North Spitsbergen
12 days / 11 nights on S/V Noorderlicht, Longyearbyen - Forlandsundet - Ny Ålesund - 14th July Glacier - Magdalenafjord - Norskøya - Raudfjord - Forlandsundet - Longyearbyen | Spitsbergen is an Arctic archipelago about 650 kilometres (400 miles) north of Norway. The archipelago ranges from Bear Island at 74° North to Rossøya at 81° North. It is by far the largest wilderness area of Europe; it covers an area of about 62,500 km², about the size of Ireland. About 60% of the land is glaciated. Since 1925 Norway has sovereignty over Spitsbergen according to the international Spitsbergen Treaty. The Norwegian name for the archipelago is Svalbard.
The 'Noorderlicht' was originally built in 1910 in Flensburg, Germany as a three-masted schooner. In 1991 the present owners purchased the hull and re-rigged and refitted her thoroughly, under the rules of "Register Holland".
The 'Noorderlicht' now has a well-balanced two-masted schooner rig and is capable of sailing the seven seas.
The qualified captains have a great experience of the oceans. Together with the rest of the crew, they will do everything possible to ensure that you have a wonderful and unforgettable journey.
| Departure | NOO06, June 21st - July 2nd, 2010 |
| Price | $3,950 per person in Twin non private |
| Included | Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the 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 On Spitsbergen voyages: Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen. On Northeast Greenland voyages: Transfer and baggage handling between ship in Akureyri and hotels in Reykjavik On Scoresby Sund voyages: Transfers and baggage handling between Keflavik airport / Reykjavik and ship in Akureyri. Transfers and baggage handling between ship in Keflavik and Keflavik airport. All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program AECO fees and governmental taxes. 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 (which is strongly recommended) Excess baggage charges All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges Customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided) |
| Please Note | Maximum of 14 participants on the s/v Noorderlicht. |
Day 1 LONGYEARBYEN - TRYGHAMNA After arriving in Longyearbyen, the 'capital' (actually the administrative centre) of Spitsbergen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration. In the afternoon we sail, setting course for Alkhornet, a seabird cliff with a large colony of Kittiwakes. Below the cliffs is a den with Arctic Foxes which scavenge off fallen eggs and chicks. We continue to Tryghamna to visit the remains of a 17th century English whaling station and an 18th century Russian Pomor station.
Day 2 FORLANDSUNDET We leave Tryghamna early in the morning and sail through the Forlandsundet. Weather permitting we will go ashore at Fuglehuken where the first Western Europeans (the expedition of Willem Barentsz) set foot on Spitsbergen. Here we can see the graves of whalers and visit colonies of Common Guillemots, Brünnich's Guillemots, Little Auks and Kittiwakes. Nearby we may be able to visit a haul-out of Harbour Seals and Walruses.
Day 3 NY ALESUND Today we will visit Ny Ålesund, the northernmost permanently inhabited village in the world, a centre for polar research and a former starting point for many North Pole expeditions (Amundsen and Nobile for example). The local bird life has adapted itself to the human presence and is exceptionally tame. Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese, Common Eiders, Arctic Terns and several species of wader can be seen at close quarters. The Reindeers here are smaller than their mainland relatives and do not form large herds.
Day 4 NY ALESUND - 14TH OF JULY GLACIER In the morning we sail from Ny Ålesund to the 14th July Glacier where we cruise in zodiacs. Not far from the glacier we will visit an accessible breeding site for Brünnich's Guillemots, Auks and Puffins. The guano of these bird colonies, the southward exposure and the sheltered situation, give rise to a relatively rich vegetation with many species of flowering plants.
Day 5 MAGDALENAFJORD Sailing northwards we visit the Magdalenafjord, one of the most beautiful places on Spitsbergen, with many impressive glacier fronts. During a shore visit we will view the remains of 17th century English whaling activities. We can also visit some big seabird colonies particularly noteworthy for their Little Auks.
Day 6 YTRE NORSKOYA Today we will try to visit Ytre Norskøya, a small island which was used for many years as a lookout point for Dutch whalers. There we can still follow their tracks to the summit of the island, passing excellent bird cliffs on the way. On shore the remains of 17th century blubber ovens can be found, while Arctic Skuas and Common Eiders breed among the graves of 200 Dutch whalers.
Day 7 RAUDFJORD Raudfjord on the north coast of Spitsbergen is a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers. It is also a favourite with Ringed and Bearded Seals, has good seabird colonies, and offers good chances for spotting Polar Bear and Belugas. Jermaktangen, at the fjord's eastern entrance, is a geography lesson in the erosion of the land by the sea.
Day 8 REINDYRFLA If sea-ice conditions allow, we may land on the northern-side of Reindyrfla, the largest tundra area of Spitsbergen. The vast undulating plain is a good grazing area for Reindeer and several species of waders also breed here. The area's lakes offer good chances of spotting Red-throated Divers and King Eiders.
Day 9 SMEERENBURG - DANSKOYA Today we visit the remains of Smeerenburg, the largest 17th century whaling settlement on Spitsbergen, and, if we obtain permission, Danskøya where many historical remains are to be found of the 19th century expedition by the Swedish explorer Andree, who tried to reach the North Pole in a balloon.
Day 10 & 11 ENGELSBUKTA - LONGYEARBYEN On our way south, we will try to make a landing on the coast of the Forlandsundet at Engelsbukta or Sarstangen or Poolepynten, where Walruses are often hauled out. From there we head straight for Longyearbyen, but if time allows we could call at Colesbukta, from where good walkers may walk to Longyearbyen in six hours.
Day 12 DEPARTURE LONGYEARBYEN Departure by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo.