DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
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// Rates are listed per person in USD
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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ITINERARY
DAY
1: LONGYEARBYEN, EMBARKATION
Upon
arriving to Longyearbyen, a short city tour will introduce you to the
fascinating history and contemporary society in the Capital of Svalbard
– possibly the northernmost ‘real’ town
in the world.
Our
vessel, is docked close to the town center. After boarding and a
welcome drink, the Expedition Leader will provide information about the
voyage, the ship's daily routines and the various security and safety
procedures. Before sailing, there will be a mandatory safety drill. The
Captain then takes the ship out of Advent Fjord and our Arctic
adventure commences.
DAY
2: KONGSFJORDEN, NY ÅLESUND AND LILLIEHÖÖK
GLACIER
During
the ‘night’ (what is night, when the sun never
sets?), we have passed Prins Karls Forland and have arrived in the
magnificent Kongsfjord. Our first landing will be at Ny
Ålesund. This settlement is in fact further north than
Longyearbyen, making it THE northernmost town. But… is a
group of scientific stations, a post office and a single shop open for
a few hours a real town? You will have to judge for yourself. The
setting is nice, the scientific projects are very interesting, and so
is the town history. The Captain will try to get alongside, so we can
enjoy an easy walk through the area.
In
the afternoon, we continue further north into the fjord system, and
depending on the ice situation, we may do a Zodiac cruise along the
Lilliehöök Glacier front… or enjoy a
lecture.
With
some arctic luck we will be able to navigate past the magnificent
scenery in the bay of Fjortende Juli, where the glacier Fjortende
Juli-breen calves into the fjord. A fitting end to a day full of scenic
views and arctic wildlife.
DAY
3: FORMER WHALING STATION AT SMEERENBURG AND YTRE NORSKØYA
We
have now entered North West Svalbard, which was declared a national
park in 1973. The day could begin with a Zodiac cruise in
Danskergattet, looking for seals in Virgohamna, before crossing from
Danskøya to Amsterdamøya to make a landing at
Smeerenburg, the legendary whaling town of 17th century. 200-plus men
were living – and quite often dying – here in the
heyday of blubber production.
There
are several interesting places to visit in this northwestern corner of
Spitsbergen. If conditions allow we’ll make a landing on Ytre
Norskøya, where whalers would have their lookout posts.
DAY
4: CRUISING TOWARDS THE PACK ICE, POLAR BEAR COUNTRY
During
the night the ship will steer towards the edge of the polar pack ice.
How close, only time and weather will tell, but the main target for us
is just the ‘edge’.This is the kingdom of the polar
bear! As the pack ice retreats during summer, polar bears ride the
floes north, as this is where their prey - the seals - resides. Bears
who for unfortunate reasons do not ‘catch’ the ice
moving north, are stranded on Svalbard all summer, and will have to
sustain on berries, eggs and whatever whale cadavers they can find. A
hard life indeed!
During
the day, lectures on polar mammals, environment and/or culture can be
enjoyed on board. Should we get into the pack ice where the sea usually
is calm, a Zodiac cruise will be arranged.
At
the end of the day, we will start cruising towards the Jan Mayen.
DAY
5-6: WE MAKE A SHORE LANDING BY ZODIACS ON JAN MAYEN, AT THE FOOT OF
THE 2200 METER BEERENBERG VOLCANO
Listen
to a lecture from our experienced expedition staff, see a film about
Arctic nature – or go out on deck to catch glimpses of
migrating birds and hopefully some whales.
Approximately
in the middle of the North Atlantic lies the enigmatic volcanic island
of Jan Mayen. And if not exactly in the middle, at least it is located
precisely on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, the reason for its volcanic
existence. And enigmatic it is, not only because of its isolation but
also due to the almost perpetual clouds and fog that hovers above it.
Jan Mayen belongs to Norway, and the mountain Beerenberg is one of the
higher of Norway’s 300 summits above 2,000 meters.
The
island is inhabited by only 18 persons, running the meteorological
station and the Norwegian Defense. We will try to go ashore at the
narrowest part of the island, from either south or north, depending on
the prevailing wind and surf. The volcanic origin is visible all over
with cinder cones, lava flows and the Mount Fuji-like appearance of
Beerenberg looming above. After a pleasant stroll on the narrow isthmus
we board the Zodiacs, to continue our voyage west.
DAY
7-8: SCOUTING THE PACK ICE, ITTOQQORTOORMIIT AND THE FJORD OF
SCOREBYSUND, NORTH EAST GREENLAND
We
will scout after wildlife along the pack ice and cruise into the fjords
in the most unique and unspoiled nature of North East Greenland. We
will try to make landings at Bear Island and Cape Brewster. We will
visit Ittoqqortoormiit. With only 470 inhabitants it is one of the most
isolated towns in Greenland only accessible by helicopter and boat in
short time in the summer.
The
town is located at the longest fjord in the world, Scoresby Sund. We
will explore this fjord and hope to be able to offer kayaking and
landings weather and ice conditions permitting.
DAY
9-10: BLOSSEVILLE COAST. AT SEA TOWARDS ICELAND
Possibly
the most dramatic coast outside of Antarctica, the Blosseville is
guarded by Greenland’s highest mountains and steepest fjords
– and a belt of pack ice which before global warming would
keep out any adventurous sailor for years. The recent decade has had
warmer summers and much less ice which enables ice strengthened
vessels, such as ours, to venture along the coast, on lookout for
stunning wildlife, abandoned Inuit settlements and otherworldly
landscapes.
On
our last day of this remarkable voyage we set course for Iceland and
its capital of Reykjavík.
DAY
11: REYKJAVÍK ARRIVAL AND DISEMBARKATION
In
the morning our captain manouvers our ship alongside the port of
Reykjavik. It’s time to say farewell to the crew and begin
the homeward journey.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Charter
flight Oslo-Longyearbyen.
- English-speaking
expedition team.
- Nature
hikes and Zodiac cruises as per itinerary, when conditions permit
- Guided
walk in Longyearbyen and Ny Ålesund and Ittiqqortoormiit
- Information
briefings and lectures by expedition team
- Full
board on ship
- Free
coffee, tea and afternoon snacks on the ship
- Taxes,
tariffs and AECO fees
- Guiding
and lectures by our experienced expedition leader and team
- Special
photo workshop
- Welcome
and farewell cocktails
- Digital
visual journal link after voyage, including voyage log, gallery,
species list and more!
EXCLUSIONS
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Single
room supplement and stateroom upgrades
- Meals
not on board the ship
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea)
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day)
- Travel
& cancellation insurances
- Personal
expenses
- Anything
not mentioned under ’Inclusions’
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Zodiac
Cruises
- Kayaking
- USD 250
- Lectures
- Hiking
