Spitsbergen Cruise - Polar Bear Adventure
Itinerary
Day 1 Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen has a population of about 1100 people and about as many snowmobiles. Our transfer to the ship is at 4:00 pm so you will need to be in the lobby of the hotel by 3:30 pm with your luggage. We depart Longyearbyen in the evening.Longyearbyen is the largest settlement on Svalbard. It has about 1,700 inhabitants, most of them Norwegians and some Russians. Located in the Advent Fjord at the entrance of the Advent Valley, this community has an infrastructure fit for a much larger city. There are 4 inhabited settlements and some scientific stations. Barentsburg, a Russian coal mining settlement, has ca. 850 inhabitants. Sveagruva, the functional Norwegian mine has around 100 inhabitants and Ny Ålesund, a scientific settlement has between 30 and 150 inhabitants, depending on the season. All settlements are found on the west coast, the part of Spitsbergen with the mildest climate due to the warm Gulf Current.Longyearbyen is located at 78°13′N 15°33′E. The Governor of Svalbard resides there. Due to its location far north of the polar circle, it is polar night from mid-October to mid-February and polar day from mid-April to mid-August. Longyearbyen has an arctic tundra climate.History and present day facilities This is the centenary for the settlement that was founded in 1906 by John Munroe Longyear, main owner of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston. "Byen" is Norwegian for "the city". It was destroyed by the Germans in 1943 and rebuilt after World War II, with the old foundations still visible in some places.Until the early 1990s the coal mining industry was the major employer in Longyearbyen. The daily life circled only around the mining business. Today, the community offers a wide range of activities and facilities. There is a bank, post office, hospital, public library, cafes/restaurants, tourist information, a swimming hall, a climbing wall, a big sports hall, a grocery store, three pubs, three hotels, one church, several tourists shops, there are various forms of lodging, from hostels to modern full-service hotels, a cinema (Sundays) and one night club. During summer, most of the people you meet here will be tourists or young people working to accommodate the visitors. A very friendly and international atmosphere reigns. And, of course, Longyearbyen has its own international airport.
Day 2-3 West Coast of Spitsbergen
We will have 2 full days to explore a small portion of the western coast of Spitsbergen. Now in the fall the days are getting shorter and we will try to take advantage of all of the light possible to search for wildlife. Svalbard is one of the few places on the planet that offers a wealth and diversity of natural and cultural history sites. Highlights include ice covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery and glaciers flowing into the sea around us. We will spend these two days in search of the elusive polar bears hunting seals. At one or more of our stops, we hope to see Svalbards unique subspecies of reindeer. They are much smaller than their southern relatives, but still carry impressive antlers. We also have the possibility of Arctic foxes. This is also a land of history: from whaling to reaching for the pole, to trapping, coal mining and war. We will visit some of these historic sites. We may cruise in zodiacs along the ice edge viewing seals or walrus, in fjords with glaciers spilling down to the sea or in front of spectacular seabird cliffs. We will have opportunities to walk on shore, observe and photograph the Arctic flora and fauna. As we are in the land of the polar bear, your expedition staff will carry rifles and flare guns on shore for your protection.By not having a set itinerary, we take on an expedition spirit and are free to take advantage of the best that Svalbard has to offer. The evening of our last full day of adventure will find the expedition ship anchored off Longyearbyen.
Day 4-5 Greenland Sea
Keep your eyes out for the whales that are known to feed here in the summer months. We may see orca, humpback, and Minke whales as well as white-beaked dolphins. The view is often complimented by fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots, and razorbills. Lectures by our onboard experts will increase your appreciation of these animals and wild coast of Greenland.
Day 6-11 East Greenland and Scorsbeysund
Navigating down the coast of Greenland we will explore seldom visited glaciers, bays and inlets. Looking out for picturesque scenery, wildlife and other interesting landing sites in this unspolit wilderness. We will spend 2 days exploring Scoresby Sound is one of the largest fjord systems in the world. The distance from the mouth of the sound to the headof its innermost fjord is 350 km. It is a favoured hunting ground of the Inuit and is home to walruses, seals, narwhals, polar bears, muskoxen, wolves, foxes, ermine, arctic hares, lemmings, and a variety of birds. We hope to visit the local village of Ittoqqortoormiit to get a glimpse into how people live in these harsh conditions.
Day 12-13 Denmark Strait
We continue our lecture series as we head back towards Iceland and the steaming hot springs of Reykjavik.
