HIGHLIGHTS
- Outings
and shore visits in Zodiac® inflatables with your naturalist
guides.
- Hiking
opportunity.
- Sail
in Spitsbergen's fjords and towards the ice floe.
- Landscapes:
ice floes, jagged mountains, icebergs, ice caps, steep-sided valleys,
sheer cliffs, huge glaciers.
- Wildlife:
polar bears, Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, Arctic terns, walruses,
whales, puffins.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
ITINERARY
AUGUST
17, 2022 - LONGYEARBYEN, SPITSBERGEN
Longyearbyen
is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on
Svalbard's main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on
the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40°C,
the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The
glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the
untouched nature, make you feel like you're in completely unexplored
territory.
AUGUST
18, 2022 - ISFJORDEN
The
vast Isfjorden is one of the main fjords in Svalbard. These different
branches reach the heart of the island of Spitsbergen. Located deep
inside the Billejforden, the Nordenskiöld Glacier with its
front of ice, nearly 5 km wide, is one of the most spectacular in the
Svalbard Archipelago. You will perhaps have the opportunity to discover
the ghost town of Pyramiden. Constructed at the foot of a mountain in
the form of a pyramid, this former mining town, founded by Sweden at
the beginning of the 20th century before being sold a few years later
to the Soviet Union, and abandoned in 1998, has conserved all the
buildings from its glory days, when it lived off coal mining.
AUGUST
19, 2022 - KONGSFJORDEN (KING BAY), SPITSBERGEN
Very
close to the former mining town of Ny-Ålesund, set off to
discover Kings Bay. Your ship will sail in one of the most beautiful
fjords in Svalbard: Kongsfjorden (the fjord of the King), a gateway to
grandiose landscapes. Here, the snow-capped mountains are reflected in
the water where superb icebergs try to outdo each other in their
beauty, a delight for photographers. Seals, reindeer, barnacle geese
and black guillemots frequent these places that have a unique
atmosphere. Once you arrive at the end of the fjord, admire the
Kongsbreen (glacier of the King) and its three characteristic rocky
points, which take their names from three Scandinavian countries: Svea
(Sweden), Dana (Denmark) and Nora (Norway).
AUGUST
19, 2022 - NORDVEST-SPITSBERGEN NATIONAL PARK
Like
the other protected areas of Svalbard, the Nordvest-Spitsbergen
National Park was established in the early 1970s to protect this
exceptional environment against the growing interest of the mining
industry. Nunataks, glaciers, islands and large bays, arctic tundra
scattered with moss and lichen in shades of silver and gold... This
region will fascinate you with its landscapes and with the numerous
vestiges that bear witness to the history of the men - whale hunters
and those involved in the first expeditions to the North Pole - who
found themselves on these shores from the start of the 17th century. In
this pristine environment, you will be able to observe arctic sterns or
seals on the rocks that emerge at low tide.
AUGUST
20, 2022 - SAILING ICE FLOES
Enjoy
the absolutely unique experience of sailing to the heart of the ice
floe, this vast expanse of virgin, immaculate ice. The landscapes are
constantly changing, shifting from a smooth, flat wilderness to a chaos
of ice, then to channels of open water. Your ship will sail along these
naturally open channels and through the areas where the frozen layer is
thinnest, offering you the chance to experience magic maritime moments
in the midst of drifting sea ice. It will also often be an opportunity
to see a particular kind of fauna, totally dependent on the ice floe.
AUGUST
21, 2022 - NORDVEST-SPITSBERGEN NATIONAL PARK
Like
the other protected areas of Svalbard, the Nordvest-Spitsbergen
National Park was established in the early 1970s to protect this
exceptional environment against the growing interest of the mining
industry. Nunataks, glaciers, islands and large bays, arctic tundra
scattered with moss and lichen in shades of silver and gold... This
region will fascinate you with its landscapes and with the numerous
vestiges that bear witness to the history of the men - whale hunters
and those involved in the first expeditions to the North Pole - who
found themselves on these shores from the start of the 17th century. In
this pristine environment, you will be able to observe arctic sterns or
seals on the rocks that emerge at low tide.
