HIGHLIGHTS
- After
embarking Ocean Atlantic in bustling Reykjavík, we venture
north towards the enigmatic and isolated island of Jan Mayen with its
looming 2,200-meter high volcano of Beerenberg
- We
cruise north with approaching summer, migrating birds and 24-hour
daylight until we reach the snow-covered mountains of Svalbard
- Sea
ice will still cover many fjords, but with an ice class of 1B we are
safe on board Ocean Atlantic
- After
a full day in Longyearbyen, we continue further north into Kongsfjorden
and Ny Ålesund, to Smeerenburg and hopefully into Hinlopen in
the far North East corner of Spitsbergen Island
- Weather
and ice conditions will often dictate the course, but each landing with
Zodiac-boats will still be unique and adventurous
- After
13 fantastic days we will disembark in Longyearbyen for your homebound
flight
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Category G | Category F | 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 G | (Mid-range)
Category C | (High-end)
Premium Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
DAY
1: ICELAND. EMBARKING OCEAN ATLANTIC IN REYKJAVÍK
In
the afternoon, we board the Ocean Atlantic in Reykjavík and
set our course Northbound through the Denmark Strait for our first
destination, the remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen.
DAY
2: AT SEA TOWARDS ELUSIVE JAN MAYEN
During
our voyage our lecturers onboard will make inspiring and enriching
presentations about both Iceland’s past history and about
nature, wildlife and climatology.
DAY
3: WE MAKE A SHORE LANDING BY ZODIACS ON JAN MAYEN, AT THE FOOT OF THE
2200 METER BEERENBERG VOLCANO
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.
Approximately
in the middle of the North Atlantic lies the enigmatic volcanic island
of Jan Mayen. And if not exactly in the middle, at least it is located
precisely on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, the reason for its volcanic
existence. And enigmatic it is, not only because of its isolation but
also due to the almost perpetual clouds and fog that hovers above it.
Jan Mayen belongs to Norway, and the mountain Beerenberg is one of the
higher of Norway’s 300 summits above 2,000 meters.
The
island is inhabited by only 18 persons, running the meteorological
station and the Norwegian Defence. We will try to go ashore at the
narrowest part of the island, from either south or north, depending on
the prevailing wind and surf. The volcanic origin is visible all over
with cinder cones, lava flows and the Mount Fuji-like appearance of
Beerenberg looming above. After a pleasant stroll on the narrow isthmus
we board the Zodiacs and Ocean Atlantic to continue our voyage north.
DAY
4: AT SEA TOWARDS SVALBARD.
Lectures,
movies or maybe a game are some of the activities and this sea day.
DAY
5: SVALBARD IN SIGHT. EVENING CALL IN BEAUTIFUL BELLSUND.
We
are getting closer towards the islands of Svalbard, and it should be
possible to spot the largest island, Spitsbergen during the afternoon.
Our
route for this day and next are much depending on conditions. Not least
the pack ice coming from Arctic Sea as well as from calving glaciers,
and also solid winter sea ice. Our vessel has an ice class of 1B and
the Captain should be able to safely approach the edge of the ice to
give us the opportunity to spot our first polar bear, hunting for
seals. During the night the ship will sail towards the main town of
Svalbard, Longyearbyen.
DAY
6: LONGYEARBYEN – CITY SIGHTSEEING. OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS.
Early
in the morning the ship arrives in Longyearbyen. After breakfast we
will have a short city sightseeing including the museum of Longyearbyen
and there will also be time for shopping before going back to the ship.
DAY
7: KONGSFJORDEN, NY ÅLESUND
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 the 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
8: SMEERINGBURG, 17TH CENTURY WHALING STATION.
We
have now entered North West Svalbard, which was declared a national
park in 1973. The day could begin with a Zodiac cruise in
Danskergattet, looking for seals in Virgohamna, before crossing from
Danskøya to Amsterdamøya to make a landing at
Smeerenburg, the legendary whaling town of 17th century. 200-plus men
were living – and quite often dying – here in the
heyday of blubber production.
