Polar Bear Expedition - Summer 2009
Welcome to Fathom Expeditions’ POLAR BEAR voyage circumnavigating high Arctic Spitsbergen.
Voyage: PURE ARCTIC
July 3 – 13, 2009 departing from Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
A remote and spectacular archipelago of immense glaciers, narrow fjords, sheer mountain cliffs and abundant wildlife, Spitsbergen has lured explorers into its icy waters for centuries. Lying 500 miles North of Norway, Spitsbergen is the last stop before the North Pole. Fathom Expeditions cruise guests will enjoy all the comforts of home as they cruise in our exclusive 45-passenger ice ship into the ever-shifting pack ice for extraordinary encounters with many of the 3000 resident Polar Bears. Our hand-crafted itinerary showcases the very best of this Arctic oasis with twice-daily landings by Zodiac on isolated shores above the Arctic Circle where the polar sun shines 24 hours a day.
Wild Spitsbergen harbours a rich marine environment that supports large numbers of bears, seals, walruses, whales and other marine life. Bustling seabird colonies are abundant and back-dropped by dramatic glaciers and breath-taking scenery. Cruise guests will relive exploration history retracing land and sea routes from famed Arctic explorers and through history lectures on Amundson and Nansen.
Fathom President, Dave German will lead the cruise making his 56 + Polar voyage. He will lead the photography program and lecture on geology and recent climate changes at the Poles. Acclaimed Polar historian, Rob Reader, will cover Arctic history A-Z spinning tales of frozen toes and miles to go. Fathom biologists and naturalists will showcase Spitsbergen’s astounding wildlife both above and below the ice.
Guests will experience the rare luxury of cruising Spitsbergen’s wild coasts with just a small group onboard the Polar Pioneer, our highly acclaimed, ice-strengthened ship which is perfectly equipped with Zodiac boats for landing and cruising. Custom small ship benefits include additional shore landings and time ashore, an exceptional guide to guest ratio, memorable intimate encounters with nature and wildlife, a "full" and comprehensive itinerary including modern exploration and no waiting or "shifts" going ashore.
Polar travellers will enjoy observing, first-hand, an entire Arctic eco-system and its secrets in one special voyage. We look forward to welcoming you onboard for a lifetime cruise into the high Arctic wilderness – land of the Polar Bear!
|
