HIGHLIGHTS
ARCTIC
WILDERNESS
The
unique Arctic ecosystem of Spitsbergen is almost entirely protected in
a network of nature reserves and national parks. Our voyage takes us to
Nordre Isfjorden Nasjonalpark, Forlandet Nasjonalpark, and the
spectacular Nordvest-Spitsbergen Nasjonalpark. Each has its own claim
to Svalbard’s magnificent natural history.
By
land and sea we encounter a wealth of wildlife—including
walrus, Arctic fox, reindeer, and a variety of whales and
seals—in one of the High Arctic’s most pristine and
protected environments. We also encounter a surprising wealth of hardy
plant life and striking geology throughout the area.
POLAR
BEARS
Svalbard
boasts one of the Arctic’s highest concentrations of polar
bears. They are the world’s largest land carnivores and have
become a symbol of the imperiled Arctic wilderness. This is one of the
best places in the world to view polar bears hunting in their preferred
habitat: the pack ice.
During
our sojourn to the ice edge we hope to come across this majestic
creature employing various strategies to catch seals in the
ever-shifting labyrinth of the pack ice. But these wide-ranging and
opportunistic Arctic nomads can just as well be found at other places
and times during our voyage.
HUMAN
ENDEAVOR
Our
area of exploration is rich with historical sites including early
whaling camps, trappers’ cabins, deserted coal mining
operations, and an abandoned polar research station. It also contains
the staging areas for many historic expeditions to the North Pole,
including those of Roald Amundsen and Walter Wellman.
Modern
human endeavor in this area can be experienced at Ny Ålesund,
a former mining town that is now home to a multinational community of
Arctic researchers. In addition to a museum, gift shop, and post
office, visitors to this extreme northern settlement find a famous bust
of Amundsen and a historic airship mast.
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
Day
1: Arrival in Longyearbyen, Svalbard (hotel night)
Welcome
to Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Svalbard and starting
point of our Arctic expedition! At the Longyearbyen airport, you will
be greeted by our staff and transferred to a quality hotel, which has
been arranged by us and is included in the price of the itinerary. You
will then be free to explore the charming, walkable town center.
We
recommend starting your discovery of this fascinating Norwegian High
Arctic territory at the excellent Svalbard Museum, where you can also
purchase hard-to-find polar books and maps. Afterward, you can enjoy an
excellent dinner at one of Longyearbyen’s many delightful
restaurants. If you are still awake at midnight, you will notice the
sun has not set. In fact, the sun will not set for the entire duration
of our time in Svalbard.
Day
2: Exploring Longyearbyen and surroundings (hotel night)
Enjoy
a full day of guided activities and excursions in and around
Longyearbyen, including transportation and all admissions.
Day
3: Welcome Aboard!
Take
advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities
such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your
very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the
ship. For lunch, Longyearbyen offers quick and easy meal options
including the most northerly pizzas and kebabs in the world.
In
the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where we will warmly
welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get
settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your
comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. After
getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative
briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first
of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to
admire the gorgeous scenery in 24-hour daylight as we pass through the
wildlife-rich waters of Isfjorden.
Day
4-9: West Spitsbergen and Polar Ice Edge
The
itinerary for this voyage focuses on the spectacular fjords, coasts and
islands of western Spitsbergen, the main island of the Svalbard
archipelago. This area contains Svalbard’s most impressive
scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing
opportunities. Our exact schedule and route will be shaped by the
weather and ice conditions we encounter. Polar bears and other iconic
Arctic animals can be spotted at anytime, anywhere in our area of
exploration.
One
of the pristine natural areas on this itinerary is South Spitsbergen
National Park, a vast region of varied landscapes including polar
deserts and impassible mountain ranges. The centerpiece of this park is
Hornsund, a picture-perfect fjord where countless mighty glaciers
cascade from soaring mountaintops into icy inlets. At this time of
year, we are sure to encounter fast ice—that is, sea ice that
is fastened to the shore. This situation offers an excellent chance of
observing polar bears on the hunt for ringed seals. The park also
includes the southern shores of Bellsund, a picturesque bay where we
find the remains of historical whaling operations, including wooden
boats, cabins and thousands of whale bones—a scene from the
distant past, literally frozen in time. This area also offers great
hiking opportunities through landscapes rich with Arctic flora and
birdlife, as well as fascinating geology.
Also
on our route is Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, the crown jewel of
Svalbard’s scenic wonders. Here we find deep fjords flanked
by serrated mountain peaks and immense tidewater glaciers calving
icebergs into turquoise waters. The whole area is alive with migratory
Arctic seabirds. On this voyage, we are just in time to witness the
return of millions of murres, guillemots and little auks to the small
islands, mountainsides and sea cliffs where they breed within the park.
This is also a great area to encounter marine mammals, including
various kinds of whales and Arctic seals. Set among this incredible
scenery and wildlife activity, we also find evidence of
Svalbard’s earliest sealers and whalers.
Our
area of exploration also includes gorgeous Forlandet National Park.
Here we find Prins Karls Forland, one of the best places in Svalbard to
observe herds of walrus hauled out on land. Also along the route is
North Isforden National Park, where we have the chance to observe
endemic Svalbard reindeer grazing and Arctic fox romping in lush tundra
meadows.
Human
habitation along our route can be found at Ny Ålesund, a
former mining town and airship base that is now home to an
international community of Arctic researchers. This is one of the
world’s most northerly settlements where we find a museum,
gift shop and post office.
In
addition to exploring the terrestrial environment and inshore waterways
of western Spitsbergen, we make a special effort to reach the edge of
the polar pack ice. At this dynamic boundary between solid sea ice and
open ocean, we have an unparalleled opportunity to witness the dramatic
interplay between polar bears and seals. We will take the ship as close
as safely possible to the jumbled and constantly shifting ice floes in
the hope of observing polar bears hunting in their preferred habitat.
At this time of year, the ice edge is not far from mainland Spitsbergen
and our sailing time in open seas will be relatively short.
The
West Spitsbergen and Polar Ice Edge route offers a stunning variety of
Arctic landscapes and animals with minimal sailing time between
excursions. Every day offers something new and exciting. We will not
miss a single opportunity to encounter amazing Arctic wildlife, to
witness incredible polar scenery, and to walk in the footsteps of
historic expeditions that came before.
Day
10: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 1
pre-voyage night on Day 1 in a hotel in Longyearbyen;
- Group
transfer from the airport to the hotel on the day prior to embarkation;
- Group
transfer to the ship for embarkation on Day 2;
- Shipboard
accommodation;
- All
meals on board throughout the voyage;
- Tea
and coffee station 24 hours daily;
- All
scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather and ice conditions);
- Leadership
throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader &
Expedition Team;
- Branded
Poseidon Expeditions parka;
- Rubber
boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise;
- Welcome
and Farewell cocktails;
- All
port fees;
- Group
transfer to airport or central location upon disembarkation;
- Pre-departure
materials;
- Digital
Voyage Log;
- Wi-Fi
on board.
Rates
Do Not Include:
- Airfare;
- Transfers
from the airport to the hotel if arriving prior to Day 1 of the program;
- Visa
and passport fees (if applicable);
- Luggage
and trip cancellation insurance;
- Soft
drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and
celebrations;
- Personal
expenses such as laundry and telecommunication charges;
- Mandatory
Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of US$ 200,000 per
person;
- Kayaking;
- The
cost of any applicable medical tests (such as COVID-19) or vaccinations
required either by a national government or Poseidon Expeditions
before, during or after the cruise;
- Staff
gratuities.
- Kayaking:
USD 655
- Photography:
Free option
