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ARCTIC 2008 : Spitsbergen | Greenland & Canada | North Atlantic | Russia | Icebreaker Voyages

ANTARCTIC 2008-2009 : Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and Falkland Islands | Icebreaker Voyages

 

VOYAGES - SVALBARD (SPITSBERGEN), 2008

Spitsbergen is Dutch for "pointed mountains", an evocative name for the largest island of the High Arctic group properly called Svalbard. It has a fascinating history of arctic exploration and whaling. Snowy peaks rise majestically through huge ice-caps, glaciers creep down valleys to the sea and sparkling ice walls enclose deep fjords. All this is surrounded by the glistening pack-ice. When summer comes the land can be brilliant with orange lichens and flowering plants. The surrounding seas support numerous birds, seals, Walruses, dolphins and whales. Polar Bears, of which Svalbard holds more than 20 per cent of the world's population, patrol the shores and ice-floes.

North Spitsbergen

Around Spitsbergen

South Spitsbergen

 


North Spitsbergen

Polar bears

As the pack-ice retreats northwards we aim to sail as far as we can round the north coast of Spitsbergen and in later voyages may reach the entrance to the Hinlopen Strait. These early voyages are the best time to see relics of the 17th Century whaling industry, rich vegetation, birds nesting - colonies of little auks, guillemots, geese and many more. There may be opportunities to see walruses, polar bears and rare ivory gulls. Three voyages will be available on the sailing ship Noorderlicht.

From

To

Duration

Vessel

Friday 30 May

Wednesday 11 June

13 days

Noorderlicht

Tuesday 27 May

Wednesday 11 June

9 days

Aleksey Maryshev

Tuesday 10 June

Wednesday 18 June

9 days

Aleksey Maryshev

Tuesday 10 June

Sunday 22 June

13 days

Noorderlicht

Wednesday 11 June

Thursday 19 June

9 days

Professor Molchanov

Thursday 12 June

Friday 20 June

9 days

Professor Multanovskiy

Saturday 14 June

Sunday 22 June

9 days

Grigoriy Mikheev*

Thursday 19 June

Friday 27 June

9 days

Professor Multanovskiy

Friday 20 June

Saturday 28 June

9 days

Antarctic Dream

Saturday 21 June

Thursday 03 July

13 days

Noorderlicht

Saturday 21 June

Sunday 29 June

9 days

Grigoriy Mikheev*

*These cruises include programmes for scuba divers. Contact us for details.

Prices (£ per person, including flights and hotel accomodation)

Cabin

Triple w/o facs.

Twin w/o facs. & Noorderlicht

Twin w/ facs.

Superior twin

Suite twin

Single w/o facs.

Single with facs.

Price

1950

2145

2520

2760

3030

3540

4175


Around Spitsbergen

The pack-ice should now have receded sufficiently to allow us to sail through the Hinlopen Strait. We therefore hope to visit the islands to the east and cruise completely around Spitsbergen. This part of Spitsbergen provides the best opportunities for seeing seals, polar bears and reindeer, as well as seabird colonies. If ice conditions are favourable it may be decided to sail around Nordaustlandet. We also visit places with relics of early exploration, including Ny Ålesund, the world's most northerly settlement where there is also a modern research station.

From

To

Duration

Vessel

Tuesday 24 June

Saturday 05 July

12 days

Aleksey Maryshev

Friday 27 June

Tuesday 08 July

12 days

Antarctic Dream

Saturday 28 June

Wednesday 09 July

12 days

Grigoriy Mikheev*

Friday 04 July

Tuesday 15 July

12 days

Aleksey Maryshev

Monday 07 July

Friday 18 July

12 days

Antarctic Dream

Monday 14 July

Friday 25 July

12 days

Aleksey Maryshev

Thursday 17 July

Monday 28 July

12 Days

Antarctic Dream

Sunday 27 July

Friday 08 August

12 days

Antarctic Dream

Monday 04 August

Friday 15 August

12 days

Professor Molchanov

Thursday 07 August

Monday 18 August

12 Days

Antarctic Dream

Thursday 14 August

Monday 25 August

12 Days

Professor Molchanov

Sunday 17 August

Thursday 28 August

12 Days

Antarctic Dream

Saturday 23 August

Wednesday 03 September

12 days

Aleksey Maryshev

Sunday 24 August

Thursday 04 September

12 Days

Professor Molchanov

*These cruises include programmes for scuba divers. Contact us for details.

Prices (£ per person, including flights and hotel accomodation)

Cabin

Triple w/o facs.

Twin w/o facs.

Noorderlicht

Twin w/ facs.

Superior twin

Suite twin

Single w/o facs.

Single w/ facs.

Price

2580

2910

2690

3400

3750

4150

4480

5760


South Spitsbergen

Four voyages will be available on Noorderlicht around South Spitsbergen. Although too late in the season for flowers and most birds, these voyages offer the possibility of spectacular views of the High Arctic combined with a good chance of seeing many of the larger sea mammals. Prices are lower for the 2 later voyages.

From

To

Duration

Vessel

Saturday 20 September

Sunday 28 September

9 days

Noorderlicht

Saturday 27 September

Sunday 05 October

9 days

Noorderlicht

Saturday 04 October

Sunday 12 October

9 days

Noorderlicht

Saturday 11 October

Sunday 19 October

9 days

Noorderlicht

Prices (£ per person, including flights and hotel accomodation)

Cabin

Triple w/o facs.

Twin w/o facs.

Twin w/facs.

Superior twin

Suite twin

Single w/o facs.

Single w/facs.

Price

 

1550 (1&2)

         
   

1350 (3&4)

         
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