Spitsbergen Highlights: Journey into the Arctic Wilderness

Trip Type: Polar|Wildlife|
Finland | 7 D | 1 - 199 People
Starts From:

NZD 10,592.00 /Person

Pack all the excitement of the epic Arctic into just a week on this seven-day cruise aboard the Ultramarine.

Spitsbergen Highlights: Journey into the Arctic Wilderness

Pack all the excitement of the epic Arctic into just a week on this seven-day cruise aboard the Ultramarine. Sail into the icy wilderness and see some once-in-a-lifetime sights on this amazing journey into Spitsbergen and the surrounding islands. Take Zodiac excursions to explore this rocky island covered in mountains, glaciers, cliffs and fjords that play host to a thriving and diverse ecosystem. Walk through a tundra covered in wildflowers, learn about the fascinating geology of the north and see the abandoned whaling towns rich with history. Chase incredible views and with an expert Expedition Team by your side, have the best chance to spot some local wildlife – including walruses, colonies of seabirds, the fabled reindeer and the iconic polar bear.

Tervetuloa! Welcome to Finland. Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki – a city renowned for its extraordinary architecture and mix of Eastern and Western influences. If you arrive in Helsinki early, you can explore the museums, galleries and restaurants on offer or relax at a Finnish sauna. Maybe wander the vibrant Design District before retiring to your hotel.

This morning, your adventure officially begins! Meet the group in the lobby and take a transfer to the airport to board your private charter flight to Longyearbyen – Spitsbergen’s largest settlement. When you arrive, you’ll have some free time to explore while your luggage is loaded onto the Ultramarine – your home for the next six days. When ready, embark on the ship and spend the afternoon meeting your Expedition Team, getting to know your fellow travellers (with a game of cards or a drink at the bar) and exploring the amazing amenities onboard.

Over the next four days, you’ll sail around the shores of Spitsbergen, constantly searching for polar bears and the other natural wonders that dot this magical island. Cruise through western Spitsbergen, passing immense glaciers, deep fjords, tall mountains and abundant flora and fauna. Sail north into Krossfjorden (you don’t want to forget your camera) to see some of the best glacier calving in Spitsbergen. Deep in the fjord, the highly active Lilliehook Glacier waits for spectators. Listen in awe as big chunks break off into the icy waters below – this is a sight and sound like no other. Take Zodiac excursions to the nearby Ny-London – an abandoned mining settlement where you can take a leader-led walk and learn about the history and geology of the place. Keep your eyes out for the endemic Svalbard reindeer here, too! After cruising overnight, wake up to the stunning sight of the Monaco Glacier. With your Expedition Team, scan the shorelines for marine mammals. Possible landing sites include Texas Bar, Worsleyneset and Alicehamna. See the remains of an abandoned settlement Smeerenburg, established by Dutch whalers nearly 400 years ago. Here, you can explore and learn about Spitsbergen’s whaling history. After, cruise to Magdalenefjorden for panoramic vistas of the snow-capped mountains and massive glaciers that are reflected in the clear waters. Visit Alkhornet for the towering cliffs that teem with nesting seabirds, including fulmars and Brunnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). End your days at sea by swapping stories with your shipmates and crew at the captain’s farewell dinner. What a journey!

You’ll disembark back in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, you’ll transfer to the airport for your return charter flight to Helsinki. This is where your Arctic adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Meals
6 Breakfast(s), 4 Lunch(s), 5 Dinner(s)

Transport
Expedition cruise ship , Zodiac

Accommodation
Hotel (1 night), Expedition cruise ship (5 nights)

Included Activities

  • On this amazing Arctic adventure, you’ll have the best chance to spot some iconic marine and land wildlife, such as polar bears, walruses, seabirds and reindeer.
  • If you’re short on time, this adventure is the perfect Arctic escape, as it will cover the many highlights of Spitsbergen in just a week! With amazing onboard amenities and a fantastic Expedition Team, what more could you need?
  • Make Zodiac excursions (depending on weather) across the icy seas and explore massive glaciers, gorgeous fjords, thundering icebergs and a landscape like no other.
  • Take the opportunity to hike the colourful tundra covered in wildflowers – one of the many unique features of an Arctic wilderness.
  • Immerse yourself in the icy realm even further with optional sea-kayaking adventures, snowshoeing, Zodiac rides and onboard lectures and talks by experts.

As you’d expect, temperatures in the Arctic are very cold. A warm parka and waterproof boots and unlimited hot drinks will be provided, but you should also bring base layers and lots of warm clothing. Please see the trip notes for further important information about what to bring. Depending on the weather, you will be making regular excursions in a Zodiac boat to explore the local area and look for wildlife. It can get very cold and wet on the Zodiac, so ensure you are dressed appropriately and keep your camera safe and dry. Sturdy sea legs are needed as you make wet and dry landings from the boat and on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. Some ships have a lot of stairs, so please hold on to the handrails if the seas are rough. The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and although there's an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you'll be able to do everything that is planned for. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially to such a remote area. This trip takes place during the time of year when Spitsbergen enjoys 24-hour daylight. Just one of the benefits of this is that incredible wildlife can be seen at any time of the day – be prepared to be woken at any time so as to not miss out on exciting animal sightings. Polar bears are among the most incredible and appealing animals on the planet, but they are also powerful predators with little fear of humans. Therefore it's necessary to be aware of the guidelines surrounding any contact with Polar bears. Follow your leader’s instructions and do not stray from your group – your leader carries equipment to protect you.

Departing

Finishing

Booking Enquiry

Destination Details
Finland | 7 D | 1 - 199 People
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Finland
Trip Finishes:
Finland
Countries Visited:
Finland
Norway
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