Islands on the Edge: UK - Eire - Hebrides 2010
13 days / 12 nights, Dartmouth - Dingle Peninsula - Cliffs of Mohar - Glencolmcille - Rathlin Island - Gigha Island - Isle of Jura - St. Kilda - Outer Hebrides - Oban | From the south of England to the Hebrides – this is a journey of cultural and natural history delights. For the avid birder there are many opportunities to see large numbers of gannets, fulmars, kittiwakes, cormorants, guillemots and puffins. Almost daily are new archaeological experiences from Bant's Carn to blackhouses. The rugged coast was a challenge for man and nature alike to eke out an existence and shows the adaptability of both man and nature. This expedition cruise takes place in spring – a time of abundance, hope and growth.
| K1-T | K1-D | K2-D | K3-D | K4-T | K4-D | K6-D | K7-D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,335 | $5,245 | $6,150 | $6,455 | $5,545 | $7,060 | $7,425 | $7,995 |
Prices in USD per person
| Departure | PS910-11, May 4th – May 16th, 2010 |
| Price | From $4,335 per person in K1 triple |
| Included | Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as per itinerary Cabin category of choice Meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship incl. snacks, coffee and tea Onboard gratuities All shore excursions unless specifically stated onboard lectures and activities Expedition guide service Complimentary rubber boot rental program Complimentary PSE Maritime Expedition Outer Shell (jacket custom designed for the layering concept) All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program Access to medical services when available onboard at posted prices |
| Not Included | Airfare to and from M/V Polar Star Airport taxes Transport to and from M/V Polar Star Visa, passports and vaccination charges Hotels and meals not included in the ship cruise itinerary Personal items such as laundry, postage, communication costs, medical expenses, alcoholic beverages and bar charges, shop purchases Optional tours and excursions Baggage, cancellation and personal trip insurance (strongly recommended) Emergency evacuation charges Gratuity for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided) $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Detailed Terms and Conditions are available upon request and are automatically included with booking correspondence. We highly recommend that passengers purchase cancellation, trip disruption, baggage and personal property, medical and emergency evacuation insurance. Please note that this is our planned itinerary – actual execution is subject to weather and scheduling limitations. PSE reserves the right to adjust the itinerary as needed without recourse. |
| Tour Options | BONUS CRUISE! Book one UK cruise at full price and add the second cruise for only $600 pp. There is no better way to explore the magical, remote places and experience fantastic birding in the springtime in the UK than aboard an expedition cruise ship. Gratuities included. Complimentary Expedition Shell jacket included. Shore excursions and lectures included. Only 100 passengers. No combinations, variations or substitutions permitted. Subject to availability. Cabin assignment may change. |
Islands on Edge UK Eire Map
Download E-Brochure 2010-2011 in pdf
Day 1 ENGLAND Tuesday, May 4th
Embark in picturesque Dartmouth.
Day 2 ISLES OF SCILLY Wednesday, May 5th
These surprisingly sub tropical islands are located southwest of England's mainland and here you will find the amazing Abbey Gardens of Tresco, Iron Age Halangy Village, charming island
of St. Mary's and Bant's Carn, a Bronze Age village site.
Day 3 IRELAND Thursday, May 6th
Skellig Rocks, a UNESCO site, is a remote formation of pinnacles of rock, home to an bandoned Cliffside beehive monastery and fantastic Gannet colony. From there the ship heads to Dingle Peninsula for a tour ashore that provides spectacular views and relics that speak of the Potato Famine, Celtic and early Christian times.
Day 4 IRELAND Friday, May 7th
The ship cruises along the Cliffs of Mohar in the early morning en route to the Aran Islands. Land at Killronan on Inishmore. Dramatic limestone pavements, charming stone walled fields and a Bronze Age fort, Dun Aengus, dramatically perched atop a 90 meter cliff are found on this island.
Day 5 IRELAND Saturday, May 8th
In County Donegal first set off to Glencolmcille to see examples of rural Irish homes throughout the ages and then back to explore Killibegs independently – perhaps the carpet factory or a music session in the local pub.
Day 6 NORTHERN IRELAND Sunday, May 9th
The Giant's Causeway is an interesting formation of basalt rock formed by volcanic activity. The afternoon is spent exploring Rathlin Island, known for fantastic bird cliffs and sites of
archaeological interest.
Day 7 SCOTLAND - INNER HEBRIDES Monday, May 10th
Enjoy the morning light in the gardens of Achamore House on the island of Gigha. Time on the Isle of Islay is divided between a visit to the Ardbeg Distillery – a whisky noted for its "peaty" flavour and a visit to Kildalton Cross and Chapel. The cross is a wonderful eighth-century Celtic ringed cross.
Day 8 INNER HEBRIDES Tuesday, May 11th
One of the wildest and most mountainous islands of the Inner Hebrides, Isle of Jura is home to deer, mountain hare and eagles. Explore Loch Tarbert featuring intriguing raised beaches and caves. On the Isle of Colonsay plan to land in Kiloran Bay to enjoy the miles of sandy beach and a walk to Colonsay House whose original owner Malcolm MacNeil made his fortune building the Canadian Pacific Railway. Leaving the island, cruise along the sharp escarpment watching for kittiwakes, cormorants and guillemots.
Day 9 INNER HEBRIDES Wednesday, May 12th
With high hopes for a calm day, the visit to Fingal's Cave on Staffa could be on foot or by Zodiac. Nearby Iona is home to a grand abbey and burial ground for 62 Scottish Kings. It was the starting place for the spread of early Christianity through northern Europe.
Day 10 INNER HEBRIDES Thursday, May 13th
Tiree remains an excellent example of the traditional lifestyle of "crofting" and was once known as the breadbasket of the Inner Hebrides due to its abundant corn crops. "Pudding" or "Spotty" houses as well as white houses (tigh geal) and traditional blackhouses (tigh dubh) can be seen on this island.
Day 11 ST. KILDA Friday, May 14th
Once described as "the edge of the world" the remote island of St. Kilda has UNESCO World Heritage status for both natural and cultural significance. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, the resourceful St. Kildans lived by harvesting the seabirds in this harsh environment. Blackhouses and other remnantsstill remain. The St. Kildan archipelago is home of the world's largest northern gannet population (65,000 breeding pairs) as well as St. Kilda wrens, Arctic skuas and Fulmars. Enjoy the afternoon cruise around the sea stacks to seethis wildlife spectacle.
Day 12 OUTER HEBRIDES Saturday, May 15th
Learn the story and see the real setting of the highly entertaining film
"Whisky Galore" at Eriksay. Inhabited until 1912, Mingulay is now home to an abandoned settlement and impressive sea stacks and cliffs with a multitude of birds.
Day 13 DISEMBARKATION OBAN / SCOTLAND Sunday, May 16
Having navigated the Sound of Mull through the night, disembark in the charming highland town of Oban.