HIGHLIGHTS
- Encounter
iconic arctic wildlife, such as polar bears, walrus and reindeer
- View
numerous arctic bird species, like puffins, arctic terns and purple
sandpipers
- Take
advantage of continuous daylight
- Explore
glaciers, fjords, icebergs and more with included Zodiac cruising
- Immerse
yourself in the icy realm of the Arctic with optional kayaking
adventures
- Hike
the tundra and polar desert
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Jul 10, 2024 | Jul 23, 2024 | 8,712 |
9,281 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Jul 10, 2024 | Jul 23, 2024 | 8,712 |
9,281 |
ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrive in Helsinki,
Finland
Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its
extraordinary architecture and intriguing mix of eastern and western
influences. If you arrive early, explore the many museums, galleries
and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design
District before retiring at your included hotel.
Day 2
Fly to Longyearbyen,
Svalbard and Embark
This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our
private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest
settlement. As your ship sets sail, enjoy your first view of the
island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically
from frigid waters.
Days 3 to 13
Exploring Spitsbergen
Expect a new adventure every day as we begin our journey by heading
north and around the island of Spitsbergen, exploring smaller, outlying
islands. We plan to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, but if conditions are
favorable, we will also attempt a larger circumnavigation of the
archipelago, including many of the outer islands in the Svalbard
archipelago. Every expedition will be different, depending on the
weather and ice, but some of the places we may visit include the 14th
of July Glacier, Ny-London, Phippsøya, Alkefjellet and the
seldom-visited Kvitøya.
These names may seem strange to you, but each site has its own unique
appeal. There is no shortage of natural beauty in Spitsbergen, where
colorful tundra meadows are complemented by immense glaciers. For
birders, 14th of July Bay is home to puffins, purple sandpipers,
black-legged kittiwakes, pink-footed geese, and barnacle geese, while
Alkefjellet’s cliffs are teeming with nesting
Brünnich’s guillemots (thick- billed murres).
Always on the lookout for wildlife, be sure to have your camera ready
to capture reindeer when we visit sites like Ny-London, Sundneset and
Alkhornet. Searching for the iconic polar bear is a constant activity
for your Expedition Team. Phippsøya and Isbukta are often
home to sea ice, the bears’ preferred habitat for hunting,
which translates into great potential for you to view and capture them
in action.
A big part of appreciating Spitsbergen comes from understanding the
history— not just how people live today, but also how this
land was first explored. Whaling was a key industry, and you will see
remains of outposts from the 16th century, plus other evidence of
whaling at landing sites such as Smeerenburg.
Day 14
Disembark in Longyearbyen
and Fly to Helsinki
Your adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen.
From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return
group charter flight to Helsinki, included in the transfer package.
Ocean Adventurer (Expedition, 132-guests)
The new and improved Ocean Adventurer is designed to carry 132 travelers in comfort to the most remote corners of the world. Originally built in Yugoslavia in 1976, this nimble, ice-strengthened ship has become a passenger favourite over the years and underwent refurbishments in 1999 and 2002 with the most significant being in 2017. It is a recipient of the 2017 Travel Weekly Magellan Award for Overall Small Cruise Ship (500 passengers or under).
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Leadership
throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including
shore landings and other activities
- All
Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
- All
shore landings per the daily program
- Shipboard
accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All
meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage
(Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as
possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare
kosher meals.)
- Select
beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around
the clock
- Formal
and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as
scheduled
- A
photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A
pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac
cruising excursions
- An
official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Hair
dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All
luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency
Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD
$500,000 per person
- Transfers
between Longyearbyen town center and port on embarkation and
disembarkation day
Rates
do not include the following:
- Mandatory
Transfer Package*
- International
airfare
- Arrival
and departure transfers in Oslo
- Passport
and visa expenses
- Government
arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
- Meals
ashore unless otherwise specified
- Baggage,
cancellation, interruption and medical travel
insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage
fees on international flights
- Mandatory
waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry,
bar and other personal charges unless specified
- Phone
and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
- Voluntary
gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
- Additional
overnight accommodation
- Adventure
Options not listed in Included Activities
