SPITSBERGEN CIRCUMNAVIGATION

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14 DAYS

The Spitsbergen Circumnavigation Svalbard itinerary gives you a taste of everything Spitsbergen has to offer. Geared toward optimum wildlife viewing, this expedition provides plenty of opportunities to witness polar bears, walrus and reindeer, and the occasions to capture some amazing photographs in the continuous daylight are as bountiful as the landscape itself. While exploring the remarkable scenery and colorful tundra, you’ll also learn about the history and geology of Spitsbergen.

ITINERARY SUMMARY

DayPlace Highlights
1Helsinki, FinlandBegin your Arctic adventure in Helsinki, where there are many museums to explore and wander around
2Oslo to Longyearbyen Fly from Oslo to Longyearbyen to board the Ultramarine
3 - 13Exploring Spitsbergen Explore glaciers, look out for wildlife and work on your photography skills in this incredible place
14Longyearbyen to Helsinki Complete your Arctic adventure as you fly from Longyearbyen back to Helsinki

SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY

Ultramarine
Ultramarine Render

The newest ship in the Quark fleet, Ultramarine is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and immerse you in the best the region has to offer. Ultramarine accommodates 199 guests and is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters to offer the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. With two dining areas, four bars, a panoramic lounge, theatre, library, spa and fitness centre, Polar boutique and an ocean view sauna your days at sea can be as busy or relaxing as you decide.

Day 1 Helsinki, Finland

Oslo, Norway
Overview:

Begin your arctic voyage in Helsinki, Finland’s vibrant capital city. If you arrive early, you may wish to visit one of the many museums, restaurants and green spaces before retiring at your included airport hotel.

Day 2 Helsinki to Longyearbyen, Norway

Longyearbyen

This morning, the group will transfer you to the airport and board the private charter flight to  Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, where you’ll have some time to explore before embarkation. As your ship sets sail, enjoy your first view of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically from icy waters.

Days 3-13 Exploring Spitsbergen

walrus, svalbard
Polar-bear-trekking-in-snow-Sea-Ice-on-way-back-from-North-Pole-blog

Expect a new adventure every day as we begin our journey by heading north and around the island of Spitsbergen, exploring smaller, outlying islands. We plan to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, but if conditions are favorable, we will also attempt a larger circumnavigation of the archipelago, including many of the outer islands in the Svalbard archipelago. Every expedition will be different, depending on the weather and ice, but some of the places we may visit include the 14th of July Glacier, Ny-London, Phippsøya, Alkefjellet and the seldom-visited Kvitøya.

These names may seem strange to you, but each site has its own unique appeal. There is no shortage of natural beauty in Spitsbergen, where colorful tundra meadows are complemented by immense glaciers. For birders, 14th of July Bay is home to puffins, purple sandpipers, black-legged kittiwakes, pink-footed geese, and barnacle geese, while Alkefjellet’s cliffs are teeming with nesting Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).

Always on the lookout for wildlife, be sure to have your camera ready to capture reindeer when we visit sites like Ny-London, Sundneset and Alkhornet. Searching for the iconic polar bear is a constant activity for your Expedition Team. Phippsøya and Isbukta are often home to sea ice, the bears’ preferred habitat for hunting, which translates into great potential for you to view and capture them in action.

A big part of appreciating Spitsbergen comes from understanding the history—not just how people live today, but also how this land was first explored. Whaling was a key industry, and you will see remains of outposts from the 16th century, plus other evidence of whaling at landing sites such as Smeerenburg.

Presentations by on-board experts will prepare you for the adventures that await, and with continuous daylight during this time of year, photo ops abound. You’ll have ample time to linger and photograph any bears we find hunting on the ice edge, but they’re not the only wildlife you can hope to encounter. The food-rich waters attract walrus, whales and seabirds, so you’ll want to keep your binoculars nearby while cruising. Arctic fox and the indigenous Svalbard reindeer may also be spotted on Zodiac excursions to shore.

 

A haven for present-day explorers, Spitsbergen and the surrounding area offer unforgettable polar experiences that will keep you and your camera active for the duration of the expedition. Although 60 percent of the landscape is covered in glaciers and much of the terrain is mountainous, Spitsbergen (which means “pointed mountains”) surprises visitors with stretches of colorful tundra that burst with wildflowers in summer. Optional hiking activities get you up close—though never obtrusively—to the abundant wildlife. At day’s end, you’ll have plenty of prized photographs and exciting stories to share with your shipmates.

Day 14 Longyearbyen to Helsinki, Finland

The time to say goodbye to your Expedition Team and disembark in the historic frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, you will transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki.

To book this cruise contact us on 1300 784 794 or email: contact@arctictravelcentre.com.au

We will tailor the perfect holiday to suit your needs.