Hurtigruten
Spitsbergen Voyages - Polar Encounters
Polar encounters
6 Days from £1267pp
Departures June – August 2009
The ‘land of the cold coasts’, Svalbard is rich in wildlife, drama and isolated Arctic settlements. This spectacular voyage aboard the MS Nordstjernen takes us northbound, from Longyearbyen to the remote landscapes of Moffen Island.
Voyage Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s lively capital, once a mining settlement that is now a major centre for polar research. Overnight stay at Spitsbergen Hotel.
Day 2
Embark on MS Nordstjernen around midday and sail in the Icefjord to the Russian settlement of Barentsburg, where there will be opportunities to visit to the Pomor Museum (optional) and a folklore show. The last mining community left in the region it offers an ideal opportunity to learn something of life amongst these remote landscapes, before you continue sailing out of the Icefjord and along the coast of Prins Karl’s Forland, passing the Kongsfjord as we head north.
Day 3
Entering the icy realm of the polar bear we plan to sail through the Woodfjord area today, travelling via the impressive face of the Monaco glacier and then crossing the 80th parallel towards Moffen Island, home to the region’s largest population of walrus. There are approximately a thousand of these imposing marine mammals around the craggy shores of the island and there is also a chance of seeing whales amongst these rich waters as you enter a world of ice sculptures and towering granite mountains, making your way towards Smeerenburgfjord (Blubbertown),Magdalenefjord and the Wagonway glacier.
Day 4
Spend the day around the spectacular bird cliffs of Krossfjord, visiting the cliffs and glacier fronts by small boat, experiencing the exhilarating sight of thousands of swirling and teeming flocks of guillemots, puffins and razorbills. With hundreds of species of plants, mammals and birds in the Svalbard Archipelago, the variety of natural diversity is truly staggering. From here continue sailing to Ny-Ålesund, the most northerly permanent inhabited settlement on Earth and home to the world’s most northern post office! A guided tour of the town will reveal something of its significance in the advancement of polar expeditions and research and herald some fascinating insights into the pioneering endeavours of the early Arctic explorers.
Day 5
Arrive back in Longyearbyen and transfer to the Spitsbergen Hotel. There will be a tour of the town today, taking in its museum and the Svalbard Gallery, before an evening meal in the hotel restaurant.
Day 6
Tour ends Longyearbyen.
Midweek departures
Above itinerary is valid for weekend departures. Please see our dossier for midweek departure itineraries.
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*Single supplement. prices are per person in £’s based on two people travelling together sharing a twin cabin/room. Your voyage price includes: Voyage in Cabin grade of your choice including full board, current voyage fuel surcharge, sightseeing in Longyearbyen. Midweek departures include 1 night (half board) at Spitsbergen Hotel. Weekend departures include 2 nights at Spitsbergen Hotel including breakfast and 1 dinner. Not included: Travel insurance, international flights, luggage handling, optional excursions. Early booking price and savings are subject to availability.
Flight Package
All departures £655pp
Your flight package includes: Return economy class flights from
London Heathrow to Longyearbyen (via Oslo), including applicable
taxes and current fuel surcharges. Dinner or overnight at an Oslo airport
hotel, transfers in Longyearbyen (for Hurtigruten group flights only).
Not included: Optional carbon balancing fee (£5.00).
Departures & supplements from other UK airports are available on request.
Spitsbergen extension
Should you wish to spend more time in Spitsbergen we are pleased to offer a pre-voyage extension in Longyearbyen including several excursions. Prices start from £265pp. Please see voyage dossier for details.
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