Spitsbergen Explorer

This 11-day active adventure begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, one of Norway’s Arctic islands in the Svalbard archipelago. The aim of this expedition is to explore the coastline of the largest island in the group, Spitsbergen. The exact course depends on local weather and ice conditions. We expect to explore magnificent fjords, cruise in Zodiacs past towering sea cliffs and encounter polar bears and walrus in their natural habitat. Optional kayaking is available.

Itinerary

Day 1 — Embarkation: Longyearbyen
This small community of 1,000 souls is the largest community in the Svalbard islands. Please arrive in the morning as embarkation is in the early afternoon.

Day 2-4 — Western Spitsbergen
On the west coast of Spitbergen, we'll cruise in Zodiacs, near a magnificent ice cliff, the 14th of July Glacier. We'll also visit Ny Alesund, an international Arctic research station. Birders should add to their life list, as this is a known habitat for Arctic Terns, Arctic Skua, Purple Sandpipers, Common Eiders, Barnacle Geese and Snow Buntings.

Day 5-8 — Smeerenburg / Phippsoya / Thousand Islands
At Smeerenburg, we'll visit relics of the whaling industry, blubber ovens and whalebones. A tour of the former whaling station recounts the Dutch and Basque influences on the local community, which relied on the harvesting of bowhead whales for survival.

The temperature drops as we continue northward, crossing 80° N, 965 km (600 miles) from the North Pole. Polar bear and walrus are known to inhabit the waters around this small archipelago, the most northerly in Svalbard!

Norway's Arctic Islands of Svalbard are so numerous that certain areas within the archipelago have names that reflect the profusion, Tusenoyane (Thousand Islands) for example. We'll go ashore on Aekongen to seek Red-throated Divers and a whale skeleton.

Day 9-10 — Bourbonhamna
The narrow sound near Bourbonhamna is a favored route of beluga whales. We'll search for the white whales before going ashore, where we'll learn about hunting and whaling.

Day 11 — Longyearbyen - Disembarkation
We'll transfer you from the ship to the airport for your flight home. Those who wish to extend their stay will be dropped at the Radisson Hotel on the way.

What's Included:

• Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.
• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
• All shore landings per the daily program.
• Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities.
• All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program.
• Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled.
• Photographic Album on DVD, documenting the voyage.
• A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings.
• A Quark Expeditions parka – yours to keep.
• Coffee, tea ,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.
• Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person.
• For all voyages embarking in Svalbard – If arrival is after noon the day prior to embarkation, group transfer to a hotel, then on the day of embarkation from hotel to the ship.
• If arrival is on the day of embarkation, group transfer to the town of Longyearbyen for independent exploration, then at 16:00 (4 PM) local time, a group transfer from a pre-arranged location to the ship.(Luggage will be delivered to the ship directly from the airport.)
• On the day of disembarkation, group transfer from the ship to the airport.

What's Not Included:

• Fuel Surcharge
• Transportation to/from embarkation/disembarkation and home
  

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All rates are per person, double occupancy. Port charges, Government taxes and fees are additional. Limited availability and based on minimum fares for select departure dates. Other dates may be higher. These rates are for new, individual bookings only. Not responsible for last minute changes of price or itinerary by cruise line, or any errors or omissions in the content of this site. Some restrictions and cancellation penalties may apply.