![]() Fields of flowering tundra attract grazing reindeer and Arctic Fox. Immense tidewater glaciers constantly calve icebergs. This area contains some of the archipelago’s most impressive scenery, with deep channels flanked by impossibly jagged peaks. Take one last day to explore the spectacular fjords and coasts of western Svalbard. Take the opportunity to enjoy a few last onboard lectures as well. Set out on Zodiac excursions for a closer look at them, as well as bears and seals, weather permitting. Though less numerous than in Franz Josef Land, Walruses are beginning to re-colonize here, after being hunted nearly to extinction in the area. Sunday & Monday, July 15 & 16: Svalbard CruisingĪfter a thorough exploration of Franz Josef Land, cross back through the bountiful waters of the Barents Sea and along the coastal islands of the eastern Svalbard archipelago.The expedition team will take full advantage of the near 24-hour daylight to exploit every opportunity for wildlife viewing. Common Eiders, Purple Sandpiper, Arctic Skuas, Glaucous and Ivory Gulls, Arctic Terns and Snow Buntings nest on the flat tundra. Scree slopes and cliffs around the islands host enormous nesting colonies of seabirds, including Brünnich’s and Black Guillemots, Northern Fulmars and Little Auks. The Sea Spirit is small enough to fit in most waterways, and frequent Zodiac trips will offer the best chances to see Polar Bears, Walruses, reindeer and Arctic Fox. Weather and sea ice conditions will greatly determine our course. Sunday–Saturday, July 8–14: Franz Josef LandĪfter an obligatory immigration stop at the Russian polar station Nagurskoye, we are free to explore the archipelago at our leisure for the next week.And, of course, the king of the ice, the majestic Polar Bear, reigns on the surrounding floes. Whales present in the area include Minkes, Belugas, Humpbacks, and, less frequently, Bowheads and Narwhals. Spend time on deck with expert naturalists and watch for ice-dependent marine mammals. Enjoy lectures on the major figures in Franz Josef Land’s rich history of exploration, as well as the remarkable array of bird and marine life that thrives on these mainly uninhabited and fiercely-protected islands. Sail around the south of Svalbard and across the Barents Sea toward Russia and Franz Josef Land. Friday & Saturday, July 6 & 7: Across Barents Sea.Be sure to be on deck as the ship slips its moorings and sails through Isfjorden, with staggering views of Alkhornet mountain and the rugged coastal plains, still illuminated during these long summer days. Enjoy lunch and time to explore the charming town before heading to the harbor in the late afternoon to board the Sea Spirit, your home away from home for the next 13 nights. This morning, tour the town of Longyearbyen including the small, but fascinating, Svalbard Museum. Thursday, July 5: Longyearbyen / Embark Sea Spirit.Dinner and overnight at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Once here, stretch your legs on a walk past the colorful shops and cafés of this former mining town before returning to the hotel for a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers and expedition team. The most northerly major town in the world, Longyearbyen is located about 350 miles north of mainland Norway. Wednesday, July 4: Arrive Longyearbyen, Svalbard, NorwayĪrrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of Spitsbergen, the largest island in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. ![]()
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