HIGHLIGHTS
- Observe
polar bears, reindeer, walruses and arctic fox
- Journey
to Nordaustlandet, the world's most northerly settlement, and
Phippsoya, 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
Start
your North Spitsbergen cruise with a trek around historic Longyearbyen,
then join our expedition to the north of the island to take in the
fantastically beautiful landscapes, the thousands of seabirds, and of
course the star of the show, the polar bear.
2023 Summer Solstice -
Midnight Sun, and 24-hour day
The midnight sun is a phenomenon that occurs during the Arctic summer,
when the sun is visible for a full 24 hours in fair weather. The term
solstice (Latin solstitium) means
“sun-stopping” and describes the point on the
horizon at which the sun appears to rise and set, stopping and
reversing directions after this day. On the solstice, the sun does not
rise precisely in the east but rather north of east, then later sets to
the north of west, making the sun visible for a longer period of time.
It will not be until late August that the sun fully goes down again,
and then only for a few minutes. Join us in experiencing this
fascinating phenomenon during this voyage through the Arctic wilderness
of Svalbard.
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: Route to Raudfjorden
Sailing
to Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, you take in an
expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even
visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of this
fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the
possibility of polar bears.
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: Highlights of Hinlopen
Today
you sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, and
polar bears. At the entrance there is even the possibility to spot blue
whales. After cruising among the ice floes of
Lomfjordshalvøya in the Zodiacs, you can 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 on Nordaustlandet. Here reindeer,
pink-footed geese, and walruses are likely sights. You can take an
alternate route if ice prevents entry into Hinlopen.
Day
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.
Day
6: Sailing the continental shelf
While
retracing your route west, keep watch for polar bears and elusive
Greenland (bowhead) whales. About 40 nautical miles west of
Spitsbergen, you sail the edge of the continental shelf. Here fin
whales forage during the summer in the upwelling zones (where cold,
nutrient-rich water wells up from below the sea’s surface)
that run along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of Kongsfjorden, you
have a good chance of sighting minke whales.
Day
7: Reindeer, foxes, and so many seabirds
Walruses
sometimes haul out in Forlandsundet, your next stop. Alternatively, you
might sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden,
landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes
search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse
vegetation. You arrive in Longyearbyen later at night.
Day
8: 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
- 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 and snowshoes
- 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
Snowshoeing:
Free (Not available on all departures)
