HIGHLIGHTS
- Take
a close-up look at bearded and ringed seals, polar bears, blue whales,
reindeer, pink-footed geese and walruses
- Near
Torrelneset you can also visit the polar desert of Nordaustlandet, next
to the world’s third-largest ice cap
- Watch
colorful flowers bloom while flocks of kittiwakes and
Brünnich's guillemots nest on the cliffs
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
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| Start Date | End Date | Quad Porthole | Triple Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Rates are listed per person in USD
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| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Quad Porthole | (Mid-range)
Twin Deluxe | (High-end)
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Day
1: Largest Town on the Largest 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: Cruising Krossfjorden
Heading
north along the west coast, you arrive by morning in Krossfjorden. Here
you might board the Zodiacs for a cruise near the towering blue-white
face of the Fourteenth of July Glacier. On the green slopes near the
glacier, colorful flowers bloom while flocks of kittiwakes and
Brünnich’s guillemots nest on the cliffs. You have a
good chance of spotting an Arctic fox scouting for fallen chicks, or a
bearded seal paddling through the fjord. In the afternoon you sail to
Ny Ålesund, the northernmost settlement on Earth. Once a
mining village served by the world’s most northerly railway
– you can still see its tracks – Ny
Ålesund is now a research center. Close to the community is a
breeding ground for barnacle geese, pink-footed geese, and Arctic
terns. And if you’re interested in the history of Arctic
exploration, visit the anchoring mast used by polar explorers Amundsen
and Nobile in their airships, Norge (1926) and Italia (1928).
Day
3: The Massive Monaco Glacier
Near
the mouth of Liefdefjorden, you step ashore for a walk across the
tundra of Reindyrsflya. You may also sail into the fjord 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
4-5: 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 540 miles
from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, so the
ship may park for several hours among the pack ice to watch for them.
When the edge of this sea ice is tens of miles north of the Seven
Islands (mostly in August), you can spend a second day in this area.
Alternatively (mostly in July) you may turn to Sorgfjord, where you
have the chance to find a herd of walruses not far from the graves of
17th-century whalers. A nature walk here can bring you close to
families of ptarmigans, and the opposite side of the fjord is also a
beautiful area for an excursion.
Day
6: Hinlopen Highlights
Today
you sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded and ringed seals as well
as polar bears. At the entrance, there is even the possibility to spot
blue whales. As with Liefdefjorden, you can take an alternate west
Spitsbergen route if ice prevents entry into Hinlopen. After cruising
among the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in the Zodiacs, you
then 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 where reindeer, pink-footed geese,
and walruses are likely sights. Near Torrelneset you can also visit the
polar desert of Nordaustlandet, next to the world’s
third-largest ice cap. Here you may encounter walruses during a
coastline hike over the area’s raised beaches.
Day
7: The Bounties of Barentsøya
The
plan is to make landings in Freemansundet, though polar bears sometimes
make this impossible. Potential stops on Barentsøya include
Sundneset (for an old trapper’s hut), Kapp Waldburg (for its
kittiwake colony), and Rindedalen (for a walk across the tundra). You
might also cruise south to Diskobukta, though Kapp Lee is more likely
your destination. On Kapp Lee are a walrus haul-out, Pomor ruins, and
the chance for hikes along Edgeøya.
Day
8: Land of the Pointed Mountains
You
start the day by cruising the side fjords of the Hornsund area of
southern Spitsbergen, taking in the spire-like peaks: Hornsundtind
rises 1,431 meters (4,695 feet), and Bautaen is a perfect illustration
of why early Dutch explorers named this island Spitsbergen, meaning
“pointed mountains.” There are 14 sizable glaciers
in this area as well as opportunities for spotting seals, beluga
whales, and polar bears.
Day
9: Beluga Beach
Today
you land on Ahlstrandhalvøya, at the mouth of Van
Keulenfjorden. Here piles of beluga skeletons, the remains of
19th-century whale slaughter, are a haunting reminder of the
consequences of rampant exploitation. Fortunately, belugas were not
hunted into extinction, and you have a good chance of coming across a
pod. Cruising into Bellsund during the afternoon, you can then explore
tundra at the head of the fjord, where reindeer like to feed.
Day
10: Journey’s End in Longyearbyen
Every
adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You
disembark in Longyearbyen for your flight home, but with 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
- All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff
- Free
use of rubber boots and snowshoes
- 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
