Description
Experience the best of Greenland on this adventurous ship-based experience into an icy wilderness. You will be exploring the land and sea of this incredible landscape of dramatic fjords, magical tundras and fascinating settlements whilst looking out for whales, seabirds, muskox and the 'King of the Arctic'.
Overview
On this adventure-filled safari, you'll traverse from the colourful houses of Longyearbyen into the vast fjord system of Northeast Greenland, the largest National Park in the world! Towering icebergs are lit up by arctic sunsets and sunrises, forming awe-inspiring icy landscapes. Walking upon the autumn tundra you may encounter musk oxen grazing peacefully on the horizion. Other visual delights include shoals of orca, humpback and minke whales, sea birds and even the chance of the captivating Aurora Borealis. After several days exploring Greenland's wilderness by land and sea, a visit to the isolated community of Ittoqqortoomiit offers a glimpse into traditional Greenland living before rounding it all off with three days to explore Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, home to some fascinating flora and fauna and blessed with both breathtaking landscapes and captivating history. All the while you'll be more than comfortable aboard the well-equipped M/S Expedition.
This is a small group, set departure on board the M/S Expedition. You will travel in style on this 134 passenger ship, making various landings throughout your trip. Each departure is led by seasoned professionals who will make sure you are in the best locations for optimum wildlife experiences.
Itinerary
Arrive Longyearbyen - Embark M/S Expedition
Today you arrive in Longyearbyen, the largest settlement in the archipelago of Svalbard as your adventure begins!
Transfer from the town to the port around 4pm and embark the M/S Expedition in the afternoon. Settle in to your cabin and get to know your fellow passengers and the crew who will guide you through the amazing Arctic.
Please Note: we strongly recommend arriving one day prior to the start of your adventure. Please speak to us about adding a hotel night at the time you book your trip as availability gets low during the summer months.
At Sea / Exploring Northeast Greenland National Park
The next several days will be spent exploring the vast fjord system of Northeast Greenland National Park, the biggest National Park in the world! Venture through Scorsbysund, the tree-like fjord system marked by winding branches of fjords dotted with towering icebergs. Take to the Zodiacs and land on some of the most spectacular fjord country in the world and be sure to capture moments and memories in this vast wilderness. As you walk over the autumn tundra you may spot musk oxen grazing nearby! Witness the changing light of polar sunrise and sunsets, draping the mountains in extravagant colours and if you are lucky, you may get to watch the dazzling light show of the Aurora Borealis whilst sailing through the calm seas.
As you attempt to follow the drifting pack ice along the coast of Northeast Greenland, be sure you keep a keen lookout for Arctic wildlife including orca, humpback and minke whales, seals, sea birds and of course the ‘King of the Arctic’. In addition, there will be lectures hosted throughout the day onboard the ship, allowing you to learn about anything from local wildlife through to the history and exploration of the Arctic.
Overnight: M/S Expedition in Svalbard (B, L, D)
Exploring Ittoqqortoomiit
Having spent several days traversing the far reaches of Greenland’s incredible wilderness, it is time to visit the community of Ittoqqortoomiit. Although small and a fair distance from other inhabited towns, the vibrancy of life here is shown through the brightly coloured buildings, the eager husky puppies, the purr of engines racing along the unpaved roads and the overwhelming warmth of the people who call this community their home! With just 450 residents and one grocery store, many people rely on traditional hunting and fishing practices in order to survive. Spend the day fully immersing yourself in this cultural experience and learn how people survive in this spectacular, yet isolated region.
Overnight: M/S Expedition in Svalbard (B, L, D)
Greenland Sea / Exploring Spitsbergen
Over the next few days, you will have the chance to explore the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park; a rare and unique place blessed with both breath-taking landscape and captivating history. Located halfway between Norway and the North Pole, the Svalbard archipelago is considered as the last outpost en-route to the North Pole by many explorers. Home to fascinating flora and fauna, be sure to take full advantage of the sunlight to search for wildlife. Spend your days searching for the elusive polar bear as they hunt for seals, perhaps witness Svalbard’s unique subspecies of reindeer and be sure to lookout for the Arctic fox! We highly recommend having your binoculars and cameras to hand.
Overnight: M/S Expedition in Svalbard (B, L, D)
Spitsbergen - Depart Longyearbyen
Having explored Spitsbergen, you will sail back to Longyearbyen where you can expect to disembark the expedition ship around 08.00. From here you will either be transferred directly to the airport or to the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel depending on your onward travel plans. If you have secured a later flight home, then you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel and enjoy your final day wandering the streets of Longyearbyen – perhaps check out the museums, grab a last-minute souvenir or enjoy a relaxing meal at one of the restaurants. You will be transferred to the airport later in the day as per your flight schedule.
Please note that if you have an early morning flight booked, you will be able to disembark the ship and be provided with a transfer to the airport in time to check-in for your flight.
(B)
Accommodation
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M/S Expedition, Svalbard
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Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, SPITSBERGEN
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Cancellation Policy
Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavor to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please understand that we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation, and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of the program. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below,
- Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash.
- Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash.
- Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund.
- Cancellations will be accepted only by email.
Note: We reserve the right to cancel a program before departure in the event of logistical problems arising due to natural calamities, strikes, wars or any other circumstances that make the event inadvisable. In this case, we will refund 50% of the event fees.
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