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The Norwegian name for this archipelago including Bear Island and Jan Mayen is Spitsbergen, also called Svalbard. Spitsbergen is the largest of Norway’s Arctic islands in the Svalbard archipelago. 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 unspoiled 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.

Day 1 Longyearbyen

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.


Accommodations: Plancius, s/v Noorderlicht, or Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Krossfjorden - Ny Alesund

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 green 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, who patrol 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.

Accommodations: Plancius, s/v Noorderlicht, or Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 3 - Liefdefjorden

Near the mouth of Liefdefjorden, we will go ashore for a walk on the tundra island of Andøya. Many common eiders and pink-footed geese nest here, and the more rare king eider may also be seen. Sailing into Liefdefjorden, we will cruise near the face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the glacier front are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes and occasionally polar bears are seen on the glacier.

Accommodations: Plancius, s/v Noorderlicht, or Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 4 - Phippsoya - 81 degrees north!

Today we will reach our northernmost point at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here we will be at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, along with ivory gulls. We may sit for several hours in the pack ice, taking in our spectacular surroundings and seeing a Ross gull, before we turn south again.

Accommodations: Plancius, s/v Noorderlicht, or Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 5 - Laagoya

We will visit Laagöya today, a low island with a big lagoon where a big herd of walrus tends to congregate. Sabine’s gulls nest on the island, as well. At Sorg Fjord we may find another herd of walruses not far from the graves of 17th century whalers. On a nature walk, we may encounter families of ptarmigans.

Accommodations: Plancius, s/v Noorderlicht, or Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 6 - Hinlopen Strait

Today we will sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, polar bears, and ivory gulls. We’ll navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in our zodiacs and explore the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopenstrait, we’ll attempt a landing at Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet, home to reindeer, pink-footed geese, breeding ivory gulls, and walruses.

Accommodations: Plancius, s/v Noorderlicht, or Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 7 - Nordaustlandet

Near Torrelneset, we will explore the polar desert of Nordaustlandet, next to the world’s third largest ice cap, which meets the sea nearby. We will walk along beautiful coastline covered in smooth rocks, sculpted by the surf over thousands of years. We may encounter walruses along the way. Sailing south of Nordaustlandet we will have good chance to see Greenland whales.

Accommodations: Plancius, s/v Noorderlicht, or Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 8 - Barentsoya Island: Freemansundet - Diskobukta

In Freemansundet we plan to land at Sundneset on the island of Barentsøya to visit an old trapper´s hut and then take a brisk walk across the tundra in search of Spitsbergen Reindeer and Barnacle Geese. Later we cruise south to Diskobukta on the west side of Edgeøya. After a Zodiac cruise through the shallow bay, we land on a beach littered with whale bones and tree trunks, which have drifted here from Siberia. We can also climb to the rim of a narrow gully which is inhabited by thousands of Kitttiwakes, together with Black Guillemots and piratical Glaucous Gulls. During the breeding season, the base of the cliffs is patrolled by Arctic Foxes and Polar Bears, especially females with young cubs, searching for young birds that have fallen from the nesting ledges.

Accommodations: Plancius, s/v Noorderlicht, or Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 9 - Hornsund area of Southern Spitsbergen

We start the day quietly cruising the side fjords of the spectacular Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, enjoying the scenery of towering mountain peaks. Hornsundtind rises to 1,431m while Bautaen shows why early Dutch explorers gave the name ‘Spitsbergen’ - pointed mountains - to the island. There are also 14 magnificent glaciers in the area and very good chances of encounters with seals and Polar Bears. We may visit the Polish research station where the friendly staff will give us an insight into their research projects. Behind the station the mountains are home to thousands of pairs of nesting Little Auks.

