HIGHLIGHTS
A&K Advantages - Cruise for 13 nights through the Arctic’s wildest regions on a voyage exclusively chartered by A&K
- Enjoy active exploration of the Arctic’s varied landscapes, from Zodiac excursions through ice floes to epic volcanic hikes, all under the wing of A&K’s award-winning Expedition Team
- Experience a vast breadth of Arctic wildlife habitats, including the polar bear haven of Svalbard
- Cruise to the remote east coast of Greenland, where you may visit Scoresby Sound and the Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit
- Discover North Iceland and the whale-watching port of Husavik, where you experience a private, behind-the-scenes tour at the renowned Husavik Whale Museum
- Join photography lectures, hands-on workshops and tips in the field led by A&K’s dedicated photo coach
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Jul 17, 2023 | Jul 31, 2023 | 16,719 |
17,995 |
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Jul 17, 2023 | Jul 31, 2023 | 16,719 |
17,995 |
ITINERARY
JUL 17
ARRIVE OSLO, NORWAY
Arrive in Oslo, your gateway to the Arctic. Upon arrival, you are met and escorted to your hotel, conveniently located near the airport. This evening, gather for a welcome briefing.
Radisson Blu Airport Hotel, Oslo Gardermoen
Meals: Dinner
JUL 18
NORWAY | OSLO TO LONGYEARBYEN
Board an early morning charter flight to Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard, also known as Spitsbergen, the sovereign Arctic archipelago of Norway. It is one of the most remote groups of islands on the planet, with nearly two-thirds of its surface covered in luminous glaciers. Tour the tiny town and its Arctic Museum. This afternoon, board your luxury expedition cruiser.
JUL 19–23
NORWAY | THE SVALBARD ARCHIPELAGO
Very few people have the opportunity to view the remote wilderness of the Svalbard Islands. In the archipelago, polar bears, walruses, Svalbard reindeer and an incredibly rich variety of birds are abundant, as are cathedrals of ice, glaciers and craggy mountain peaks. An exquisite assortment of flora also peppers this barren landscape. One of the main objectives of your voyage is to spot polar bears in their natural habitat. Cruising on A&K’s exclusive charter, rely on our experts and their intimate knowledge of the Arctic to lead you to locales that provide the highest probability for viewing these elusive animals. Throughout the expedition, your Captain and Expedition Leader determine the day’s best sightseeing opportunities, which may include:
Ny Alesund: Home to a polar research station and the northernmost post office in the world.
Alkefjellet, (“Auk Cliffs”): Staggering cliffs that drop directly into the water and provide a home to vast colonies of auks, diving birds entirely dependent on the sea for their food.
Monacobreen: Formerly known as Monaco Bay, this glacier reaches down into Spitsbergen and is frequented by polar bears, harbor and bearded seals, walruses and a multitude of seabirds.
Liefdefjorden (“The Love Fjord”): Named after a Dutch ship with the same name, this fjord is another excellent area for spotting polar bears and wildlife.
Sjuoyane (“Seven Islands”): The most northerly region of the Svalbard archipelago.
In every region, enjoy endless moments of discovery alongside A&K’s Expedition Team, who know intuitively where and when you’re most likely to see polar bears and wildlife, which you observe from the safety and comfort of your luxury expedition cruiser. These same experts also scout every landing site in advancel, assuring your safety and maximizing your experience ashore.
JUL 24
AT SEA | CRUISING THE GREENLAND SEA
Cruise south through the Greenland Sea as your lecturers offer presentations on the wildlife, history and geology of Svalbard and prepare you for visits to Jan Mayen and Greenland.
JUL 25
JAN MAYEN | GLACIER-CLOAKED VOLCANO
At the confluence of the Greenland and Norwegian seas, arrive at Jan Mayen, a rugged island dominated by the 7,500-foot Beerenberg Volcano, the world’s northernmost active volcano. With special permission and conditions permitting, land on this rarely visited island to see its meteorological station Olonkinbyen and discover its phenomenal bird colonies. Designated by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA), Jan Mayen supports large breeding colonies of northern fulmars, little auks, thick-billed guillemots and black guillemots.
