HIGHLIGHTS
- Sail
as close as possible to the pack ice from the North Pole the polar
bear's favorite summer residence
- Cruise
along the pack ice before continuing to Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund)
and the deep fascinating fjord system behind
- Cross
the Denmark Strait to the capitol of Iceland, Reykjavik before
disembarking right in the city center
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Category F | Category G | Category E | Category D | Category C | Category B | Category A | Premium Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Category F | (Mid-range)
Category C | (High-end)
Premium Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
DAY
1: LONGYEARBYEN, BOARDING OCEAN ATLANTIC
Upon
arriving to Longyearbyen, a short city tour will introduce you to the
fascinating history and contemporary society in the Capital of Svalbard
– possibly the northernmost ‘real’ town
in the world.
Our
vessel, Ocean Atlantic, is docked close to the town center. After
boarding and a welcome drink, the Expedition Leader will provide
information about the voyage, the ship's daily routines and the various
security and safety procedures. Before sailing, there will be a
mandatory safety drill. The Captain then takes the ship out of Advent
Fjord and our Arctic adventure commences.
DAY
2: KONGSFJORDEN, NY ÅLESUND AND NY LONDON.
During
the ‘night’ (what is night, when the sun never
sets?), we have passed Prins Karls Forland and have arrived in the
magnificent Kongsfjord. Our visit to Svalbard is in the early summer
and this is both the challenge and gift of this special voyage. Winter
ice will possibly block the inner waters of many fjords, but this will
give us the best opportunities to observe the omnipresent –
but still elusive – polar bear, hunting for seals in its
prime habitat. At this time of year the migrating birds have just
arrived. They are all eager to settle and feed to get the best start
for the coming hectic summer months.
Our
first landing will be at Ny Ålesund. This settlement is in
fact further north than Longyearbyen, making it THE northernmost town.
But… is a group of scientific stations, a post office and a
single shop open for a few hours a real town? You will have to judge
for yourself. The setting is nice, the scientific projects are very
interesting, and so is the town history. The Captain will try to get
alongside, so we can enjoy an easy walk through the area.
DAY
3: BELLSUND, SPITSBERGEN, WITH VÅRSOL BAY AND CALYPSOBYEN.
BARBECUE
Bellsund
has some of the richest coal layers in Svalbard and Svea Mine far into
the fjord was formerly one of the biggest communities on the island.
But prices went down, and the coal mine is currently being dismantled.
We
will stay in the fjord entrance and make landings at the
Vårsol Bay. The biggest attraction here is the little auk
cliff. Tundra is richly fertilized by hundreds of thousands of little
auks, which the Svalbard reindeer love to graze. We will go for a nice
walk along the beach – and spot remains from early industrial
eras.
During
lunch, we’ll cross the fjord along the 4 km long (but quite
narrow) island of Akseloya. We will make a Zodiac landing at
Calypsobyen in Recherche Fjord. Coal was extracted here in the early
1900s, but the enterprise never attained full production. Today,
Calypsobyen offers an exciting landing that gives visitors a glimpse of
the era of Neo-Industrialism, when all opportunities for profit were
tried out. A pleasant walk can be made on the tundra behind the
buildings.
DAY
4: HORNSUND, SOUTH SVALBARD.
Hornsund
is often called ‘Svalbard in a nutshell’ because of
abundance of the dramatic terrains and rich wildlife. We will try and
go ashore in Gåshamna, which has remains of trappers, Russian
settlers and blubber boilers.
In
the afternoon we will head out to open sea towards Greenland.
DAY
5-6: TOWARDS ITTIQQORTOORMIIT NORTH EAST GREENLAND
Listen
to a lecture from our experienced expedition staff, see a film about
Arctic nature – or go out on deck to catch glimpses of
migrating birds and hopefully some whales.
DAY
7-9: SCOUTING THE PACK ICE AND THE FJORD OF SCOREBYSUND, NORTH EAST
GREENLAND
We
will scout after wildlife along the pack ice and cruise into the fjords
in the most unique and unspoiled nature of North East Greenland. We
will try to make landings at Bear Island and Cape Brewster. We will
visit Ittiqqortoormiit. With only 470 inhabitants it is one of the most
isolated towns in Greenland only accessible by helicopter and boat in
short time in the summer.
The
town is located at the longest fjord in the world, Scoresby Sund. We
will explore this fjord and hope to be able to offer kayaking and
landings weather and ice conditions permitting.
DAY
10-11: BLOSSEVILLE COAST. AT SEA TOWARDS ICELAND
Possibly
the most dramatic coast outside of Antarctica, the Blosseville is
guarded by Greenland’s highest mountains and steepest fjords
– and a belt of pack ice which before global warming would
keep out any adventurous sailor for years. The recent decade has had
warmer summers and much less ice which enables ice strengthen vessels
as Ocean Atlantic to venture along the coast, on lookout for stunning
wildlife abandoned Inuit settlemenst and landscape of another world.
On
our last day of this remarkable voyage we set course for Iceland and
its capital of Reykjavík.
DAY
12: REYKJAVÍK ARRIVAL AND DISEMBARKATION
In
the morning Ocean Atlantic goes alongside in the port of Reykjavik.
It’s time to say farewell to the crew and begin the homeward
journey.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 12-day/11-night
cruise with Ocean Atlantic in shared exterior double stateroom with
bathroom/toilet
- Charter
flight Oslo-Longyearbyen.
- English-speaking
expedition team.
- Nature
hikes and Zodiac cruises as per itinerary, when conditions permit
- Guided
walk in Longyearbyen and Ny Ålesund and Ittoqqortoormiit
- Information
briefings and lectures by expedition team
- Full
board on ship
- Free
coffee, tea and afternoon snacks on the ship
- Taxes,
tariffs and AECO fees
- Guiding
and lectures by our experienced expedition leader and team
- Special
photo workshop
- Welcome
and farewell cocktails
- Digital
visual journal link after voyage, including voyage log, gallery,
species list and more!
Exclusions
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Single
room supplement and stateroom upgrades
- Meals
not on board the ship
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea)
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day)
- Travel
& cancellation insurances
- Personal
expenses
- Anything
not mentioned under 'Inclusions'
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE OPTIONS - Zodiac Cruises
- Kayaking - USD 250
- Lectures
