May 29-June 08, 2012 - A 11-day journey in the midnight sun through pack ice, down tranquil fjords and past towering peaks where wildlife, bears and walrus abound near 80 degrees North.
Sample Itinerary - May 29-June 08, 2012
Day 1: Longyearbyen
Fly in and enjoy a visit to this high Arctic town. See the award-winning museum prior to embarking on the ship for a grand journey into the Arctic ice.
Smeerenburg Glacier and Norske Island
On the Northerwest corner of Spitsbergen, we cruise along stunning glaciers, hike untrodden peaks for amazing views and walk the lonely beaches encountering auks, eider ducks and whaling station remains. Here, we often see Polar Bears hunting seals on the ice floes.
Seven Islands
Today we attempt to reach the Northern-most island in Europe. The Seven Islands include astounding bird colonies, terrific walks, towering cliffs and inspiring history. To the North lies the massive blanket of winter ice which stretches to the North Pole. Here, our odds of finding polar bears are great and our ship and Zodiacs cruise the floes with ease. If conditions allow, we venture out for a walk on the pack ice or a short Polar swim!
Hinlopen Strait
Hinlopen’s waters are especially nutritious and harbour large concentrations of seabirds noted when we visit a colony of 600,000 guillemots. Our ship is skillful at navigating the towering icebergs and the shifting pack ice for landings. Landing to walk and hike take place on Spitsbergen and Nordauslandet
Barentsburg
An amazing cultural visit to explore this communist-era Russian mining town. View the mine, learn of the history of this outpost and meet the local Russians.
Danes Island and Ny Alesund
Two of the most courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started from these islands. We explore the sites, which are littered with remnants from the heroic era. As our historian regales us with tales of discovery, we visit with local scientists and the museum. We also have an optional hike or Zodiac cruise of the enormous King Glacier.
Nordaustlandet
We cruise along the world’s third largest icecap stretching down to the sea where it forms a long glacier front intersected by hundreds of melt-waterfalls. Fast ice often forms a shelf along the sea for bearded seals, walrusses, ringed seals and bears. The waterfalls are amazing and whales are often seen along the fast ice edge.
Zordragonfjorden
Deep inside these fjords, bearded seals lounge on ice flows and minke whales can be spotted cruising the surface. We sail directly into the fast ice and “freeze” the ship for an Arctic BBQ. Later, walks and hikes are offered to an enormous glacier and to dramatic bird cliffs. We keep a constant lookout for resident polar bears.
Arctic Polar Convergence
Fin, Humpback and Minke whales are often seen feeding off Nordaustlandet, where the warmer waters from southern Europe mix with cold Polar currents.
Storoya
Isolated Storöya lies above 80 degrees North and, when ice conditions allow, is a superb place too see polar bears stalking walrus pups and raiding bird colonies. During outings, we can search for recently discovered “sea monster” fossils.
Borebukta
At Borebukta, we hope to encounter Arctic fox, reindeer and walruses during our walks and hikes. Later, we toast our successes with a grand Captain’s Dinner.
Poolepinton
The walrus of this fabulous landing are amazing, curious and a sight to behold. We go ashore and walk quietly over to view and sit with the colony of toothy beasts.
Day 8: Longyearbyen - Oslo
Transfer to the airport for our flights back to Oslo, Norway and home.
Important Note: Itineraries are subject to change due to ice, wind or weather conditions. This is a sample itinerary.
Guides
Fathom Expeditions’ voyages are led by a hand-picked guide and lecture team with decades of Polar and expedition cruise experience particularly in Antarctica and the High Arctic. Fathom itself is owned by expedition leaders who have completed over 65 small ship voyages to Antarctic alone. (Yes, that's almost a total of one year on Drake's Passage!)
In remote Polar and wilderness areas, guides are critical to the enjoyment and success of your expedition cruise. You can be sure to travel with some of the world’s most accomplished and acclaimed experts during Fathom Expeditions' custom journeys.
Read More.
An 11-day journey above 80 degree North in the midnight sun through pack ice, down tranquil fjords and past towering peaks where wildlife, bears and walrus abound.
Dates - May 29-June 08, 2012
Ship - MS Stockholm - bolted hull, ice-rated, supreme comfort, food and service, a legendary Captain with 20 years experience around the islands.
All cabins are twin cabins with private washroom facilities. Pricing per person in US dollars based on twin occupancy.
Twin Cabin, Private Facilities US $7990 per personYour Voyage Price Includes: Pre and post support from the expedition team; a comprehensive pre-departure kit; two nights hotel at Radisson Blu in Oslo, Fram Museum tour and meals in Oslo; airport Transfers in Longyearbyen, all meals in Longyearbyen, one night at the SAS Radisson Polar Hotel in Longyearbyen, entrance fee to Longyearbyen Museum, luggage transfer to and from the ship in Longyearbyen; all archeology and landing permits; all accommodations onboard the ship; services of the expedition staff including lectures, briefings, slide/film shows; welcome and farewell dinner events, wine, soft drinks and spirits, all group activities and excursions; all port dues and taxes; all landing fees; all landing permits; all meals onboard; access to public viewing areas and the ship's bridge; access to historical sites and museums; all safety equipment and major expedition equipment; all activities; all photography seminars; a comprehensive expedition trip log of your journey.
Not Included: Air transportation to the ship unless specified; excess baggage charges; independent transfers for individual arrivals and departures; personal items such as communications charges, travel insurance, passport and visa fees, gratuities to crew and staff.
Please give us a call for more details or e-mail:
info@fathomexpeditions.com for information on this ultimate Polar Bear Safari on the legendary MS Stockholm.
How to Book
To join this special Fathom Expeditions’ Arctic voyage, simply click on the link below for a PDF of our Reservation Form.Please print the form, complete and fax it to 1 (416) 646-2701. We will then contact you and mail out a comprehensive expedition kit to help you prepare for your grand journey North.
Please feel free to call or e-mail us with any questions you may have at any time.
Welcome Aboard!
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High Arctic Spitsbergen is a spectacular, isolated archipelago of sheer cliffs, tumbling glaciers and long, finger fjords. Located 500 miles from the North Pole, Spitsbergen is the perfect home to over 3000 polar bears. It has lured explorers into its enticing waters for centuries and, in 2009, our ship, Polar Pioneer, will again carry us, in complete comfort, through this glaciated world. Our goal will be to locate polar bears, walrusses, seals and whales in their natural environments. We will spend unhurried time hiking and walking ashore, cruising through the pack ice and reliving polar history and exploration.
Our travels take place in the height of the summer when wildflowers are in full bloom and the sun shines 24 hours a day. Fast ice remains in the fjords bringing together bears and their prey - bearded and ringed seals. On daily shore landings, we visit historic huts, hike to towering glaciers and observe rare wildlife. King eiders and puffins will be our companions on this special cruise to the top of the world.
Call for full details or a brochure 1 (800) 621-0176.
