Optional Activities :
Trip Code: ACTSRPP
Travel Style: Expedition Cruise
Location: Oslo, Longyearbyen, Bjornoya, Skarsvag & Tromso.
Ship: SPITSBERGEN
Flights: We offer a range of flight options to meet your cruise. Contact us today to discuss.
You will undertake this incredible journey on board this MS Spitsbergen, a newly reconstructed state-of-the-art polar expedition vessel, complete with the latest technology and spacious and modern cabins.
You will have the opportunity to encounter large colonies of sea birds and even polar bears in their natural environment.
Sail through dynamic and beautiful landscapes of ice, hardly tundra, calving icebergs and mighty glaciers. Truly a land of unspoiled beauty and serenity.
You will have the opportunity to sail to Bjornoya, home to the largest colony of seabirds in the Northern hemisphere, as well as home to a number of polar bears.
Explore the wonders of the North West Spitsbergen National Park, dotted with pristine beaches, fjords and glaciers, first discovered by pioneering explorers and hardy whalers.
Before your flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen, check out the urban pleasures of Norway´s capital. Your arrival in Longyearbyen reveals an entirely different world; a colourful town perched on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. Enjoy the museum and choose among several bars and restaurants.
Transfer to your hotel for an overnight.
After an overnight stay in one of our hotels, join after lunch an excursion to get to know Longyearbyen, a prime destination for adventure travellers around the world. Enjoy the singular atmosphere of this colourful frontier outpost before boarding your ship, MS Spitsbergen.
The North West Corner of Spitsbergen is scattered with islands, fjords and beaches. Pioneering explorers and hardy whalers were the first to set foot here. Today, we respect the power of nature and work with the elements to ensure a safe and exciting itinerary.
We hope to land to see whaling settlements, or visit Kongsfjorden, considered one of the most beautiful fjord areas in Spitsbergen, with mighty glaciers calving icebergs into the sea. The former mining settlement of Ny-Ålesund is another possible destination, now an international centre for research, with a picturesque mix of old and new buildings.
In the Magdalenafjorden and Gravneset areas, you may have the chance to swim and earn a rare Arctic swimming certificate. There will be exciting landings and optional scenic kayaking opportunities.
We head south to the Bellsund area, followed by Hornsund with its wonderful varied landscape and geology. On a clear day, we might even see the amazing Hornsundtind, 1,431 m above sea level.
This area was popular with polar bear hunters until 1973. The old Hurtigruten steamer D/S Lyngen had scheduled stops here in past to serve trappers in the area. We hope to see a polar bear here too!
This isolated island is said to host the largest concentration of sea birds in the Northern Hemisphere, as well as a strong population of polar bears. In the North of the island, Bjørnøya weather station provides vital data to scientists. The wind and weather conditions will decide what we can do today.
In the early morning, we sail past the North Cape, and offer the chance to enjoy a steep hike to the Cape starting in Hornvika, or to visit the Cape by bus from Skarsvåg.
The ship will continue to Gjesvær, where the excursion participants will come on board again. Next, we sail past Gjesværstappan, a bird cliff which is home to one of the largest seabird colonies in Norway.
Your expedition cruise will end in colourful Tromsø, often referred to as the Gateway to the Arctic. In early days, the town was full outfitters, hunters and dreamers who left their loved ones here to seek their fortune in the far north, and much of that pioneer spirit remains.
Norway and Spitsbergen – The Route of Polar Pioneers from AUD 6,724 | ||
Departing | Ending | Duration |
---|---|---|
25 Aug 2020 | 05 Sep 2020 | 12 |
Enquire Now |
Cabin accommodation on board MS Spitsbergen
All meals whilst on board
All scheduled landings & excursions
Guiding and lectures by English-speaking expedition leader & guide
All port taxes & landing fees
Expedition jacket provided (yours to keep)
A pair of expedition boots for use during your voyage
Transfer from ship to airport in Longyearbyen
Economy flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo
Free tea and coffee
Exclusions
International flights
Travel insurance
Visa fees (if applicable)
Pre or post cruise travel expenses
Personal expenses such as laundry or on board communication
Luggage handling
Optional excursions and gratuities
Available upon request, contact us for more details.
Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions.
Departure date, season & availability.
Talk to one of our Destination Specialists to plan your South American adventure and turn your dream into a reality. With exceptional knowledge and first hand experience, our consultants will assist in every way possible to make your journey the most memorable it can be, matching not only the itinerary, but the accommodation and activities to suit your style of travel and budget.
I left New Zealand when I was 20 and moved to Perth as it was…
About me"It had been something I’d wanted to do for 10 years and finally in September…
About me“I love Brazil. Any country that has a public holiday for the best part of a…
About me“My first impressions of stepping on to South American soil was thinking that…
About me"Working for Chimu Adventures allows to me combine my work with my passion for…
About me"My most treasured memory of travelling would have to be waking up in the…
About meMy first trip outside Australia was to South America back in 1991. Thinking I…
About me
Being environmentally accountable is a crucial part of our organisation. Chimu is currently striving towards using less paper, taking several initiatives to do so and tracking our progress along the way. Our goal: A paperless organisation. For this reason, all information given to you will be sent electronically. We encourage those who choose to travel with us to support our aspirations and actions and ask that you reconsider printing out documentation. To view these documents, you can download them to your iPad or portable computer before and during your trip.
Chimu is passionate and dedicated to sustainability measures and understands the crucial part sustainability plays within the tourism industry.
We use local guides and office staff to both maximise local employment opportunities and minimise carbon footprint. Local guides also ensure you benefit from the intimate knowledge, passion and culture of the country you’re visiting. Our guides are all highly qualified (most with university degrees) or equip with many years of experience and are paid above the standard wage. Whether it be our knowledgeable local guides, locally produced meals or the transport on tour, we do not use imported goods when local products are available. We aim to minimise our impact on the environment and give as much back as possible to the communities we work in.
While visiting the many national parks, heritage sites, museums and landmarks our travellers are encouraged to explore whilst remaining culturally aware and sensitive. We further encourage you to buy appropriate souvenirs and discourage the buying of anything wrongfully made or taken from the environment i.e. shells and endangered species products. Information on how you can be environmentally conscious, and travel responsibly will be made available in our Travellers Guides and provided during your travels by guides and staff.
For more information on our sustainability policies, including how we are striving towards being a paperless organisation, click HERE