- Sea Spirit
- Luxury Expedition Ship
- 112 Capacity
- 13 Days
- 2013, 2014
View Departure>
- 2013
- Jul 4 Thu Offer
- Jul 16 Tue Offer
- 2014
- Jul 8 Tue Offer
- Jul 20 Sun Offer
- Price from
- $6,495
Summary : Spitsbergen is the largest island in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. This 13-day trip makes a complete circuit of Spitsbergen with visits to outer lying islands as well. The islands of the archipelago are varied, so this is the voyage to choose if you want the complete Svalbard experience. See scores of nesting seabirds, lazy walrus lolling on the shores, and of course, the iconic polar bear, prowling the ice edge. Spitsbergen also boasts a remarkably diverse landscape, offering the chance to explore everything from jagged mountain peaks to sweeping polar deserts. Tour the magnificent scenery from the viewpoint of a Zodiac, kayak or on foot ashore.
Activities : Birding, Camping, Hiking, Kayaking
PRICING
Just-Released Offer Save up to 25% per person (up to $4,498 off).
Prices from
$6,495 to $17,995
Itinerary
Day 1
Longyearbyen / Embark
Your Spitsbergen expedition itinerary begins when you board your ship in Longyearbyen, the island's largest settlement. Enjoy your first view of the island's rugged, glacier-topped mountains, rising majestically from icy Arctic waters.
Day 2 – 12
Circumnavigating Spitsbergen
Expect a new adventure every day, as you journey around the island of Spitsbergen and explore smaller, outlying islands. The variety of incredible wildlife and geological formations found here is astounding! Every expedition will be unique, but a few favorite landing sites include the 14th of July Glacier, Ny London, Phippsoya, Alkefjellet, and Sundneset. A big part of appreciating Spitsbergen comes from understanding the culture, not just how people live today, but how this land was first explored. Whaling was a key industry here and you will see blubber ovens and other whaling evidence at landing sites such as Smeerenburg. Add in the potential for spotting beluga whales and colorful tundra meadows displays complemented by immense glaciers, and you start to understand just how much there is to see in Spitsbergen.
For birders, the 14th of July Glacier is home to purple sandpipers, common eiders, barnacle geese and Arctic terns; while Alkefjellet is home to nesting brunich guillemots and thick-billed murres. If you want to prove that reindeer are real, then you’ll want to have your camera ready for visits to sites like Ny London, Sundneset and Alkhornet. As for the largest land carnivore in the world – searching for polar bears is a constant activity, with Phippsoya and Isbukta being two of their preferred places for hunting – meaning great potential for you to capture them in action. The walrus sanctuary off Moffen Island is another place that may be visited, as it can offer you some great opportunities for photographing walrus from the sea.
Day 13
Longyearbyen / Disembark
Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here you'll transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Notes
Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.
Mandatory Travel Insurance:
All guests are required to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage. Due to the remoteness of the areas in this itinerary, travelers must have a minimum $50,000 of emergency medical coverage. Proof of coverage is required prior to embarkation. The shipping company will not be held responsible for delays due to force majeure. Any additional costs accrued will be the responsibility of the traveler. ExpeditionTrips strongly recommends that the travel insurance policy covers trip cancellation insurance, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage and repatriation. ExpeditionTrips can assist you with this.
Camping Option: $225 per person (7/16/2013 only)
Pre-booked option; minimum age 16 years. Please contact ExpeditionTrips for additional details.
Sea Kayaking Option: $595 per person
Pre-booked option; minimum age 16 years. For experienced kayakers; please advise at time of booking; places strictly limited.
Snowshoeing Option: No additional cost (2014 only)
Anyone can take part, no previous experience necessary. Snowshoes available free of charge for excursions when conditions permit.
Included:
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; all breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage (Please inform of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.); all shore landings per the daily program; leadership throughout the voyage by experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities; all Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program; formal and informal presentations by Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled; photographic journal on DVD, documenting the voyage; a pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings; an expedition parka – yours to keep; coffee, tea, cocoa available around the clock; complimentary selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin; comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader; all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; all luggage handling aboard ship; emergency evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person*; arrival transfer from Longyearbyen airport to your hotel if you arrive one day prior to embarkation; on embarkation day transfer from hotel or Longyearbyen airport to the ship; on the day of disembarkation, group transfer from the ship to the airport.
Not Included:
Any airfare; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation, if applicable; baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance; excess baggage charges; laundry and other personal charges; telecommunications charges; the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for ship’s crew and Expedition Team members; optional kayaking ($595 per person); optional camping ($225 per person, 6/16/2013 only); fuel surcharge may apply.
*Emergency Evacuation Insurance:
Emergency evacuation coverage to a maximum benefit per paying passenger of $100,000 is included in the cost of this expedition. Included coverage is applicable only to travel between the first and last day of the expedition purchased. Additional days of travel prior to the expedition and/or after the expedition are not covered by the included emergency evacuation insurance. We strongly advise all passengers to purchase medical, cancellation and baggage insurance, and additional emergency evacuation coverage.
