Polar Bear Adventures in the Midnight Sun
An expedition exploring the Svalbard Archipelago aboard the MS Expedition
- 25 June 2021
- 12 July 2021
- 25 June 2022
- 12 July 2022
There are few places that measure up to Svalbard, where you can be assured that nature in its purest form will provide highlight after unexpected highlight. This remote and spectacular archipelago of immense glaciers, narrow fjords and abundant wildlife is a true Arctic wilderness and is home to species such as polar bears, walrus, seals and whales, all of which we have good chances of seeing during our expeditions. During summer, when the sun never sets, the tundra experiences a warm awakening and ice-peppered fjords ring with the thunderous sound of glacial ice crashing to the sea. The flora and fauna take advantage of the short but extreme summer with blooming flowers and active wildlife.
For these Arctic adventures we are delighted to be working with G Adventures and their vessel, the MS Expedition. The vessel’s ice strengthened hull, shallow draft and superior manoeuvrability coupled with a veteran crew will allow us to access the bays, fjords and pack ice, and the ship’s fleet of Zodiac landing craft will enable us to explore even further, get close to wildlife and make landings for walks ashore. Svalbard remains a relatively untouched archipelago of astounding beauty and many of our planned locations are pristine and rarely visited. During our voyages you will experience nature in its purest form in the High Arctic and joining you on board will be a knowledgeable expedition team which includes naturalists and geologists, all of whom have a genuine passion for the Polar regions. Their expertise and professionalism will enhance your cruise in so many ways.
The voyage is undertaken in the spirit of discovery; the pace is unhurried and the options are many, so the day-by-day itinerary shown is a thoughtfully considered framework based on the vessel’s long experience in this region.
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What to Expect...
In order to achieve the most with our time in the Arctic, flexibility will be crucial and changes to the itinerary may be made following a local reconnaissance, a change in the weather, ice conditions or wildlife sightings. Each day holds something new and below are some extracts from a ship’s log from previous voyages which will provide you with an idea of what to expect.
Bellsund, Svalbard - Early this morning we sailed into the mouth of Bellsund, with snow-covered mountains rising to north and south and our destination for the morning ahead. After breakfast, we took two scout boats along the shore in the vicinity of Alstrandodden to check for the presence or past presence of polar bears. We saw some fresh-looking tracks, but no bears, and a small group of white reindeer, so after breakfast brought everyone ashore for a hike or slow meander. We watched the reindeer browsing on the vegetation and a lone male comfortably slouched on the snow, a large bearded seal fishing in the fjord, many flights of geese overhead and a few grazing on land, little auks, eider and black guillemots bobbing in the bay below us, purple sandpipers and snow buntings flitting about the tundra, and the changing scenery as the sun shifted its way across the dramatic slopes and strata on the mountains. We returned regretfully to the ship for lunch, then immediately set off again to explore the front of Nathortbreen, a long glacier at the end of Vankeulen Fjorden. Six Zodiacs slowly wove between the stranded bergs. Back on the ship, we headed back out towards the mouth of Bellsund, watching for bears, and turned south into picturesque Recherchfjorden, with 1205 metre high Berzeliustunden towering above us and several glaciers flowing smoothly down to the sea. The day continued sunny, mild and windless, adding to our intense pleasure at being more than 77 degrees north in this spectacular land. At last! Sue spotted a big polar bear in amongst some reindeer, each ignoring the other. The bear gave us about 15 minutes of viewing before it disappeared into a hollow, quite unconcerned about our presence. After that, a couple of fat bearded seals on ice pans seemed tame by comparison, but rounded out the day’s haul of wildlife nicely.
