TRIPS

Arctic Polar Bear

$ 3,900.00

Antarctica Peninsula cruise offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the Antarctic Region. This expedition allows you to hike, snowshoe, kayak and even camp out under the Southern Polar skies.

Description

Arctic Polar Bear aboard Plancius or Ortelius

Day 1: Longyearbyen
We arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting. In the surrounding area of Longyearbyen, more than 100 species of plants have been recorded. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden, where in the mouth of the fjord we may see our first Minke Whale.

Day 2: Raudfjord
We sail to Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favoured by Ringed and Bearded Seal.

The cliffs and shoreline of the fjord also support thriving seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation, which flourishes in sheltered spots.

Polar bear are often seen here.

Day 3: Liefdefjorden
Depending on the weather we may now sail into Liefdefjorden, cruising near the 5km long face of the impressive Monaco Glacier.

The waters of the glacier front are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwake.

As well, Polar Bear have been seen on the glacier, providing wonderful opportunities for photography.

Day 4: Hinlopen Strait
Today we will sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to Bearded Seal, Ringed Seal, Polar Bear, and Ivory Gull. At the entrance there is the possibility to see Blue Whale. We’ll navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in our zodiacs and explore the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich’s Guillemot. On the east side of Hinlopen Strait, we’ll attempt a landing at Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet, home to reindeer, Pink-footed Goose, breeding Ivory Gull, and Walrus.

Day 5: Phippsøya
We will try reach our northernmost point at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here we will be at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar Bear inhabit this region, along with Ivory Gull. The ship may sit for several hours in the pack ice, before turning west again.

Day 6: Kongsfjorden
Retracing our route westwards, our route takes us through and along the pack ice, keeping watch for Polar Bear and the elusive Greenland Whale (Bowhead). About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen we sail along the edge of the continental shelf, where Fin Whale forage in summer in the upwelling’s along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of the Kongsfjorden we have also good chances to see Minke Whale.

Day 7: Longyearbyen
In Forlandsundet at Sarstangen is a haul out place for Walrus. Alternatively we sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on its cliffs and Arctic Fox search the cliff base for fallen eggs and chicks, while Spitsbergen Reindeer graze the relatively luxuriant vegetation. At nighttime we arrive in Longyearbyen.

Day 8: Longyearbyen
We disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Spitsbergen, for the flights south to Oslo and onward home.


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Departure Dates

Aboard Ortelius: May 31 – Jun 07 | Jun 07 – Jun 14 | Jun 14 – Jun 21 | Jun 21 – Jun 28, 2017

Aboard Plancius: Jun 08 – Jun 15 | Jun 15 – Jun 22 | Jun 22 – Jun 29 | Jun 29 – Jul 06, 2017

Aurora Cruise:
Aboard Ortelius: Sep 11 – Sep 18
Aboard Plancius: Sep 18 – Sep 25 | Sep 25 – Oct 02

Polar Cruise
$3900
Cruise only per person

  • Quadruple Porthole: $3900
  • Triple Porthole: $4700
  • Twin Porthole: $5540
  • Twin Window: $5800
  • Twin Deluxe: $6150
  • Superior: $6850

Aurora Cruise
$3900
Cruise only per person

  • Quadruple Porthole: $3900
  • Triple Porthole: $4700
  • Twin Porthole: $5540
  • Twin Window: $5800
  • Twin Deluxe: $6150
  • Superior: $6850


CHILDREN:
Upon request (some voyages may be excluded), children under 16 with parents may receive 40 % discount in Superior, Triple (sharing with 2 parents / adults) and Quadruple Cabins (sharing with 3 parents / adults).

SINGLE TRAVELLER:
Single travellers can choose between “single occupancy” at a supplement of 1,7 x the Twin or Superior cabin rate , or “sharing basis” in Twin, Triple or Quadruple category at no additional cost.

Additional information

OVERVIEW

The North Spitsbergen cruise is all about visiting with the Kings of the North, the Polar Bear. The expedition also offers the chance to take in the landscape which is home to sea birds, reindeer, seals, walruses, and more than one kind of whale.

DEPARTURE

As indicated

SHIP & CABIN

M/V PLANCIUS
M/v “Plancius” was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named “Hr. Ms. Tydeman”. The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 and was eventually purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions. The vessel was completely rebuilt as a 116-passenger vessel in 2009 and complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea). M/v “Plancius” is classed by Lloyd’s Register and flies the Dutch flag.
Perfect for any expedition
M/v “Plancius” accommodates 116 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 quadruple porthole cabins, 2 triple porthole cabins, 9 twin porthole cabins, 26 twin cabins with window and 2 twin deluxe cabins, all (ca. 12,5 square meters) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters). All cabins offer lower berths (one queen-size bed in the superior cabins and two single beds in the twin cabins), except for the 4 quadruple cabins (for 4 persons in 2x upper and lower beds), and 2 triple cabins (1 bunk bed plus 1 lower bed).

INCLUSIONS

– Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
– All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
– All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
– Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
– Free use of rubber boots on Plancius and Ortelius, and snowshoes on Plancius.
– Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.
– Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
– Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
– All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
– Comprehensive pre-departure material.

EXCLUSIONS

International Airfare/train ticket, Call 1-888-887-1688 to get a quote from your home city
Any airfare whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post-land arrangements; transfers to the vessel in Ushuaia and Ascension and from the vessel in Ascension and Praia; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

QUESTIONS

Should you have any further questions, please call 1888-887-1688 for assistance or chat online with us.

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