Spitsbergen Circumnavigation
« All Akademik Sergey Vavilov cruise options
- Day 1 Longyearbyen
- Day 2 14th of July Glacier and Ny Alesund
- Day 3 Smeerenburg
- Day 4 Monacobreen, Worsleyneset and Moffen Island
- Day 5 Phippsoya
- Day 6 Vibubukta
- Day 7 Alkefjellet
- Day 8 Sundneset
- Day 9 Diskobukta
- Day 10 Isbukta
- Day 11 Bourbanhamna
- Day 12 Alkhornet
- Day 13 Disembarkation - Longyearbyen
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||||
| Main Deck Triple | Twin Share | Twin Semi-private | Twin Private | Superior | Peregrine Suite | Cook Suite | |
| Jul 11 '12 |
$5,990 | $7,790 | $8,790 | $9,390 | $9,790 | $10,590 | $11,490 |
| Sea Kayaking Option: $525 per person | |||||||
-Single Travelers: OPTIONAL single supplement of 70% for Standard Twins. There is no single supplement for travelers willing to share.
- All of the Akademik Vavilov's departures include optional sea kayaking - rate varies per departure.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Deposit & Payment - All of the Akademik Vavilov's departures include optional sea kayaking - rate varies per departure.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Day 1 Longyearbyen
Your Spitsbergen expedition itinerary begins when you board Akademik Sergey Vavilov in Longyearbyen, the island's largest settlement. Enjoy your first view of the island's rugged, glacier-topped mountains, rising majestically from icy Arctic waters.
Day 2 14th of July Glacier and Ny Alesund
Cruise past the spectacular cliffs of the 14th of July Glacier, keeping an eye out for Purple Sandpipers, Common Eiders, Barnacle Geese, Arctic Terns and more. Later, visit Ny Alesund, once a remote coal-mining town, now a unique international research station. You may spot indigenous Svalbard reindeer, so keep your camera handy!
Day 3 Smeerenburg
Dutch whalers established this community on tiny Amsterdam Island almost 400 years ago. During this shore visit, you'll learn about Spitsbergen's whaling past and visit an authentic blubber oven.
Day 4 Monacobreen, Worsleyneset and Moffen Island
This morning you'll wake to find the ship at anchor near the magnificant Monaco Glacier at the head of Ljefdefjorden. Afterwards, sail on to Worsleyneset o enjoy a tundra hike, and learn more about Svalbard's human history. Strict guidelines keep us from sailing too close to our final stop - a walrus sanctuary off Moffen Island. Be sure to bring your telephoto lens.
Day 5 Phippsoya
An archipelago within an archipelago, Seven Islands comprises the northernmost portion of Svalbard. They lie about 10 degrees from the North Pole. Ice seldom disappears completely from the islands during the Arctic summer. Polar bears and walrus exploit the ice. Visit an abandoned trapper's cabin and watch for wildlife.
Day 6 Vibubukta
Here you'll hike through one of the most striking landscapes on Earth - a polar desert. Characterized by scant rainfall and summer temperatures no higher than 10°C (50°F), these sweeping plains of hard bedrock and gravel are unique to the polar regions. Be on the lookout for the beached skeleton of an ancient whale, and for evidence of "isostatic rebound" - the rise of a landmass after its covering ice sheet retreats.
Day 7 Alkefjellet
Today, you'll sail past the towering cliff-face of Alkefjellet - truly remarkable site, crowded with thousands of nesting Brunich Guillemots and Thick-billed Murres. Fox and polar bear are often seen patrolling the cliff base, hoping for a meal to drop from the sky!
Day 8 Sundneset
Today you'll visit yet another unique Arctic landscape - the tundra meadow. Sundneset, found at the southwestern corner of Barents Island, enjoys surprisingly lush vegetation, including many beautiful wildflowers. Learn about this fascinating Arctic ecosystem and keep your eye out for reindeer that enjoy the meadow for more than its beauty.
Day 9 Diskobukta
Today the goal is to visit a colony of kittiwakes that have chosen to nest in a cavern. Timing is everything. We'll approach at rising tide for the best view. For an even better view, we'll lower the Zodiacs so you can cruise along the cliff face as the tide rises.
