Country(ies): Arctic
Tour type: Private
Group size: Min: 1 | Max: Any
Accommodation: m/v Ortelius or m/v Plancius
Meals:
Transport: Expedition vessel
Highlights: Unique Arctic wildlife, pristine wilderness landscapes, Zodiac boat trips, chance to see polar bear, spectacular fjord & glaciers
This 8-day tour takes you on a cruise around the north of Spitsbergen Island, largest of the Svalbard Archipelago. We'll enjoy beautiful polar landscapes whilst sailing through iceberg filled fjords. The specially converted expedition vessel allows us to get close up and personal to the abundance of interesting and colourful flora & fauna of the Arctic.
This Arctic expedition starts in Longyearbyen on the remote Norwegian island of Spitsbergen with a short tour of this interesting mining town. Boarding either the m/v Plancius or the m/v Ortelius we cruise north along the west coast of the island stopping first at Raudfjord a beautiful fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favoured by ringed and bearded seals. Continuing north into the mouth of Liefdefjorden, there is the possibility to get close to the 5km long Monaco glacier and hopefully catch a glimpse of polar bear. Heading north again we cruise into the Hinlopen Strait, home to Bearded Seals, Ringed Seals, Polar Bears, and Ivory Gulls. Still sailing north we'll reach Phippsøya, our northernmost point at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Retracing our route we head back along the west coast of Spitsbergen. We sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Finally we cruise back into Longyearbyen where the cruise ends.
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Note: This itinerary is for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife. The final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed for M/V Ortelius is 10.5 knots.
If you are looking for a tour and not finding what you are looking for, have a look at our best other related tours to check out for your travel plans. At Encounters Travel, we offer a variety of tours to suit your needs. So sit back, relax, and let us help you plan the perfect getaway.
Prices are per person based on sharing a 4-berth porthole cabin. Prices for sharing triple porthole, twin porthole and twin window cabins, or a completely private cabin are also available on request. For an up-to-date list of departure dates and prices
The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we most often use on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level. In general, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed on our group tours, but you may select your preferred options if you are booking a tailor-made trip.
Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the destination youre visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.
All accommodation based options (e.g. Single supplements, extra nights, cruise upgrades) should be booked and paid for in advance so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Other options may either be booked and paid for in advance or while you are on the tour, though we recommend booking in advance to ensure there are no issues with availability.
Many options are priced the same throughout the year, but some may incur single or high season supplements - full details are given on the tour reservation form or on request.
The detailed Tour Notes below have been written to give you some more detailed information about how the tour runs, what to expect, and how to prepare for your holiday. We recommend downloading an up to date copy of these shortly before you travel in case of any changes.
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