Day 14 - Depart Reykjavik
Day 1 Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen has a population of about 1100 people and about as many snowmobiles. Our transfer to the ship is at 4:00 pm so you will need to be in the lobby of the hotel by 3:30 pm with your luggage. We depart Longyearbyen in the evening.Longyearbyen is the largest settlement on Svalbard. It has about 1,700 inhabitants, most of them Norwegians and some Russians. Located in the Advent Fjord at the entrance of the Advent Valley, this community has an infrastructure fit for a much larger city. There are 4 inhabited settlements and some scientific stations. Barentsburg, a Russian coal mining settlement, has ca. 850 inhabitants. Sveagruva, the functional Norwegian mine has around 100 inhabitants and Ny Ålesund, a scientific settlement has between 30 and 150 inhabitants, depending on the season. All settlements are found on the west coast, the part of Spitsbergen with the mildest climate due to the warm Gulf Current.Longyearbyen is located at 78°13′N 15°33′E. The Governor of Svalbard resides there. Due to its location far north of the polar circle, it is polar night from mid-October to mid-February and polar day from mid-April to mid-August. Longyearbyen has an arctic tundra climate.History and present day facilities This is the centenary for the settlement that was founded in 1906 by John Munroe Longyear, main owner of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston. "Byen" is Norwegian for "the city". It was destroyed by the Germans in 1943 and rebuilt after World War II, with the old foundations still visible in some places.Until the early 1990s the coal mining industry was the major employer in Longyearbyen. The daily life circled only around the mining business. Today, the community offers a wide range of activities and facilities. There is a bank, post office, hospital, public library, cafes/restaurants, tourist information, a swimming hall, a climbing wall, a big sports hall, a grocery store, three pubs, three hotels, one church, several tourists shops, there are various forms of lodging, from hostels to modern full-service hotels, a cinema (Sundays) and one night club. During summer, most of the people you meet here will be tourists or young people working to accommodate the visitors. A very friendly and international atmosphere reigns. And, of course, Longyearbyen has its own international airport.
Day 2-3 West Coast of Spitsbergen
We will have 2 full days to explore a small portion of the western coast of Spitsbergen. Now in the fall the days are getting shorter and we will try to take advantage of all of the light possible to search for wildlife. Svalbard is one of the few places on the planet that offers a wealth and diversity of natural and cultural history sites. Highlights include ice covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery and glaciers flowing into the sea around us. We will spend these two days in search of the elusive polar bears hunting seals. At one or more of our stops, we hope to see Svalbards unique subspecies of reindeer. They are much smaller than their southern relatives, but still carry impressive antlers. We also have the possibility of Arctic foxes. This is also a land of history: from whaling to reaching for the pole, to trapping, coal mining and war. We will visit some of these historic sites. We may cruise in zodiacs along the ice edge viewing seals or walrus, in fjords with glaciers spilling down to the sea or in front of spectacular seabird cliffs. We will have opportunities to walk on shore, observe and photograph the Arctic flora and fauna. As we are in the land of the polar bear, your expedition staff will carry rifles and flare guns on shore for your protection.By not having a set itinerary, we take on an expedition spirit and are free to take advantage of the best that Svalbard has to offer. The evening of our last full day of adventure will find the expedition ship anchored off Longyearbyen.
Day 4-5 Greenland Sea
Keep your eyes out for the whales that are known to feed here in the summer months. We may see orca, humpback, and Minke whales as well as white-beaked dolphins. The view is often complimented by fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots, and razorbills. Lectures by our onboard experts will increase your appreciation of these animals and wild coast of Greenland.
Day 6-11 East Greenland and Scorsbeysund
Navigating down the coast of Greenland we will explore seldom visited glaciers, bays and inlets. Looking out for picturesque scenery, wildlife and other interesting landing sites in this unspolit wilderness. We will spend 2 days exploring Scoresby Sound is one of the largest fjord systems in the world. The distance from the mouth of the sound to the headof its innermost fjord is 350 km. It is a favoured hunting ground of the Inuit and is home to walruses, seals, narwhals, polar bears, muskoxen, wolves, foxes, ermine, arctic hares, lemmings, and a variety of birds. We hope to visit the local village of Ittoqqortoormiit to get a glimpse into how people live in these harsh conditions.
Day 12-13 Denmark Strait
We continue our lecture series as we head back towards Iceland and the steaming hot springs of Reykjavik.