Day 10 Isbukta
The name means "ice bay," an indication that there should be plenty of "fast ice" (sea ice that has frozen fast to the coast) during our visit. This means a good chance of spotting polar bears on the hunt, as the seals rest along the ice edge. This is also another good location for spotting the rare Ivory Gull, as they are known to dine on a polar bear's leftovers.
Day 11 Bourbanhamna
Abundant natural resources brought miners to Spitsbergen a century ago. You'll visit an historic mining site, then hike the tundra in search of delicate flowers that bloom under the midnight sun.
Day 12 Alkhornet
Today you'll sail past Alkhornet - brooding rock face crammed with nesting Guillemots or Murres. There will be time for another tundra hike during this expedition itinerary. Watch for the endemic Svalbard reindeer and the wary Arctic fox.
Day 13 Disembarkation - Longyearbyen
This circumnavigation ends where it began - in the frontier-style town of Longyeabyen. From here we'll transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
Itinerary Notes
This expedition includes:- 12 nights shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- Shipboard breakfasts, lunches and dinners
- Shore landings included in daily program
- Professional Expedition Leadership
- All Zodiac excursions and transfers included in daily program
- Formal and informal educational presentations by the Expedition Team
- Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the trip
- Loan of waterproof boots for the duration of the voyage
- An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep
- Coffee, tea, and cocoa
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in each cabin
- Pre-departure material with map and a meticulously researched Arctic Reader
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
- All shipboard luggage handling
- Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person
- Day 1: Group transfer from a pre-arranged location in Longyearbyen to the ship on embarkation day
- Day 13: Group transfer from the ship to the airport upon disembarkation
This expedition excludes:
- Airfare to and from your hometown
- Passport and visa expenses.
- Government arrival and departure taxes
- Any meals ashore
- Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance
- Excess baggage charges
- Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges
- Shipboard or land telecommunication charges
- Gratuities for ship's crew, Hospitality and Expedition Team members
- Any overnight accommodation required due to flight connections
- Optional sea-kayaking - $525 per person
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is 20% (minimum $1000), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure.
Final payment by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or AmEx. Credit Card payments subject to 3% convenience fee and maximum $15,000 charge.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 130 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 180 days or more | $1000 per person |
| 179-120 days prior to departure | deposit |
| 119 Days or less | 100% total cost |
Akademik Sergey Vavilov
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 110
Widely regarded as the finest expedition ship operating in Polar waters, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov offers a high level of comfort for Antarctic and Arctic cruises - in her appointment, stability and strength.
As a working scientific research vessel, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov forms the ideal platform from which to explore during your Polar travels. Including all the equipments needed for exploring, from Zodiac landing craft to kayaks and camping gear, even snowshoes.
The Akademik Sergey Vavilov is a well-equipped, ice-rated ship capable of carrying up to 110 passengers. In terms of stability and speed, she is 'state of the art' and, while not luxurious, she's very comfortable and kept in top condition.
All cabins have an outside view, with portholes or a window, and are comfortably furnished. Most of them have semi-private (one bathroom between two cabins) or private facilities. On-board facilities include a spacious top deck, where you can enjoy spectacular views, and a refreshing sauna and plunge pool - a great place to relax after your shore excursions. In addition, there is also a well-stocked library, a comfortable lounge and a friendly bar. Other facilities include an exercise room, gift shop and laundry.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Main Deck Triple Bunk beds and a sofa bed. Facilities are shared and there are 2 Portholes. There are 2 cabins in this category. |
 | Twin Share Bunk beds and shared facilities. Portholes. There are 8 cabins in this category. |
 | Twin Semi-private One lower berth and one sofa bed and semi-private facilities (one bathroom between two cabins). Porthole Windows. There are 12 cabins in this category. |
 | Twin Private A typical superior twin cabin arrangement. One lower berth, one sofa bed, and private facilities. Windows. There are 18 cabins in this category. |
 | Superior 2 lower berths, sofa and private facilities. Windows. There are 5 cabins in this category |
 | Peregrine Suite The Peregrine Suite is one of our fine premium cabins. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There are 5 cabins in this category. |
 | Cook Suite The Cook Suite is our finest premium cabin. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There is 1 cabin in this category. |
