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Zodiac boats bring you closer to the majestic Arctic landscape

Spitsbergen and Franz Josef Land

Example 13 Day Cruise aboard Sea Spirit
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Venture on this unique 13-day expedition to two of the most fascinating Arctic archipelagoes: Spitsbergen and Franz Josef Land. Start in Spitsbergen, which is a must for those who want to see the Arctic in all its wildness and splendor. But your main goal is the remote and rarely visited Russian High Arctic island chain of Franz Josef Land. The uninhabited islands were closed to foreigners during the Cold War but now their "moon craters" and breathtaking vistas beckon adventurous travelers from all over the world.
Seals are just one of the many Arctic mammels you may encounter on your voyageTake advantage of the many opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime shots!Journey to Franz Josef Land to see the unique, perfectly spherical stones that dot the landscapeKayak quiet waters as you sail to remote polar regionsZodiac boats bring you closer to the majestic Arctic landscape
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Embark in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen

Longyearbyen is the main settlement of the Norwegian Spitsbergen archipelago. This Arctic town is located at 78° north, and is one of the world’s northernmost communities. It has approximately 2000 inhabitants and is a modern town with a wide range of facilities such as a supermarket, outdoor shops, several pubs, and hotels.

Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting. In the early evening the ship sets sail out of Isfjorden.

Day 2: 14th of July Glacier, Krossfjord, Spitsbergen

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today plan to take a Zodiac tour to the sparkling 14th of July Glacier at Krossfjord. Weather permitting, you may land right on the glacier for an unparalleled walking tour.

Day 3: Victoria Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
We will explore Victoria Island with its large population of walruses. Naturalists are not the only creatures attracted here by these Arctic animals - polar bears visit the area frequently to have their “walrus dinner”. We hope to meet them both here while cruising nearby on our Zodiacs.

Day 4: Bell Island / Cape Flora, Nordbrook Island, Franz Josef Land

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Expect to reach Franz Josef Land archipelago this morning. A landing is planned for Bell Island to visit the house built by the 1881 Lee Smith Expedition.

Continue to learn about the fascinating history of Arctic discoveries during your landing at Cape Flora on Nordbrook Island, first claimed by the Lee Smith Expedition in 1880. The group was forced to winter on this island after their steam yacht, "Aira," was crushed by ice and sunk near the coast. Later, the Jackson expedition (1894-1897) dwelled here longer than any other and made a major contribution to the exploration of the archipelago. Several memorials have been erected on the island to commemorate such daring Arctic explorers. Finally, birders take note, an enormous seabird colony finds its home on the cliffs towering over the southern side of Cape Flora.

Day 5: Wilczek Island / Cape Tegetthoff, Hall Island / Alger Island, Franz Josef Land

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start the day with a visit to Wilczek Island. On the southern tip of the island find a lonely grave of the machinist Otto Krisch. He was the only victim of the Payer Wayprecht Expedition. “Peace For His Ash” is written on a small plaque attached to the cross at the grave.

The next possible stop is on Hall Island at Cape Tegetthoff. The island sights are impressive: huge cliffs resembling dorsal fins of gigantic sharks submerge into the depths. The remains of wooden structures built by the Wellman expedition (1898-1899) add colors to the vivid panorama.

Arrive on Alger Island. Your goal here is to land at the wintering place of the American Arctic expedition headed by A. Baldwin. If weather permits, your crew may lower Zodiacs to sail among drifting icebergs. Polar bears are frequent visitors here; be on the hunt to catch some...with your camera lens.

Day 6: Cape Heller, Wilczek Land Island / Stolichky and Appolonov Island, Franz Josef Land

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Plan a landing at Cape Heller on Wilczek Land Island. In 1899 two sailors, members of the Welle expedition, wintered here while waiting for a group attempting to conquer the North Pole. As everywhere on Franz Josef Land, this locale is prime for witnessing polar bears and sea mammals.

Sail to Stolichky and Appolonov Islands where your expedition activities are highly dependent on weather and ice conditions. If you are lucky to have favorable conditions, take a Zodiac trip near the islands. The main attraction of the islands are its walrus rookeries. Your Zodiac drivers do their best to get as close as possible.

Day 7: Champ Island / Tikhaya Bay, Hooker Island, Franz Josef Land

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Placed in the very center of the archipelago, like a diamond in a precious tiara, is the magnificent Champ Island. The landscape here is majestic, featuring cliffs and the island chain's tallest ice-capped mountains. Here you can see a truly unique natural wonder: perfectly spherical stones up to 3 meters in diameter, found nowhere else in the world.

