
Spitsbergen - Realm of the Polar Bears Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Norway Roundtrip - 9
days
Program Dates:
July 22 - 30,2015
July 29 - August 6, 2015
August 5 - 13, 2015
August 12 - 20, 2015
August 19 - 27, 2015
This voyage takes you on a circumnavigation of the largest island in Svalbard. Our goal is to go above the 80th
parallel, showing you the great eastern nature reserves and some of the most spectacular highlights of the Arctic.
The expedition team will enhance the trip during our landings, ensuring an authentic experience of Spitsbergen.
Voyage Highlights
- See polar bears in their natural habitat.
- Experience the Midnight Sun.
- Visit the 'Piccadilly Circus' of seabirds at Alkefjell.
- Learn about the cultural heritage of the many eras of human exploration.
- Cross the 80th parallel (weather permitting) and spot walrus, whales and polar
bears.
- Sail the Hinlopen Strait and visit the isolated east coast.
- We will attempt to land at the four biggest islands of Svalbard - Spitsbergen,
Barentsøya, Egdeøya and Nordaustlandet.
Itinerary
DAY 1-2: Longyearbyen and Beginning of the Voyage
Stay overnight at one of our hotels, evening at own
leisure.
After breakfast on departure day you’ll have some time to explore Longyearbyen and
surrounding on your own. Afterwards enjoy lunch at your hotel before being transferred to
the pier of MS Fram in the afternoon.
The voyage starts in the Norwegian settlement often referred to as the capital of Svalbard.
Here you’ll find all the amenities of a modern small town – situated in a fantastic Arctic
landscape. The history of Longyearbyen is very much of coal mining and heritage from the
first mining can be seen everywhere.
In the afternoon MS Fram set sail. The first evening we will learn about the ship and get
the latest prognosis from the Master and the Expedition Leader on the weather and ice
situation.
The voyage you are setting out on is one of a kind with a multitude of landing sites and
exciting experiences, you will this evening be presented with what we have in mind.
Variations in itinerary and landing sites between each voyage are normal - in the High
Arctic you go with what conditions at hand dictate. It’s called Arctic Pragmatism - a
survival strategy amongst the wildlife up here - you take what you can get!
We will give you proper introduction briefings on Svalbard and how to explore the land with
utmost respect for the vulnerable and exotic wildlife and nature.
While in Svalbard, we will attempt to land several places, some of them described below as
examples. On land, our Expedition Team will explain what you see and help you avoid
disturbing nature and wildlife. When conditions allow, kayaking, hikes or other activities
on land and sea may be offered. Participation on any hike requires a good level of fitness,
and that you are accustomed to hiking in uneven terrain.
Safety is always the first priority and the final sailing schedule will be decided by the
ship’s captain during the voyage. Below we list some of our possible landing sites, the
final itinerary will be introduced during daily briefings.
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Day 3 - 4
North West Spitsbergen National Park
North West Spitsbergen National Park
In local slang called The North West Corner, this area,
scattered as it is with islands, fjords and beaches has a long history of exploration.
When Willhelm Barentz first found Svalbard in 1596, this was the land he first saw. The
name he gave to this new land was Spitzbergen, reflecting the sharp and steep mountains
in the area.
Below you can read about some of the possible sites we
may visit.
Kongsfjorden
Kongsfjorden or Kings Bay is the largest fjord on the
North West coast of Spitsbergen. A large side fjord called Krossfjorden may be visited
as well this day. The landscape varies from large tundra plains to alpine peaks with
dramatic glaciers bouncing into the ocean. Look out for the mountain called Mitra –
named after the catholic bishops’ hat – you will see it on the northern shores of the
entrance of Kongsfjorden. In the end of the fjord you see the majestic Kongsbreen
(Kings Glacier) with the three characteristic nunataks: Nora, Dana and Svea – named
after the three Scandinavian countries.
