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North Spitsbergen Arctic Summer

11 Days / 2 locations in Svalbard, Norway

The North Spitsbergen cruise sails to some of the remotest locations of northern Europe. The expedition gives you the opportunity to spot historic whaling remains, glaciers, a variety of Arctic birds including the Little Auk, and polar bears.

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Longyearbyen
On Board the S/V Noorderlicht
Meals: Dinner

You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage. In the evening you sail for Trygghamna, where you see the remains of a 17th-century English whaling station and 18th-century Pomor hunting station, both of which you can visit the next morning.

 
Day 2     Spitsbergen
On Board the S/V Noorderlicht
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Foxes, seabirds, and grazing reindeer

From Trygghamna you walk to Alkhornet, a large seabird cliff where the birds are scouting out breeding places. Below the cliffs is a common place to spot Arctic foxes, and you may also see reindeer grazing on the lush vegetation if there’s not too much snow.

 
Day 3     Spitsbergen
On Board the S/V Noorderlicht
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Foxes, seabirds, and grazing reindeer

From Trygghamna you walk to Alkhornet, a large seabird cliff where the birds are scouting out breeding places. Below the cliffs is a common place to spot Arctic foxes, and you may also see reindeer grazing on the lush vegetation if there’s not too much snow.

 
Day 4     Spitsbergen
On Board the S/V Noorderlicht
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Glaciers and Ermaktangen geology

Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, is a fine place for gazing over the glaciers. It’s also a favorite hangout for ringed and bearded seals, colonies of seabird, and the occasional polar bear and beluga whale. Ermaktangen, at the fjordh coast of Spitsbergen, is a fine place for gazing over the glof the land.

 
Day 5     Spitsbergen
On Board the S/V Noorderlicht
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Glaciers and Ermaktangen geology

Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, is a fine place for gazing over the glaciers. It’s also a favorite hangout for ringed and bearded seals, colonies of seabird, and the occasional polar bear and beluga whale. Ermaktangen, at the fjordh coast of Spitsbergen, is a fine place for gazing over the glof the land.

 
Day 6     Spitsbergen
On Board the S/V Noorderlicht
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

The massive Monaco Glacier

Depending on the weather, you could sail into Liefdefjorden and cruise within sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of the precipitous Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular polar bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent sailing here early in the season, an alternate route along the west coast of Spitsbergen can be implemented.

 
Day 7     Spitsbergen
On Board the S/V Noorderlicht
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

On to the little auks

In the morning you land at Fuglesangen, where you can observe spirited communities of little auks. You then sail south to Magdalenafjorden, one of the glacier-filled highlights of Spitsbergen. A shore visit shows you the remains of 17th-century English whaling, and you can also see more large colonies of little auks.

 
Day 8     Spitsbergen
On Board the S/V Noorderlicht
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Earth’s northernmost community

You head north for Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden. The landscape is likely to show signs of winter, the crags and slopes still blanketed with snow. We aim to visit places of historic interest: Ny London, where you can see the remains of early 20th-century marble mining, and Ny Ã…lesund, the northernmost community in the world. There are also research stations and the famous anchor mast of the dirigible Norge, which took the first flight across the North Pole to Nome, Alaska in 1926. Krossfjorden offers views of colossal glaciers and lofty mountain peaks, but ultimately the extent of fjord ice dictates the itinerary here.

 
Day 9     Spitsbergen
On Board the S/V Noorderlicht
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

The past days of polar bear hunting

On your journey south, the goal is a landing at Fuglehuken. Here you see remains from the great era of polar bear hunting. There are also large seabird colonies and a haul-out spot for harbour seals. Alternatively you could land on the coast of Forlandsundet, at Engelskbukta or Sarstangen. Walruses are occasionally seen here, and the tundra is a fine place for a walk.

 
Day 10     Spitsbergen
On Board the S/V Noorderlicht
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Wide tundra, towering mountains

The next stop is Bohemanflya, an expansive tundra with its own avifauna (depending on when spring arrives) and spectacular geological formations along the coast. In Gipsvika you can go on shore near Templet, a mountainous location of eroded sedimentary rock from the Upper Carboniferous period – around 290 million years ago.

 
Day 11     Spitsbergen
Meals: Breakfast

There and back again

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

 

Notes

PLEASE NOTE: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on board a historic sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: The boat is equipped with sails to be used in good conditions (based on open sea, water depth, wind, and time). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one or the other propulsion method. If sails are used, the crew operates them. Guests follow the safety instructions of the team. Average cruising speed for s/v Noorderlicht is 6 knots.

NOTE: June 18 departure will be on S/V Rembrandt Van Rijan

Price Includes
All Meals Throughout the Voyage Aboard the Ship Including Snacks, Coffee an
All Shore Excursions and Activities Throughout the Voyage by Zodiac.
Program of Lectures by Noted Naturalists and Leadership by Experienced Expe
Free Use of Rubber Boots & Snow Shoes.
Transfers and Baggage Handling Between the Airport, Hotels and Ship Only Fo
All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program.
Aeco Fees and Governmental Taxes.
Comprehensive Pre-Departure Material
Price Does Not Include
 Any Airfare Whether on Scheduled or Charter Flights.
 Government Arrival and Departure Taxes.
 Baggage, Cancellation and Personal Insurance (which Is Mandatory).
 The Customary Gratuity at the End of the Voyages for Stewards and Other Ser
OCE-1269