EXPEDITION CRUISE TO NORTH AND SOUTH SPITZBERGEN
After a full day in Oslo, fly to Longyearbyen for embarkation on expedition ship Silver Endeavour. On this expedition cruise, you will explore both the northern and southern parts of this impressive archipelago. Following in the footsteps of the former whalers who once settled there, you sail towards the Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park, habitat of several whale species. On the edge of the pack ice, you will make spectacular Zodiac tours in majestic fjords, along glaciers between and icebergs, in search of whales, seals and polar bears. To the south, you will sail through Hornsund Fjord, one of the most beautiful fjords in Svalbard with an impressive glacier front slowly making its way to the sea, where it gives way to the many icebergs floating elegantly along the cold and mysterious fjord. Where the world can't find you...
THE IMPRESSIVE ARCTIC WILDLIFE
During the short summer, wildlife such as reindeer, arctic foxes and polar bears are busy gathering energy for the icy arctic winter. The cliffs teem with life; every surface is covered with birds such as black guillemots, razorbills and ivory gulls. On the coast, huge walruses laze in the sun while the many whales and seals forage along the edge of the pack ice and the coast. With Zodiacs, you can sail regularly between the impressive fjords or land ashore for an up-close look at the wildlife.
TIPS AND TOPS LUXURY CRUISE OSLO AND SPITSBERGEN
- Explore Oslo on a wonderful city tour accompanied by an English-speaking guide, followed by a visit to the famous Munch museum
- To get in the mood for your expedition cruise, the program includes a visit to FRAM, the Polar Expedition Museum
- Longyearbyen is the largest settlement on Spitsbergen; a visit to the Svalbard Museum about its history and exploitation, is definitely recommended
- All meals on board with choice of restaurants (24-hour dining service), all drinks in your suite or on the ship including champagne, selected wines and liquors
- Accompanied by the professional expedition team, you will visit several landing sites where there are historical remains of whaling and seal communities from bygone years
- Experience the beauty and diversity of the Arctic landscape
- Hornsund offers fascinating views of geological formations, steep mountains, spectacular glaciers and a variety of seabirds and seals
- Ny-Alesund, the world's northernmost town, used to be the starting point of many expeditions to the North Pole, the first of which was led in 1926 by Roald Amundsen
- Very high chance of seeing polar bears on land or on the pack ice
- Keep an eye out for a variety of whale species such as minke whales, beluga whales and blue whales
- Ice conditions will determine which locations to see
