Svalbard In Depth With Robert E Fuller

Your adventure will begin in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Svalbard archipelago, where upon arriving independently you will transfer to your included hotel for a relaxing overnight stay. The evening will be at your leisure, with time to explore some of this incredibly remote Arctic settlement.

The following morning there will be more time to explore before transferring to the port to board the first class polar vessel M/v Sea Spirit. Make yourself comfortable in your new surroundings as your ship sails into the wilderness through Isfjorden. Spectacular scenery abounds and with virtually 24 hour daylight at this time of year, we can already be on the lookout for marine mammals.

The spectacular fjords, coasts and islands that make up the Svalbard archipelago are a haven for wildlife, and your ship will traverse through these lands in search of the polar bears, Arctic fox, reindeer, walrus, a variety of whales and an abundance of birds that call these lands their home.

This is a true expedition style cruise and as such the route taken will be heavily dependent on ice and weather conditions. Your experienced captain and expedition leaders will decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be assured that the best possible advantage will be taken to explore as much of this wild and remote corner of the Arctic as possible. Ice conditions dependent, on this in-depth exploration we will attempt a complete circumnavigation around the entirety of the archipelago, including a visit to the rarely-explored Kvitøya Island, although of course this can not be guaranteed.

Whichever route is taken, throughout your time here you will experience the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks and immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Various species of seal keep a vigilant watch on the ice floes for the predatory polar bears, reindeers and Arctic foxes roam along the flowering tundra, the waters are often filled with bountiful walruses and a wide variety of whales, and the whole area is simply teeming with migratory birds. Yet it’s the polar bears that are often the bucket-list item, and with a bit of luck you won’t be disappointed in your search for observations of the “King of The Arctic”. We will visit some of the best places in the world to observe polar bears and sail the ship as close to the Polar Ice Cap as possible to see them stalk the frozen sea in search of seals and other prey. A truly unforgettable experience.

Areas you can expect to visit include the former mining town of Ny Ålesund which is one of the world’s most northerly settlements and is home to a post office, museum and gift shop; Northwest Spitsbergen National Park which is the crown jewel of Svalbard’s scenic wonders; Nordaustlandet, the second largest island in Svalbard; the pristine and rarely visited Southeast Svalbard Nature Reserve which is home to the fascinating islands of Edgeøya and Barentsøya; and South Spitsbergen National Park which is home to the incredibly picturesque Hornsund and Bellsund. Unique to this itinerary, we will also hope to visit the incredibly remote Kvitøya Island which is almost entirely covered by ice.

Your days will be filled with exciting Zodiac excursions and land visits, and as well as the scenery and wildlife there will also be time to discover the rich history and geological features of the area including the historical remnants of whaling camps, coal mining operations, trappers’ cabins, staging areas for historic attempts to discover the North Pole, and even an abandoned polar research station.

Upon return back into Longyearbyen, a transfer to the airport or to a downtown location will be provided. You may wish to spend some further time here and if so, be sure to see the excellent Svalbard Museum and take advantage of the quality cultural and dining opportunities in this fascinating Arctic settlement.