Accommodations: Plancius, s/v Noorderlicht, or Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 10 - Ahlstrandhalvoya

Today we land on Ahlstrandhalvøya at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden. Here piles of Beluga skeletons (the Beluga is a small white whale), the remains of 19th century slaughter, are yet another reminder of the consequences of thoughtless exploitation. Fortunately, Belugas were not hunted to the edge of extinction and may still be seen locally. Indeed, there is a good chance that we will come across a pod. Cruising into Recherchefjorden during the afternoon we can explore an area of tundra at the head of the fjord where many Reindeer feed.

Accommodations: Plancius, s/v Noorderlicht, or Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 11 - Longyearbyen

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

Accommodations: Plancius, s/v Noorderlicht, or Antarctic Dream
Included Meals: breakfast



Notes on Itinerary: Read this itinerary as a guide only. As this is an expedition to a remote part of the world, our exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife, availability of anchorages, political conditions and other factors beyond our control. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.


Rates: Voyage rates are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of printing and are subject to change prior to departure. Substantial changes in tariffs, exchange rates and the price of fuel sometimes increase the cost of expedition arrangements significantly, and we reserve the right to adjust our prices or introduce surcharges accordingly, even if full payment has been previously received.


Single Travelers: Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth goes unsold, you will not be penalized. For those who desire single occupancy, cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the twin rate on the Shokalskiy, Ioffe, Vavilov, and 1.8 times the twin rate on the Maryshev, Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Antarctic Dream and Mikheev.


Minimum Age for Children: 12 years


Land Cost Includes: Shipboard accommodation, meals, shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage; Leadership by experienced Expedition Leaders and staff, including shore landings; Zodiac cruising and transfers to and from the ship for shore excursions; Presentations by noted naturalists and other experts; Comprehensive pre-departure information kit; A pair of rubber expedition boots on loan for shore landings (only on: Shokalskiy, Ioffe, Vavilov; An expedition parka that is yours to keep (ONLY on the Shokalskiy); Hair dryer in every cabin; Group transfers and baggage handling as per itinerary; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges.


Not Included: Airfares to the embarkation point and from the disembarkation point; Fuel surcharge of $15 per person per night on: Maryshev, Molchanov, Multanovskiy, Micheev, and Antarctic Dream; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; hotel accommodations; Rubber boots on all other vessels not specifically listed above; baggage, Trip Cancellation Insurance with emergency medical evacuation insurance (required); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for those who have served you aboard (guidelines will be provided).


Reservations and Payment: A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to confirm a reservation on an Arctic Adventure Ship voyage. The deposit may be paid by bank wire transfer, check, money oeder or major credit card. Final payment due 90 days prior to departure. We do NOT accept credit cards for Final Payment. Final payment can be made by check or bank wire transfer. All prices and payments are in US dollars and no other currencies can be accepted.


Cancellation Policy: A special cancellation policy applies to all Antarctic and Arctic trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received:
150 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of $500 per person.
Between 119-90 days, per person deposit amount is forfeited.
Between 89-60 days, per person all deposits and tariffs are forfeited.


Trip Insurance: Passengers traveling to the Arctic and Antarctica are required to be covered by a travel insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage. AdventurSmith recommend's our travelers protect their investment with Access America Insurance which can be purchased through our office.


Vessel Descriptions: Click vessel links above for individual vessel descriptions.
Vessels accommodate between 46 - 110 passengers and have ice-strengthened hulls designed specifically for polar travel.


Accommodations and Services Aboard: Vessels accommodate passengers in comfortable cabins. Public areas include a Lounge and bar with facilities for slide shows and lectures; Views are excellent from the large, open decks and the navigation bridge, where passengers are always welcome. The chefs produce a varied menu and the comfortable bar is stocked with a good selection of wine. Inform us of any special dietary requirements; however, note that the galleys unfortunately can not prepare kosher meals. The ship officers and crew are all highly experienced in ice navigation. The atmosphere aboard is relaxed and informal, more like a private expedition than a cruise.


Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility, and leads an active life. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join any off-vessel excursions, passengers must be able to navigate the steep, 30-stair, gang-way, un-assisted both down and up. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. You are traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.


General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.


We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.
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