6 days / 5 nights
MS NORDSTJERNEN
Longyearbyen • Longyearbyen
This Hurtigruten voyage from Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago on MS Nordstjernen, navigates northbound from Longyearbyen to the remote Moffen Island, visiting fjords, glaciers and Arctic settlements.
Svalbard is rich in wildlife and dramatic scenery. Watch in awe as you sail through bays and channels of this starkly beautiful outreach of northern Europe. Look out for Arctic fox, reindeer, seal and walrus plus there is an excellent chance of spotting whales, as well as the solitary overlord of these Arctic regions, the polar bear.
Your journey begins in Spitsbergen's capital, Longyearbyen, once a coal mining settlement but now a major centre for polar research.
You will learn some of the history of the area and life on the island today before embarking on your voyage. After sailing to the Russian settlement of Barentsburg, you proceed along the coast, before reaching the northwest corner of Spitsbergen.
Passing magnificent glaciers, including the stunning Monaco Glacier and the 'seven icebergs', you travel beyond 80° north and enter a world of ice sculptures and towering granite mountains.
As fierce as the wastes and weather, is the sole king of this realm, the polar bear, who shares this distant, beautiful wilderness with any number of kittiwakes, seals, Arctic foxes, whales and walruses.
There are estimated to be some 3,000 polar bears in the Svalbard archipelago. Magnificent and solitary, these animals grow to a staggering 700 kilograms and there is every chance that you will come across one of these awe-inspiring beasts as you cruise through the ice floes.
There are also estimated to be more than 110 types of migratory birds in this region and your on board team of experts will ensure that you get the best out of your wildlife viewing, both from the deck of MS Nordstjernen and from your daily shore visits by Polar Cirkel boats.
You will also explore the glacier walls, towering ramparts of blues and turquoise that constantly roar as they calve into the frozen waters below. Finally you travel to Ny-Ålesund, the most northerly permanently inhabited settlement on Earth, with a rich history in polar exploration and the world's most northerly post office, before heading back south to Longyearbyen.
Now you have the chance to explore these landscapes on board the MS Nordstjernen, a ship that is rich in character with an aura of nostalgia. The classic wooden interiors combined with modern comforts create an extraordinary atmosphere. And because MS Nordstjernen is a small vessel, she can take you to the less accessible pearls of these beautiful coastlines, making your voyage one-of-a-kind and truly unforgettable.
Itinerary : Thursday - Tuesday
Day 1 Longyearbyen : Your adventure starts in Longyearbyen, with an overnight stay at The Spitsbergen Hotel.
Day 2 Longyearbyen and Barentsburg : After an information meeting in the morning there is time for a guided sightseeing tour, including a visit to the educational and highly interesting Svalbard Museum. This tour ends at the pier, where MS Nordstjernen will be ready for embarkation. Once underway, the ship will set a course for the Russian settlement of Barentsburg where there will be opportunities to visit the Pomor Museum (optional) and enjoy a lively folklore show. After this you will continue out of Isfjord and head north along the Prins Karls Forland.
Day 3 Magdalenefjord and the North West Corner : The North West Corner is scattered with islands, fjords and beaches and has a long history of exploration. Magdalenefjord is one of the fjords that you will hopefully visit. Here you will experience a high density of cultural heritage; a whaling station from 16th century and a graveyard of whalers that died during the first "oil gold rush". You arrive in Magdalenefjord in the morning, and hopefully you will make your first Polarcirkel boat landing here.
Day 4 Woodfjord and Liefdefjorden : North Spitsbergen offers a strikingly varied landscape - from the largest flat plain on Svalbard; Reinsdyrflya (the reindeer plain), to the red stone of Devonian geology, remnants of volcanoes and even the northernmost hot spring on Earth. The day will be spent sailing towards the Monaco Glacier, passing a number of small islets where eider ducks nest during the summer. If you are lucky you may spot a polar bear searching for eggs here. If the ice conditions are favourable you will sail past 80° North and towards Moffen, an island which is often a host to walrus.
