HIGHLIGHTS
- Observe
polar bears, reindeer, walruses and arctic fox
- Journey
to the world's most northerly settlement and be just 540 miles from the
geographic North Pole
- See
extraordinary bird cliffs with puffins, nesting guillemots, kittiwakes
and little auks, plus ground nesting barnacle and pink-footed geese, as
well as arctic terns
- Visit
historic whaling sites and mining villages, even remains from the era
of polar bear hunting
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: Arrive in
Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago
of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there
is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose
parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting. In the
surrounding area of Longyearbyen, more than 100 species of plants have
been recorded. In the early evening, the ship will sail out of
Isfjorden, wherein the mouth of the fjord we may see our first Minke
Whale.
Day 2: We sail to
Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord
dominated by spectacular glaciers and favored by Ringed and Bearded
Seal. The cliffs and shoreline of the fjord also support thriving
seabird colonies and surprisingly rich vegetation, which flourishes in
sheltered spots. Polar bears are often seen here.
Day 3: Depending on
the weather we may now sail to the mouth of Liefdefjorden and go ashore
for a walk on the tundra island of Andøya. Many Common Eider
and Pink-footed Goose nest here, and the rarer King Eider may also be
seen. We hope to sail into Liefdefjorden, cruising near the 5km long
face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the glacier front
are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwake. As well, Polar
Bears have been seen on the glacier, providing wonderful opportunities
for photography.
Day 4: Today we
will sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to Bearded Seal, Ringed Seal,
Polar Bear, and Ivory Gull. At the entrance, there is the possibility
to see Blue Whale. We'll navigate the ice floes of
Lomfjordshalvøya in our zodiacs and explore the bird cliffs
of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich's Guillemot. On the
east side of Hinlopenstrait, we'll attempt a landing at Palanderbukta
on Nordaustlandet, home to reindeer, Pink-footed Goose, breeding Ivory
Gull, and Walrus.
Day 5: We will try
to reach our northernmost point at Phippsøya, in the Seven
Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here we will be at 81 degrees north,
just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar Bears inhabit this
region, along with Ivory Gull. The ship may sit for several hours in
the pack ice, before turning west again.
Day 6: Retracing
our route westwards, our route takes us through and along the pack ice,
keeping watch for Polar Bear and the elusive Greenland Whale (Bowhead).
About 100 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen we sail along the edge of
the continental shelf, where Fin Whale forage in summer in the
upwellings along the Spitsbergen banks. West of the mouth of the
Kongsfjord we have also good chances to see Humpback Whale.
Day 7: We land at
the northern tip of Prins Karls Forland near Fuglehuken, where Barentsz
probably set foot on Spitsbergen for the first time. Seabirds nest on
the cliffs, and along the coast, we see Harbor Seal, the only
population found in Spitsbergen. Here we also will observe the remains
of the Polar Bear hunting era, with demolished set guns and bear traps.
At the opposite site of Forlandsundet at Sarstangen is a haul-out place
for Walrus. Alternatively, we sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the
mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on its cliffs
and Arctic Fox search the cliff base for fallen eggs and chicks, while
Spitsbergen Reindeer graze the relatively luxuriant vegetation. At
nighttime, we arrive in Longyearbyen.
Day 8: We disembark
in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, for the
flights south to Oslo and onward home.
(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
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff
- All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
- Free
use of rubber boots
- On
Spitsbergen voyages: 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 program
- AECO
fees and governmental taxes
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material
