FRANZ JOSEF LAND
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16 DAYS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
| Day 1 | Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen | Transfer from airport, overnight hotel |
| Day 2 | Embarkation Longyearbyen | Isfjorden |
| Days 3-4 | Barents Sea | Whales, including Bowhead, seals & polar bears |
| Days 5-12 |
Franz Josef Land | Polar bear, Walrus, Guillemots & Little Auks |
| Days 13-14 | Svalbard | Barents Sea crossing |
| Day 15 | West Spitsbergen | Glaciers, polar bears stunning Spistbergen landscapes |
| Day 16 | Disembark Longyearbyen | Longyearbyen |
Day 1 Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Overview:
Welcome to Longyearbyen, the Arctic adventure capital of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard and starting point of your expedition. You are free to explore this small but fascinating settlement. Be sure to see the excellent Svalbard Museum. Your hotel for this first night is included in the price of the voyage.
Day 2 Embarkation Longyearbyen
In the afternoon you are welcomed aboard the expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit; transfers from the hotel are included. Explore the ship and get comfortable in your home-away-from-home for the extraordinary adventure to come. The long days of summer sunlight illuminate our surroundings as the ship slips its moorings The scenery as we sail through Isfjorden on our first evening is spectacular and there is already the possibility of marine mammal encounters.
Days 3-4 Barents Sea
Overview:
From Isfjorden the ship’s captain plots a course for Franz Josef Land across the Barents Sea. Presentations and workshops by expert staff will prepare you for what lies ahead.
Along the way, please remain vigilant, either out on deck or on the bridge; marine mammals such as the elusive bowhead whale are made, various Arctic seal species, as well as the majestic polar bear. Sea ice conditions will have an impact on the route taken as well as wildlife viewing opportunities.
Days 5-12 Franz Josef Land
This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. As such, the route and exploration opportunities in Franz Josef Land are heavily dependent on weather and sea ice. The experienced captain and expedition leader (both have numerous of visits to the region to help them) decide the best route and will likely continually adjust plans as opportunities warrant in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic.
Between obligatory initial and final calls at the Russian polar station Nagurskoye in wildlife-rich Cambridge Bay, we are free to explore the many waterways and islands of this unique Arctic wilderness. The archipelago, part of the Russian Arctic National Park since 2012, is a nature sanctuary. Polar bears and other quintessential High Arctic wildlife—such as walruses, beluga whales and narwhal, can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Franz Josef Land. Scree slopes and cliffs around the islands host enormous nesting colonies of migratory seabirds such as guillemots, little auks and ivory gulls. Given 24-hour daylight the operation of zodiacs from zodiacs can occur as wildlife viewing opportunities present themselves.
Franz Josef Land is also home to many interesting geological features, such as the mysterious stone spheres on Champ Island. Collectors of geographical extremes may take note that Cape Fligely on Rudolf Island is the northernmost point of land in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Franz Josef Land also offers visitors the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of famous polar explorers at well-preserved historical sites. The journals of explorers such as Julius von Payer, Benjamin Leigh Smith, Frederick George Jackson, and Fridtjof Nansen come alive at Cape Norway, Cape Flora, Eira Harbour, and Cape Tegetthoff. Memorials, monuments, crosses and the remains of dwellings are testimony to incredible historical events that are further illuminated by our expert lecturers. Tikhaya Bukhta is currently a Russian Arctic National Park ranger station occupying Soviet-era research buildings and was also a major base for polar expeditions. Nearby the fascinating columnar basalt cliffs of Rubini Rock are home to thousands of nesting seabirds.
Days 13-14 Svalbard
Following a week of exploration in Franz Josef Land, the Sea Spirit heads back through the nutrient rich waters of the Barents Sea and then along the coastal islands of the Svalbard Archipelago. From panoramic open decks, enjoy Arctic landscapes and wildlife sightings. The glacial scenery is stunning and the wildlife viewing opportunities continue; seals, walrus, polar bears, and a variety birdlife.
Day 15 West Spitsbergen
After a technical stop in Longyearbyen, you’ll explore the spectacular fjords in the western part of Svalbard. This area contains some of the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks. At this time of year the normal drab tundra has pockets of colourful Arctic flowers making the most of the short Arctic summer. The are is also home to reindeer and Arctic fox. The whole area is alive with migratory birds, including some rare species like Ivory or Sabine’s gull and for the very fortunate Steller’s Eider.
Among the historic sights, there are remnants of whaling camps (Smeerenburg), trappers’ cabins, staging areas for historic attempts to discover the North Pole, and the ruins of a WWII weather station.
Day 16 Disembark Longyearbyen
After breakfast say farewell in the town of Longyearbyen, where you started your expedition. A transfer is provided to the airport, or to the town center if you plan to spend more time in Longyearbyen. As you look back on your wonderful experience, you may already be looking forward to your next incredible adventure to the ice!