Circumnavigating Svalbard – In the Realm of the Polar Bear
Duration: 10 days
Ship: MS Spitsbergen
Departures:
6 June 2020
14 June 2020
22 June 2020
17 August 2020
Price from: 5907 € per person
Check prices and availability
- Visit Svalbard in the Arctic summer
- Circumnavigate Spitsbergen
- Great chance of sighting polar bears
- See the Midnight Sun in untouched Arctic wilderness
Itinerary
Oslo / Longyearbyen - Flight & Overnight
Before your evening flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen, spend the day in the museums, parks and cafes of the Norwegian capital. When you arrive in Svalbard, you will discover an entirely different world: a tiny town perched on the edge of the vast Arctic tundra.
On arrival, we transfer you to your hotel for an overnight.
Longyearbyen - Embarkation
Join an exciting excursion after lunch to get to know this frontier town. The mighty Arctic wilderness dominates life here, but Longyearbyen maintains a lively cultural life, and is considered a prime destination for adventure travelers from around the world. Enjoy the unique atmosphere of this colourful outpost before boarding your ship, MS Spitsbergen.
North West Spitsbergen National Park
The North West Corner is scattered with rugged islands, beautiful fjords and isolated beaches. This is true wilderness, so the captain will work with the elements to create the best itinerary for your expedition cruise.
We may visit Kongsfjorden, which is considered one of the most beautiful fjord areas in Spitsbergen, with mighty glaciers calving icebergs into the sea. We hope to call on the settlement of Ny-Ålesund, an international centre for research, that hosts a picturesque mix of old and new buildings. Wherever we explore, the Expedition Team will lead exciting optional ice-cruising and landing activities as we explore further north.
Eastern Svalbard Nature Reserve
Eastern Svalbard Nature Reserve
Eastern Svalbard boasts the highest population of polar bears on the archipelago – and we have high hopes of spotting one on this journey! The ocean is full of drifting ice, and we aim to cross 80º N if conditions allow. We hope to sail all the way to Sjuøyane (Seven Islands) at the far north of the archipelago.
Heading south, we will sail through the Hinlopen Strait, where thousands of seabirds mate while walrus dive for clams in the bays.
We continue towards Edgeøya, the third-largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. On its western shores, the landscape is largely un-glaciated, unlike most other places on the east side of Spitsbergen.
South Spitsbergen National Park
We make our way to the southernmost tip of Spitsbergen, where Hornsund hosts a wonderfully varied landscape and geology. Ice pushed into the fjord early in the season attracts polar bears that hunt on the floes, so with a bit of luck, we may spot some of these magnificent predators
The Isfjord
We explore the Isfjord, the most prominent fjord system on Svalbard to take in immense valleys, carved out of the mountains by the giant glaciers that covered the area some ten thousand years ago. Scan for the rich population of Svalbard reindeer here.
Longyearbyen / Oslo - Disembarkation & Flight
As we arrive back in Longyearbyen after our far north exploration, enjoy the stunning scenery of the icescape that lies just a few hundred miles from the Geographic North Pole. Transfer to the airport for your night flight. Arrival early in the morning in Oslo.
What's included
Included in your voyage
- Hurtigruten Expedition Cruise in cabin grade of your choice
- Return economy flights between Oslo and Longyearbyen
- One hotel night in Longyearbyen before the voyage including breakfast and lunch
- All transfers in Longyearbyen including an excursion before the voyage
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN ADVENTURE
- A rich program of included activities on all voyagesdesigned to immerse you in the destinations you visit, including onshore exploration with the Expedition Team
- Professional English-speaking Expedition Team - an international handpicked team of highly educated experts of various academic fields with profound knowledge of the region we sail in
- Complimentary wind- and water-resistant jacket
- Loan of boots, trekking poles, and equipment needed for optional and included activities
ENGAGING ONBOARD ACTIVITIES AND EDUCATION
- In-depth lectures on science, history, biology, geography, geology or culture that provide context to your voyage and help you understand the destinations you will experience
- Explorer Science programme, with educational and Citizen Science activities that let you learn about the sights you’ll see while contributing to research
- Introduction photo lecture, camera adjustment and tips & tricks, photo and film footage from the voyage shared in an Expedition Logbook
- Casual opportunities to engage with the Expedition Team and other guests, including a welcome event, daily gatherings to recap the day and prepare for the day to come
- Opportunities to dine and interact with the Expedition Team and officers
- Destination-focused onboard library
- Port presentations providing destination insight
- A farewell event
PREMIUM ONBOARD COMFORT
- All meals including beverages (ship beer and wine, sodas and mineral water in all restaurants)
- Coffee and tea included throughout the day
- Early riser and afternoon treat offered in addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Gym, hot tubs and panoramic sauna
- Free Wi-fi on board for all guests. Be aware that we sail in remote areas with limited connection. Streaming is not supported.
- No gratuities expected
Not included in your voyage
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Luggage handling
Notes
- All planned activities are subject to weather and ice conditions
Your ship
MS Spitsbergen
| Year built | 2009 |
| Year of refurbishment | 2016 |
| Shipyard | Estaleiro Navais de Viana do Castelo (POR) |
| Passenger capacity | 335 |
| Beds | 243 |
| Car capacity | 0 |
| Gross tonnage | 7,344 |
| Length | 100.54m |
| Beam | 18m |
| Speed | 14.5 knots |
MS Spitsbergen will take you on a voyage beyond the ordinary. She cruises along the Norwegian coast from September to May, and becomes part of our global Expedition sailings during the rest of the year.
Practical information
Sailing with MS Spitsbergen
Before you travel with MS Spitsbergen
Day 3
Eventyrets siste kapittel - Bergen
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