NEW ADVENTURE! Exploring Norway's Arctic paradise on foot

Snowshoes are perfect for readily accessing landscapes that cannot be reached once the snow melts. Explore regions of Svalbard where the only tracks are paws and hooves. This trip unfolds when snow is still on the ground, sparkling under the 24-hour summer sun. We provide the equipment and the lessons. You bring your enthusiasm for new adventures and the Arctic wilderness. No previous experience is required.

Activities

11-day small ship cruise, Zodiac landings, snowshoeing, hiking

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• An active Svalbard trip for those who enjoy frequent shore landings, more Zodiac cruising and less time at sea
• Be one of the few people in the world who can say they went snowshoeing in the Arctic!

Duration: 11 days Start Location: Longyearbyen, Norway End Location: Longyearbyen, Norway

BRIEF Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Embarkation Day - Longyearbyen

  Flying into Longyearbyen from Oslo, you'll see a mountainous landscape broken by valleys and fjords, sparkling in the early summer sun, under a blanket of snow. Board the Akademik Sergey Vavilov in the afternoon, at anchor off shore.

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  Days 2 - 4 : West Spitsbergen: 14th of July Glacier and Ny Alesund

  Cruise in Zodiacs past the spectacular ice cliffs of the 14th of July Glacier. Watch for Purple Sandpipers, Common Eiders, Barnacle Geese and Arctic Terns. While visiting Ny Alesund, formerly a coal mining town, now one of the world's foremost Arctic researchs stations, you may spot a Svalbard reindeer. Svalbard reindeer are unique to the islands.

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  Days 5 - 6 : Smeerenburg, Phippsoya and Tusenoyane

  Smeerenburg is on low ground, a perfect location for donning snowshoes to trek from the landing beach to a 1906 memorial to whalers who lost their lives in the 17th and 18th century. Phippsoya is a well known polar bear and walrus haunt, great for taking brag-worthy photographs. Red-throated Divers and a beach whale skeleton are the highlights of our visit to Tusenoyane (Thousand Islands).

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  Days 7 - 8 : Alkefjellet, Torellneset and the Hinlopen Strait

  The morning is on the water cruising in Zodiacs near the spectacular cliff face of Alkefjellet. Thousands upon thousands of Little Auks fly overhead; their cries enveloping you. Take a moment to scan the base of the cliffs. Arctic fox and polar bears are known to scavenge for eggs that have fallen from the nests above. On Torellneset, we'll don the snowshoes again. Moving northeast from the landing site, the ground rises to the southeast dome of the Austfonna ice cap, known as Vegafonna.

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  Days 9 - 10 : Poolepynten and Alkhornet

  The twin-tusked pinniped - the walrus - halus out to bask in the sun at Poolepynten. You'll want to have your camera handy! Alkhornet, the second destination of the day has something for everyone - spectacular rock formations, nesting Little Auks and Dovekies and quite possiblity an Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer sighting.

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  Day 11 : Disembarkation - Longyearbyen

  Your Spitsbergen Snowshoeing adventure ends where it began, Longyearbyen. We'll transfer you from the ship to the airport for your flight home.

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  Akademik Sergey Vavilov

  Built in Finland in the late 1980s for the Russian Academy of Science, Akademik Sergey Vavilov's original mission was to perform sensitive hydro-acoustic ocean research. As such, she is exceptionally quick, quiet and stable.

  • Intimate viewing of Arctic wildlife, icebergs and more
  • Kayaking and camping options ramp up the adventure quotient
  • 2 fully enclosed lifeboats for safety in all conditions
  • Unmatched stability and superior speed means efficient time at sea
  • Onboard gym, two saunas and library allow you to relax between shore visits
  • Comfortable, friendly atmopshere: just 107 guests

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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