SVALBARD ODYSSEY
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12 DAYS
Spitsbergen is home to the iconic polar bear, as well as whales, seals, walrus, Svalbard reindeer and tens of thousands of seabirds. Exploring the tundra and the snow covered landscape is a breathtaking experience. See the best that Spitsbergen has to offer.
ITINERARY SUMMARY
Day Place Highlights
Day 1 Helsinki, Finland Arrive in Finland and explore this vibrant city
Day 2 Longyearbyen Embark on your voyage in Longyearbyen
Day 3-11 Circumnavigate Spitsbergen View Polar bears, walrus, seabirds and incredible landscapes
Day 12 Longyearbyen Disembark the ship in Longyearbyen, fly to Helsinki
SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Greg Mortimer
The Greg Mortimer is a new purpose built, polar expedition vessel taking 120 guests. This vessel has been designed in close consultation with Antarctic expedition specialists and is the first expedition cruise ship designed with the ULSTEIN X-BOW hull. This cutting edge nautical technology allows for gentle travel and motion at sea, improved comfort and safety on-board, reduced vibrations, lower fuel consumption and emissions and ‘virtual anchoring’ which means the ship can float anchor-less while launching the Zodiacs without disturbing delicate sea floor areas. There are four sea-level launching platforms for fast and efficient access to and from Zodiacs.
Day 1 Longyeabyen, Norway
Having made your way to Longyearbyen, you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival, kindly remind hotel check-in staff to provide you with Aurora Expeditions cabin tags for your luggage. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number.
This evening, enjoy a light refreshment as you meet your fellow expeditioners at a Welcome Reception and pre-embarkation briefing. Afterwards, dine at your leisure (dinner not included).
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Polar Hotel
Day 2 Longyearbyen, Norway
Embark Greg Mortimer in the afternoon. Sail out of the beautiful Isfjorden, escorted by gliding fulmars and perhaps the occasional puffin. Find a spot in one of the observation areas to watch seabirds, including graceful ivory gulls, kittiwakes and guillemots. They rise and fall skillfully, using the air currents created by the ship to gain momentum.
Days 3-11 Exploring Spitsbergen
Svalbard offers Arctic wilderness at its best. Our experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design our day-to-day itinerary, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions and wildlife encounters.
Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountains ranges and a polar desert rich in fossils set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walrus hauled-out on sea ice or on beaches. On land, stretch our legs on walks across tundra coming out in brightly-coloured wildflowers. We visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and puffins, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies. Most memorable are encounters with the majestic polar bear on pack ice. Your expedition team is just as keen as you to find them— they will be on constant watch to spot these inspiring creatures.
If you have chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you’ll have the option to enjoy the activity when conditions allow. For those who are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you’ll hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating plunge, a memory you’ll savour for years to come.
Day 12 Longyearbyen
Your adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. Farewell the expedition team. From here you may wish to fly to Oslo and continue on your journey home or perhaps explore Europe. Our consultants will be able to make these arrangements for you.