DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
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Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
ITINERARY
PLEASE NOTE:
N.B. The chances that we can complete a full Spitsbergen
circumnavigation (based on our experiences from 1992 – 2019)
are about 30% in the first half of July, 70% in the second half, 90% in
the first half of August, and 95% in the second half. In case we cannot
complete a full circumnavigation, we may devise a program in northeast
or southeast Spitsbergen. All itineraries are for guidance only.
Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions.
Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and
environmental concerns per AECO regulations. Official sailing plans and
landing slots are scheduled with AECO prior to the start of the season,
but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is
paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our
vessel is 10.5 knots.
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: Cruising Krossfjorden
Heading north along the west coast, you arrive by morning in
Krossfjorden. Here you might board the Zodiacs for a cruise near the
towering blue-white face of the Fourteenth of July Glacier. On the
green slopes near the glacier, colorful flowers bloom while flocks of
kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nest on the
cliffs. You have a good chance of spotting an Arctic fox scouting for
fallen chicks, or a bearded seal paddling through the fjord.
In the afternoon you sail to Ny Ålesund, the northernmost
settlement 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).
Day 3: The massive Monaco Glacier
Depending on the weather, you could sail into Liefdefjorden and cruise
within sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of the
precipitous 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, an alternate route along the west
coast of Spitsbergen can be implemented.
Day 4 – 5: Stop at the Seven Islands
The northernmost point of your voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet,
in the Seven Islands. Here you reach 80° north, just 870 km
(540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this
region, so the ship may park for several hours among the pack ice
before wheeling around west again.
When the edge of this sea ice is tens of miles north of the Seven
Islands (mostly in August), you can spend a second day in this area.
Alternatively (mostly in July) you may turn to Sorgfjord, where you
have the chance to find a herd of walruses not far from the graves of
17th-century whalers. A nature walk here can bring you close to
families of ptarmigans, and the opposite side of the fjord is also a
beautiful area for an excursion.
Day 6: Highlights of Hinlopen
Today you sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded and ringed seals
as well as polar bears. At the entrance there is even the possibility
to spot blue whales. As with Liefdefjorden, you can take an alternate
west Spitsbergen route if ice prevents entry into Hinlopen. After
cruising among the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in the
Zodiacs, you then view the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with their
thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the east side
of Hinlopen Strait, you may attempt a landing where reindeer,
pink-footed geese, and walruses are likely sights. Near Torrelneset you
can also visit the polar desert of Nordaustlandet, next to the
world’s third-largest ice cap. Here you may encounter
walruses during a coastline hike over the area’s raised
beaches.
Day 7: Barentsøya’s many bounties
The plan is to make landings in Freemansundet, though polar bears
sometimes make this impossible. Potential stops on
Barentsøya include Sundneset (for an old trapper’s
hut), Kapp Waldburg (for its kittiwake colony), and Rindedalen (for a
walk across the tundra). You might also cruise south to Diskobukta,
though Kapp Lee is more likely your destination. On Kapp Lee is a
walrus haul-out, Pomor ruins, and the chance for hikes along
Edgeøya.
Day 8: Land of the Pointed Mountains
You start the day by cruising the side fjords of the Hornsund area of
southern Spitsbergen, taking in the spire-like peaks: Hornsundtind
rises 1,431 meters (4,695 feet), and Bautaen is a perfect illustration
of why early Dutch explorers named this island Spitsbergen, meaning
“pointed mountains.” There are 14 sizable glaciers
in this area as well as opportunities for spotting seals, beluga
whales, and polar bears.
Day 9: Bell Sund’s flora, fauna, and haunting history
Today you find yourself in Bell Sund, one of the largest fjord systems
in Svalbard. The ocean currents make this area slightly warmer than
other areas in the archipelago, which shows in the relatively lush
vegetation. Here there are excellent opportunities to enjoy both
history and wildlife. A possibility is Ahlstrandhalvøya, at
the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden, where piles of beluga skeletons can be
found. These remains of 19th-century whale slaughter are a haunting
reminder of the consequences of rampant exploitation. Fortunately,
belugas were not hunted into extinction, and you have a good chance of
coming across a pod. Alternately, while cruising the side fjords of
Bellsund, you can explore tundra where reindeer like to feed as well as
rock slopes where little auks are breeding.
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
Included in this voyage
- 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).