ARCTIC CRUISE:  NORTH SPITSBERGEN  

ICEBREAKER: Professor Multanovskiy - Professor Molchanov - Grigoriy Mikheev

CRUNLYRNSL  Longyearbyen to Longyearbyen

During this voyage, in the early Arctic summer, we focus on the spectacular fjords and islands of North Spitsbergen, which offer abundant bird life and the chance of encounters with Walruses, Reindeer, Ringed and Bearded Seals and with luck, Polar Bears. Of course it is all a matter of luck, especially as we can expect to run into sea ice as we push north and east. Ice conditions permitting, our aim is to reach the Hinlopen Strait and Nordaustlandet, the second largest island in the group, covered in part by vast ice sheets. This frozen world has a lure of its own and our exploration a pioneering feel to it. As well as the seabird colonies of Norskøya, Raudfjord and Lomfjord, we’ll be observing tundra birds like Barnacle Geese and Red-throated Divers, in the surroundings of the world's northernmost settlement, Ny Ålesund. Ringed by high mountains and shimmering glaciers, these northern bays and fjords offer outstanding scenery to complement the wildlife. Smeerenburg and Danskøya are of great archaeological interest with remains of 17th century whaling activities and 19th century polar exploration, which was for a time centred on Spitsbergen.

Spitsbergen - The Norwegian name for this archipelago including Bear Island and Jan Mayen is Svalbard. However it is usually known as Spitsbergen. Covering an area almost as big as the Republic of Ireland, Spitsbergen with its population of 3,500 in five settlements is still today virtually unspoilt wilderness. With its rugged mountains, sweeping tundra, ice caps and glaciers, it is a true High Arctic archipelago, and only 600 miles from the North Pole. Its abundant wildlife was once a huge draw for whalers and trappers but now discerning visitors are discovering the attractions of huge Arctic seabird colonies and the chance to enjoy and photograph species like Walrus, Reindeer, Arctic Fox and of course, Polar Bear. Spitsbergen with its population of 3,500 in five settlements is still today virtually unspoilt wilderness. Despite it closeness to the North Pole, it has surprisingly diverse scenery, including tundra, glaciers, fjords and mountains which, in the western part of the island rise to over 5,000 ft. From time to time the coastal glaciers calve icebergs into the seas with a noise like thunder. Being an eyewitness of such an event is quite an experience. Almost everywhere the subsoil is permanently frozen from 80cm to a depth up to 400mtr – permafrost. In summer when the topsoil thaws, the water is unable to drain and the ground becomes boggy. Due to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream temperatures are relatively high and there is an amazing variety of flora: in addition to the typical tundra vegetation of mosses and lichens, there are also 250 species of fungi, 7 species of ferns and 164 flowering plants. There are very few terrestrial mammal species on Spitsbergen, only the Spitsbergen Reindeer being entirely terrestrial. All the other mammals rely in part - Arctic Fox, Polar Bear, or entirely on the sea – Walrus, Bearded, Harp and Ringed Seals, and of course Polar Bear. Several whale species are still to be found in the waters surrounding Spitsbergen. Although the bird species are not as diverse as in other regions, the huge seabird colonies are very much an attraction.

MULTANOVSKIY INFORMATION    -    MULTANOVSKIY CABIN LAYOUT  /   MOLCHANOV INFORMATION    -    MOLCHANOV CABIN LAYOUT   /   MIKHEEV INFORMATION    -    MIKHEEV CABIN LAYOUT

Itinerary

Day 1  Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting, while in the surrounds of Longyearbyen, more than 100 species of plant have been recorded. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden.

Day 2  Heading north along the west coast, we arrive by morning in Krossfjorden, where we take to the Zodiacs for an exhilarating cruise along the sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier. On the surprisingly fertile slopes near the glacier, a colourful variety of flowers bloom, while large numbers of Kittiwakes and Brünnich’s Guillemots nest on the nearby cliffs. There is also a good chance of spotting opportunistic Arctic Foxes, patrolling the base of the cliffs in case a hapless chick falls from its nest, and Bearded Seals, who cruise this scenic fjord. In the afternoon we sail to Ny Ålesund, the world’s most northerly settlement. Once a mining village - served by the world’s most northerly railway, which can still be seen - Ny Ålesund is now a research centre. Close to the village is a breeding ground for Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese and Arctic Terns. 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.

Day 3  At Smeerenburg on Amsterdamøya, we visit the remains of a 17th century Dutch whaling station, the blubber pots now surrounded by hundreds of tree trunks washed ashore after drifting over from Siberia. The principal quarry of the whalers was the Greenland or Bowhead Whale, which was hunted to the brink of extinction. Often called the Right Whale, it was the right one to pursue, being a slow-moving animal which could be approached closely. In the afternoon we visit the Little Auk colony of Fuglesangen, then sail past the 80th parallel to Moffen Island on which Walrus haul out.

Day 4  Depending on the weather we may now sail to the mouth of Liefdefjorden and go ashore for a walk on the tundra island of Andøya. Many Common Eiders and Pink-footed Geese nest here, and the rarer King Eider may also be seen. 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.

Day 5  Before turning south into Hinlopen Strait (if the pack-ice allows us) we will have reached our most northerly position. On and around the ice at the entrance to the strait, which divides West Spitsbergen from ice-clad Nordaustlandet, there is a good chance of seeing Bearded and Ringed Seals, Polar Bears and Ivory Gulls. On the eastern side of Lomfjordshalvøya we take a Zodiac cruise through the ice floes to the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet, where thousands of Brünnich’s Guillemots nest in a spectacular setting. The basalt pillars, rising hundreds of meters, and the overhanging ice cap with its waterfall are an awe-inspiring sight. Finally, on the eastern side of Hinlopen Strait we intend to make an evening landing in Augustabukta on the island of Nordaustlandet, the most northerly of the major Spitsbergen islands. Spitsbergen Reindeer graze the sparse vegetation of this largely ice-covered island, where Pink-footed Geese, Walrus and a rare Ivory Gull colony are also found.

Day 6  Retracing our route westwards, we visit Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favoured by Ringed and Bearded Seals. The cliffs and shoreline of the fjord also support thriving seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation, which flourishes in sheltered spots. On the offshore island of Ytre Norskøya, we visit a 17th century Dutch whaling site, whose large graveyard is a poignant reminder of the hardships and dangers of life here at the time. The island’s bird life is prolific, with colonies of Little Auks, Black Guillemots, Brünnich’s Guillemots, Puffins and Arctic Skuas accessible to visitors.

Day 7  We sail south to the mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on its cliffs and Arctic Foxes search the cliff base for fallen eggs and chicks, while Spitsbergen Reindeer graze the relatively luxuriant vegetation. The reindeer may seem unbothered by human presence, but this is not really the case. The animals must survive the harsh winter, when temperatures plummet and food is hard to find, so they preserve what energy they can, fleeing only when it is absolutely necessary. In the afternoon we cruise through beautiful Borebukta, following a glacier front before continuing to Longyearbyen.

Day 8  Return to Longyearbyen and disembark for the transfer to the airport and the flight to Oslo and home.

Rates Include:

Not Included:

Please note that all dates & rates are subject to change. All voyages will operate subject to a minimum of 25 participants (motor vessels) and 12 participants for the ‘Noorderlicht’.