HIGHLIGHTS
- Hike
for 2 – 3 hours with outings in the morning and/or afternoon
- Ski
mountaineering will be offered as an additional activity option
- Birding
enthusiasts will also enjoy this trip
- Visit
Ny Ålesund, one of the northernmost settlements on Earth
- Enjoy
expansive fjords spilling with glaciers sometimes visited by ringed and
bearded seals
- Spot
seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and possibily polar bears
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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ITINERARY
The
focus of this voyage will be on hiking on shore: -
The
focus of this voyage is shore hiking. Hikers can choose hikes that best
suits their fitness and ability level. Hiking options include very easy
beach hikes (good for photographers who need time for photography),
easier short hikes, medium-difficulty extended hikes, and more
challenging long hikes. Ski mountaineers can also join this trip.
Hikes
of 2 – 3 hours will be planned, with outings in the morning
and/or afternoon. About 200 meters (650 feet) of altitude will be
gained and descended per day, sometimes more or less depending on the
hike. Hiking groups will return to the ship for lunch. On occasion, the
expedition leader may offer a long hike, for which participants will
receive a packed lunch.
Our
hiking guests will be split into groups under the guidance of
experienced and competent guides. The formation of walking groups will
take place on site, taking into account the interests and physical
condition of the guests. The hikes cannot be determined in advance
because prevailing weather conditions influence the layout of the final
program.
The
route map in the day-by-day description outlines a possible (but not
final) itinerary that serves as a rough guide. The program (walking on
land) and the itinerary of the ship (at sea) will be adapted to the
prevailing weather, sea, pack ice, and snow conditions. The daily
program may vary considerably from the route described. Availability of
landing sites and the presence of polar bears also play a role in the
selection of daily outings.
The
program will be adapted in case of interesting wildlife observations.
The final decision about hikes will be made by the expedition leader.
For the hiking program, we will use snowshoes that will be available on
board for all passengers (free rental). With snowshoes, it is easier
and safer to walk on snowy surfaces. They fit all boot sizes and can be
used in combination with our rubber boots. We strongly recommend
bringing sturdy, ankle-high hiking boots and gaiters. Hiking poles with
snow plates are also required. See details in the equipment list.
At
the end of a long Arctic winter, spring is starting to awaken. The
climate, however, still clings to the cold: ice-covered mountains,
snow-swept shores, temperatures around –4° C
(25°F). It’s a good time to experience the last of
the winter scenery, and with a little luck, also see some polar bears,
walruses, and seals.
Ski
mountaineering will be offered as an additional activity option: -
Ski
mountaineering will be offered as an additional activity option. The
ski program is designed for experienced ski mountaineers who have
mastered techniques for both ascent and descent in challenging
snow-covered alpine terrain.
A
typical day involves climbs on mountaintops averaging heights of 700
– 850 meters (2,300 – 2,800 feet) and downhill
skiing from those points. You might climb 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) of
accumulated altitude on an average day. An accurate route cannot be
determined in advance due to variable weather, sea, wildlife, and
avalanche considerations.
The
map outlines a possible but not final route in the regions of
Kongsfjorden, Raudfjorden, Liefdefjorden, and Prins Karls Forland. This
route serves as a rough guide only. The expedition leader and the
mountain guides make the final decision as to the daily adjustments.
Flexibility is paramount in this type of cruise. Ski mountaineers must
bring their own equipment. All activities on or off the
vessel, such as (but not limited to) ski outings and Zodiac trips, are
done at the passenger’s own risk. Oceanwide Expeditions is
not liable for any damage, such as (but not limited to) bodily injury,
illness, and death unless as a result of gross negligence. Furthermore,
with the consent to participate in the ski mountaineering program, the
passenger agrees to make no claims for reimbursement for shortened
travel days due to reasons beyond the organization’s control,
such as (but not limited to) conditions of weather and ice, avalanche
threads, polar bears threats, and expedition staff injuries.
Birding
note: -
It
is still somewhat quiet on the cliffs, as this time of year the
cliff-nesting birds are only just arriving to pick out their breeding
places. By May all the nesting birds will have arrived, and the
breeding will take place later in June.
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. We head north for Kongsfjorden and
Krossfjorden.
Day
2: Kongsfjorden, Blomstrandhalvøya and Krossfjorden
On
the first day of our activity program, we will slowly ease into things.
Blomstrandhalvøya is located on the northern side of the
fjord, which will offer shelter and room to change plan in case the
weather changes. The landscape is likely to show signs of winter, the
crags and slopes still blanketed with snow. Here there are rich
opportunities for snowshoeing – we provide the snowshoes
– and visiting places of historic interest: Ny London, where
you can see the remains of early 20th-century marble mining.
In
the afternoon, you visit Ny Ålesund, one of the northernmost
settlements on Earth. Once a mining village served by the
world’s most northerly railway – you can still see
its tracks – Ny Ålesund is now a research center.
Close to the community is a breeding ground for barnacle geese,
pink-footed geese, and Arctic terns. And if you’re interested
in the history of Arctic exploration, visit the anchoring mast used by
polar explorers Amundsen and Nobile in their airships, Norge (1926) and
Italia (1928). In the evening, we head north along the west coast and
spend the night in the sheltered surroundings of Krossfjorden.
Krossfjorden offers views of colossal glaciers and lofty mountain
peaks, but ultimately the extent of fjord ice dictates the itinerary
here.
Day
3: Exploring the North West
Next
to our activities, we will next head toward Amsterdamoya, where you
have the chance to hike past the remains of a 17th-century whaling
station. You can also enjoy the beautiful panorama of Smeerenburgsleta.
In the afternoon, we make for the islands around Fair Haven. Ytre
Norskoya is home to a small rookery of puffins,
Brünnich’s guillemots, and other wildlife. Nearby
Fuglesangen may also offer the chance to see litte auks flying overead
as they return to their nests among the rocks.
Days
4: Rugged Raudfjorden
At
Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, you can take in an
expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even
visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of this
fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the
possibility of polar bears. Here we will find the right balance between
safe activities and wildlilfe watching.
Day
5: The stunning sights of Liefdefjorden
Depending
on the weather, you could sail into Liefdefjorden and cruise within
sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of Monaco Glacier. The
waters in front of this glacier are a favorite feeding spot for
thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular polar
bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent sailing here early in
the season, we may use an alternate route along the west coast of
Spitsbergen. Near the area of Texas Bar and Hornbaekpollen, there are
also some great hikes.
Day
6: North Spitsbergen splendors
This
is our reserve day for activities around North Spitsbergen. Weather and
wildlife permitting, we will choose the right location for another day
of splendid outdoor adventures.
Day
7: Forlandsundet or St. Johns Fjord
Forlandsundet,
between the main island of Spitsbergen and the narrow Prins Karls
Forland, is a place of great beauty and fascinating wildlife. Walruses
sometimes haul out here, and seabirds can be found around Fuglehuken.
You may also see walrus populations around Sarstangen and Poolepynten.
Alternatively, we might sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth
of Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs,
Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer
graze the sparse vegetation. We will arrive in Longyearbyen later that
night.
Day
8: There and back again
Even
the greatest journeys eventually come to an end. Today 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 .
- Pre-scheduled
transfers and baggage handling between the airport and ship only for
those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen.
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff.
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material.
- AECO
fees and governmental taxes.
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 - Shire-based Walking: Free
- Hiking: FREE
- Snowshoeing: FREE
- Ski Mountaineering: USD 480
