Spitsbergen: The European Arctic

• Cruise narrow fjords and watch icebergs calve from the face of towering glaciers
• See walruses, bearded seals, Arctic fox, reindeer and extraordinary seabird colonies
• Keep watch for polar bears – there are 2,500 of them on Spitsbergen

Located just 600 miles from the North Pole, Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago north of Norway. Farther north than most of Greenland, this high Arctic landscape is among the most remote wild realms in the world. Dominated by rugged mountains, more than half the island is perpetually encased in ice. Massive glaciers flow in winding frozen rivers into the sea. Tundra appears during the short summer, and a carpet of wildflowers adds a burst of color to the white and blue landscape. The bowhead whale, reindeer, Arctic fox and seabird colonies call Spitsbergen home. See them in their natural habitat on this small cruise adventure as we circumnavigate this Arctic island wilderness, where the wildlife is as magnificent as the scenery.

Location of Adventure
Spitsbergen, North of Norway

Group Size Limit: From approximately 48 travelers 
48 to 148 guests on board specialized expedition cruise ships

Included
Different departures carry different inclusions. All expeditions include accommodations aboard the ship, meals ship-board, Expedition Leaders,  transfers to and from ship in Longyearbyen, and permits & parks fees.

Not Included
Travel to Oslo, transfers in Oslo (on some trips these are included), gratuities for local guides and ship's staff and crew, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, personal items, airport taxes, required medical evacuation insurance, and optional travel insurance. Some trips do not include accommdoations in Oslo.

Physical Requirements
Easy / Flexible
This trip is designed to allow you to participate in physical activities as you desire. Shore excursions can be casual walks to view wildlife or long, physically challenging hikes if that is what you prefer.

Getting There & Getting Home
Travel to Longyearbyen passes through Oslo, Norway. We are prepared to handle all your round-trip travel arrangements. We can best serve you if Natural Habitat Adventures’ Travel Desk makes these reservations for you as they are intimately familiar with the special requirements of these programs and can arrange the most efficient and cost-effective travel. Please call us at 1-800-543-8917.


 

Classic Antarctica Expedition
Small group exploration of the Last Great Frontier. The very best small ship experience in the Antarctic region.

Kamchatka & the Ring of Fire
Discover remarkable biodiversity in the remote Russia Far East.

10-16 Days

2010 Dates & Fees

Akademik Sergey Vavilov: From $2,690
Jul 4-14
Jul 14-24
Jul 24-Aug 3
Aug 3-13

Click Here for full dates and fees

Akademik Ioffe: From $2,690
Jun 14-21
Jun 21-28
Jun 28-Jul 8
Jul 8-22
Jul 22-Aug 4 (Spitsbergen, Eastern Greenland & Iceland)
Click Here for full dates and fees

Akademik Shokalskiy: From $5,290
Jun 27-Jul 7
Jul 7-17
Jul 17-30 (Spitsbergen, Eastern Greenland & Iceland)
Click Here for full dates and fees

National Geographic Explorer: From $7,260

Jun 18-28
Jun 25-Jul 5
Jul 2-12
Jul 9-19
Jul 16-26
Jul 23-Aug 2
Jul 30-Aug 9
Aug 6-16

Click Here for full dates and fees

Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Fees may increase for 2011. Payment, cancellation and refund policies for Expedition Cruises vary according to the departure and ship chosen. At times, expedition cruise companies impose fuel surcharges prior to departures. Please book these trips knowing that may occur.

For an active Spitsbergen expedition, click here.