Day 14 - Depart Reykjavik
Day 1 Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen has a population of about 1100 people and about as many snowmobiles. Our transfer to the ship is at 4:00 pm so you will need to be in the lobby of the hotel by 3:30 pm with your luggage. We depart Longyearbyen in the evening.Longyearbyen is the largest settlement on Svalbard. It has about 1,700 inhabitants, most of them Norwegians and some Russians. Located in the Advent Fjord at the entrance of the Advent Valley, this community has an infrastructure fit for a much larger city. There are 4 inhabited settlements and some scientific stations. Barentsburg, a Russian coal mining settlement, has ca. 850 inhabitants. Sveagruva, the functional Norwegian mine has around 100 inhabitants and Ny Ålesund, a scientific settlement has between 30 and 150 inhabitants, depending on the season. All settlements are found on the west coast, the part of Spitsbergen with the mildest climate due to the warm Gulf Current.Longyearbyen is located at 78°13′N 15°33′E. The Governor of Svalbard resides there. Due to its location far north of the polar circle, it is polar night from mid-October to mid-February and polar day from mid-April to mid-August. Longyearbyen has an arctic tundra climate.History and present day facilities This is the centenary for the settlement that was founded in 1906 by John Munroe Longyear, main owner of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston. "Byen" is Norwegian for "the city". It was destroyed by the Germans in 1943 and rebuilt after World War II, with the old foundations still visible in some places.Until the early 1990s the coal mining industry was the major employer in Longyearbyen. The daily life circled only around the mining business. Today, the community offers a wide range of activities and facilities. There is a bank, post office, hospital, public library, cafes/restaurants, tourist information, a swimming hall, a climbing wall, a big sports hall, a grocery store, three pubs, three hotels, one church, several tourists shops, there are various forms of lodging, from hostels to modern full-service hotels, a cinema (Sundays) and one night club. During summer, most of the people you meet here will be tourists or young people working to accommodate the visitors. A very friendly and international atmosphere reigns. And, of course, Longyearbyen has its own international airport.
Day 2-3 West Coast of Spitsbergen
We will have 2 full days to explore a small portion of the western coast of Spitsbergen. Now in the fall the days are getting shorter and we will try to take advantage of all of the light possible to search for wildlife. Svalbard is one of the few places on the planet that offers a wealth and diversity of natural and cultural history sites. Highlights include ice covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery and glaciers flowing into the sea around us. We will spend these two days in search of the elusive polar bears hunting seals. At one or more of our stops, we hope to see Svalbards unique subspecies of reindeer. They are much smaller than their southern relatives, but still carry impressive antlers. We also have the possibility of Arctic foxes. This is also a land of history: from whaling to reaching for the pole, to trapping, coal mining and war. We will visit some of these historic sites. We may cruise in zodiacs along the ice edge viewing seals or walrus, in fjords with glaciers spilling down to the sea or in front of spectacular seabird cliffs. We will have opportunities to walk on shore, observe and photograph the Arctic flora and fauna. As we are in the land of the polar bear, your expedition staff will carry rifles and flare guns on shore for your protection.By not having a set itinerary, we take on an expedition spirit and are free to take advantage of the best that Svalbard has to offer. The evening of our last full day of adventure will find the expedition ship anchored off Longyearbyen.
Day 4-5 Greenland Sea
Keep your eyes out for the whales that are known to feed here in the summer months. We may see orca, humpback, and Minke whales as well as white-beaked dolphins. The view is often complimented by fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots, and razorbills. Lectures by our onboard experts will increase your appreciation of these animals and wild coast of Greenland.
Day 6-11 East Greenland and Scorsbeysund
Navigating down the coast of Greenland we will explore seldom visited glaciers, bays and inlets. Looking out for picturesque scenery, wildlife and other interesting landing sites in this unspolit wilderness. We will spend 2 days exploring Scoresby Sound is one of the largest fjord systems in the world. The distance from the mouth of the sound to the headof its innermost fjord is 350 km. It is a favoured hunting ground of the Inuit and is home to walruses, seals, narwhals, polar bears, muskoxen, wolves, foxes, ermine, arctic hares, lemmings, and a variety of birds. We hope to visit the local village of Ittoqqortoormiit to get a glimpse into how people live in these harsh conditions.
Day 12-13 Denmark Strait
We continue our lecture series as we head back towards Iceland and the steaming hot springs of Reykjavik.
