HIGHLIGHTS
- Weather
station on Jan Mayen
- Whale
spotting around Jan Mayen
- Arctin
Hare, Musk Ox, Little Auk sightings
- Blomsterbugt
- Greenland’s bay of flowers
- Kaiser
Franz Joseph Fjord
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
Start Date | End Date | Quadruple Porthole | Triple Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior | Junior Suite | Grand Suite |
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
Start Date | End Date | (Starting from) Quadruple Porthole | (Mid-range) Twin Deluxe | (High-end) Grand Suite |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Largest town, biggest island
You
touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen,
the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around
this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make
for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more
than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early
evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first
minke whale of your voyage.
Day
2: Incredible Krossfjorden scenery
Before
we begin our crossing to Greenland, we sail into Krossfjorden in the
main island of Spitsbergen, where you’ll pass through
staggeringly scenic alpine mountaintops, active glaciers, still
occupied seabird colonies and rich vegetation.
Day
3 – 4: Onward to east Greenland
You
may eventually see the jagged edge of the east Greenland sea ice
flashing into sight ahead, depending on the conditions. Keep watch for
whales and migrating seabirds here.
Day
5: Tundra, mountains, and icebergs
As
you approach Greenland, you may sail through the sea ice into Foster
Bay and land at Margrethedal, where at the east side of the river are
remains of Thule culture from some centuries ago. The lower tundra
areas near the shores are populated by musk oxen. From here you sail
through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, surrounded by towering mountains and
bright interior icebergs.
Day
6: Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord
You
pass Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle), a mountain with layered
geology. On the other side of the fjord is Blomsterbugt (Flower Bay)
and the intended landing site. In the afternoon we continue through
Antarctic Sound and make a landing on Marie Island.
Day
7: Sights of Muskoxen
The
first half of the day you spend in Blomsterdal (Flower Valley) near
Antarctic Havn, a place where we often spot groups of musk oxen.
Another possibility is Ørsted Dal, with landing at Cape
Seaforth.
Day
8: Inuit neighborhood of yesteryear
Today
you reach Scoresby Sund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons
Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier
fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of
Vikingebugt. The afternoon goal is to visit Danmark Island, where you
find the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago.
The
circular stone tent rings indicate the summer houses, while the winter
houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well
preserved, with easy identifiable entrances, bear-proof meat caches,
and grave sites. In the evening, you continue sailing the berg-crowded
fjords to the west.
Day
9: Colors of the cape
The
goal is a Zodiac cruise near Røde Ø, one of the
world’s most cherished iceberg attractions: The austere
blue-white of the icebergs sets sharp against the brooding red backdrop
of the sediment slopes. The afternoon plan is to sail through the
northern parts of Røde Fjord, with the chance to see musk
oxen and warm late summer foliage.
Day
10: Enormous bergs, Arctic hares
In
the morning you encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (328
feet) high and more than a kilometer (.62 mile) long. Most of them are
grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). You
then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and a good shot
of seeing Arctic hares.
Day
11: Sea life along the counter currents
We
sail eastward in the cold East Greenland Current and later in the warm
Gulfstream current with a multitude of sea life when we sail from one
to the other. This sea day grants you the opportunity to spot whales
and seabirds.
Day
12: Snow-capped seaside volcano
Jan
Mayen is a stark volcanic island crowned by the snow-capped summit of
Mt. Beerenberg. From the slopes of this imposing 2,300-meter-high
(7,545 feet) volcano, broken glaciers grasp out into the frigid sea.
With permission from the Norwegian authorities, you can now visit the
weather station. You can also walk to the remains of a 17th- century
Dutch whaling station amid the thick moss beds of this stark volcanic
landscape.
Day
13 – 14: In the Gulfstream
You
sail northeast toward Spitsbergen in search of whales, seals, and a
variety of seabirds, cutting east to the rocky edges of the continental
shelf of west Spitsbergen. Here you have a good chance of seeing fin
whales and – near the glacial mouths of the gaping
Spitsbergen fjords – surfacing minke whales.
Day
15: Bellsund’s flora, fauna, and haunting history
Today
you find yourself in Bellsund, one of the largest fjord systems in
Svalbard. The ocean currents make this area slightly warmer than other
areas in the archipelago, which shows in the relatively lush
vegetation. Here there are excellent opportunities to enjoy both
history and wildlife.
A
possibility is Ahlstrandhalvøya, at the mouth of Van
Keulenfjorden, where piles of beluga skeletons can be found. These
remains of 19th-century whale slaughter are a haunting reminder of the
consequences of rampant exploitation. Fortunately, belugas were not
hunted into extinction, and you have a good chance of coming across a
pod.
Alternatively,
while cruising the side fjords of Bellsund, you can explore tundra
where reindeer like to feed as well as rock slopes where little auks
are breeding.
Day
16: Journey’s end in Longyearbyen
We
finally return to Svalbard’s principal town, where you will
disembark the vessel, taking home priceless memories of friends made,
wildlife encountered, and a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic adventure.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Voyage
aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea.
- All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff.
- Free
use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Transfers
and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for
those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen.
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- AECO
fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material.
Not included this voyage
- Any
airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre-
and post- land arrangements.
- Passport
and visa expenses.
- Government
arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals
ashore.
- Baggage,
cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
- Excess
baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry,
bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The
customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other
service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
- Zodiac
cruise past one of the glacier fronts
- Walk
to the remains of a 17th- century Dutch whaling station