VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS
An expedition to the high north
Tromsø is the Gateway to the Arctic, so naturally your expedition starts here. In the middle of the Arctic Ocean you find the very isolated island Bjørnøya where you can join a rare landing.
Arriving Spitsbergen, we will make attempts to enter fjords where we can expect fast ice – ice that is landlocked. In Longyearbyen you can take part in great winter experiences like dogsledding, ice caving and snow scooter driving.
Cruising further north to North West Spitsbergen National Park and Kongsfjorden, you will go ashore on landings and excursions to enjoy a winter scene that is beyond imagination. On the way back to the Norwegian mainland, we arrive at North Cape from the north, something very few people will experience. Being back in Tromsø means that you return to urban civilization, a great contrast to the expedition you have just experienced.
All Year
Departs From
Tromsø
The journey begins
Location:Tromsø
When Roald Amundsen recruited members to his famous expeditions he travelled to Tromsø in order to find men (yes – it was men only those days) with navigational experience in icy oceans, men that knew how to survive with minimal means in the Arctic – men that had, against all odds, survived against all odds on overwinterings in Svalbard by trapping and hunting.
Today Tromsø is the refined version of itself 100 years ago. You still find the most competent people on Arctic operations, the academics that investigate the Arctic in light of Global warming, the melt pot between indigenous people and immigrants from Europe. Tromsø is in short still the Arctic gateway and a natural starting point for many an expedition heading even deeper into the polar circle – what you are about to experience.
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Location:Bjørnøya
This isolated island is the southernmost island of the Svalbard Archipelago and has been named “the largest concentration of sea birds on the Northern Hemisphere”. Around the southern tip the overhanging cliffs with stacks off shore represents an extremely important breeding habitat for seabirds – this is the northern limit for some auk species and one of the reasons for this being such a hot-spot is that cold waters from the Arctic Ocean meets warm, Gulf Stream currents, part of the global marine conveyor belt system. In the convergence of waters of different salinity and temperature there are often optimal feeding grounds for sea birds. Here is also the place where high concentrations of pollutants in species high in the food web.
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Location:Spitsbergen and the Icy Arctic Ocean
Leaving northbound from Bjørnøya we will take advantage of the conditions at hand. On an expedition with MS Fram this means that the Captain and Expedition Leader monitors conditions at hand closely; where is the ice edge, how can we expect the ice drift, where is the ice landlocked, what is the prevailing winds and currents. We obviously have some wishes on where to go, but at this time of the year we have to expect weather and especially ice conditions to be highly variable.
We will make attempts to enter fjords where we can expect fast ice – ice that is landlocked. This is the platform of which the ringed seal cast (gives birth) to their offspring. We will see them as dark dots on the white “floor” and we know that we only see a small percentage as many are hiding in snowdrifts. This infinite but temporary real-estate is also a perfect hunting ground for polar bears.
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Location:Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen is the Norwegian administrative centre of Svalbard. This is a small community of only 2000 inhabitants that have an atmosphere that resembles it being a part of a much larger city. You will find cafés, hospital, several excellent restaurants and hotels – a university and more sports equipment outfitters than anywhere else on earth if you make it relative to population.
The daughter company of Hurtigruten; Spitsbergen Travel will offer great winter experiences and you will have the opportunity to take part in daily life. Remember that when you venture ashore you should never stray outside the city limits – we will explain where these are. Reason: Polar Bear Danger.
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Location: Russian Experience and Cherry-Picking Arctic Wilderness
Visiting Barentsburg, the Russian mining settlement, is very similar visiting any Russian industrial town in the Arctic. It has a typical Russian architecture and town planning. It is quite different from Longyearbyen. Here everything revolves around the entrance of a coal mine and there is very little commercial activity available to visitors. The culture show, visiting the hotel and museum are all very interesting.
We will continue even further north to North West Spitsbergen National Park and towards the second biggest fjord system on the West coast of Spitsbergen; Kongsfjorden. Come ashore and enjoy the winter scenery that is beyond imagination.
Krossfjorden is a fjord where the eastern shores are steep and alpine and the western shores are relatively easily accessible and ice free. The peninsula with the mountain called Mitra is a great landscape to visit, maybe for a hike. We will also visit Ny Ålesund at 78º 55' N, an advanced high arctic research station.
North east and off the coast of Spitsbergen we find a number of islands that are all excellent landings for explorers that are interested in Svalbard history and fantastic landscape and wildlife. This is where the earliest human activity in Svalbard took place; the bowhead whale hunt. Places like Smeerenburg and Amsterdamøya is one of many references to history – there are also a number of important cultural heritage sites here. On some of these islands you find great hikes that take you atop – to places that gives you a good overview of almost the entire area; like Ytre Norskøya.
Some places we may experience
- North West Spitsbergen National Park
- Kongsfjorden
- Traversing Glaciers with the Expedition Team
- Krossfjorden and Mitrahalvøya
- Ny Ålesund
- The North West Corner of Spitsbergen
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Location: Coming south to North Cape
Arriving North Cape from the north is something very few people will experience – we will sail by this “End of the Earth” and think ourselves back to mythical times of whatever was hidden beyond the horizon could be the abyss – the land of borealis and white bears. You will know since you’ve been there and you will return to civilization with tales of an Arctic landscape whiter than the cleanest sheets, about wildlife perfectly adapted and the humans populating these places at the edge. We will pay a visit to Gjessværstappan, a birdcliff that will be teeming with spring breeding arctic species in a cacophony of sound.