Ny Ålesund
At 78º 55' N, Ny-Ålesund is one of the world’s
northermost year-round communities. Previously a Coal mining community, now an advanced
High Arctic research station.
In the heroic age of exploration Ny Ålesund was the
starting point for numerous expeditions towards the North Pole. Names like Amundsen,
Ellsworth and Nobile are strongly linked to this place and you can still, today, see
the airship mast that the dirigible” Norge” was moored to before her departure on the
first trans-polar flight. A number of countries run their own national research
stations here, and research activity is high in the summer.
Magdalenefjorden
Magdalenefjorden is one of the fjords that
we aim at visiting. Here you’ll experience a very important cultural heritage; a
whaling station from the 16th century, including a graveyard of whalers that died
during the first “oil adventure”.
Monaco Glacier
Deep inside the giant Woodfjord system, in
the branch called Liefdefjorden the enormous and fast moving Monaco Glacier is
situated. In front of this dramatically crevassed glacier front there is always a lot
of brash ice and larger pieces that have “calved off”. Mixing of fresh and saline water
creates an upwelling of sea-living creatures towards the surface making them available
for the local sea birds.
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Day 5 - 7
Eastern Svalbard Nature Reserves and South Spitsbergen
National Park
The two large nature reserves in East Svalbard were
established to protect some of the most pristine High Arctic environment on Earth. The
Nature Reserves in East Svalbard serve as reference for scientists as this is virtually
untouched by man. The Hinlopen Strait separating the main island of Spitsbergen from
Nordaustlandet is teeming with birdlife and scattered on the islands here there are
Polar bears. In Eastern Svalbard the density of Polar bears is higher than other areas
of Svalbard – it’s up to you to spot one!
Below you can read about some of the possible sites we
may visit.
Sorgfjorden
Where a famous battle between whalers took place in the
late 17th century and Captain Parry started the first attempt ever to reach the North
Pole by rowing boat and by foot over the Arctic Ocean. The eastern shores of
Sorgfjorden are within North East Spitsbergen Nature Reserve.
Alkefjellet
This spectacular bird cliff is one of the largest of its
kind in Svalbard. Right at the ocean and is readily available and a great view from the
ship. The dolerite intrusions through Permian limestone and dolomite makes for
1000 foot spires that rises directly from the sea creates perfect nesting conditions
for species like the Brünnichs guillemot.
Kapp Lee, Edgeøya
With its approx. 5000 km2, Edgøya is the
third largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. On its western shores the landscape
is largely un-glaciated, unlike most other places on the east side of Spitsbergen. Kapp
Lee is a wonderful site where you will find cultural heritage from all eras of human
exploration of Svalbard; the early whaling and walrus industry in the 16th century, the
era of Pomors; Russian peoples from the White Sea area that sailed to Svalbard in the
summers to hunt and fish, the Norwegian trapping era, represented by a special trappers
cabin. For the observant visitor you may find signs of mineral exploration and ever so
often you see scientific equipment here as well.
Storfjorden
Transiting the large fjord east of Spitsbergen will give
us spectacular views of the east coast. In the distance we will see hundreds of
glaciers and mountains and if we are lucky we meet some of the marine mammals of
Svalbard as we head towards the South Cape Land – the southernmost tip of Spitsbergen.
In the winter time Storfjorden is mainly frozen over. However – later years research
have proved that it contains several polynias; areas of open water. The frozen
Storfjord makes a perfect Polar bear habitat.
Hornsund
The relatively small fjord in South Spitsbergen National
Park is a place that has a long tradition in the Hurtigruten history. The old
Hurtigruten steamer D/S Lyngen had scheduled stops here to serve trappers in this area.
This used to be a stronghold for the trappers that concentrated on Polar bear hunting
up until 1973 when the Polar bear hunt was prohibited in all Arctic countries with an
exempt for indigenous peoples that had a thousand year old tradition to refer
to.
