Arctic - Polar Bear Safari

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Embarkation Day in Longyearbyen

Your Spitsbergen adventure cruise begins when you board your ship in Longyearbyen, Norway, the island’s largest settlement. As you embark, you’ll get great views of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop to this seaside village.

ACCOMMODATION - Sea Adventurer
Designed to carry travelers in comfort to the most remote corners of the world, Sea Adventurer was built in Yugoslavia in 1976, refurbished in 1999 and had further upgrades in 2002. You will be impressed by this ice-strengthened ship, which carries up to 117 passengers and features a spacious forward lounge and bar, window-lined dining room and promenades.
 

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Exploring Spitsbergen

We cruise around this magical island on a constant search for wildlife. Your expedition will cover western Spitsbergen as well as some stunning fjords and outlying islands to the north. From Polar flora to immense glaciers, the natural landscape here is just as varied as the wildlife.
Each expedition presents new opportunities and different weather and ice, so there is no fixed itinerary, however we do have some favorite destinations, including the 14th of July Glacier, Smeerenburg, Alkefjellet and the Hinlopen Straight. The destinations visited on your voyage will be selected for optimum wildlife viewing and appreciation of the history and geology of Spitsbergen. Polar bear viewing is almost guaranteed, with Hornsund being one of their preferred hunting areas and the towering cliffs of Alkefjellet providing many free bird egg meals for both them and the Arctic fox.

Poolepynton is great for walrus viewing and photography. Coming across a walrus haul-out is a moment you won’t forget. These lumbering giants of the Arctic create quite a noisy scene, as each walrus vies for a choice spot of coastline.

If you’re itching for a more personal and intimate view of the Arctic scenery, then taking an optional kayaking excursion to some of the more isolated pockets of Spitsbergen is highly recommended. Smeerenburg is a great place for an optional snowshoeing excursion, if conditions permit. You can visit a memorial erected in 1906. This historical site remembers the whalers who lost their lives in the 17th and 18th centuries while working in extreme Arctic conditions.

There is no shortage of natural beauty in Spitsbergen. The tundra can be surprisingly colorful in summer, with wildflowers bursting for a taste of sunshine. Each day you’ll see something new, whether it is a rare bird species, a polar bear on the hunt, or a century-old abandoned hut.

Please note : Actual itinerary may vary based on conditions and voyage length.

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Disembarkation Day in Longyearbyen

Time to say goodbye has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen, Norway. From here we’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

IMPORTANT REMINDER : Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. When travelling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. The above is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

Inclusions: 

  • Shipboard accommodation (twin window cabins) with daily housekeeping
  • All breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks on board throughout your voyage
  • All shore landings per the daily program
  • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader
  • A daily program of lectures by noted naturalists
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
  • Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and Special Guests as scheduled
  • Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage
  • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings
  • Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
  • Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin
  • Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • All luggage handling aboard ship
  • Arrival transfer from Longyearbyen airport to your hotel if you arrive one day prior to embarkation
  • On embarkation day transfer from your hotel or Longyearbyen airport to the ship
  • On disembarkation day group transfer from the ship to airport or local designated drop-off location downtown
  • Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of US$100,000 per person

Please note - This cruise has fixed departure date. Email us at travel@planetwildlife.com to book this offer.

Contact us for departure dates.