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Introduction to Spitsbergen

Introduction to Spitsbergen

Cruise Highlights:

  • Northwest Spitsbergen
  • Focus on sighting polar bears
  • Ny Alesund
  • Pristine ice
  • Optional kayaking

At a glance

Duration: 8 Days, 7 Nights

Coverage: Roundtrip Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway

From: $2,690

Season: June

Activities: Birding, History, Culture, Zodiac Exploration, Wildlife

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Quark Expeditions

An Arctic Getaway

Quick vacations to the Arctic are almost impossible. This 8-day Arctic adventure delivers all the thrills of Spitsbergen, Svalbard in the shortest amount of time.

Hike the exotic natural habitat of polar bears and walrus. See glaciers, wildlife, tundra hikes and historic sites. Watch for polar bears, walrus and reindeer. Marvel at tiny wildflowers and cruise by vast cliffs of seabirds. Get active, or relax. You have plenty of time for both on this getaway because the sun shines continually.

We were very fortunate to see so much wildlife up close. I say "fortunate" knowing that a big part of the "fortune" was not just luck, but excellent groundwork by the Expedition Team in finding and capturing the opportunities as they arose.

Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Embarkation: Longyearbyen

There is a frontier quality to Longyearbyen. We transfer you from the airport to the ship for embarkation.

Day 2 - Alkhornet and Poolepynten

Cruise north and west of Longyearbyen to the opposite shore of Isfjorden, where you explore Alkhornet. The summit is 428 meters (1400 feet). Murres, also known as guillemots, nest in the mountain's cliff faces. Hike across tundra. Then sail to Poolepynten, an island off the west coast of Spitsbergen, to visit a walrus haul-out. We will go ashore to watch the huge creatures loll or dive.

Day 3 - Smeerenburg

Steaming northward during this expedition itinerary, we go ashore at Smeerenburg on Amsterdam Island. Dutch whalers established a community there almost 400 years ago. Learn about whaling while exploring blubber ovens that remind us of the archipelago's economic past. At Fuglesangen, you visit a colony of Little Auks or Dovekies. A backdrop of steep mountains dusted with snow make this shore landing an excellent photo opportunity. You may need a longer lens approaching Moffen Island, a walrus sanctuary. We adhere to strict guidelines that keep us at a distance so we do not disturb them.

Day 4 - Alkefjellet

During the night we round the tip of Ny Frisland and enter the Hinlopen Strait. Our goal is to visit Alkefjellet on Spitsbergen's east side. With your binoculars, scan the cliff face. Thick-billed Murres or Brunich Guillemots nest there in the thousands. Fox and polar bears are often seen patrolling the base of the cliffs, waiting for a meal to drop from the sky.

The ship cruises across Hinlopen Strait to Torellneset on the island of Nordaustlandet. Lookout for walrus and evidence of isostatic rebound - the rise of a landmass after an ice sheet retreats. The weight of an ice sheet during an Ice Age depressed the land that lay under it.

Day 5 - Monacobreen

During this portion of the cruise itinerary, awaken to find the ship at anchor near the Monaco Glacier at the head of Liefdefjorden. Tens of thousands of birds are often found on the water there. Later sail to Worsleyneset to hike and learn more about the human history of Svalbard.

Day 6 - Raudfjorden Hamiltonbreen

The ship sails westward along the north coast of Spitsbergen. At Raudfjorden, cruise in Zodiacs. Hike to the summit of a hill for a panoramic view and the opportunity to take unforgettable photos.

Day 7 - 14th of July Glacier

Your final day on the water is spent on the western coast of Spitsbergen. At the 14th of July Glacier, you should find tundra flowers in bloom. Ny Alesund is a research station with a transient population that ranges from 35 in the winter to 200 in the summer. The indigenous Svalbard reindeer may be grazing, so keep your camera handy.

Day 8 - Longyearbyen - Disembarkation

Transfer from the ship to the airport for your flight home. We have packages should you wish to extend your stay in Svalbard.

Dates & Rates

Akademik Ioffe Categories
2011 Triple (Shared) Twin (Shared) Twin (Semi-Private) Twin (Private) Superior Suite Cook Suite
June 7 Limited Availability, Please Call
Akademik Sergey Vavilov Categories
2011 Triple (Shared) Twin (Shared) Twin (Semi-Private) Twin (Private) Superior Suite Cook Suite
June 9 Sold Out $3,790 $4,190 $4,590 $4,990 $5,190 $5,690

Included in Cruise Fare

  • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
  • Shipboard breakfasts, lunches and dinners
  • Shore landings included in daily program
  • Professional Expedition Leadership.
  • All Zodiac excursions and transfers included in daily program
  • Formal and informal educational presentations by the Expedition Team
  • Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage
  • Loan of waterproof boots for the duration of the voyage
  • An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep
  • Coffee, tea, and cocoa available around the clock
  • Hair dryer and bathrobes in each cabin
  • Comprehenseive pre-departure package including a map and Quark's meticulously researched Reader
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
  • All shipboard luggage handling
  • Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person
  • Group transfer from a pre-arranged location in Longyearbyen to the ship on embarkation day
  • Group transfer from the ship to the airport upon disembarkation.
  • When arrival is the day before embarkation, group transfer from the airport to a hotel.

Not Included in Cruise Fare

  • Any airfare.
  • Passport and Visa Expenses.
  • Government arrival and departure taxes.
  • Meals ashore.
  • Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance.
  • Excess baggage charges.
  • Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges.
  • Shipboard or land telecommunication charges.
  • Gratuity at voyage end for ship's crew, Hospitality or Expedition Team members.
  • Any overnight accommodation required due to flight connections.

Map

Introduction to Spitsbergen Itinerary Map

Ships

Akademik Ioffe

Akademik Ioffe

Finnish-built for the Russian Academy of Science, Akademik Ioffe was designed to travel quietly, during hydro-acoustic research. The vessel carries a maximum of 107 guests in a variety of cabin configurations. View ship details...

Akademik Sergey Vavilov

Akademik Sergey Vavilov

Finnish-built for the Russian Academy of Science, the Polar Adventure Ship Akademik Sergey Vavilov is designed to travel quietly, during hydro-acoustic research. This ship is exceptionally manoeuvrable and quick. The observation lounge and bar on the top deck is a comfortable place to meet and mingle. External stabilizers and a built-in trimming system provide exceptional stability. Akademik Sergey Vavilov, sister ship of Akademik Ioffe, has an ice-strengthened hull and a cruising speed in open water of 14.5 knots. View ship details...