The landscape of Hornsund is largely alpine with the
majestic Hornsundtinden soaring highest of all. Another very special mountain is
Bautaen or in English; the Obelisk, which, seen from the right angle looks like a giant
Viking sword. Let your imagination run while spending the day in these extraordinary
surroundings.
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Day 8 Isfjorden
In central Spitsbergen, Isfjorden is the most
prominent fjord system in Svalbard. We will spend the day exploring both the outer and
the inner parts. One of the most prominent mountains in the outer part is Alkhornet,
where thousands of Brunnich Guillemots are nesting during the summer season. In the
inner parts of Isfjorden the landscape is changing. Large U-valleys, carved out of the
giant glaciers that covered the area some ten thousand years ago are home to large
populations of the endemic Svalbard Reindeer and the sedimentary geology rising
hundreds of meters out of the ocean are just perfect graphs of geological history. This
day, our intent is to find a scenic fjord arm and arrange a farewell barbecue in the
most beautiful Arctic surroundings.
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Day 9 Longyearbyen
Every good explorer voyage comes to an end. You will
probably have a strange feeling of time having passed faster than you expected,
however, the number of awesome experiences feels impossible to have happened in such a
short time. Bring back the memory of, the calving glacier front or the buzzing birdlife
– or simply the subtle, odd feeling of having spent time on top of the globe, just a
few hundred kilometres from the Geographical North Pole.
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2014 Rates
Booking Code
CENSPI1402 |
Occupancy |
Cabin Grades
|
Inside
|
Superior Inside
|
Outside
|
Superior Outside
|
Suite
|
|
I
|
FJ
|
N
|
U
|
F
|
M
|
MG
|
6, 13 August 2014
|
Twin
|
Early booking
from
|
$5,206
|
$5,825
|
$5,825
|
$6,315
|
$6,929
|
$7,587
|
$8,018
|
Brochure Price
|
$6,941
|
$7,766
|
$7,766
|
$8,419
|
$9,238
|
$10,115
|
$10,690
|
Single
|
Early booking
from
|
$9,015
|
$10,099
|
$10,099
|
$10,955
|
$12,030
|
$13,181
|
$15,871
|
Brochure Price
|
$12,020
|
$13,465
|
$13,465
|
$14,607
|
$16,040
|
$17,575
|
$21,161
|
2015 Rates
Booking Code
CENSPI1502 |
Occupancy |
Cabin Grades |
Inside |
Superior
Inside
|
Outside |
Superior
Outside |
Suite |
I |
FJ |
N |
U |
F |
M |
MG |
22, 29 July
5, 12, 19 August 2015 |
Twin |
Early booking from |
5365 |
6003 |
6003 |
6507 |
7140 |
7817 |
8261 |
Brochure Price |
7153 |
8004 |
8004 |
8676 |
9520 |
10423 |
11015 |
Single |
Early booking from |
9289 |
10406 |
10406 |
11288 |
12396 |
13581 |
16352 |
Brochure Price |
12385 |
13875 |
13875 |
15051 |
16528 |
18108 |
21803
|
Above prices are in USD per person. All planned landings are subject to weather and ice
conditions. All itineraries are subject to change.
Price includes:
- Hurtigruten Expedition Voyage (7 nights) in cabin grade of your choice on a full board
basis
- One hotel night in Longyearbyan before the voyage including breakfast and lunch
- Transfer from hotel to ship in Longyearbyen
- Wind and water-resistant jackets
- Landings with Polarcirkle boats and activities onboard and ashore
- Professional English speaking Expedition team that gives lectures as well as accompany landings
and activities
- Free tea and coffee
- Suites include a range of additional complimentary amenities such as drinks with meals and a
welcome gift
Not included:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions and gratuities
- Luggage handling
Save up to 20% on the brochure price by booking early. The early booking prices are subject
to limited availability - Be aware that Hurtigruten has a flexible pricing system and the early
booking prices are capacity controlled.
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