Prices from
£4500Excluding international flights
Tour Highlights
- More time in the pack ice for polar bear action
- Ship designed for regular Zodiac launches
- Light nearly 24 hours a day for wildlife sightings
- We can customize with more time in Longyearbyen
Polar Bear Special Arctic Cruise
Arctic Cruise with a focus on seeing Polar Bears: Within a wildlife cruise around Spitsbergen there are known areas where Polar Bear sightings are more common. These may be haul-out areas for their favourite prey, such as Ringed Seals or Walrus, or in the pack ice. This expedition cruise will visit all these key areas, and combine visits to beautiful fjords and glaciers and you search for that special Polar Bear sighting amongst the atmospheric pack ice. This is an Arctic Cruise for those looking to maximise their encounters with Polar Bears but also to keep an eye on the budget.
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Best time to visit -
JUNSafari Style -
Bespoke WildlifeDAY 1
FLY INTO OSLO AND OVERNIGHT AT A AIRPORT HOTEL
Accommodation : Radisson Blu Oslo Airport
DAY 2
FLY FROM OSLO TO LONGYEARBYEN
Accommodation : MV Ortelis or MV Hondius
DAY 3
SAIL TO RAUDFJORD WEST SPITSBERGEN
We sail to Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favoured by Ringed and Bearded Seal. The cliffs and shoreline of the fjord also support thriving seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation, which flourishes in sheltered spots. Polar bear are also often seen here.
DAY 4
SAIL TO THE MASSIVE MONACO GLACIER
Depending on the weather we may now sail into Liefdefjorden, cruising near the 5km long face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the glacier front are a favourite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwake. As well, Polar Bear have been seen on the glacier, providing wonderful opportunities for photography.
DAY 5
SAIL INTO THE HINLOPEN STRAIT
Today we will sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to Bearded Seal, Ringed Seal, Polar Bear, and Ivory Gull. We’ll navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in our zodiacs and explore the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich’s Guillemot. On the east side of Hinlopenstrait, we’ll attempt a landing at Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet, home to reindeer, Pink-footed Goose, breeding Ivory Gull, and Walrus.
DAY 6
ARRIVE AT 81 DEGREES NORTH
We will try reach our northernmost point at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here we will be at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar Bear inhabit this region, along with Ivory Gull. The ship may sit for several hours in the pack ice, hoping for an encounter with a hunting polar bear as we enjoyed on our trip.
DAY 7
SAILING THE CONTINENTAL SHELF
Retracing our route westwards, our route takes us through and along the pack ice, keeping watch for Polar Bear and the elusive Greenland Whale (Bowhead). About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen we sail along the edge of the continental shelf, where Fin Whale forage in summer in the upwellings along the Spitsbergen banks.
DAY 8
HEADING BACK LOOKING FOR ARCTIC FOX AND REINDEER
In Forlandsundet at Sarstangen is a haul out place for Walrus. Alternatively we sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on its cliffs and Arctic Fox search the cliff base for fallen eggs and chicks, while Spitsbergen Reindeer graze the relatively luxuriant vegetation. At night time we arrive in Longyearbyen.
DAY 9
FLY FROM LONGYEARBYEN TO OSLO
At approximately 09:00 you will be transferred to the centre of Longyearbyen where you can relax for a few hours before a final bus transfer to the airport to connect with the flight to Oslo. Wildlife Trails will then book either an airport hotel or a downtown hotel in Oslo, depending on your preference.
DAY 10
CONNECT WITH YOUR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
All amazing wildlife adventures have to come to an end eventually and you will say your goodbyes to Norway and make your own way to Oslo international airport to connect with your flight home.
Pricing Info & Dates
Includes:
- Breakfast in Longyearbyen
- All meals on the expedition boat
- Regular Zodiac excursions
- Expert wildlife and birding guides
Excludes:
- Cost of international flights
- Cost of applicable visas
- Meals in Longyearbyen
- Gratuaties for staff on the boat and guides
Animals in svalbard
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