Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive independently where you will be met on arrival and assisted with baggage to your hotel for overnight stay. Overnight at the Hotel Radisson SAS, subject to change.
Day 2: Oslo / Longyerbyen, Spitsbergen
This morning following breakfast, you will transfer to the airport and check in for charter flight to Longyearbyen.
Spitsbergen is the largest island of Svalbard, the sovereign Arctic archipelago of the kingdom of Norway. It is one of the most remote archipelagos on the globe. Nearly two-thirds of the islands land is covered in spectacular glaciers.
Longyearbyen is a tiny town founded in 1906 by and American, John Munroe Longyear, who opened a coal mine which later sold to a Norwegian syndicate. Upon arrival, enjoy a tour of the town including the local museum with lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the dock where the Le Boreal awaits. (B,L,D)
Day 3-6: Svalbard Islands
The Le Boreal serves as your maritime passport to adventure in these remote Arctic Islands that very few people in the world will ever have the opportunity to view. The Captain and Expedition team are on the lookout for the day’s best expeditionary options. Visits may include:
·Magdalenefjoren is a stunning fjord with rugged rock walls surmounting blue hued glaciers criss-crossed by crevasses, with birds perching in the high cliffs. The “glacier coast” to the south provides magnificent views of slow moving glaciers that travel toward the sea.
·Ny Alesund has a history stretching back to the early Arctic explorers. Today, a polar research station occupies the site where a Norwegian coal mind once operated. Here Scientists study meteorology, seismology, atmospheric sciences and marine biology. Conditions permitting, you go ashore to visit the small community, including the northernmost post office in the world and the small museum and art gallery.
·Smeerenburg is home to a 17th century Dutch whaling station on Amsterdam Island. Stroll through the High Arctic tundra viewing the remnants of this once vibrant industry.
·Danskoya to visit Virgohamna the site of the unsuccessful attempts in the late 19th century to reach the North Pole by hot-air balloon. Due to it’s relative close proximity to the North Pole (less than 700 miles, this island was selected by a team of Swedish and American adventurer’s as the launch site for this expedition. Stand alongside the remains of the launch site which proved to be two of the Arctic’s most heroic, yet tragic adventure stories.
·Liefdefjorden (Loves Bay) located in far Northern Svalbard and noted as excellent area for viewing Polar Bears and other Arctic wildlife.
Throughout your landings and days of cruising in Spitsbergen, your primarily objective will be to view the Polar Bears that reside in this remote Arctic wilderness. Each landing is under the close supervision of your Bear Guardians, and your time at sea will be primarily in search of ice, which is where you will have the optimal chance to find the Ice Bears in their natural habitat. (B,L,D)
Day 7-8: Cruising the Ice Edge
As you leave Svalbard, Le Boreal will cruise along the Arctic Ice edge to Greenland. As you sail, south and west, the lecturers recap their presentations on the wildlife, history and geology of the Svalbard and prepare you for the world’s largest Island, Greenland. Spend time on board with newfound friends, and the expedition staff ever on the lookout for wildlife. (B,L,D)
Day 9-11: Scoresby Sound / East Greenland
The next three days will be spent exploring the seldom visited East coast of Greenland and Scoresby Sound. Disembark in the village of Ittoqqortoormiit, where the sea is frozen over for around nine months of the year. The ice conditions permitting, the Zodiacs will take you to this small settlement which was only founded in 1925 and continues to be one of the most isolated villages in Greenland to the present day. Conditions permitting, the next few days are spent cruising the intricate fjord Network here, always with the intent of spotting wildlife and birds. Take to your Zodiacs for further exploration on the look-out for Musk Ox and Reindeer which are common here.
You also may have an opportunity to visit Uunartoq (the “warming island”) which previous to 2005 was believed to be a point on the mainland of Greenland, however was discovered to be an island off the coast. Yet another example of how Climate change is re-drawing maps and geography. Conditions permitting you may have the opportunity to take a dip in the hot-springs on the island. This afternoon, cruise the shores of East Greenland. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Cruising the Denmark Strait
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea, with time for lectures and recaps about your adventures in Greenland. As the Le Boreal heads northward, be out on deck to view seabirds and whales that are frequent in these nutrient rich waters of the Denmark Strait. (B,L,D)
Day 13: Isafjardardjup & Vigur Islands / West Fjords of Iceland
The Glacier-carved terrain of the West Fjords of Iceland provides a rugged and scenic landscape. Today, visit Drangajokull Glacier with its sparkling waterfalls and icebergs. Visit the small island of Vigur home to colonies of puffins and eiders. In Isajfordur, visit the Maritime Museum which boasts of this regions hardy fishing heritage. (B,L,D)
Day 14: Breidafjordur / West Fjords of Iceland
As you round the Sneaefellsnes Peninsula, cruise past Latrabjag, the western most point in Europe. Visit the scenic Breidafjordur, which provides a habitat for an astounding number of seabirds. You will also will see the extinct volcano of Snaefellsjokull, site of the Jules Vern’s fictional Journey to the Center of the Earth. (B,L,D)
Day 15: Reykjavik / Disembark
This morning, disembark Le Boreal in Reykjavik as you transfer to the airport for your independent return flights. (B)
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Classic Balcony Stateroom- Cat 1
243 Total Square feet, outside stateroom with private facilities and balcony. Double bed or two single beds, mini bar, safe, wi-fi, flat screen TV, telephone.
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Deluxe Balcony Stateroom- Cat 2
243 Total Square feet, outside stateroom with private facilities and balcony. Double bed or two single beds, mini bar, safe, wi-fi, flat screen TV, telephone.
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Premier Balcony Stateroom- Cat 3
243 Total Square feet, outside stateroom with private facilities and balcony. Double bed or two single beds, mini bar, safe, wi-fi, flat screen TV, telephone.
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Superior Balcony Stateroom- Cat 4
243 Total Square feet, outside stateroom with private facilities and balcony. Double bed or two single beds, mini bar, safe, wi-fi, flat screen TV, telephone.
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Premier Two Room Suite- Cat 5
354 Total Square feet, outside suite with private facilities and balcony. Double bed or two single beds, mini bar, safe, wi-fi, flat screen TV, telephone.
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Prestige Balcony Suite- Cat 6
486 Total Square feet, outside two room suite with private facilities and balcony. Private sleeping quarters with double bed or two single beds, mini bar, safe, wi-fi, flat screen TV, telephone.
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Prestige Two-Room Balcony Suite- Cat 7
486 Total Square feet, outside two room suite with private facilities and balcony. Private sleeping quarters with double bed or two single beds, mini bar, safe, wi-fi, flat screen TV, telephone.
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Owners Balcony Suite- Cat 8
Outside suite with private facilities and balcony. Private sleeping quarters with double bed or two single beds, mini bar, safe, wi-fi, flat screen TV, telephone.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the double occupancy rate. The supplement for a suite is 2 times the shared rate.
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.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.