Day 14 - Depart Reykjavik
Day 1 Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen has a population of about 1100 people and about as many snowmobiles. Our transfer to the ship is at 4:00 pm so you will need to be in the lobby of the hotel by 3:30 pm with your luggage. We depart Longyearbyen in the evening.Longyearbyen is the largest settlement on Svalbard. It has about 1,700 inhabitants, most of them Norwegians and some Russians. Located in the Advent Fjord at the entrance of the Advent Valley, this community has an infrastructure fit for a much larger city. There are 4 inhabited settlements and some scientific stations. Barentsburg, a Russian coal mining settlement, has ca. 850 inhabitants. Sveagruva, the functional Norwegian mine has around 100 inhabitants and Ny Ålesund, a scientific settlement has between 30 and 150 inhabitants, depending on the season. All settlements are found on the west coast, the part of Spitsbergen with the mildest climate due to the warm Gulf Current.Longyearbyen is located at 78°13′N 15°33′E. The Governor of Svalbard resides there. Due to its location far north of the polar circle, it is polar night from mid-October to mid-February and polar day from mid-April to mid-August. Longyearbyen has an arctic tundra climate.History and present day facilities This is the centenary for the settlement that was founded in 1906 by John Munroe Longyear, main owner of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston. "Byen" is Norwegian for "the city". It was destroyed by the Germans in 1943 and rebuilt after World War II, with the old foundations still visible in some places.Until the early 1990s the coal mining industry was the major employer in Longyearbyen. The daily life circled only around the mining business. Today, the community offers a wide range of activities and facilities. There is a bank, post office, hospital, public library, cafes/restaurants, tourist information, a swimming hall, a climbing wall, a big sports hall, a grocery store, three pubs, three hotels, one church, several tourists shops, there are various forms of lodging, from hostels to modern full-service hotels, a cinema (Sundays) and one night club. During summer, most of the people you meet here will be tourists or young people working to accommodate the visitors. A very friendly and international atmosphere reigns. And, of course, Longyearbyen has its own international airport.
Day 2-3 West Coast of Spitsbergen
We will have 2 full days to explore a small portion of the western coast of Spitsbergen. Now in the fall the days are getting shorter and we will try to take advantage of all of the light possible to search for wildlife. Svalbard is one of the few places on the planet that offers a wealth and diversity of natural and cultural history sites. Highlights include ice covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery and glaciers flowing into the sea around us. We will spend these two days in search of the elusive polar bears hunting seals. At one or more of our stops, we hope to see Svalbards unique subspecies of reindeer. They are much smaller than their southern relatives, but still carry impressive antlers. We also have the possibility of Arctic foxes. This is also a land of history: from whaling to reaching for the pole, to trapping, coal mining and war. We will visit some of these historic sites. We may cruise in zodiacs along the ice edge viewing seals or walrus, in fjords with glaciers spilling down to the sea or in front of spectacular seabird cliffs. We will have opportunities to walk on shore, observe and photograph the Arctic flora and fauna. As we are in the land of the polar bear, your expedition staff will carry rifles and flare guns on shore for your protection.By not having a set itinerary, we take on an expedition spirit and are free to take advantage of the best that Svalbard has to offer. The evening of our last full day of adventure will find the expedition ship anchored off Longyearbyen.
Day 4-5 Greenland Sea
Keep your eyes out for the whales that are known to feed here in the summer months. We may see orca, humpback, and Minke whales as well as white-beaked dolphins. The view is often complimented by fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots, and razorbills. Lectures by our onboard experts will increase your appreciation of these animals and wild coast of Greenland.
Day 6-11 East Greenland and Scorsbeysund
Navigating down the coast of Greenland we will explore seldom visited glaciers, bays and inlets. Looking out for picturesque scenery, wildlife and other interesting landing sites in this unspolit wilderness. We will spend 2 days exploring Scoresby Sound is one of the largest fjord systems in the world. The distance from the mouth of the sound to the headof its innermost fjord is 350 km. It is a favoured hunting ground of the Inuit and is home to walruses, seals, narwhals, polar bears, muskoxen, wolves, foxes, ermine, arctic hares, lemmings, and a variety of birds. We hope to visit the local village of Ittoqqortoormiit to get a glimpse into how people live in these harsh conditions.
Day 12-13 Denmark Strait
We continue our lecture series as we head back towards Iceland and the steaming hot springs of Reykjavik.