Moffen Island, 80°n - A grey day greeted us as we approached Moffen Island, an oval ring of gravel immediately north of the 80°N line of latitude, where a large herd of approximately 100 walrus lay huddled together just above the water. Others hauled their way up to join them and yet more rolled in the light surf or offshore. The herd was surrounded by dozens of eider ducks and some brent geese and a few skuas watched for their chance at an easy meal. For most of us, this was our furthest north point, but we weren’t finished yet as, over breakfast, we steamed even further pole ward towards the ice edge to see if we could find some ice firm enough to walk on and/or some more walrus or polar bears. The first strip of jammed-together chunks of ice, perhaps a mile long, produced our first bear of the day. Callum had the watch and saw the lovely fat bear haul a skinned seal up on the ice, where a crowd of glaucous gulls were eager to share in the catch. We watched until the bear grew uneasy and moved away from his kill, at first plunging into the sea and then clambering back onto the ice where he appeared to be having some difficulty manoeuvring over the ice chunks and intervening water spaces, so we left him in peace and set off further north passing more ice strips, moving in and out of fog banks. We reached about 80° 40’N before we began to head back south. The day would have been complete with a couple of whales and, sure enough, up popped two bowheads, one of the rarest of northern whales hunted to near extinction by the last century.
Expedition
The 134 passenger Expedition was completely refurbished in 2009 and is perfect for our Arctic explorations being large enough to provide stability, speed, spacious cabins and ample public space, yet small enough to manoeuvre in remote areas and get you close to the action. She provides an intimate small ship cruising experience.
Itinerary
Day 1 - London Heathrow to Oslo.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. This evening is at leisure to relax and explore independently.
Day 2 - Oslo to Longyearbyen.
After breakfast at our hotel transfer to the airport for the flight to Longyearbyen. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the MS Expedition for embarkation. Sail this evening.
Days 3 to 11 - Spitsbergen.
During our time exploring Spitsbergen, each day will be planned to take advantage of local ice and weather conditions. Svalbard is one of the few places on the planet to offer such a plethora of natural and historical extravaganzas. Spend the next nine days exploring ice covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery, and glaciers flowing into the sea. Spend time moving through the ice in search of polar bears hunting seals. Ivory gulls will be a highlight for the birders. Keep a constant lookout for walrus hauled out on ice floes or on sandy beaches. Ice permitting, we will visit spectacular bird cliffs filled with thousands of murres (guillemots), as well as kittiwakes and glaucous gulls. Shore stops will be highlighted with tiny tundra flowers and the expedition team will be on hand to answer any questions about this spectacular wilderness. Our goal is to give the best possible opportunity to see wildlife in and around the Svalbard archipelago. Ice conditions sometimes allow for sailing through the Hinlopenstretet towards the east coast of Spitsbergen, then through Freemansundet towards the south. By sailing later in the season when some of the ice has melted we hope to cover more territory, which may allow the chance to explore the entire archipelago. This can lead into the less explored regions of Nordaustlandet and Kvitøya, or the continental edges where large whales are attracted by nutrient rich upwellings. The flexibility of not having a set itinerary allows us to take advantage of weather conditions and wildlife sightings and the experienced Captain and Expedition Leader will take the best advantage of these factors to maximise your Arctic experience. Our last evening on board will be spent anchored off Longyearbyen.
Day 12 - Longyearbyen to Oslo.
Disembark this morning for our scheduled flight to Oslo. Arrive this afternoon and make your way to our airport hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 13 - Oslo to London Heathrow.
Check out this morning and make your way to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy25 June to 7 July 2021 • 12 to 24 July 2021 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
Category 2 Twin with two lower berths/porthole | £6895 | |
Category 3 Twin with two lower berths/window | £7395 | |
Category 4 Superior with two lower berths/window | £8295 | |
Category 5 Suite with queen bed/lounge area/window | £9095 | |
Category 3 for sole use | £11095 |
25 June to 7 July 2022 • 12 to 24 July 2022 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
Category 2 Twin with two lower berths/porthole | £6995 | |
Category 3 Twin with two lower berths/window | £7495 | |
Category 4 Superior with two lower berths/window | £8395 | |
Category 5 Suite with queen bed/lounge area/window | £9195 | |
Category 3 for sole use | £11195 |
Tour Reference Code: SCEP250621/SCEP120721
Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel • Two nights hotel accommodation in Oslo with breakfast • 10 nights aboard the MS Expedition on a full board basis • Shore excursions • Expedition team and lecture programme • Parka jacket • Transfers • Use of wellington boots on board the MS Expedition • Port & airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, gratuities.
