Spitsbergen Explorer: Wildlife Capital of the Arctic
Spitsbergen Explorer: Wildlife Capital of the Arctic
12 Days Starting and ending in Helsinki, Finland
Visiting: Arctic
Tour operator:
Tour code:
POW
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 199
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
If there is such a thing as a “classic Arctic” expedition cruise, this is it. Get all the best of Spitsbergen by exploring the western edge of the island and venturing to some northern outlying areas home to Polar bears and walrus. Come across colonies of seabirds numbering into the thousands and watch for whales in the water. Packed with options for snowshoeing and sea-kayaking, this is the perfect expedition for exploring the “wildlife capital of the Arctic".
Highlights
Itinerary
Our Arctic voyage begins in Oslo, Norway’s vibrant capital city. If you
arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and green spaces to keep
you busy before retiring at your included airport hotel.
Day 2
This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private
charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, where
you’ll have some time to explore before embarkation. As theship sets sail,
enjoy your first view of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains
rising majestically from icy waters.
Day 3-11
Explore western Spitsbergen as well as stunning fjords and outlying islands
to the north. From polar deserts to immense glaciers, the natural landscape
here is just as varied as the wildlife. As we cruise around this magical
island located above the Arctic Circle, the Expedition Team will constantly
be searching for wildlife. Each expedition presents new opportunities and
different weather and ice, so we have no fixed itinerary; however, some of
the places we may visit include the 14th of July Glacier, Smeerenburg,
Phippsøya, Alkhornet and the Hinlopen Strait. The destinations visited will
be selected for optimum wildlife viewing with an appreciation of the history
and geology of Spitsbergen.
The island offers multiple opportunities for wildlife photography. Spotting
Polar bears is more likely here than almost anywhere else, as the Svalbard
archipelago is one of their preferred hunting areas.
The towering cliffs of Alkefjellet provide homes to thousands of
Brunnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).
Coming across a walrus haul-out is a moment you won’t soon forget. These
giant pinnipeds of the Arctic create quite a noisy scene as each walrus vies
for a choice spot of coastline.
In Spitsbergen, there is no shortage of natural beauty. The tundra can be
surprisingly colourful in summer, with wildflowers bursting for a taste of
sunshine. Each day, you’ll see something interesting, whether it is unique
Arctic wildlife, a Polar bear resting between hunts, or abandoned sites from
centuries ago.
Day 12
The time to say goodbye has come. Our Arctic adventure ends as it began, in
the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer
you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Oslo.
What's Included
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Meals
2 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 2 dinners.
* All meals while on the ship
* Beer and house wine during dinner
* All accommodation
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff
* We can include flights from the UK. Please contact us for a quote.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
All meals while on the ship included. Typical Meals The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale. Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal. Lunch: Three course set meal or buffet, or the occasional BBQ. Dinner: Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and coffee. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday - please do inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so that our local team can be well prepared.
Accommodation
The Spitsbergen Explorer: Wildlife Capital of the Arctic voyage is offered on the Ocean Adventurer, the Ocean Explorer and the Ultramarine which are Polar Adventure Ships. One night in a standard hotel in Helsinki included. Full board accommodation on the ship, generally on a twin share basis in a variety of cabin types, all with en suite facilities. Please visit the Polar Fleet page for Ship Information and Deck Plans.
Polar Adventure Ships
These are small ice rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking, kayaking and many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food and staff are superb and every guest benefits from the technical advances of this superb fleet. Rest assured our Polar Adventure Ships enable any traveller to maximize their experience sensitively in the Poles.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.