There
are several interesting places to visit in this northwestern corner of
Spitsbergen. If conditions allow, we’ll make a landing on
Fuglesongen, the largest colony of little auks in Svalbard. The arctic
fox has noticed this as well and can often be seen roaming the base of
the bird cliffs.
DAY
9: INTO THE PACK ICE, HEADING FOR 80 DEGREES NORTH.
During
the night the ship will have steered far north towards the edge of the
polar pack ice. How far north only time and weather will tell, but the
main target for us is just the ‘edge’, possibly at
80 degrees north! This is the kingdom of the polar bear! As the pack
ice retreats during summer, polar bears ride the floes north, as this
is where their prey - the seals - resides. Bears who for unfortunate
reasons do not ‘catch’ the ice moving north, are
stranded on Svalbard all summer, and will have to sustain on berries,
eggs and whatever whale cadavers they can find. A hard life indeed!
During
the day, lectures on polar mammals, environment and/or culture can be
enjoyed on board in the Viking Theater. Should we get into the pack ice
where the sea usually is calm, a Zodiac cruise will be arranged.
DAY
10: INTO HINLOPEN STRAIT – IF PACK ICE PERMITS!
Most
likely the northeastern coast of Spitsbergen Island and Hinlopen Strait
are still locked in by coastal ice. We will try our luck and sail as
far east as possible. Should this fail, Wood Fjord and Liefde Fjord
could be excellent alternatives for the day. In this case, we will
circumvent the bird rich Andøya in Zodiacs, and make a
landing on Reindyrflya. Other interesting landings in this fantastic
fjord system could be Mushamna and the oddly named ‘Texas
Bar’. In the afternoon, a Zodiac cruise along the broad
glacier front of Monacobreen gives a unique insight of the glacial
forces and the unlimited forms of icebergs.
DAY
11: LIEFDEFJORD WITH MONACO GLACIER, ZODIAC CRUISE.
In
the morning we will have reached the west coast of Spitsbergen and
Kongsfjorden. Ocean Atlantic will anchor behind Blomstrand Peninsula.
As we will immediately see, the name is a bit misleading. Blomstrand is
now an island - the Blomstrand Glacier has receded, revealing a shallow
water strait. We will cruise through this on our Zodiacs and make a
landing on the island. Strong hikers might want to scale Irgensfjellet,
385 m for a nice view of ‘The Three Sisters’,
nunatak mountains far into the Kongs Glacier, as well as enjoy a view
down to Ny Ålesund.
After
lunch, we continue further north into the fjord system, and depending
on the ice situation, we may do a Zodiac cruise along the
Lilliehöök Glacier front… or enjoy a
lecture.
DAY
12: KROSS FJORD, SHORE HIKES. LILLIEHÖÖK GLACIER,
ZODIAC CRUISE.
The
west coast enjoys the warmer water coming up through the Atlantic, so
winter ice should now have melted. This allows us to enter the southern
fjord of Bellsund on this last full day of exploration.
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
13: LONGYEARBYEN, DISEMBARKATION.
Early
in the morning the ship has returned to Longyearbyen. After breakfast
and farewell greetings to the expedition team and crew, disembarkation
will take place.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
INCLUSIONS
- 13-day/12-night
cruise with Ocean Atlantic in shared exterior double cabin with
bathroom/toilet.
- English-speaking
expedition team.
- Nature
hikes and Zodiac cruises as per itinerary, when conditions permit.
- Guided
walk in Longyearbyen and Ny Ålesund.
- 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
- International
flights to/from Longyearbyen.
- Hotel
accommodation in Longyearbyen.
- Travel
insurance.
- Cancellation
insurance.
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Single
room supplement.
- Meals
not on board the ship.
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea).
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day).
- Personal
expenses.
- Anything
not mentioned under 'Price includes'.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Glacier
Trip
- Lectures
- Zodiac
Cruises
