Day 1
After arriving in Longyearbyen, the 'capital' and the administrative centre of Spitsbergen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration. In the afternoon we embark, setting course for Alkhornet, an immense cliff, at the bottom of which we often see Arctic Foxes and Reindeer. We continue to Trygghamna to visit the remains of a 17th century English whaling station and an 18th century Russian Pomor station.
Day 2
We leave Tryghamna early in the morning and sail to the north side of Bell Sund, where we disembark and trek to the cliffs of Ingeborgfjellet, visiting a glacier front in Fridtjofhamna.
Day 3 and 4
Continuing our exploration of southern Spitsbergen, we sail into the labyrinth of side fjords in Hornsund. Behind Brepollen, a large glacial deposit at the head of the fjord, we will sail along a beautiful glacier front with good chances of seeing Bearded Seals and Polar Bears. The geological formations in this area are spectacular and extremely vivid in colour. We will also pay a visit to the Polish research station at Isbjørnhamna, where the friendly crew will be happy to discuss their scientific programs.
Day 5
On our way back we sail into Bell Sund to reach Ahlstrandhalvöya, with its interesting geological formations and the remains of the 20th century Beluga whaling industry - a poignant reminder of the consequences of unfettered exploitation. Today thankfully, Bell Sund is a good area for observing Beluga whales and also Polar Bears.
Day 6
We will pay a visit to Barentsburg, the only inhabited Russian settlement in Spitsbergen, or to Colesbukta, an abandoned Russian coal mining settlement.
Day 7
We sail into the inner reaches of the Isfjord system, where during nights with open sky we will experience temperatures of minus 10 degrees C, and new ice will be forming on the heads of the fjords.
Day 8
Departure by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo and then onward flight home.
These late September Spitsbergen voyages, just before the onset of winter, are ideal for observing the splendid Aurora borealis (Northern Lights)
Please note the above itinerary is provided to give you a flavour of the voyage only. The ships route will be decided by the captain and may vary from the above in accordance with ice, weather and other conditions. |
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