North Spitsbergen 2010
8 days / 7 nights, Longyearbyen - Krossfjorden - Ny Ålesund - Smeerenburg - Amsterdamøya - Andøya - Liefdefjorden - Monaco Glacier - Hinlopenstrait - Augustabukta - Nordaustlandet - Isfjorden - Borebukta - Longyearbyen | During this voyage, in the early Arctic summer, we focus on spectacular fjords and islands of North Spitsbergen, which offer abundant birdlife and the chance of encounters with Walrus, Reindeer, Ringed and Bearded Seals and with luck, Polar Bears. Of course it is all a matter of luck, especially as we can expect to run into sea ice as we push north and east. Ice conditions permitting, our aim is to reach the Hinlopen Strait and Nordaustlandet, the second largest island in the group, covered in part by vast ice sheets. This frozen world has a lure of its own and our exploration a pioneering feel to it. As well as the seabird colonies of Norskøya, Raudfjord and Lomfjord, we'll be observing tundra birds like Barnacle Geese and Red-throated Divers, in the surrounds of the world's northernmost settlement, Ny Ålesund. Ringed by high mountains and shimmering glaciers, these northern bays and fjords offer outstanding scenery to complement the wildlife. Smeerenburg and Danskøya are of great archaeological interest with remains of 17th century whaling activities and 19th century polar exploration, which was for a time centered on Spitsbergen.
| Twin private inside | Twin private | Superior | Suite |
|---|---|---|---|
| $4,000 | $4,800 | $5,350 | $5,950 |
M/v Antarctic Dream
| Triple private | Twin private | Superior |
|---|---|---|
| $3,800 | $4,800 | $5,350 |
M/v Plancius
| Departure | PLA05 June 14th - 21st, 2010 PLA06 June 21st - 28th, 2010 ADT07 June 28th - July 5th, 2010 |
| Price | Prices in USD, per person in cabin of choice From $3,800 per person |
| Included | Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as per 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 Transfers and baggage handling between hotels, airports and ship only for those passengers on the group flights in Longyearbyen / Spitsbergen. Transfers and baggage handling between ship and airport after arrival of the ship in the morning in Keflavik / Iceland (not v.v. between airport and ship). All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program Comprehensive pre-departure material. |
| Not Included | Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights Pre- and post land arrangements Transfers to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen Passport and Visa expenses Government arrival and departure taxes Meals ashore Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (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) $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | All dates & rates are subject to change. All voyages will operate subject to a minimum of 25 participants (motor vessels) & 12 participants for the 'Noorderlicht'. All rates are quoted per person in US Dollar, based on twin occupancy. US Dollar rates apply for all sales outside Europe. 5% Discount will be granted for bookings for one or more consecutive voyages. Please note that all dates & rates are subject to change. All voyages will operate subject to a minimum of 50 participants on the Antarctic Dream, 70 participants on the Plancius and 14 participants on the Noorderlicht. Twin non private and Twin private cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the share price. It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 80 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of US Dollar 25 per passenger per night, to be paid by the contracting party of Oceanwide Expeditions. |
North Spitsbergen Map
World Travel Award 2009
Day 1 ARRIVAL LONGYEARBYEN Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting, while in the surrounds of Longyearbyen, more than 100 species of plant have been recorded. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden.
Day 2 KROSSFJORDEN - NY ÅLESUND Heading north along the west coast, we arrive by morning in Krossfjorden, where we take to the Zodiacs for an exhilarating cruise along the sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier. On the surprisingly fertile slopes near the glacier, a colorful variety of flowers bloom, while large numbers of Kittiwakes and Brünnich's Guillemots nest on the nearby cliffs. There is also a good chance of spotting opportunistic Arctic Foxes, patrolling the base of the cliffs in case a hapless chick falls from its nest, and Bearded Seals, who cruise this scenic fjord. In the afternoon we sail to Ny Ålesund, the world's most northerly settlement. Once a mining village - served by the world's most northerly railway, which can still be seen - Ny Ålesund is now a research centre. Close to the village is a breeding ground for Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese and Arctic Terns. Visitors interested in the history of Arctic exploration will want to walk to the anchoring mast used by Amundsen and Nobile in the airship Norge in 1926 and Nobile in the airship Italia in 1928 before their flights to the North Pole.
Day 3 LIEFDEFJORDEN - MONACO GLACIER Depending on the weather we may now sail to the mouth of Liefdefjorden and go ashore for a walk on the tundra island of Andøya. Many Common Eiders and Pink-footed Geese nest here, and the rarer King Eider may also be seen. We hope to sail into Liefdefjorden, cruising near the 5km long face of the impressive Monaco glacier. The waters of the glacier front are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwakes and on previous voyages Polar Bears have been seen on the glacier, providing wonderful opportunities for photography.
Day 4 HINLOPEN STRAIT - PALANDERBUKTA Today we will sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to Bearded Seals, Ringed Seals, Polar Bears, and Ivory Gulls. We'll navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in our zodiacs and explore the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich's guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopenstrait, we'll attempt a landing at Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet, home to Reindeer, Pink-footed Geese, breeding Ivory Gulls, and Walruses.
Day 5 PHIPPSØYA Today we will reach our northernmost point at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here we will be at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar Bears inhabit this region, along with Ivory Gulls. We may sit for several hours in the pack ice, taking in our spectacular surroundings and seeing a Ross Gull, before we turn south again.
Day 6 RAUDFJORD - YTRE NORSKØYA Retracing our route westwards, we visit Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favored by Ringed and Bearded Seals. The cliffs and shoreline of the fjord also support thriving seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation, which flourishes in sheltered spots. On the offshore island of Ytre Norskøya, we visit a 17th century Dutch whaling site, whose large graveyard is a poignant reminder of the hardships and dangers of life here at the time. The island's bird life is prolific, with colonies of Little Auks, Black Guillemots, Brünnich's Guillemots, Puffins and Arctic Skuas accessible to visitors.
Day 7 PRINS KARLS FORLAND - BOREBUKTA We land at the northern tip of Prins Karls Forland near Fuglehuken, where Barentsz probably set foot on Spitsbergen for the first time. Seabirds nest on the cliffs and along the coast we see Harbour Seals the only population in Spitsbergen. Further we also will observe the remains of the Polar Bear hunting era, with demolished set guns and bear traps. At the opposite site of Forlandsundet at Sarstangen is a haul out place for Walruses. Alternatively we sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on its cliffs and Arctic Foxes search the cliff base for fallen eggs and chicks, while Spitsbergen Reindeer graze the relatively luxuriant vegetation. The reindeer may seem unbothered by human presence, but this is not really the case. The animals must survive the harsh winter, when temperatures plummet and food is hard to find, so they preserve what energy they can, fleeing only when it is absolutely necessary. In the afternoon we cruise through beautiful Borebukta, following a glacier front before continuing to Longyearbyen.
Day 8 LONGYEARBYEN Return to Longyearbyen and disembark for the transfer to the airport and the flight to Oslo and home.