Spitsbergen expedition, the polar bear country.Tundra TravelSpecial offer!

Day 1 - 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 surrounding area of Longyearbyen, more than 100 species of plants have been recorded. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden. Welcome to the Arctic! The expedition to Spitsbergen has begun!

Day 2 - We visit Sallyhamna in Holmiabukta where in the last two years a Fin Whale carcass has attracted Polar Bears. Later we sail to Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favoured 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.

Day 3 - 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 favourite 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 - 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 - In the morning we will try to land at Laagoya, a haul-out place for Walrusses. Later 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, before we turn west again.

Day 6 - Retracing our route westwards, we sail all the time through and along the pack-ice, on the watch for Polar Bears and the elusive Greenland Whale (Bowhead).

Day 7 - 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 found 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. At nighttime we arrive in Longyearbyen.

Day 8 - We disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Spitsbergen, for the flights south to Oslo and onward home. End of the expedition to Spitsbergen.

Spitsbergen, Polar Bear Country Calendar 2013:

Aboard Plancius:

Aboard Ortelius:

All rates are quoted per person in EURO, based on twin occupancy.

Single occupancy: All cabins 1.7 times the share price.

This expedition to Spitsbergen includes:

Voyage aboard the designated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.

All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.

Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.

All shore excursions and activities throughhout the voyage by Zodiac.

Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.

All miscelaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.

Comprehensive pre-departure material.

This expedition to Spitsbergen excludes:

Any airfare.

Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (mandatory).

Pre and post land arrangements.

Transfers airport – hotel – pier.

Passport and visa expenses.

Government arrival and departure taxes.

Meals ashore.

Excess baggage charges and telecommunication charges.

Customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

Fuel surcharge.

Any other service not specified in paragraph “This expedition to Spitsbergen includes”.