Day 14 - Depart Reykjavik
Day 1 Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen has a population of about 1100 people and about as many snowmobiles. Our transfer to the ship is at 4:00 pm so you will need to be in the lobby of the hotel by 3:30 pm with your luggage. We depart Longyearbyen in the evening.Longyearbyen is the largest settlement on Svalbard. It has about 1,700 inhabitants, most of them Norwegians and some Russians. Located in the Advent Fjord at the entrance of the Advent Valley, this community has an infrastructure fit for a much larger city. There are 4 inhabited settlements and some scientific stations. Barentsburg, a Russian coal mining settlement, has ca. 850 inhabitants. Sveagruva, the functional Norwegian mine has around 100 inhabitants and Ny Ålesund, a scientific settlement has between 30 and 150 inhabitants, depending on the season. All settlements are found on the west coast, the part of Spitsbergen with the mildest climate due to the warm Gulf Current.Longyearbyen is located at 78°13′N 15°33′E. The Governor of Svalbard resides there. Due to its location far north of the polar circle, it is polar night from mid-October to mid-February and polar day from mid-April to mid-August. Longyearbyen has an arctic tundra climate.History and present day facilities This is the centenary for the settlement that was founded in 1906 by John Munroe Longyear, main owner of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston. "Byen" is Norwegian for "the city". It was destroyed by the Germans in 1943 and rebuilt after World War II, with the old foundations still visible in some places.Until the early 1990s the coal mining industry was the major employer in Longyearbyen. The daily life circled only around the mining business. Today, the community offers a wide range of activities and facilities. There is a bank, post office, hospital, public library, cafes/restaurants, tourist information, a swimming hall, a climbing wall, a big sports hall, a grocery store, three pubs, three hotels, one church, several tourists shops, there are various forms of lodging, from hostels to modern full-service hotels, a cinema (Sundays) and one night club. During summer, most of the people you meet here will be tourists or young people working to accommodate the visitors. A very friendly and international atmosphere reigns. And, of course, Longyearbyen has its own international airport.
Day 2-3 West Coast of Spitsbergen
We will have 2 full days to explore a small portion of the western coast of Spitsbergen. Now in the fall the days are getting shorter and we will try to take advantage of all of the light possible to search for wildlife. Svalbard is one of the few places on the planet that offers a wealth and diversity of natural and cultural history sites. Highlights include ice covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery and glaciers flowing into the sea around us. We will spend these two days in search of the elusive polar bears hunting seals. At one or more of our stops, we hope to see Svalbards unique subspecies of reindeer. They are much smaller than their southern relatives, but still carry impressive antlers. We also have the possibility of Arctic foxes. This is also a land of history: from whaling to reaching for the pole, to trapping, coal mining and war. We will visit some of these historic sites. We may cruise in zodiacs along the ice edge viewing seals or walrus, in fjords with glaciers spilling down to the sea or in front of spectacular seabird cliffs. We will have opportunities to walk on shore, observe and photograph the Arctic flora and fauna. As we are in the land of the polar bear, your expedition staff will carry rifles and flare guns on shore for your protection.By not having a set itinerary, we take on an expedition spirit and are free to take advantage of the best that Svalbard has to offer. The evening of our last full day of adventure will find the expedition ship anchored off Longyearbyen.
Day 4-5 Greenland Sea
Keep your eyes out for the whales that are known to feed here in the summer months. We may see orca, humpback, and Minke whales as well as white-beaked dolphins. The view is often complimented by fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots, and razorbills. Lectures by our onboard experts will increase your appreciation of these animals and wild coast of Greenland.
Day 6-11 East Greenland and Scorsbeysund
Navigating down the coast of Greenland we will explore seldom visited glaciers, bays and inlets. Looking out for picturesque scenery, wildlife and other interesting landing sites in this unspolit wilderness. We will spend 2 days exploring Scoresby Sound is one of the largest fjord systems in the world. The distance from the mouth of the sound to the headof its innermost fjord is 350 km. It is a favoured hunting ground of the Inuit and is home to walruses, seals, narwhals, polar bears, muskoxen, wolves, foxes, ermine, arctic hares, lemmings, and a variety of birds. We hope to visit the local village of Ittoqqortoormiit to get a glimpse into how people live in these harsh conditions.
Day 12-13 Denmark Strait
We continue our lecture series as we head back towards Iceland and the steaming hot springs of Reykjavik.
Day 14 - Depart Reykjavik
Accommodation
On board M/S Expedition in triple, twin-share cabins, or suites (all with ensuite bathrooms and port holes or a window) (13 nts). Please note that all cabins consist of two beds and are outside facing. Double beds are available in suites, subject to availability.
Transport
M/S Expedition, zodiac.
Meals Included
All meals included on board the ship, drinks at additional charge.
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