Around The Spitsbergen - Noorderlicht - 16D/15N

Housing in the Arctic, courtesy of Oceanwide ExpeditionsThe 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.

Departures: Jul 13, 28, Aug 12, 27, 2010 - Jul 13, 28, Aug 12, 27 ,2011.

Rates from: $5,130.00 USD per person based on double occupancy. Single occupancy: All cabin types 1.8 times the share price.

Included: Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary. All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea. All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac. Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff. Transfers and baggage handling between the hotels, airports and ship only for those passengers on the group flights in Longyearbyen - Spitsbergen. Transfers and baggage handling between ship and airport after arrival of the ship in the morning in Keflavik – Iceland (not v.v. between airport and ship). Transfers and baggage handling between ship and hotels in Reykjavik after arrival of the ship in the morning in Keflavik - Iceland (not v.v. between Reykjavik and ship). All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme. Comprehensive pre-departure material.

Not included: Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights. Pre- and post land arrangements. Transfers to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen. Passport and visa expenses. Government arrival and departure taxes. Meals ashore. Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance ( which is strongly recommended). Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges. And the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard ( guidelines will be provided). A net fuel surcharge of EURO 32 per person per night will apply on all reservations, except for Noorderlicht voyages.

Note: All voyages will operate subject to a minimum of 30 participants on the Prof. Molchanov and Prof. Multanovskiy and the Grigriy Mikheev and Aleksey Maryshev, 50 participants on the Antarctic Dream, 70 participants on the
Plancius and 14 participants on the Noorderlicht.

Note: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.

The Arctic, courtesy of Oceanwide ExpeditionsItinerary:

  • Day 1 - After arriving in Longyearbyen, the ‘capital’ (actually the administrative centre) of Spitsbergen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration. In the afternoon we sail, setting course for Alkhornet, a seabird cliff with a large colony of Kittiwakes. Below the cliffs is a den with Arctic Foxes which scavenge off fallen eggs and chicks. We continue to Trygghamna to visit the remains of a 17th century English whaling station and an 18th century Russian Pomor station.
  • Day 2 - We leave Tryghamna early in the morning and sail through the Forlandsundet. Weather permitting
    we will go ashore at Fuglehuken where the first Western Europeans (the expedition of Willem Barentsz) set foot on Spitsbergen. Here we can see the graves of whalers and visit colonies of Common Guillemots, Brünnich´s Guillemots, Little Auks and Kittiwakes. Nearby we may be able to visit a haul-out of Harbour Seals and Walruses.
  • Day 3 - Today we visit the remains of Smeerenburg, the largest 17th century whaling settlement on Spitsbergen. We also land on Ytre Norskøya where there are many graves dating from whaling days.
  • Day 4 to Day 15 - Today we sail either to Sorgfjord, where we have a good chance of seeing Walruses, or to Murchison Bay, on the north side of which there is an extensive dry tundra, home to many Reindeer. There is also is a Swedish research station here.
  • Day 16 - Departure by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo.

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Also tagged with: Cruise Expeditions, Adventure Expeditions, Escorted Journeys, Antarctica / Arctic, Arctic, Educational, Nature / Ecology, Hosted Tours, Arctic, Exploration Cruise, Oceanwide Expeditions


Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs

Insure My Trip We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.