Big Adventures
This voyage from Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago, takes us on MS Nordstjernen, navigating northbound from Longyearbyen to the remote Moffen Island, taking in fjords, glaciers and Arctic settlements along the way.
Known as the ‘land of the cold coasts’, Svalbard is rich in wildlife and dramatic scenery and we will watch in awe as we sail through the bays and channels of this starkly beautiful outreach of Northern Europe.
Arctic fox, reindeer, seal and walrus abound and there is an excellent chance of spotting whales, as well as the solitary overlord of these Arctic regions, the polar bear.
Coastal settlements
Our journey begins in Spitsbergen’s capital, Longyearbyen, once a coal mining settlement but now a major centre for polar research.
We will learn some of the history of the area and life on the island today before embarking on our voyage. After sailing to the Russian settlement of Barentsburg, we proceed through the Icefjord and along the coast of Prins Karl’s Forland, before reaching the northwest corner of Spitsbergen.
Passing magnificent glaciers, including the stunning Monaco Glacier and the ‘seven icebergs’, we travel beyond 80° north and enter a world of ice sculptures and towering granite mountains.
Birdlife and bears
As fierce as the wastes and weather, is the sole king of this realm, the polar bear, who shares this distant, beautiful wilderness with any number of kittiwakes, seals, Arctic foxes, whales and walruses.
There are estimated to be some 3,000 polar bears in the Svalbard archipelago. Magnificent and solitary, these animals grow to a staggering 700 kilograms and there is every chance that we will come across one of these awe-inspiring beasts as we cruise through the ice floes.
There are also estimated to be more than 110 types of migratory birds in this region and our on board team of experts will ensure that we get the best out of our wildlife viewing, both from the deck of MS Nordstjernen and from our daily shore visits by Polar Cirkel boats.
Glaciers and Ice
Continuing south we enter the poetically named Smeerenburgfjord (meaning ‘Blubbertownfjord’) a stark land of barren mountains that was once the home to a whaling station. Passing Magdalenefjord and the Wagonway glacier we visit Moffen Island, where we enter the realm of the walrus and at the Krossfjord birdcliffs we will stand beneath swirling, teeming flocks of Arctic tern, guillemot and puffin and maybe a razorbill or two. We will also explore the glacier walls, towering ramparts of blues and turquoise that constantly roar as they calve into the frozen waters below. Finally we travel to Ny-Ålesund, the most northerly permanently inhabited settlement on Earth, with a rich history in polar exploration and the world’s most northerly post office.
Itinerary:
DAY 1: SPITSBERGEN
Arrival in Longyearbyen, the capital of Spitsbergen. This was once a coal mining settlement but now a major centre for polar research, is our starting point for this adventure.
Overnight: Longyearbyen. (D)
DAY 2: BARENTSBURG – ICEFJORD
Embark on MS Nordstjernen. Sail to the Russian settlement of Barentsburg, we sail through Icefjord and along the coast of Prins Karl’s Forland, past Kongsfjord, before reaching the north-western corner of Spitsbergen.
Overnight: MS Nordstjernen. (BLD)
DAY 3: MONACO GLACIER – MOFFEN ISLAND
Passing magnificent glaciers, we sail through the Woodfjord area. Travel beyond 80° north and enter a world of ice sculptures and towering granite mountains. Enter Smeerenburgfjord, a stark land of barren mountains, once the home of a whaling station. Passing Magdalenefjord and the Wagonway glacier we visit Moffen Island, entering the realm of the walrus.
Overnight: MS Nordstjernen. (BLD)
DAY 4: KROSSFJORD – NY-ÅLESUND
At the Krossfjord bird cliffs we will stand beneath swirling, teeming flocks of Arctic tern, guillemot and puffin, and maybe a razor-bill or two. We will also explore the glacier walls, towering ramparts of blues and turquoise that constantly roar as they calve into the frozen waters below. Finally we travel to Ny-Ålesund, the most northerly permanently inhabited settlement on Earth, with a rich history in polar exploration and the world’s most northerly post office.
Overnight: MS Nordstjernen. (BLD)
DAY 5: LONGYEARBYEN
Arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to your hotel. Rest of day at leisure.
Overnight: Longyearbyen. (BD)
DAY 6: DEPARTURE
Your Spitsbergen Adventure Cruise ends Longyearbyen. (B)
The above is subject to availability at time of booking and subject to the terms and conditions of ITT (International Travel & Tours CC). The above is based on current air-fares and exchange rates. Fluctuations in air-fare and/or exchange rate will be calculated at time of payment.
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