Excursions in Svalbard will range by season. Since our trip was early spring, we knew we would be in for many zodiac rides around ice formations, shore landings where possible, and even a landing on Ice itself! Zodiac rides were most prevalent for us due to the high amount of pack ice that still existed in the coves and bays.
Every day started with a tentative outline of the day by our expedition team. This schedule would be posed throughout the ship so that guests always knew what time we needed to be ready to gear up in our layers, boots and sunglasses, and appear at the loading platform to embark the zodiacs. With 20 zodiacs on board and multiple loading platforms, the Ultramarine crew had us disembarking with almost no wait time for every single excursion.
Our zodiac excursions were filled with opportunities to sidle up to cliffsides covered in nesting kittiwakes and guillemots, often squabbling over nesting spaces within the ledges or sniping each others nesting materials. Occasional Puffin sightings and barnacle geese appearances made these excursions even more special.
Animal sightings are prime from water level and the zodiacs allowed us to have non-invasive experiences with the animals in their wild habitats. Some of my absolute favorite moments were gliding up near the lounging bearded seals and walrus, rotund as packed sausages, dotting the ice that we were cruising through. Often a walrus' guttural grunting preceded us spotting them, and was often followed by a floppy wave of a flipper. The bearded seals were more alert and attentive to our presence, often on high alarm due to being the target of most polar bear activity. Spring is prime hunting season, so the seals are definitely on alert at all time.
My favorite zodiac excursion was while visiting the face of Kongsbreen Glacier, we had the opportunity to land on some fast ice and plant our feet on the ice itself. Everyone took turns planting our victory flag and photographing the moment, before embarking back on their zodiac to make way for the next group. We had to take extreme caution to ensure no more than one zodiac load of people were on the ice at any time. Standing on 30cm of ice, knowing that is all that stands between you and the frigid Arctic Ocean is exhilarating and heightened even more so while surrounded by imposing glaciers and stark sunlight in the early evening.
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.
