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Dates & Prices | Special Offers | Contact Us
info@ice-tracks.com

Spitsbergen Explored

0
12 Days / 11 NIghts
Availability : May
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas
OverviewItineraryDates & PricesPhotosReviewsContact Us
Overview

The largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, Spitsbergen is known as the “wildlife capital of the Arctic,” and on this unforgettable 12-day voyage, you will discover why. Building on our Spitsbergen Highlights and Intro to Spitsbergen itineraries, this longer journey has been designed to maximize time on the west and northern/southern tips of the island, providing you optimal chances to witness the remarkable array of creatures who call this spectacular yet forbidding environment home—including whales, walruses, Svalbard reindeer, seabirds by the thousands, and that most iconic of Arctic residents, the polar bear.

In addition to giving you opportunities to observe this unique parade of wildlife, the longer itinerary also allows you more time to explore the vast tundra, appreciate the natural beauty of the surprisingly colorful Arctic wilderness, and benefit from our range of on-board lectures and educational programs. Come aboard with the most knowledgeable, experienced and passionate team in the industry for an extraordinary High Arctic adventure.

Map
Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Helsinki

Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its extraordinary architecture and intriguing mix of eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.

Day 2Fly to Longyearbyen and embark

This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, a true frontier town, where you’ll have some time to explore before embarkation. As your ship sets sail, enjoy your first view of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically from frigid waters.

Days 3-11Exploring Spitsbergen

Explore western Spitsbergen as well as stunning fjords and outlying islands to the north. From polar deserts to immense glaciers, the natural landscape here is just as varied as the wildlife. As you cruise around this magical island located above the Arctic Circle, your Expedition Team will constantly be searching for animals.

Each expedition presents new opportunities and different weather and ice, so we have no fixed itinerary; however, some of the places we mayvisit include the 14th of July Glacier, Smeerenburg, Phippsøya, Alkhornet and the Hinlopen Strait. The destinations visited will be selected for optimum wildlife viewing with an appreciation of the history and geology of Spitsbergen.

The island offers multiple opportunities for wildlife photography. Since Svalbard’s legendary wildlife habitat is well-protected and almost entirely uninhabited, it’s one of the world’s best places to spot polar bears in their natural landscapes of ice, Arctic deserts and mountain scenery. The towering cliffs of Alkefjellet provide homes to thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).

Coming across a walrus haul-out is a moment you won’t soon forget. These giant pinnipeds of the Arctic create quite a noisy scene as each walrus vies for a choice spot of coastline.

If you’re itching to experience a more intimate view from the water, you can prebook the sea kayaking or paddling excursion adventure options.

In Spitsbergen, there is no shortage of natural beauty. The tundra can be surprisingly colorful in summer, with wildflowers bursting for a taste of sunshine. Each day, you’ll see something interesting, whether it is an ever-changing gallery of spectacular icebergs, a polar bear resting between hunts, or an abandoned historical site from centuries ago.

Day 12Disembark in Longyearbyen and fly to Helsinki

The time to say goodbye has come. Your Arctic adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki, included in the transfer package.

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Reviews
“

Wow, wow and wow! What an amazing experience we had with Ice Tracks. We have a smile on our faces from ear to ear.

Many thanks to the team! You informed us so completely, so honestly and shared your own experiences what made us feel assured. Your enthusiasm made us feel excited from the first moment we had contact, even till now when we share our voyage with friends and family. For us this trip was the closure of a backpacking voyage, which we started in Mexico. The vessel and expedition team made us feel like part of the family during 11 days. Our room was spacious and clean. Staff and food were great. The lectures during days at sea were nice. This once in a lifetime experience was mind blowing!

Monique and Steve from Belgium traveled with us to the Antarctic Peninsula

Steve & Monique
Sample Position
“

How do you describe it all to people that were not there? I’ve found it difficult, but very willing to try. Well, in retelling the (fairy) tale the last few days, the highlights are starting to cement in together with some new friendships!

· The hair-raising off-roading trip to the lake
· That amazing Argentinian braai in the woods & the beautiful snowy wonderland around us.
· To see how much Brian enjoys ships (although saying what a lovely cruise it was coming back, while some were dreadfully sick – he was perhaps living dangerously!)
· The first sighting of that whiter than white …
· The crystal, crystal clear waters
· My excitement at the first landing on the iced, uninhabited continent
· The colours & the moods & the vastness!
· Our South Africans taking the first dive in that colder than cold water!!!
· The amazing strength & stamina of those penguins. I do tell the tale of the solitary soul waiting to greet those mountaineers at the top of Spiget!
· The comraderie in our group
· Our “tea break” on the zodiac with irish coffee & green tea – where Caro asked Chicken to “duck”!
· The photo of the campers sitting around the “campfire” was an absolute winner …
· The soft snow on our last landing & trying to walk in that!

We reiterate our thanks to Mandy, Guts & Caro – you put a huge amount of work into making it a dream holiday for us – and it was, & we are truly grateful.

Denise and Brian Sutherland – Pretoria South Africa
Sample Position
“

We are now back indeed, and slowly coming to grips with the ‘real’ world. As you may imagine, there is little one can really say about Antarctica of which you are not fully aware. If it were in any way possible I for one would never go anywhere else on this planet. Ute had reservations about going South as she does not like the cold, but after our experience in Patagonia in southern Chile and Argentina, she also wanted to be in the pure untainted and pristine world of Antarctica. Now Ute even says she could happily go back. Unfortunately, we can only be very thankful that we even once had the opportunity to make this dream come true. Thank you very much for your part in making that happen. We were cared for graciously by Ice Tracks and without their expert and very able assistance our trip might never have taken place. I warmly recommend Ice Tracks guidance to anyone wishing to go South. The whole experience we had was more akin to friendship than business, and we do hope that we may one day meet again on the high seas!

Raymond & Ute – South Africa
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