Shetland and Orkney. The island is tiny, just 3 miles by 1½ miles, and is renowned for its traditional knitwear. It’s also a birdwatching hotspot, serving as both an important breeding ground for seabirds and as a stopping-off point for migrant species.
20 May
United Kingdom: Isle of Noss
The little Isle of Noss, part of the Shetlands, is a nature reserve that hosts over 150,000 seabirds during the breeding season, a truly spectacular sight. Species you can expect to see include gannets, puffins, guillemots and razorbills, and the island is also home to otters, seals, whales and dolphins.
21 May
United Kingdom: Shetland Islands
22-25 May
At sea
26 May
Iceland: Seyðisfjörður
Seyðisfjörður is one of the highlights of Iceland’s Eastfjords, a cute collection of colourful houses at the head of a dramatic fjord. The backdrop of snowy mountains and cascading waterfalls makes this one of the most picturesque ports in Iceland, and the town is surprisingly cosmopolitan.
27 May
Iceland: Djúpivogur
Djúpivogur is a little fishing village on the east coast of Iceland, at the mouth of a steep fjord, and has recently joined the ‘slow city’ movement, the first place in Iceland to do so. A popular excursion is the boat trip across to Papey island, where you’ll find thousands of seabirds and Iceland’s oldest wooden church
28 May
Iceland: Westman Islands
The Westman Islands lie just off the south west coast of the Icelandic mainland, and most visitors head for the largest island, Heimaey. The jagged landscape is a reminder of Heimaey's volcanic origins; the most recent eruption, back in 1973, created the volcano now known as Eldfell, which looms over the island.
29 May
Arriving in Reykjavik
Capital of Iceland and gateway to this extraordinary volcanic island, modern Reykjavík is home to an impressive collection of interesting attractions and places of historic significance. Visit the impressive Hallgrímskirkja church, relax in a thermal pool, potter around the old harbour, and enjoy 24 hour daylight in the summer months.
Your home from home
What we love
Just take a look at the pictures - quite different from anything we have seen before, with a revolutionary new patented X-BOW design which has a number of benefits. Not only does it increase passenger comfort by eliminating slamming in heavy seas, but also the journey is speeded up so uncomfortable rides in heavy seas are minimised. This also results in environmental benefits, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
On board, AE Expeditions passengers will enjoy the company's established style - a comfortable, friendly and laid-back vibe in the company of like-minded travellers, for whom the time ashore is everything. The focus is on small group exploration, with a commitment to getting off the ship as much as possible for up close and personal encounters with wilderness and wildlife.
Capacity | A maximum of 130 guests in the polar regions |
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Crew | 95 Staff |
Style | Relaxed, authentic, cosy - a totally unpretentious and educational experience for true adventurers. |
Inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
Extend your stay in Reykjavik
Enjoy Icelandic design chic at the super cool 101 Hotel, with a perfect central location.
Private tours from Reykjavik
A helicopter tour is a must do here; the unforgettable spectacular day-tours will give you a completely different perspective.