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Location: Disembarkation in Tromsø as Polar Heroes
Whenever vessels returned to Tromsø after an Arctic expedition a substantial number of locals used to congregate on the wharf. They knew that they would be told stories almost hard to believe – of trials and tribulations, of hardship and mishaps. They knew that the men returning may do so as rich people with valuable cargo such as polar bear skin and seal hide, coal or other rare minerals.
None of this you will bring back, but you will be enriched. You library of experiences have a whole new shelve and you will probably carry the memories of the voyage lightly –the rest of your life.
Location
Disembarkation in Tromsø as Polar Heroes
Pricing Info
Price includes
- Cabin grade of your choice on full board basis
- Wind and water resistant jacket
- Landings with Polarcirkel boats and activities onboard and ashore
- Professional English speaking Expedition Team that gives lectures as well as accompanying landings and activities
- Free tea and coffee
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions and gratuities
- Luggage Handling
Hurtigruten has a flexible pricing system and all prices are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Prices may change at any time before departure date, the applicable price will be quoted at the time of booking.
Please note
- Prices are in €s (Euros) per person
- All planned landings are subject to weather – and ice conditions
- All itineraries are subject to change
- Medical questionnaire mandatory
- Free rubber boot rental service on board
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- Areas we explore: Tromsø, Bjørnøya, Spitsbergen and the North Cape.
- Vessel: MS Fram
- Sailing Distance: Approx. 1600 nautical miles (3000 kilometres)
Some activities and excursion trips will only be sold on board. There is a rental of rubber boots available on board. We recommend purchasing travel and cancellation insurance.
As much as we strive to be punctual in order to reach flights and agreements to visit eg. Scientific stations we are “polar opportunists” – this means having an open mind to changes if opportunities arise or weather dictates.
Our explorer cruises have a wide range of landing options. Every voyage is unique.
What to bring
- Wind and water resistant trousers
- Shoes with a good grip sole
- Warm cap or headband
- Gloves/mittens
- Scarf
- Thermal underwear
- Warm sweaters/jacket
- Warm socks
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen/sunglasses
EXPEDITION TEAM AND WILDLIFE
To further enhance your experience, the Expedition Team on MS Fram will give presentations and lectures on the history, culture, traditions, navigation and wildlife. The Expedition Team consists of experts from numerous fields and backgrounds and they are always happy to answer your questions. Together with the crew they will make your time on board, and the landings we make, really worthwhile!
We will take advantage of the conditions at hand. On an expedition with MS Fram this means that the Captain and Expedition Leader monitors conditions at hand closely; where is the ice edge, how can we expect the ice drift, where is the ice landlocked, what is the prevailing winds and currents. We obviously have some wishes on where to go, but at this time of the year we have to expect weather- and especially ice conditions to be highly variable. The ice edge of the Arctic Ocean is now at its lowest latitudes – this is a highly productive area biologically as plankton and algae is growing beneath the ice. This cornerstone biological production is an immensely important part of the web of life and attracts all kinds of other animal- and birdlife that thrives here. At the top of this food web we find the big predators – including the polar bear.
Will we see polar bears?
Within the Svalbard Archipelago there are about 3000 polar bears – more than there are humans and probably one of the largest concentrations on Earth. That said; polar bears are solitude animals with no set colony or living area – they roam wherever they can expect to find food and only the pregnant females use denning areas during winter and only when they are expecting offspring.
However; the more eyes scouting through binoculars the higher is the chance of observing the King of the Arctic. The polar bear is a marine mammal hence it is more likely to observe it close to water or even in water. Whenever close to drift ice there is a chance that a polar bear uses this as a platform when at sea.
In very rare occasions dead whales or walrus drift ashore on Svalbard beaches. These tend to attract all kinds of wildlife – including polar bears.
Bottom line is that we often observe polar bears on this itinerary – not every day and seldom on very close range – there are no guarantees for sure. But; one of the biggest fascinations or this expedition is the chance of being really lucky spotting one.
One of the really nice “by-products” of looking for polar bears is that it sensitizes the observer to other wildlife such as birds and other marine mammals. You get a lot from observing sharply in Svalbard!
What about the walrus?
Since the protection of walrus in 1952 the Svalbard population has grown from being decimated down to only a few animals to a strong population with several haul outs scattered around the whole archipelago.
The two best ways to observe walrus is from the vessel when they are hauled out on ice flows or from shore, close to the well-established haul out places.
In order to understand where haul outs may be you’d have to understand that the walrus feeding method; they are shallow divers that feed on benthic fauna that are hiding in sediments on the bottom.
To find these shellfish and molluscs they use their hyper-sensitive whiskers to locate for then to suck in the food with high pressure with the mouth. Gently graduated beaches close to larger shallow areas are good habitats – a landing close to a walrus colony is an experience for all senses (in particular smell), but such places that are suitable for small boat operations are limited and often exposed to wind an swell. No guarantee – but we often see walrus on our expeditions in Spitsbergen.