Day 5 Kongsfjord and Ny Ålesund : This is the largest fjord on the North West coast of Spitsbergen. A large side fjord called Krossfjord may also be visited during this day. The landscape varies from large tundra plains to alpine peaks, with dramatic glaciers tumbling into the ocean. At 78° 55' N, Ny-Ålesund is the world's northernmost year-round community. Previously a coal mining community, Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for numerous expeditions towards the North Pole. A number of countries run their own national research stations here, and there is a lot of activity here in summer.
Day 6 Back in Longyearbyen : Your Spitsbergen adventure voyage is over and it is time to say goodbye. Your dream has become reality and you will have fantastic memories to take with you.
Itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions.
Itinerary : Monday - Saturday
Day 1 Longyearbyen : Your adventure starts in Longyearbyen, with an overnight stay at The Spitsbergen Hotel.
Day 2 Longyearbyen and Barentsburg : Your voyage starts in the Norwegian settlement often referred to as the capital of Svalbard. In the Russian settlement of Barentsburg, there will be opportunities to visit the Pomor Museum (optional) and a lively folklore show. After this visit you will continue out of the Isfjorden and head north along the coast of the Prince Karl's Forland.
Day 3 Woodfjord and Liefdefjord : These large fjords in North Spitsbergen offer a strikingly varied landscape. The day will be spent sailing towards the Monaco glacier, passing a number of small islets where eider ducks nest during the summer. If you are lucky, you may spot a polar bear searching for eggs here.
Day 4 Kongsfjord and Ny Ålesund : Kongsfjord is the largest fjord on the North West coast of Spitsbergen. The landscape varies from large tundra plains to alpine peaks, with dramatic glaciers tumbling into the ocean. At 78° 55' N, Ny-Ålesund is the world's northernmost year-round community. Previously a coal mining community, Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for numerous expeditions towards the North Pole. A number of countries run their own national research stations here, and there is a lot of activity here in summer.
Day 5 Isfjord and Longyearbyen : The Isfjord is the most prominent fjord system on Svalbard. As you sail into the inner parts of this fjord the landscape changes. Marvel at the large U-shaped valleys, carved out of the mountains by the giant glaciers that covered the area some ten thousand years ago. On arrival in Longyearbyen there is a guided sightseeing tour including Svalbard Museum. The rest of the day is at your leisure and you will be served both lunch and dinner at The Spitsbergen Hotel.
Day 6 Longyearbyen : This incredible Arctic adventure ends today and it's time to say goodbye.
Itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions.
DEPARTURES 2012 :
| Thursday - Sunday | Monday - Saturday |
June 7, 14, 21, 28. |
June 11, 18, 25. |
July 5, 12, 19, 26. |
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. |
August 2, 9, 16. |
August 6, 13. |
Spitsbergen Polar Encounter Fares 2012
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| Cabin Grades | Twin Cabin from |
Single Cabin from |
|---|---|---|
| N | £2093 | £3662 |
| A | £1897 | £3320 |
| J | £1866 | £3265 |
| I | £1794 | £3139 |
| D* | £1485 | £2598 |
| E* | £1062 | £1858 |
All above prices are in £s per person based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin cabin/room.
* D Grade cabins are outside/inside cabins on decks B & C.
* E Grade cabins are outside/inside cabins on Deck A.
* Both D & E Grade cabins are wash basin only.
Cabin grades A, D, E and some I grades with upper and lower berths.
YOUR HURTIGRUTEN VOYAGE PRICE INCLUDES :
- Voyage in cabin grade of your choice including full board.
- Transfers between hotel and pier.
- Departure : Thursday - 1 night in Longyearbyen pre-voyage including breakfast and lunch.
- Departure : Monday - 1 night in Longyearbyen pre-voyage including breakfast and 1 night in Longyearbyen post-voyage including full board.
- City tour Longyearbyen.
- Landings in Polarcirkel boats.
- English/German speaking expedition team.
NOT INCLUDED :
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Luggage handling
- Optional excursions
- Gratuities
ADD A FLIGHT PACKAGE - Price from £684 per person
FLIGHT PACKAGE PRICE INCLUDES :
- Return Economy class from London Heathrow to Longyearbyen (via Oslo) including current taxes and charges.
- Transfers in Longyearbyen.
NOT INCLUDED :
- Travel insurance.
- Regional departures and upgrades may be available at extra cost.
