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.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
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.