HIGHLIGHTS
- Land
at the rarely visited coast of South Spitsbergen between
Sørkap and Isbukta and sailing by Stellingfjellet the
biggest colony of Brünnichs Guillmots in Spitsbergen
- Cruise
north to Diskobukta on the west side of Edgeøya
- Land
at Blankodden on a beach littered with whale bones and tree trunks,
which have drifted here from Siberia
- Climb
to the rim of a narrow gully which is inhabited by thousands of
Kittiwake, together with Black Guillemot and piratical Glaucous Gull
- Walk
to some breeding places of Ivory Gulls in Agardhfjellet at about 400 m
high
- Land
at Sundneset on the island of Barentsøya to visit an old
trapper's hut and then take a brisk walk across the tundra in search of
Spitsbergen Reindeer and Barnacle Goose
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Largest town, biggest island
You
touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen,
the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around
this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make
for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more
than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early
evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first
minke whale of your voyage.
Day
2: South Spitsbergen
Landings
at the rarely visited coast of South Spitsbergen between
Sørkap and Isbukta and sailing by Stellingfjellet the
biggest colony of Brünnichs Guillmots in Spitsbergen.
Day
3: Wild West Side of Edgeøya
We
cruise north to Diskobukta on the west side of Edgeøya.
After a Zodiac cruise through the shallow bay, we land at Blankodden on
a beach littered with whale bones and tree trunks, which have drifted
here from Siberia. We can also climb to the rim of a narrow gully which
is inhabited by thousands of Kittiwake, together with Black Guillemot
and piratical Glaucous Gull. During the breeding season, the base of
the cliffs is patrolled by Arctic Fox and Polar Bear, searching for
young birds that have fallen from the nesting ledges. From there we
walk to Kapp Lee.
Day
4: Ivory Gulls in Agardhfjellet
At
the east side of West Spitsbergen (west side of Storfjorden) we will
walk to some breeding places of Ivory Gulls in Agardhfjellet at about
400 m high. The valley leading to the outcrops with the nests is
littered with fossils of Belemnites and Ammonites.
Day
5: Trapper’s history in Freemansundet
In
Freemansundet we plan to land at Sundneset on the island of
Barentsøya to visit an old trapper's hut and then take a
brisk walk across the tundra in search of Spitsbergen Reindeer and
Barnacle Goose. We also plan a zodiac cruise near the Freeman glacier
and visit again a Kittiwake colony in a canyon.
Day
6: Long island excursion in Diskobukta
At
Diskobukta we make a long inland excursion into the braided rivers,
which are easily crossed this late in the season. At Caltex fjellet we
will search for breeding places of Ivory Gulls and proceed into
Smelledalen with some Pingo’s. Alternatively we land at
Plurdalen, and area where 40 years ago extensive explorations for oil
were carried out.
Day
7: Russian history in Habenichtbukta
At
Habenichtbukta Russian Pomors built their hunting station in which they
lived during quite some periods in the 18th and 19th centuries. We will
land in the area and make also an inland excursion in an area with pond
and lakes, populated by divers, ducks and geese.
Day
8: Walruses and whale skeletons
At
Andrétangen we have a good opportunity to observe a herd of
Walruses near an old trapper station. Some way inland near a lifted
shore in a surf zone from thousands of year ago we find the skeletons
of stranded whales from that time. In the afternoon we land at Kong
Ludvigøyane or Tiholmane with again remains of the Pomor
period.
Day
9: Spectacular Hornsund !
We
start the day quietly cruising the side fjords of the spectacular
Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, enjoying the scenery of towering
mountain peaks. Hornsundtind rises to 1,431m, while Bautaen shows why
early Dutch explorers gave the name ‘Spitsbergen’ -
pointed mountains - to the island. There are also 14 magnificent
glaciers in the area and very good chances of encounters with seals and
Polar Bear. We may visit the Polish research station where the friendly
staff will give us an insight into their research projects. Behind the
station the mountains are home to thousands of pairs of nesting Little
Auk.
Day
10: There and back again
Every
adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You
disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany you
wherever your next adventure lies.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Voyage
aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea.
- All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff.
- Free
use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Transfers
and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for
those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen.
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- AECO
fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material.
Excluded
from this voyage
- Any
airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre-
and post- land arrangements.
- Transfers
to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen.
- Passport
and visa expenses.
- Government
arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals
ashore.
- Baggage,
cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
- Excess
baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry,
bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The
customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other
service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
ADVENTURE OPTIONS - Zodiac Cruising & Shore Programs
- Shore-based Walking