North Spitsbergen

Itinerary

Day 1: Longyearbyen / Embark

Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting, while in the surrounds of Longyearbyen, more than 100 species of plant have been recorded. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden.

Day 2: Krossfjorden / Ny Ålesund

Heading north along the west coast, arrive by morning in Krossfjorden, where you take a Zodiac cruise along the sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier. On the fertile slopes near the glacier, a colorful variety of flowers bloom, while large numbers of Kittiwakes and Brünnich’s Guillemots nest on the nearby cliffs. There is also a good chance of spotting opportunistic Arctic Foxes, patrolling the base of the cliffs, and Bearded Seals.In the afternoon, sail to Ny Ålesund, the world’s most northerly settlement. Once a mining village, Ny Ålesund is now a research center. Close to the village is a breeding ground for Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese and Arctic Terns. Visitors interested in the history of Arctic exploration will want to walk to the anchoring mast used by Amundsen and Nobile in the airship Norge in 1926 and Nobile in the airship Italia in 1928 before their flights to the North Pole.

Day 3: Liefdefjorden

Depending on the weather you may sail to the mouth of Liefdefjorden and go ashore for a walk on the tundra island of Andøya. Many Common Eiders and Pink-footed Geese nest here, and the rarer King Eider may also be seen. You may sail into Liefdefjorden, cruising near the 5km long face of the impressive Monaco glacier. The waters of the glacier front are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwakes and on previous voyages polar bears have been seen on the glacier, providing wonderful opportunities for photography.

Day 4: Alkefjellet / Palanderbukta

Today you will sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, polar bears, and ivory gulls. You’ll navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in your Zodiacs and explore the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopenstrait, attempt a landing at Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet, home to reindeer, pink-footed geese, breeding ivory gulls, and walruses.

Day 5: Phippsøya

Today you reach your northernmost point at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet (81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole). Polar bears inhabit this region, along with ivory gulls. You may sit for several hours in the pack ice, taking in the spectacular surroundings and seeing a Ross gull, before you turn south again.

Day 6: Raudfjord / Ytre Norskøya

Retracing your route westwards, you visit Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favored by Ringed and Bearded Seals. The cliffs and shoreline of the fjord also support thriving seabird colonies and surprisingly rich vegetation, which flourishes in sheltered spots. On the offshore island of Ytre Norskøya, visit a 17th century Dutch whaling site, whose large graveyard is a poignant reminder of the hardships and dangers of life here at the time. The island’s bird life is prolific, with colonies of Little Auks, Black Guillemots, Brünnich’s Guillemots, Puffins and Arctic Skuas accessible to visitors.

Day 7: Prins Karls Forland / Borebukta

Today, land at the northern tip of Prins Karls Forland near Fuglehuken, where Barentsz probably set foot on Spitsbergen for the first time. Seabirds nest on the cliffs and along the coast you see harbor seals, the only population in Spitsbergen. You also observe the remains of the polar bear hunting era, with demolished set guns and bear traps. At the opposite site of Forlandsundet at Sarstangen is a haul out place for walruses. Alternatively, sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Keep a look out for seabirds, Arctic foxes, and Spitsbergen Reindeer. In the afternoon, cruise through beautiful Borebukta, following a glacier front before continuing to Longyearbyen.

Day 8: Longyearbyen / Disembark

Return to Longyearbyen and disembark for the transfer to the airport and the flight to Oslo and home.

Trip Details

Ship	Grigoriy Mikheev/Aleksey Maryshev
Highlights	Basic Russian research vessel, fairly active program and good guides; passengers are mostly from Europe.
Trip Notes	This voyage operates aboard Grigoriy Mikheev 6/22/2008.Included:All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea; All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac; Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff; Transfers and baggage handling between the hotels, airports and ship only for those passengers on the group flights in Longyearbyen – Spitsbergen; Transfers and baggage handling between ship and airport after arrival of the ship in the morning in Keflavik – Iceland ( not v.v. between airport and ship); All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; Comprehensive pre-departure material. Not Included: Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided); fuel surcharge ($15 per person, per night).Please note that all dates & rates are subject to change.
Payment Policy	A deposit of 10% per person is required to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Payment Methods: Deposit: credit cards are accepted (VISA, MC, AMEX, Discover). Final payment: check or wire.WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR FINAL PAYMENT.

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2008-06-22	2008-06-29	+

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