Norway | Spitzbergen Explorer
Explore the Svalbard Archipelago, a paradise of ice and tundra, inhabited by polar bears, walrus and seabirds. Sail to 80 degrees north, well beyond the Arctic Circle, around the island of Spitzbergen, where snow-draped mountains rise high above the pack ice. Seen from the ship or on land, it is the wildlife that makes this adventurous expedition so intoxicating: huge 200,000-strong colonies of little auk thronging the cliffs and shores, kittiwakes next to the Monaco Glacier, walrus wallowing in the shallows, arctic foxes, whales and, of course, one of the ultimate wildlife sightings, the mighty polar bear, frequently seen hunting in its frosty backyard on ice floes. With 24 hour daylight, the time is maximised amid this breathtaking glacial scenery, whether by the state-of-the-art Russian ship, Zodiacs or on foot.
| Duration: | 11 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW614 |
| Trip Style: | Moderate - 3 star |
| Departure Dates: | 01 Jul 2012, 23 Jul 2012 |
| Price: | From $5,100 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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Trip Details
Day 1
The transfer to the ship takes place in the afternoon. Once on board there is a get together for introductions to the expedition team, to learn about the ship and its layout, talk about the itinerary for the next 10 days and participate in the obligatory lifeboat drill. Departure from Longyearbyen is normally around 6:00 p.m.
Days 2 - 10
Sail down Kingsfjorden towards Ny Alesund - one of the northernmost communities in the world. Once a mining village served by the world's most northerly railway, which can still be seen, Ny Alesund now serves as a base station for international Arctic research. There is a chance to visit the station shop where you will be able to send mail from the most northerly mailbox in the world! Visitors interested in the history of Arctic exploration will want to walk to the anchoring mast used by Amundsen and Nobile in the airship Norge in 1926 and Nobile in the airship Italia in 1928 before their flights to the North Pole.
Bird-watchers should see Arctic terns, Arctic and long-tailed skuas, purple sandpipers, common eiders, barnacle geese, long-tailed ducks, kittiwakes, glaucous gulls and snow buntings. Arctic foxes and reindeer are often seen on the periphery of the community.
Sail on towards the 14th July Glacier, where on Zodiacs we cruise past spectacular cliffs, home to a small population of Atlantic puffins, before reaching the front of the glacier. Often bearded seals can be spotted in this scenic fjord. There will also be time to go ashore and the naturalists will help you identify the many species of plants. One of the reasons for the rich vegetation of this site is the large quantity of natural fertilizer supplied by the large kittiwake colony that nest in the cliffs above.
At Smeerenburg, or Blubber Town as it was known, there are the remains of a 17th Century Dutch whaling station. Blubber ovens, whalebones and other remnants can be observed in the shadow of the mountain that the Basque whalers used as a lookout for the Bowhead whale, often called the Right whale as it was the right one to pursue, being a slow moving animal which could be approached closely. Unfortunately it was hunted to the brink of extinction.
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 favourite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes and on previous voyages, Polar bears have been seen on the glacier, providing wonderful opportunities for photography.
The temperature drops as we continue northward. We cross 80º North, just 600 miles from the North Pole, when ice conditions permit. Polar bear and walrus are known to inhabit the waters around the small archipelago, the most northerly island in Svalbard.
We hope to cruise the side fjords of the spectacular Hornsund area of south Spitzbergen, enjoying the towering mountain peaks. There are also 14 magnificent glaciers in the area and very good chances of encountering seals and Polar bears. We may visit the Polish research station where there will be the opportunity for leaning more about their projects or, for the more energetic, a hike. Behind the station the mountains are home to thousands of pairs of nesting little auks.
Heading towards Bellshund, we will go in search of the Beluga whale, which can often be seen transiting the narrow sound near Bourbonhamna. We hope to land here and visit the hunters' cabin; however, it is the massive piles of Beluga whalebones that catch everybody's attention. The bones and the artefacts are protected by the Svalbard Government and cannot be removed. Dozens of reindeer are often seen feeding in the area.
Day 11
We arrive back into Longyearbyen early this morning and on disembarking after breakfast you are either transferred to the SAS Polar Hotel or the airport.
NOTE: Other non photographic special departures available. Contact us for details.
SHIP: Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Finnish-built for the Russian Academy of Science, this ship was designed to travel quietly, during hydro-acoustic research. The ship is stable yet manoeuverable. External stabilizers and a built-in trimming system provide exceptional stability. Akademik Sergey Vavilov has an ice-strengthened hull and a cruising speed in open water of 14.5 knots.
Ship Facts:
- Passengers: 104
- Staff & Crew: 60
- Length: 117.04m
- Breadth: 18.28m
- Draught: 6.09m
- Lifeboats: 2 fully enclosed
- Propulsion: 5,000 KW diesel twin engine 14.5 knots in open water
- Ice Class: L1
- Registered: Russia
On board:
- Expert naturalists and historians
- Access to Bridge available
- 50 cabins, all with exterior views
- Cabins have either shared, semi-private or private facilities
- Theatre style presentation room
- One dining room with unreserved seating
- Exercise room, sauna and plunge pool
- Panoramic lounge and bar
- Polar library
- Ship-to-shore communication via satellite
- Clinic with licensed doctor
- One elevator between passenger decks and the Bridge level
Inclusions
- Ship accommodation
- Full board on the ship
- Expedition guides
Terms & Conditions
Click here for our Terms & Conditions
For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
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