Realm of the Polar Bear

With a spectacular panorama of ice and water, rugged mountains, and expansive tundra, the Svalbard Archipelago is unequaled in wild splendor. It also has an impressive array of wildlife and a rich human history (Spitsbergen, the largest island of the archipelago, was known to the Vikings and subsequently visited by whalers, fur traders, and explorers). Our goal on this Arctic expedition with frequent shore stops is to hike or simply enjoy the amazing scenery, and to undertake cruises in Zodiacs, often close to sea cliffs and abundant wildlife, which includes polar bears (the stars of the show!), beluga whales, walrus, reindeer, Arctic fox, and a huge array of avian fauna. You'll travel in comfort aboard the 100-passenger Akademik Sergey Vavilov or the 48-passenger Akademik Shokalskiy. All are ice-strengthened polar expedition ships that are ideal home bases for exploring this remarkable wilderness.

Our ships feature a small fleet of kayaks for paddling options (weather and ice conditions permitting). A perfect way to enhance your adventure to the Arctic!

Activities

Easy ship travel, optional walks and Zodiac rides, optional sea kayaking

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Fantastic scenery-a savage land of rock and ice, and home to a rich range of bird and animal life
• Travel aboard the Akademik Sergey Vavilov or the Akademik Shokalskiy, which set new benchmarks in comfort for polar expedition ships
• Make the most of the long daylight hours with frequent shore excursions to search for polar bears and Zodiac cruises to see walrus

2010 Trip Prices
$4,490-$11,690 (depending on cabin and departure)
$495 Sea Kayaking Option

Single supplement varies. Call for specific 2010/2011 itineraries and cabin prices.

(Please note—These are not exclusive MTS departures.)

Duration: 11 days Start Location: Longyearbyen End Location: Longyearbyen Best time to go: June - August

Itinerary

• Day 1 : Longyearbyen (Embarkation Day)

  Arrive in Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen Island, the main settlement of the Svalbard Archipelago. Board the ship and depart for a spectacular sail through the Isfjorden and along Prins Karls Forland.

• Days 2 - 10 : Exploring Svalbard / Bourbonhamna (Ahlstrandhalvøya) – Barentsburg

  These days are spent exploring the coast and generally moving in a clockwise direction. Stops may include Ny Alesund, the northernmost village in the world at 78°55'N; the 17th-century Dutch whaling site of Smeerenburg; scenic Nordaustlandet, Svalbard's second-largest island; the large ice-domed island of Kvitøya, where the Swedish explorer Andrée perished after his ill-fated balloon flight to the North Pole in 1897; Phipps Island, a great location for hikes and for finding polar bears and walrus (it's also our most northerly landing at 80°42'N); and Barentsøya, with its fantastic flora, fauna, and scenery. A sail through the narrow sound near Bourbonhamna may offer up views of beluga whales.

• Day 11 : Longyearbyen (Disembark) – Depart

  Arrive back in Longyearbyen and depart.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

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