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Spitsbergen Explorer
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65 years travel experience
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Expert Travel Team
“I’d dreamt of visiting Antarctica for years and it more that lived up to my dreams. The shapes of the icebergs were incredible and I was in awe of the humpback whales that swam past us whilst Kayaking. My visit to Antarctica is something I’ll always remember with a big smile”
Product Manager for Polar Regions
Spitsbergen Explorer
Enjoy the best of Spitsbergen on this amazing voyage, high above the Arctic Circle. Keep an eye out for the polar bears, walruses and whales as you cruise your way around the island and its amazing scenery.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1 – Fly to Longyearbyen Day 2 – Longyearbyen Days 3 to 9 – Expedition Cruise Day 10 – Longyearbyen to Oslo Day 11 – Fly to the UK
Price Includes
• Scheduled flights • Accommodation • Meals onboard your ship • Transportation • Sightseeing • Experienced guides • Guest lecturers
Extras
Polar Bears
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Whales
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24 Hour Daylight
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Seabirds
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Walruses
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Ice
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History
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Experts
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Polar Bears
Living on land and sea, these magnificent animals are at their most abundant in Spitsbergen and the other islands of Svalbard. A polar bear sighting is a true highlight of any visit to the Arctic and your chances are high on this tour with many bears living on and around the islands during the summer.
Whales
The waters of the Arctic Ocean are a rich feeding ground for many species of whales including the amazing pure white Beluga whale, the Narwhal with its distintice ‘unicorn-esque’ tusk and bowhead whales living here year round. Humpback whales and Orca’s (aka Killer Whales) can also be seen.
24 Hour Daylight
The Arctic experiences daylight 24 hours a day during the summer, truly making it the land of the midnight sun. It’s a strange sensation to see the sun when your watch is telling you it’s the middle of the night, but its also a fantastic experience to enjoy.
Seabirds
The steep cliffs of Spitsbergen are a perfect nesting site for a variety of seabirds. The sheer numbers of birds nesting is a sight to behold, with thousands of birds teeming on the cliff edges, in seemingly precarious positions.
Walruses
Walruses split their time between the ocean and the land providing plenty of opportunity to see them. The sight of a group of huge walruses hauled out on a beach is one not to miss. The sheer size of these animals is amazing.
Ice
Ice is a major feature of the Arctic from the pack ice floating on the surface of the ocean, that is the realm of polar bears and seals, to the glaciers that carve their way down the mountainsides to the water before large chunks break off forming many icebergs that you’ll see as you travel around the island.
History
Spitsbergen has a history dating back to the 17th & 18th centuries when it was first used as a whaling base. The remains of one or two whaling bases can still be seen today, a testament to this harsh industry. It wasn’t until the 20th century when permanent populations stayed on the island as mining attracted people to the islands. Today tourism and scientific research are the main focus of the island.
Experts
Every expedition cruise to the Arctic is led by experienced professional polar guides to ensure your safety and provide an amazing experience of the region. Many are veterans of polar exploration and scientific research. In addition each voyage will have guest lecturers from a range of fields that include, history, oceanography, geology and biology.
What's included:
International flights in economy class to Longyearbyen via Oslo. Hotel accommodation and transfers in Longyearbyen & Oslo based on two people sharing. Expedition cruise from Longyearbyen on a Full Board basis (non alcoholic drinks may be included depending on the ship). Land visits and zodiac cruises around Spitsbergen. Expert guides and lecturers onboard the ship. UK Airport taxes
Day 1-
Fly with Scandinavian Airlines from London to Spitsbergen, via Oslo, and spend the night in Longyearbyen.
Meals: In-flight
Hotel: Radisson Blu Polar Hotel
Day 2-
Enjoy a quiet morning or choose to explore Longyearbyen, a former mining town that is the starting point for your Arctic exploration. Board the Akademik Sergey Vavilov in the late afternoon of day 2.
Meals: D
Hotel: Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Day 3-
The exact itinerary for your expedition cruise will vary depending on the weather and conditions, but each day promises a wealth of amazing experiences high up in the Arctic. Each day will offer shore & zodiac excursions giving you the chance to explore your surroundings. Get an understanding of the history of the area, from the earliest discoverers of the islands, to the old whaling stations and the current scientific bases. Seek out the variety of wildlife that awaits you, from cliffs of nesting sea birds to groups of walrus’s and seals swimming or lounging on the shoreline, not to mention Polar Bears.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Day 4-
Continue your voyage around Spitsbergen and take the opportunity to venture out in the zodiacs.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Day 5-
Experience the amazing views of the mountains and numerous fjords as you cruise around Spitsebergen, the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Day 6-
By now you'll by fully accustomed to life on board and enjoying the variety and new destinations that each day brings.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Day 7-
Make sure you're always on the lookout for the local wildlife even when onboard the ship as you never know when a whale might surface nearby or you might spot a polar bear ashore or swimming past the ship.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Day 8-
As well as the shore and zodiac excursions and the views from onboard, each day will also include optional presentations and lectures for your enjoyment providing a greater insight and understanding of Spitsbergen and its wildlife.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Day 9-
Today is your last full day to enjoy your journey round Spitsbergen and brings a final opportunity to take in the landscape and the wildlife that thrives on it.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Day 10-
After an amazing journey around this wonderful land, you return to Longyearbyen and disembark the ship, saying goodbye to new friends. Fly with Scandinavian Airlines to Oslo where you'll stay overnight.
Meals: In-flight
Hotel: Clarion Hotel Oslo Airport
Day 11-
Fly from Oslo to the UK with Scandinavian Airlines and arrive back at London Heathrow.
Meals: In-flight
Hotel: No Hotel
Travelling to Arctic
This suggested Tailor Made itinerary is priced from £4699, depending on seasonality and any additional options/excursions you may wish to include in your itinerary. Click on ' Enquire Online' to submit your interest, and one of our specialists will be in touch with further information.
Your hotel details
This holiday includes the following hotels and accommodation:
Radisson Blu Polar Hotel
<br /> With spectacular views of Isfjorden and the Longyearbyen glacier, the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel offers a surprising level of comfort so close to the North Pole. Located in central Longyearbyen, the hotel boasts 95 non-smoking guest rooms, all with private bathrooms, cosy furnishings, and amenities such as a mini-bar, hairdryer, telephone, TV, and free wireless internet. Other features include a sauna and lobby shop along with fine dining at Brasseri Nansen and savoury snacks at the Barentz Pub.
Akademik Sergey Vavilov
<br /> Originally designed for polar research, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov has been refurbished over the last 2 years into a modern, comfortable, safe and ice-strengthened vessel. From small group sessions to briefings for all passengers, the public spaces onboard mean the ship is ideally suited for each and every need. A separate bar and lounge located on deck 6 with expansive 180 degree views, as well as a library provide ideal places to sit and relax or catch up on some reading. Enjoy the sumptuous meals prepared for you by our culinary team in our dining room, which can host all clients in a single seating with ample room. Other facilities include the theatre style presentation room, gift-shop, fitness room, massage room, hot water spa, sauna, and salt water plunge pool.
Clarion Hotel Oslo Airport
<br /> Conveniently located on the perimeter of the airport, the Clarion Hotel has 432 spacious and newly renovated rooms. The hotel has free Wi-Fi in each room and facilities include a restaurant and bar plus a free shuttle bus to and from the airport.
