Polar Encounters from $1,717pp
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Polar Encounters

Sail along the northwest coast of Spitsbergen, journey through a landscape of breathtaking fjords and gigantic glaciers, all set before a magical backdrop of jagged mountain peaks. This coastline is surprisingly rich in wildlife and historical remains, offering a fascinating insight into the heroic efforts of the polar explorers of old times.

Thursday - Tuesday Itinerary

Day 1, Longyearbyen

Our adventure starts in Longyearbyen, with an overnight stay at the Spitsbergen Hotel.

Day 2, Longyearbyen and Barentsburg

We start the day with a guided sightseeing trip including a visit to Svalbard Museum. This tour ends at the pier, where MS Nordstjernen will be ready for embarkation. Once underway, we set a course for the Russian settlement of Barentsburg where there will be opportunities to visit the Pomor Museum (optional) and enjoy a lively folklore show. After this visit we will continue out of Isfjord and head north along the Prins Karls Forland.

Day 3, Magdalenefjord and the North West Corner

The North West Corner is scattered with islands, fjords and beaches and has a long history of exploration. Magdalenefjord is one of the fjords that we aim to visit. Here you’ll experience a high density of cultural heritage; a whaling station from the 16th century and a graveyard of whalers that died during the first “oil goldrush”. We arrive in Magdalenefjord in the morning, and hope to make our first Polarcirkel boat landing here.

Day 4, Woodfjord and Liefdefjord

North Spitsbergen offers a strikingly varied landscape – from the largest flat plain on Svalbard; Reinsdyrflya (the reindeer plain), to the red stone of Devonian geology, remnants of volcanoes and even the northernmost hot spring on Earth. The day will be spent sailing towards the Monaco Glacier, passing a number of small islets where eider ducks nest during the summer. If we are lucky we may spot a polar bear searching for eggs here. If the ice conditions are favorable we will sail past 80° North and towards Moffen, an island which is often host to walrus.

Day 5, Kongsfjord

This is the largest fjord on the North West coast of Spitsbergen. A large side fjord called Krossfjord may also be visited during this day. The landscape varies from large tundra plains to alpine peaks, with dramatic glaciers tumbling into the ocean. At 78o 55’ N, Ny-Ålesund is the world’s northernmost year-round community. Previously a coal mining community, Ny-Ålesund is now an advanced high Arctic research station. In the age of early polar exploration Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for numerous expeditions towards the North Pole. A number of countries run their own national research stations here, and there is a lot of activity here in the Summer.

Day 6, Longyearbyen

Your Spitsbergen Adventure Voyage is over and it is time to say goodbye. Your dream has become reality, and you will have fantastic memories to take with you.

Monday - Saturday Itinerary

Day 1, Longyearbyen

Our adventure starts in Longyearbyen, with an overnight stay at The Spitsbergen Hotel.

Day 2, Longyearbyen and Barentsburg

Our voyage starts in the Norwegian settlement often referred to as the capital of Svalbard. In the Russian settlement of Barentsburg, there will be opportunities to visit the Pomor Museum (optional) and a lively folklore show. After this visit we will continue out of the Isfjord and head north along the Prins Karls Forland.

Day 3, Woodfjord and Liefdefjord

These large fjords in North Spitsbergen offer a strikingly varied landscape. The day will be spent sailing towards the Monaco glacier, passing a number of small islets where eider ducks nest during the summer. If we are lucky we may spot a polar bear searching for eggs here.

Day 4, Kongsfjord

This is the largest fjord on the North West coast of Spitsbergen. The landscape varies from large tundra plains to alpine peaks with dramatic glaciers tumbling into the ocean. At 78o 55’ N, the previous coal mining community, Ny-Ålesund is now an advanced high Arctic research station. In the age of early polar exploration Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for numerous expeditions towards the North Pole. A number of countries run their own national research stations and there is a lot of activity here in the summer.

Day 5, Isfjord and Longyearbyen

The Isfjord is the most prominent fjord system on Svalbard. As we sail into the inner parts of this fjord the landscape changes. Marvel at the large U-shaped valleys, carved out of the mountains by the giant glaciers that covered the area some ten thousand years ago. On arrival in Longyearbyen there is a guided sightseeing including Svalbard Museum. The rest of the day is at your leisure and you will be served both lunch and dinner at the Spitsbergen Hotel.

Day 6, Longyearbyen

The Spitsbergen Adventure Voyage is over and it is time to say goodbye.

2012 Price (USD)

 

Cabin
Category
Early Booking
Twin Cabin from
Twin Cabin
from

Early Booking
Single Cabin from

Single Cabin
from
N 3045 3383 5329 5921
A 2760 3067 4830 5367
J 2715 3017 4751 5279
I 2610 2900 4568 5075
D 2160 2400 3780 4200
E 1545 1717 2704 3004
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Call 866.552.0371 or book your trip
Price: from $1,717pp
In brief
Duration: 6 days
Dates: June 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28; July 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30; August 2, 6, 9, 13, 16
Price: from $1,717pp
2012 Polar Encounters Pricing
Practical info

Includes: Voyage, transfers, 1 night in hotel in Longyearbyen, city tour, landings in polarcirkel boats. Not included: International flights, travel insurance, luggage handling, gratuities.

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