Svalbard Wildlife In-Depth - 14 Days - $10,995
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
- 11 full days exploring Svalbard
- Limited departures per season
- Travelling on board an outstanding expedition ship
- Kayaking (extra cost) & hiking
- Complimentary parka jacket
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Oslo, Norway
Your Arctic voyage begins in Oslo, Norwayâs vibrant capital city. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and green spaces to keep you busy before retiring at your airport hotel, included in the transfer package.
Day 2: Embarkation Day in Longyearbyen, Norway
Along with your fellow passengers you will fly north to Longyearbyen, Svalbard's largest settlement where you will board the ship and set off on your adventure. Enjoy your first view of the island's rugged, glacier-topped mountains, rising majestically from icy waters.
Days 3-13: Circumnavigating Spitsbergen
Expect a new adventure every day as we begin our circumnavigation by heading north and around the island of Spitsbergen, exploring smaller, outlying islands. The variety of incredible wildlife and geological formations found here is astounding. We plan to circumnavigate the island of Spitsbergen, but if conditions are favorable, we will also attempt a circumnavigation of the whole Svalbard archipelago.
Every expedition will be different, depending on the weather and ice, but we do hope to visit a few of our favorite landing sites, including the 14th of July Glacier, Ny London, Phippsoya, Alkefjellet and the seldom-visited Kvitoya. The names may seem strange to you, but each has its own unique appeal.
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 Brunnich's guillemots (thick-billed murres). If you're looking for confirmation that reindeer are real, then you'll want to have your camera ready for visits to sites like Ny London, Sundneset and Alkhornet.
As for the largest land carnivore in the world, searching for polar bears is a constant activity for our Expedition Team. Phippsoya and Isbukta are two of the bears' preferred places for hunting, which translates into great potential for you to capture them in action.
A big part of appreciating Spitsbergen comes from understanding the culture - not just how people live today, but also how this land was first explored. Whaling was a key industry, and you will see old blubber ovens from the 16th century, plus other evidence of whaling at landing sites such as Smeerenburg.
Colorful tundra meadows are complemented by glaciers, and sometimes there is a rare chance to spot beluga whales.
Day 14: Disembark in Longyearbyen & fly to Oslo
Your adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, weâll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Oslo.
This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise.
About The Ship
- A 4* vessel suitable for up to 128 guests
- A spacious ship with extensive public areas
- High 1A ice class
- Rounded stern & stabilisers means superior stability
- Optional kayaking available
- Complimentary jacket & loan of rubber boots
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Prices quoted below are per person based on 2 people sharing. Cabin availability changes all the time so please contact us for up-to-date details and information on specific cabin availability.
Additional Notes
Transfer Package
Please note that in addition to the cost of the cabin there is a mandatory transfer package costing USD$995.
The package includes:
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel night at Oslo airport hotel, with breakfast
- Charter flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen
- Arrival and departure transfers in Longyearbyen
- Charter flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo
Optional Adventure Activities:
Sea Kayaking - US$195 for a single outing or US$695 per person for a full programme (limited places)
Hiking - complimentary
Single Supplement And Child Policy
For those travelling solo and want their own cabin, the single supplement in a twin cabin is 1.7 times the cost of a single berth. However, there is no single supplement for passengers willing to share a cabin.
At date of embarkation, the minimum age restriction of 8 years and a minimum height and weight requirement of 64lbs or 29kg and 48" or 1.2m must be met.
Includes
- Complimentary parka jacket
- Voyage aboard the vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- Accommodation during the voyage on full board basis
- All shore excursions and zodiac activities
- Educational lectures by expert onboard polar guides
- Access to an onboard doctor and basic medical services
- Loan of rubber boots for the voyage's duration
- Comprehensive pre-departure information
- Port taxes and any entry fees to historic landing sites
Excludes
- Flights to and from points of embarkation/disembarkation
- Any additional services before and after your voyage
- Transfers not specific to the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Optional adventure activities
- Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Items of a personal nature: laundry, beverages, communication, etc
- Waterproof trousers or any other gear not mentioned
- Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage
- Additional onboard purchases (i.e. gift shop)