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 in USD
Rates are listed per person in USD
ITINERARY
Note: The June 24, 2019 departure is a
9-day tour, spending an extra day exploring Spitsbergen.
Day
1
Arrive
in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen
archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before
embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining
town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting. In
the surrounding area of Longyearbyen, more than 100 species of plants
have been recorded. In the early evening the ship will sail out of
Isfjorden, where in the mouth of the fjord we may see our first Minke
Whale.
Day
2
We
sail to Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful
fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favored by Ringed and
Bearded Seal. The cliffs and shoreline of the fjord also support
thriving seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation, which
flourishes in sheltered spots. Polar bear are often seen here.
Day
3
Depending
on the weather we may now sail to the mouth of Liefdefjorden and go
ashore for a walk on the tundra island of Andøya. Many
Common Eider and Pink-footed Goose nest here, and the rarer King Eider
may also be seen. We hope to sail into Liefdefjorden, cruising near the
5km long face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the
glacier front are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwake.
As well, Polar Bear have been seen on the glacier, providing wonderful
opportunities for photography.
Day
4
Today
we will sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to Bearded Seal, Ringed Seal,
Polar Bear, and Ivory Gull. At the entrance there is the possibility to
see Blue Whale. We'll navigate the ice floes of
Lomfjordshalvøya in our zodiacs and explore the bird cliffs
of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich's Guillemot. On the
east side of Hinlopenstrait, we'll attempt a landing at Palanderbukta
on Nordaustlandet, home to reindeer, Pink-footed Goose, breeding Ivory
Gull, and Walrus.
Day
5
We
will try reach our northernmost point at Phippsøya, in the
Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here we will be at 81 degrees
north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar Bear
inhabit this region, along with Ivory Gull. The ship may sit for
several hours in the pack ice, before turning west again.
Day
6
Retracing
our route westwards, our route takes us through and along the pack ice,
keeping watch for Polar Bear and the elusive Greenland Whale (Bowhead).
About 100 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen we sail along the edge of
the continental shelf, where Fin Whale forage in summer in the
upwellings along the Spitsbergen banks. West of the mouth of the
Kongsfjord we have also good chances to see Humpback Whale.
Day
7
We
land at the northern tip of Prins Karls Forland near Fuglehuken, where
Barentsz probably set foot on Spitsbergen for the first time. Seabirds
nest on the cliffs, and along the coast we see Harbor Seal, the only
population found in Spitsbergen. Here we also will observe the remains
of the Polar Bear hunting era, with demolished set guns and bear traps.
At the opposite site of Forlandsundet at Sarstangen is a haul out place
for Walrus. Alternatively we sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the
mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on its cliffs
and Arctic Fox search the cliff base for fallen eggs and chicks, while
Spitsbergen Reindeer graze the relatively luxuriant vegetation. At
nighttime we arrive in Longyearbyen.
Day
8
We
disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen,
for the flights south to Oslo and onward home.
(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 snow shoes
- 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
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Hiking:
Free
- Snowshoeing:
Free
- Diving:
(available on the June 22nd departure only)
- USD
530
- Group
size: 8-24 divers