NB. Please note that the itinerary is subject to flight schedules to Longyearbyen which have yet to be released. Once we have these details finalised it may be necessary to amend the dates or the itinerary and planned hotel stays.
Expedition
The 134 passenger Expedition was completely refurbished in 2009 and is perfect for our Arctic explorations being large enough to provide stability, speed, spacious cabins and ample public space, yet small enough to manoeuvre in remote areas and get you close to the action. She provides an intimate small ship cruising experience.
Video Library
What to Expect...
In order to achieve the most with our time in the Arctic, flexibility will be crucial and changes to the itinerary may be made following a local reconnaissance, a change in the weather, ice conditions or wildlife sightings. Each day holds something new and below are some extracts from a ship’s log from previous voyages which will provide you with an idea of what to expect.
Bellsund, Svalbard - Early this morning we sailed into the mouth of Bellsund, with snow-covered mountains rising to north and south and our destination for the morning ahead. After breakfast, we took two scout boats along the shore in the vicinity of Alstrandodden to check for the presence or past presence of polar bears. We saw some fresh-looking tracks, but no bears, and a small group of white reindeer, so after breakfast brought everyone ashore for a hike or slow meander. We watched the reindeer browsing on the vegetation and a lone male comfortably slouched on the snow, a large bearded seal fishing in the fjord, many flights of geese overhead and a few grazing on land, little auks, eider and black guillemots bobbing in the bay below us, purple sandpipers and snow buntings flitting about the tundra, and the changing scenery as the sun shifted its way across the dramatic slopes and strata on the mountains. We returned regretfully to the ship for lunch, then immediately set off again to explore the front of Nathortbreen, a long glacier at the end of Vankeulen Fjorden. Six Zodiacs slowly wove between the stranded bergs. Back on the ship, we headed back out towards the mouth of Bellsund, watching for bears, and turned south into picturesque Recherchfjorden, with 1205 metre high Berzeliustunden towering above us and several glaciers flowing smoothly down to the sea. The day continued sunny, mild and windless, adding to our intense pleasure at being more than 77 degrees north in this spectacular land. At last! Sue spotted a big polar bear in amongst some reindeer, each ignoring the other. The bear gave us about 15 minutes of viewing before it disappeared into a hollow, quite unconcerned about our presence. After that, a couple of fat bearded seals on ice pans seemed tame by comparison, but rounded out the day’s haul of wildlife nicely.
Moffen Island, 80°n - A grey day greeted us as we approached Moffen Island, an oval ring of gravel immediately north of the 80°N line of latitude, where a large herd of approximately 100 walrus lay huddled together just above the water. Others hauled their way up to join them and yet more rolled in the light surf or offshore. The herd was surrounded by dozens of eider ducks and some brent geese and a few skuas watched for their chance at an easy meal. For most of us, this was our furthest north point, but we weren’t finished yet as, over breakfast, we steamed even further pole ward towards the ice edge to see if we could find some ice firm enough to walk on and/or some more walrus or polar bears. The first strip of jammed-together chunks of ice, perhaps a mile long, produced our first bear of the day. Callum had the watch and saw the lovely fat bear haul a skinned seal up on the ice, where a crowd of glaucous gulls were eager to share in the catch. We watched until the bear grew uneasy and moved away from his kill, at first plunging into the sea and then clambering back onto the ice where he appeared to be having some difficulty manoeuvring over the ice chunks and intervening water spaces, so we left him in peace and set off further north passing more ice strips, moving in and out of fog banks. We reached about 80° 40’N before we began to head back south. The day would have been complete with a couple of whales and, sure enough, up popped two bowheads, one of the rarest of northern whales hunted to near extinction by the last century.

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