Scotland, Faroe Islands & Arctic Norway

A self-launched, independent version of the G Adventures small-ship expedition from Edinburgh north through Orkney, Shetland and the Faroe Islands to Tromsø. Instead of an expedition vessel, you do the Viking route overland and by sea using scheduled NorthLink ferries (Aberdeen–Lerwick–Kirkwall), the Smyril Line ferry between Shetland, the Faroes and Denmark (or fly to the Faroes via Atlantic Airways), and finally fly from the Faroes to Tromsø via Copenhagen. You visit the same Neolithic and Norse sites (Skara Brae, Maeshowe, Ring of Brodgar, Jarlshof, Old Scatness, Saksun, Tórshavn), swap Zodiac landings for ferries, local buses and hired bikes, and stay in hostels, guesthouses and budget guest rooms. Note: there's no realistic cheap equivalent to the Zodiac landings on uninhabited cliffs, so this version focuses on the archaeological and cultural heart of the itinerary rather than the expedition-ship wildlife access. Roughly £3,000–3,400 vs. ~£8,000+ for the original — but you lose shipboard meals/dinners and expedition crew. All costs approximate, per person, excluding international flights.

Travel Crew

~£3,165