10 Day Circumnavigating Spitsbergen – In The Realm Of The Polar Bear
This Arctic expedition cruise is one of a kind! We plan to sail above 80º N, while circumnavigating Spitsbergen under the Midnight Sun.
Explore the largest Arctic wilderness in Europe with optional excursions that include hiking, kayaking and traversing a glacier, all providing a good chance to spot the mighty polar bear.
26 Meals - 9 Breakfasts - 8 Lunches - 9 Dinners including beverages (House beer, wine and soda)
Return flights in economy class between Oslo and Longyearbyen
Overnight in Longyearbyen before the expedition cruise, including breakfast and lunch All transfers in Longyearbyen including an excursion before the expedition cruise
Sail on board the MS Spitsgergen in a Polar Inside cabin
Escorted landings with small expedition boats Loan of boots, trekking poles, and all equipment for activities
Complimentary wind and water-resistant expedition jacket
Expedition Photographers help with your camera settings before landings
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Your trip starts with a flight from Oslo in the evening. Before your flight, enjoy the museums, parks and cafés of the Norwegian capital. On arrival in Longyearbyen, you will set foot in an entirely different world; a tiny town perched on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. Transfer to your hotel and overnight.
After an overnight stay join an excursion to get to know this unique town after lunch. The mighty Arctic wilderness dominates life here, but Longyearbyen maintains a lively cultural life and serves as a prime destination for adventure travellers. Enjoy the atmosphere of this colourful frontier outpost before boarding your ship in the afternoon.
The North West Corner is scattered with lovely islands, fjords and beaches, but such majestic sights can be blocked by heavy sea ice. We use all our expertise and 120 years of experience in these waters to try and navigate the ice in order to access areas for you to explore. One such site is Kongsfjorden, one of the most beautiful fjord areas in Spitsbergen, with mighty glaciers calving icebergs into the sea, framed by stunning mountain formations.
Today, we plan to call on the former mining settlement of Ny-Ålesund, now an international centre for research, with a picturesque mix of old and new buildings. There will likely be many other exciting landings and scenic kayaking opportunities if we are able to move past the ice and go further north
Eastern Svalbard boasts the highest population of polar bears in the archipelago. You will also be exploring the area in summertime, which is when polar bears and their cubs will be out hunting for seals on the ice floes. We therefore have high hopes that you’ll spot one or more during this journey.
The Arctic Ocean in this part of Svalbard is also full of drifting ice and its frozen seascape changes constantly. Being modern-day explorers, the captain and the Expedition Team will be carefully analysing the density and movements of the sea ice using advanced sonar and live satellite imagery. They will then discuss together and decide where we can safely sail or land. This is what makes this cruise an expedition; it is a true, suspense-filled adventure into the Arctic’s great wilderness, negotiating and adapting to whatever elements nature challenges us with. Ultimately, it is the sea ice that will determine whether we can cross the 80th parallel and head further north to Sjuøyane (Seven Islands) at the extreme of the Svalbard archipelago. Again, depending on sea and weather conditions at the time, we will sail through the Hinlopen Strait, before continuing towards Edgeøya, the third largest island in the archipelago.
Continue to explore the Arctic’s great wilderness as you head further north. Again, depending on sea and weather conditions at the time, we will sail through the Hinlopen Strait, before continuing towards Edgeøya, the third largest island in the archipelago.
Continue to explore the Arctic’s great wilderness as you head further north. Again, depending on sea and weather conditions at the time, we will sail through the Hinlopen Strait, before continuing towards Edgeøya, the third largest island in the archipelago.
Our aim for these days is to navigate any sea ice and reach the southernmost tip of Spitsbergen. The varied geology here at Hornsund has created a dramatic and photogenic landscape. Ice pushed into the fjord early in the season also attracts polar bears that hunt on the floes, so with a bit of luck, we may spot this magnificent predator.
We will spend the day exploring the Isfjord, the most prominent fjord system on Svalbard. In the inner parts of Isfjorden, the landscape changes constantly. The immense U-shaped valleys, carved out of the mountains by the giant glaciers that covered the area some ten thousand years ago, are home to large populations of the Svalbard reindeer.
Our return to the colourful town of Longyearbyen marks the end of a remarkable voyage that brought us just a few hundred miles from the Geographical North Pole. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Oslo.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
None
Compulsory Cruise Forms
Personal Questionnaire - This form must be received by Hurtigruten at least 8 weeks prior to your voyage departure.
Medical Certificate - If applicable, the cruise Medical Certificate is to be completed and approved by your personal physician not more than 8 weeks before your departure date. The completed forms must be presented to the ship’s doctor upon boarding. Boarding will be denied if part III of the Medical Certificate is not approved by your personal physician. Even if the forms have been duly submitted and approved by your personal physician, the ship’s doctor and the captain reserve the right to deny the boarding of guests who do not seem to be sufficiently fit for travel.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
A single supplement is available on all nights of this trip from an extra $4,006 subject to availability.
Triple Share
Not available.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Bedding on board the cruise is restricted to the following configurations. If you wish to upgrade your cabin, the following amounts are payable in addition to the package price prior to travel:
Polar Inside cabin: INCLUDED. Our cosy Polar Inside cabins can be found on all decks. All cabins include bathrooms with shower/WC. Most of the cabins have separate beds where one doubles as a sofa, while some are equipped with a double bed or upper and lower berths. All the cabins have individual specifications and do not offer windows.
Polar Outside Window cabin:. The Polar Outside cabins are primarily on the lower/middle decks with windows, they are spacious, have flexible sleeping arrangements (double or twin), TV and Ensuite for excellent and high standard accommodation. Upgrades available from $1500 per person, twin share (subject to availability)
Arctic Superior Balcony cabin: *Great for wildlife photography* Arctic Superior class cabins are comfortable and roomy accommodation and have balconies. They have flexible sleeping arrangements (double or twin), TV and ensuite and other features make this one of our most popular categories. Upgrades available from $1,700 per person, twin share (subject to availability)
Suite cabin - *Great for wildlife photography* Suites feature a private balcony, top-high decks, ensuite, flexible sleeping arrangements, some with sofabed, TV, minibar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, tea and coffee, espresso maker. They have flexible sleeping arrangements (double or twin). Upgrades available from $4,600 per person, twin share (subject to availability)
Please request your cabin upgrade in the 'special requests' field. Availability and price will then be confirmed and added to your invoice upon acceptance.
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