AUGUST
22, 2022 AUGUST 24, 2022 - SOR-SPITSBERGEN NATIONAL PARK
The
Sor-Spitsbergen National Park, established in 1973, is the largest
national park in Norway and Europe with an area of up to 13,300 km2.
Two-thirds of its area is made up of ice and its sublime landscapes are
divided between vast plains along the coast, alpine relief and
impressive glaciers. You will discover Hornsund, the southernmost fjord
and one of the most beautiful fjords in Spitsbergen with a length of 28
km. Its 8 large glaciers extend down to the sea and form an immense 25
km long ice front and important iceberg calvings, making up one of the
most spectacular panoramas in Spitsbergen. You will have the
opportunity to observe numerous colonies of birds and polar bears
living in this nature sanctuary.
AUGUST
25, 2022 - SAILING BY BJORNOYA (BEAR ISLAND)
Halfway
between Norway and Spitsbergen, you will sail not far from the
coastlines of Bjørnøya, the southernmost island
of Svalbard. From your ship, observe this isolated piece of land
discovered in 1596 by the Dutch navigator Willem Barents, then looking
for the Northwest Passage. Following a tough fight between a polar bear
and the members of the expedition, he dubbed the place Bear Island.
Regularly covered by a thick layer of fog,
Bjørnøya shelters a meteorological station built
in 1923, which is still in operation. Declared a nature reserve in
2002, the island is above all home to an enormous colony of sea birds:
skuas, guillemots, puffins, Tridactyl gulls, petrels, gulls and little
auks all coexist here.
AUGUST
26, 2022 - AT SEA
During
your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on
board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in
shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be
tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without
a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or
shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet
the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the
open sea, they will be able to visit the ship's upper deck to admire
the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe
marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest
and entertainment.
AUGUST
27, 2022 - TROMSO
In
the north of the Arctic circle you'll discover Tromsø, a
secluded town located in the county of Troms. Norwegians call it the
"Paris of the north". You'll soon see why when you discover its
extensive neoclassical architectural heritage. A stunning example is
the Arctic cathedral, a major monument whose stylistic purity echoes
the outline of the mountains surrounding the town.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
For
your serenity, PONANT selects flights and organises transfers between
the airport and the port (and vice-versa). This package is included in
your cruise fare.
Embarkation
day - Paris/Longyearbyen
- Flight
Paris/Longyearbyen selected by PONANT.
- Approximate
flight duration: 4 h 30
- We
suggest you to be at the check-in counter 2 hours before departure.
- We
highly recommend you arrive in Paris the day before this flight.
- Meet
& greet at the airport by our local English-speaking
representative.
- Transfer
to the pier for embarkation.
-
Cruise aboard your ship -
Disembarkation
Day - Tromso/Paris
Disembarkation
- Meet
and greet at the port by our local English-speaking representative.
- Transfer
to the airport in time for check-in of flight Tromso/Paris selected by
PONANT.
- Flight
Tromso/Paris selected by PONANT.
- Approximate
flight duration: 4 h 30
- We
highly recommend you stay one night in Paris after this flight.
This
programme includes:
- Flight
Paris/Longyearbyen and Tromso/Paris selected by PONANT in economy class.
- Transfers
mentioned in the programme.
- English-speaking
assistance.
This
programme does not include:
- Personal
expenses.
- Any
other service not mentioned in the programme.
Please
note:
- Flights
included in the programme are as of today, operated in economy class,
on a European airline.
- Due
to limited local transportation resources, waiting might be generated.
- For
passengers in transit in Paris, we recommend staying one night in Paris
before and after these flights.
- Programme
and flight schedule are subject to change without prior notice.