INTRODUCTION TO SPITSBERGEN
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9 DAYS
This 9 day voyage is a perfect introduction to Spitsbergen. Every day is a new adventure as you see polar bears, sea birds, 16th century whaling sites, beautiful landscapes and bays filled with icebergs.
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
| Day 1 | Longyearbyen | Embark on your voyage in Longyearbyen |
| Day 2-8 | Spitsbergen | Explore the west coast of Spitsbergen. View Polar bears, walrus, seabirds and incredible landscapes. |
| Day 9 | Longyearbyen | Disembark the ship in Longyearbyen |
SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Ocean Nova
Ocean Nova is a modern and comfortable vessel. She was built in Denmark in 1992 to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland, and her ice-strengthened hull is ideally suited for expedition travel in Antarctica. The vessel has capacity for 68 passengers accommodated in simple and comfortable outside cabins, all with private facilities, including twin, triple and dedicated single cabins. In addition to a glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room, she also has a spacious dining room, a bar, a library and an infirmary.
With a maximum of just 68 guests not only can they all be accommodated on a single flight from (or to) Punta Arenas – she also can get everyone into zodiacs and ashore in a short period of time – maximising exploration time.
Day 1 Longyearbyen, Norway
Overview:
Disembark on the ship Ocean Nova in Longyearbyen, the largest settlement on Spitsbergen. As the ship pulls out you will enjoy views of the mountainous landscape surrounding this remote village.
Days 2-8 Explore Spitsbergen
Every day is a new adventure as you travel along the west coast of Spitsbergen. First head North where you will explore smaller, outlying islands and fjords. There is an incredible variety wildlife and geological formations found here.
Every expedition will be different, depending on the weather and ice, but we do hope to visit a few of our favourite landing sites, including the 14th of July Glacier, Smeerenburg, Alkefjellet, Hornsund, Smee and Hinlopen Strait, constantly looking for wildlife as well as stopping at points of historical and geographical interest. Seeing a polar bear in the wild is almost guaranteed, with Hornsund being a preferred hunting ground of the Polar Bear and the towering cliffs of Alkefjellet providing bird eggs that both polar bears and arctic foxes enjoy as a tasty snack.
At Poolepynton you will see a walrus haul-out which is quite a noisy scene as each walrus competes for their own spot on the beach.
For birders, the 14th of July Glacier is home to purple sandpipers, common eiders, barnacle geese and arctic terns, while Alkefjellet is home to nesting Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).
Day 9 Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Your adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.