JUL 26–27
GREENLAND | REMOTE ITTOQQORTOORMIIT VILLAGE
While crossing the Greenland Sea and cruising the Arctic ice edge, your Expedition Team prepares you for the world’s largest island: Greenland. Arrive at its rarely visited east coast and Scoresby Sound, the largest and longest fjord system in the world, all of which you enjoy exploring for the next two days. Embark on Zodiac excursions through the fjord’s intricate network, taking in its islands and icebergs and searching for residents that include the musk ox and Arctic fox. Ice conditions permitting, disembark for a visit to the small settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most isolated villages in Greenland.
JUL 28
AT SEA | CRUISING THE DENMARK STRAIT
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea cruising the strip of water that separates Greenland from Iceland and connects the Arctic Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. Watch for seabirds and whales from the deck in between insightful lectures presented by your Expedition Team.
JUL 29
ICELAND | WHALE-WATCHING HAVEN
Arrive in picturesque Husavik and visit the Husavik Whale Museum, supported by A&K Philanthropy. The museum is one of the world’s foremost centers for research of whales and their habitat. Afterward, choose to embark on a scenic whale-watching tour followed by free time in Husavik, or set off for Godafoss Falls and geothermal Lake Myvatn. Tonight, gather with your Expedition Team and fellow guests for a special farewell reception and dinner.
JUL 30
ICELAND’S WESTFJORDS | LAVA & ICE-CARVED LANDS
The Westfjords of Iceland are more remote and much less visited than other parts of the country, with small settlements interspersed among spectacular mountains and coves. You might make a visit to Dynjandi Falls, the grandest waterfall in the Westfjords. Dynjandi is a spectacular sight, with water cascading down tiered ridges flanked by a green and brown façade. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the shore or take a more vigorous trek to the viewing platform both offering scenic views of the falls.
JUL 31
DEPART REYKJAVIK
This morning, disembark your luxury expedition cruiser in Reykjavik and transfer to the airport for your return flight home, or continue on in Iceland with A&K’s small-group extension in Reykjavik.
Meals: Breakfast
Note: Itinerary is for guidance purposes only and may be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildlife, ice, medical emergencies and other conditions beyond A&K’s control at the sole discretion of the Captain.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- An Exclusively Chartered, All-Inclusive Voyage Led by A&K’s Expedition Team
- Pre-Cruise Stay at Stylish, Ideally Located Hotel and A&K-Led Excursion
- Airport Meet and Greet and Transfers
- Private Balcony with Every Onboard Accommodation and Butler Service with Every Suite
- Maximum Personnel-to-Guest Ratio of 1 to 1.3 and ship occupancy limited to 80 percent
- Culinary Program Featuring French-Inspired Cuisine, Including House Drinks, Afternoon Tea and Pastries
- 24-Hour Room Service and Breakfast in Bed on board
- Complimentary Expedition Parka, Backpack and Water Bottle, and Use of Waterproof Pants, Boots and Trekking Poles
- Zodiac Excursions Led by A&K Expert Naturalist Driver-Guides
- Traveller’s Valet® Laundry Service on board
- All Gratuities, Port Charges and Taxes
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on Board and in Hotels
- Onboard Service from an English-Speaking Staff, Including an Accredited Physician
- 24/7 A&K On-Call Support
JOURNEY DETAILS - Internal Air: Economy class from $495
- Oslo/Longyearbyen
- This journey contains some active elements, including Zodiac boat excursions, walks over uneven terrain and optional, challenging hikes.
- Minimum age is 7 years.
- Categories 5–8 include room upgrade at the hotel and butler service aboard the ship.
- First group event: welcome briefing at 6:30 p.m. on Jul 17.
- Last group event: disembarkation by 9:00 a.m. on Jul 31.
SPECIAL OFFER TERMS & CONDITIONS Offers subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Single supplement offer not combinable with Marco Polo or any other single supplement discounts.
Offer subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Not combinable with Marco Polo Club or any other single supplement discounts.
DR. NIKITA OVSYNAYKOV
Polar Bear Expert
A recognized authority on polar bears, Nikita is a zoologist focused on animal behavior, population ecology and conservation. His film Polar Bears: Life on the Field of Bones documents a season on Herald Island.
DR. JAMES MCCLINTOCK
Climate Scientist
James is a noted climate change expert who has joined numerous A&K expeditions to the Polar Regions. On this voyage, he outlines the effects of climate change in the Arctic and offers a hopeful plan for future action.