It’s a remarkable day for birds lovers as well as your ship takes you to Tikhaya Bay on Hooker Island. The famous Rubini Rock, a huge cliff in the bay, is the shelter for thousands of seabirds. Attempt to approach the cliff to watch kittiwakes and other Arctic birds. If weather conditions are favorable, go ashore to visit an abandoned polar station on the shores of the Bay.

Day 8: Kvitoya Island, Spitsbergen

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
If the weather is on your side today, try landing on Kvitoya Island. It is almost completely ice-covered and belongs to the Northeast Svalbard Nature Reserve. On the ice-free parts there are moss beds which can add vibrant color to this often white landscape. Arctic terns and other birds breed here. Polar bears and walrus are also frequent visitors in this area.

Day 9: Sjuoyane Islands, Svalbard

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
If the weather and ice conditions allow, the ship may attempt a landing in the region of Sjuoyane Islands. Here you may visit the island of Rossoya, the northernmost point of Norway.

Day 10: Lagoya / Phippsoya, Spitsbergen

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning plan to visit Lagoya, a flat island off the northwestern coast of Nordaustland in Svalbard that is covered with glacial moraine and rocks of every size and type. An uninhabited island, Lagoya is perfect for walrus to haul out and rest at its shore. At times they look like a field of rocks.

Also plan on landing at Phippsoya in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here you find yourself at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. The island is named after the English explorer Constantine John Phipps, who commanded two bomb vessels on an expedition to Svalbard in 1773. Polar bear inhabit this region, along with walrus and ivory gull. You may sit for several hours in the pack ice, taking in these spectacular surroundings.

Day 11: Ny Alesund, Spitsbergen

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Visit Ny Alesund, the world’s most northerly settlement. The mountains around the community are covered by snow and the scenery presents a rather black and white picture. Once a mining village, Ny Alesund was served by the world’s most northerly railway whose remnants can still be seen. Now a research center, the region boasts a small community of scientists from all over the world who conduct a variety of research in the fields of atmospheric studies, glaciology, biology and related subjects. A short walk takes you into the center of this historic village. Other highlights include a visit to the local souvenir shop and to the northernmost post office. Close to the village is a breeding ground for barnacle goose, pink-footed goose, Arctic tern and ivory gulls. Visitors interested in the history of Arctic exploration may walk to the anchoring mast used by Amundsen and Nobile, in the airship Norge used in 1926 and the airship Italia Nobile used in 1928 before their flights to the North Pole.

Day 12: Alkhornet and Fuglehuken

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
From Tryghamna, walk to Alkhornet, a large seabird cliff. Below the cliff is a den, home to Arctic fox that scavenge off fallen eggs and chicks. Reindeer graze on the lush vegetation. At noon the ship sails through the Forlandsundet. Weather permitting you may go ashore at Fuglehuken where the first Western Europeans set foot on Spitsbergen. Here, near another big bird-cliff, visit the graves of whalers. Nearby you may be able to visit a haul-out of harbor seal and walrus.

Day 13: Disembark in Lonyearbyen, Spitzbergen

  • 1 Breakfast
Your adventure ends in the port of Longyearbyen. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Ship/Hotel

Sea Spirit

Travelers board a Zodiac to get a closer look at the terrain and wildlife
Sea Spirit
Outdoor Bistro at the Jacuzzi area of the Sea Spirit

Dates & Prices

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$6,780
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Triple Classic
Averaging 226 sq ft. Two twin beds (convert to a King) and a sofa bed, picture window, two wardrobes and en suite facilities.
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Main Deck Suite
Averaging 248 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, minimum two portholes, and en suite facilities.
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Single Suite
Averaging 21 square meters/226 square feet, these cabins are located on the Oceanus Deck. They feature a picture window (it may be covered during rough sea crossings), two wardrobes, and a king-size bed.
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Classic Suite
Averaging 226 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, picture window, two wardrobes, and en suite facilities.
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Superior Suite
Averaging 215 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, picture window overlooking outside walkway, and en suite facilities.
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Deluxe Suite
Averaging 258 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, private balcony, walk-in closet or wardrobe, and en suite facilities.
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Premium Suite
Averaging 323 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, private balcony, lounge area, and en suite facilities.
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Owner's Suite
Averaging 463 sq ft. King size bed and sofa bed, separate living room with game and meeting area, private deck, and en suite facilities with jetted bathtub.

Notes

Solo Travelers:
All rates posted are per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement: 1.7 for Main Deck and Classic, Superior Suite; twice the posted price for Deluxe, Premium and Owner's Suite.
Included
  • 12 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 12 Dinners

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
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