|
|
Spitsbergen - Land of Arctic Dreams 4 - 14 August 2010 (11 days)
offered by supplier M18965 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 11
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 47
people
Destination(s):
Arctic
Specialty Categories:
Wildlife Viewing
Marine Biology
Season: June - July
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 5450 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 5450 US Dollar (USD)
|
|
Spitsbergen, lying a mere 600 miles from the North Pole, is the largest island of the Svalbard (meaning “Cold Coast”) Archipelago. Although draped in secluded darkness during the northern winter, this frigid land is dramatically transformed into a place of perpetual sunshine during its summer. The sunshine reveals an abundance of iconic Arctic mammals — whales, walruses, seals, Arctic Fox, Reindeer and Polar Bears, surrounded by towering snowcapped mountains, forbidding glaciers and flower studded tundra. The scenery is nothing short of breathtaking. Adding life to the vast skies are avian specials such as the elegant Ivory Gull, the immaculate King Eider and the lovely Red Phalarope, splendid in its brick-red summer plumage.
Our epic high Arctic journey will circumnavigate Spitsbergen and include some smaller islands within the Svalbard Archipelago. The expedition begins at the richly historical former mining town of Longyearbyen. This coastal town is ice free during our visit and Svalbard Reindeer can be viewed in an immaculate setting of delicate Svalbard Poppies and Cassiope flowers interspersed with subtle mosses and lichens. By early evening we set sail on board our ice strengthened expedition ship, bringing cozy comfort to this hostile environment.
Heading north along the Spitsbergen west coast we will enter fjords surrounded by towering peaks and vast glaciers. Zodiacs allow for an exhilarating cruise along the spectacularly sculpted ice wall of the famed 14th of July Glacier. Nearby, countless Black-legged Kittiwakes and Brünnich’s Guillemots nest on vast cliffs. Arctic Fox patrol the bases of these cliffs, ever watchful for the hapless chick that may fall from its nest. As we pass through this spectacular scenery your Indri guide will carefully scan the waters for possible sightings of Humpback, Fin, Minke and Beluga Whales as well as the rarer White-beaked Dolphin, Narwhal, and Bowhead Whale. The great Bowhead was previously thought to be extinct in these waters but now that relentless whaling is over, small numbers are remarkably returning. Ringed Seals, the most numerous of Arctic mammals, are the favorite food of Polar Bears. We should have some thrilling experiences of porpoising Ringed and Bearded Seals and hopefully sightings of the rarer Harp and Hooded Seals.
Ny Ålesund research station, the globes’ most northerly settlement, with impressive breeding populations of Barnacle and Pink-footed Geese and Arctic Terns will be one of many stop in this magical land. After cruising to the tundra island of Andoya we will seek on foot Common Eiders, Pink-footed Goose and the rare King Eider. Entering yet another fjord we will come face to face with the imposing Monaco Glacier, perhaps the most spectacular of all the glaciers in the Svalbard Archipelago.
Reaching the northernmost point at Phippsoya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet, we will sit amongst the pack ice, taking time to absorb the spectacular scenery. Soaring overhead might be Ross’ Gulls, perhaps the most beautiful of Arctic gulls, together with the ghostly white Ivory Gull, two of the world’s most sought after larids. Now deep in the land of the great white hunter we hope for one of many Polar Bear encounters. A true celebration of the Arctic, “land of the midnight sun” would be incomplete without a sighting of this immense bear! This formidable predator, the largest of land carnivores, is known to the Inuit as Nanuk and considered to be wise, potent and “almost a man”. Over 3,000 Polar Bears still roam this magical archipelago!
Turning south we will pass piles of gregarious Walrus, formidable with their gleaming ivory tusks, these true Arctic specialists are high on every naturalist’s wish-list. Navigating ice floes on our zippy Zodiacs and exploring the bird cliffs should yield thousands of Brünnich’s Guillemots. More magnificent glaciers on our homeward stretch along the east coast offers added opportunities for the fabulous Polar Bear and during our trip down south we will pass by some of this bears’ most important den sites.
Once we reach the pointed mountains, after which Spitsbergen was romantically named, we set foot on the shoreline of Ahlstrandhalvoya where piles of Beluga bones serve as a poignant reminder of the once flourishing whalers of this dramatic land. Join us on this “ultimate mammal voyage” as we follow the footsteps of famous adventurers from yesteryear.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration, a small-party supplement may have to be charged. These costs are subject to major foreign exchange fluctuations and unforeseen increases in tour related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result.
Also see tour packages in:
Arctic
Arctic
Nature & Wildlife
Wildlife Viewing
Marine Biology
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
|
|
|
, ext: 18965
