Greg Mortimer has been announced as Expedition Leader of a special ‘Across the Arctic Circle’ sailing in May 2023
Award-winning adventure travel company Aurora Expeditions is offering a unique opportunity to discover the natural wonders of the Arctic with one of Australia’s greatest explorers on board the state-of-the-art polar ship named after him.
The renowned Greg Mortimer (OAM) will be Expedition Leader of a life-enriching Across the Arctic Circle voyage aboard the Greg Mortimer, a 15-day adventure of a lifetime sailing from Scotland to Norway.
Across the Arctic Circle voyage
Departing Aberdeen on May 16, 2023, this special expedition will visit the remote Orkney and Shetland Islands, sail along the magnificent Norwegian coast, and explore the frozen wildernesses of Bear Island and Svalbard, before arriving in Longyerbean on May 30.
Combining the ancient history of the Scottish Isles, majestic fjords and quaint fishing villages of Norway’s rugged coastline, and towering cliffs and glaciers beyond the Arctic Circle, expeditioners will see pods of whales, vast herds of walruses and exceptional birdlife, along with the chance to search for the mighty polar bear.
“More than 30 years in the making, Aurora Expeditions has a track record for pioneering authentic discovery and adventure in the polar regions, and respectful travel is at the heart of our ethos,” says Chief Marketing Officer Hayley Peacock-Gower.
“This special ‘Across the Arctic Circle’ voyage with Greg Mortimer as Expedition Leader on board the Greg Mortimer – as with all of our Arctic itineraries – will reveal the wonders of this magnificent polar region,” she adds.
Explore the Arctic
While more travellers are discovering Antarctica, the Arctic is a lesser-known, but equally fascinating, polar destination. Comprising five major regions – Iceland, Jan Mayen, Svalbard, Greenland and the Northwest Passage – all can be explored during Aurora Expeditions’ annual Arctic season.
Iceland
The so-called ‘Land of Fire and Ice’, Iceland abounds with hot springs, calving glaciers, lava-strewn fields and craggy volcanoes, an awe-inspiring ‘Game of Thrones’ landscape where nature reigns supreme. Aurora’s five immersive Iceland expeditions tap into the scenery, culture, history and natural beauty of this island nation.
Jan Mayen
Jan Mayen is a tiny volcanic island governed by Norway and located between Norway and Greenland. For centuries, this remote and under-explored island was off-limits to visitors, but is now accessible on two Aurora sailings, one featuring Iceland, Jan Mayen and Svalbard and an exciting new Northern Lights Explorer itinerary.
Svalbard
Svalbard is an Arctic highlight, its dramatic fjords, rugged mountain ranges and fossil-rich polar desert brimming with puffins, guillemots, little auk and other native birdlife, along with walruses, beluga whales, and sightings of elusive polar bears if you’re lucky. Aurora’s 12-day Svalbard Odyssey and 15-day Svalbard in Depth sailings offer a deep dive into this unique High Arctic archipelago.
Greenland
Greenland is a remarkable destination that leaves its imprint on travellers that can’t be fully explained. Aurora Expeditions explores East, West and South Greenland, revealing the inner magic of the world’s largest island.
Canada’s High Arctic
Canada’s High Arctic is a labyrinth of remote waterways where you can travel in the footsteps of intrepid explorers and connect with Indigenous locals whose ancestors have hunted and fished there for centuries.
Arctic Wildlife
The Arctic’s ‘Big Five’ – polar bear, musk ox, beluga whale, walrus and the elusive narwhal – thrive in the Northwest Passage, alongside millions of seabirds that soar, swoop and nest in Arctic Canada.
What makes Aurora Expeditions different?
Smaller groups, expert guides, new purpose-built small ships, a spirit of adventure and a relaxed onboard atmosphere all add to the education and enrichment ethos, delivering the polar regions at their best.
This article was produced in partnership with Aurora Expeditions and is a Signature Luxury Travel & Style digital exclusive. Be the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the enewsletter.
