The Shetland Islands
8 Days
Highlights
- Take a unique night time boat trip to Mousa Broch to experience thousands of Storm Petrels returning to the island under the cover of darkness.
- Guided tour of Hermaness National Nature Reserve - home to the second largest Great Skua colony in the world.
- Opportunities to see Orca, Minke Whales, Harbour Porpoise, White-Beaked, White-Sided and Risso's Dolphins.
- Visit the RSPB reserve of Sumburgh Head to witness the amazing spectacle of thousands of breeding seabirds, including Puffins, Guillemots, Shags and Fulmars.
- Explore the beautiful and rugged landscape of Shetland - its dramatically changing colours and textures will take your breath away.
- Other wildlife we hope to encounter includes Common Seals, Grey Seals, Arctic Hares and Otters.
Description
There's a different world waiting for you in Shetland. The unmistakable beauty and charm of the rugged land and seascapes are truly breathtaking and coupled with the amazing diversity of wildlife and marine life that the area has to offer, this holiday is one not to be missed.
For the next seven days we will lose ourselves in these magical islands. Exploring the area by land and sea, we hope to have some wonderful encounters with magnificent wildlife. The surrounding waters are one of the best places within the British Isles for marine mammals. Regular visitors to the area and species we should see are Harbour Porpoise, Otters, Common and Grey Seals, and if we are lucky we may see Orcas hunting close inshore, a school of White-Sided Dolphins chasing a shoal of fish or even a Minke Whale. With luck on our side other species we may see include Pilot Whales, Sperm Whales and Risso's Dolphins.
There will also be plenty of opportunities for land based wildlife watching as we head to the National Nature Reserves of Sumburgh Head, Noss, and Hermaness - a birdwatcher's paradise. These three large seabird colonies are easily accessible and we will have close up encounters with tens of thousands of breeding Gannets alongside Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Fulmars.
Itinerary
- Day 1.
- Arrive at Sumburgh airport to be met by your guide. Transfer to accommodation. Welcome meal and orientation talk. Evening boat trip to the island of Mousa.
- Days 2 to 7.
- The next few days will be spent exploring the mystical islands of the Shetlands. Activities will include excursions to Fetlar, Unst, Yell & Noss. Guided walks on the National Nature Reserve of Hermaness and Keen of Hamar and the RSPB Reserves of Sumburgh Head and Fetlar. One full day to explore Unst, the most northerly populated island of the British Isles.
- Day 8.
- Transfer to Sumburgh after breakfast for return journey home.
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Whilst most departures follow the itinerary as noted above, we reserve the right to change the itinerary to ensure a successful trip.
- Tour Code: BSHE
- Cost per person: £865 per person (Land only)
- WDCS Donation Included: £20 per person direct to WDCS
- Single supplement: £80
- What's included: All transfers and whale and dolphin watching trips. Four nights hotel accommodation in Sumburgh Hotel; three nights accommodation in Baltasound Hotel - both with ensuite facilities. All meals.
- Not included: Travel to the Shetlands; travel insurance; personal items; alcoholic and soft drinks.
- Important travel information: You are free to decide how you would like to travel to Shetland for the start of your trip. Complimentary transport will be provided from Sumburgh Airport for those flying to Shetland on Day 1. There is also a passenger and vehicle ferry that sails daily from Aberdeen if you do not wish to fly. Full details will be sent in your trip dossier upon booking.
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Departure dates:
21 - 28 May 2011
28 May - 4 Jun 2011
4 - 11 Jun 2011
11 - 18 Jun 2011
18 - 25 Jun 2011
25 Jun - 2 Jul 2011
2 - 9 Jul 2011
9 - 16 Jul 2011
16 - 23 Jul 2011 - Guides: Shetland Wildlife guides.
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Group size: 14 maximum
