SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER
10 nights Departures: June, July & August Ship: Akademik Shokalskiy (Icebreaker)
This 11-day active adventure begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, one of Norway's Arctic islands in the Svalbard archipelago. The aim of this expedition is to circumnavigate the coastline of the largest island in the group, Spitsbergen. The exact course depends on local weather and ice conditions. We expect to sail magnificent fjords, cruise in Zodiacs past towering sea cliffs and encounter polar bears and walrus in their natural habitat. Optional kayaking is available. Click here for details of the icebreaker Akademik Shokalskiy.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Embarkation: Longyearbyen The islands of Svalbard, including the largest, Spitsbergen, are glacier-topped mountains that rise from Arctic waters sprinkled with ice floes.  Your first view will be from the air as you fly into Longyearbyen to embark. Day 2-4 - Western Spitsbergen On the west coast of Spitbergen, we'll cruise in Zodiacs, near a magnificent ice cliff, the 14th of July Glacier.  We'll also visit Ny Alesund, an international Arctic research station. Birders should add to their life list, as this is a known habitat for Arctic Terns, Arctic Skua, Purple Sandpipers, Common Eiders, Barnacle Geese and Snow Buntings. Day 5-8 - Smeerenburg At Smeerenburg, we'll visit relics of the whaling industry, blubber ovens and whalebones.  A tour of the former whaling station recounts the Dutch and Basque influences on the local community, which relied on the harvesting of bowhead whales for survival. The temperature drops as we continue northward, crossing 80° N, 965 km (600 miles) from the North Pole. Polar bear and walrus are known to inhabit the waters around this small archipelago, the most northerly in Svalbard! Norway's Arctic Islands of Svalbard are so numerous that certain areas within the archipelago have names that reflect the profusion, Tusenoyane (Thousand Islands) for example.  We'll go ashore on Aekongen to seek Red-throated Divers and a whale skeleton. Day 9-10 - Bourbonhamna The narrow sound near Bourbonhamna is a favoured route of beluga whales.  We'll search for the white whales before going ashore, where we'll learn about hunting and whaling. Day 11 - Longyearbyen - Disembarkation We'll transfer you from the ship to the airport for your flight home.  Those who wish to extend their stay will be dropped at the Radisson Hotel on the way.
Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel.  There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish.  A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage.
Departure Dates and Prices
Prices are per person for 10 nights and do not include international flights.
Departure date Prices per person  5 June 09 £3310  5 July 09 £3940  4 & 14 August 09 £3940
Price Includes: Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping. All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage.   (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.) All shore landings and excursions per the daily program. Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities. Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled. Photographic Album on DVD. A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings. Hair dryer in every cabin. A Quark Expeditions parka. Coffee, tea, cocoa and bottled water available around the clock. Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader. All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program. Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum of $100,000 per person. On Day 1 of the tour, group transfers from the airport to the ship for embarkation, and from the ship to the local airport on disembarkation – plus all baggage handling aboard ship. Price Excludes: International flights. Passport and visa expenses. Government arrival and departure taxes. Meals ashore. Supplement for single hotel accommodations. Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance.  Excess baggage charges.  All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges, and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).  Any possible helicopter flying time in excess of that offered for the group will be charged at an hourly rate to be announced onboard.