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Polar Bear Holidays in the Arctic Circle
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As we specialise in providing professional, unbiased advice and then creating the ideal holiday tailored to your individual preferences, please contact us to discuss your particular interests and preferences.
Below is an outline illustration of a typical Polar Bear Watching experience that we could arrange for you. You could extend your stay to visit more of the sights of the Arctic, incorporating Husky Sledding, the Ice Hotel and a short cruise along the Norwegian Coast. The choice is yours.
Find out more about polar bear holidays in Canada.
Introduction
The Arctic coastlines offer some of the finest scenery and wildlife experiences in the world. Visitors to the region can witness enormous colonies of seabirds thronging the cliffs and shores, and enjoy the thrilling antics of whales and dolphins at sea as well as seals and Walruses hauled out on the rocks and ice floes.
If you are lucky may even encounter the very symbol of the Arctic - a Polar Bear. Though remote and sparsely populated today, many of the places we explore hold historic sites which are a testimony to the thriving cultures of the past.
Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, its west coast, some 400 kilometres long, is surprisingly rich in wildlife. With its rugged mountains, sweeping tundra, ice caps and glaciers, it is a true High Arctic archipelago only 975 kilometres from the North Pole. Its abundant wildlife was once a huge draw for whalers and trappers but now discerning visitors are discovering the attractions of huge Arctic seabird colonies and the chance to enjoy and photograph species like Walrus, Reindeer, Arctic Fox and of course, Polar Bear.
Image credits to Spitsbergen Travel, Petra Wobke, Dag Loken, Rinie Van Meurs, Erlend Folstad, Nina Bailey
Overview
The best way to explore the island of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago is by ship on an expedition cruise to Svalbard’s remote northern and eastern regions on board the intimate MV Polar Star.
This spectacular voyage aboard the MV Polar Star takes you northbound, from Longyearbyen to the remote landscapes of Moffen Island.
Starting in Longyearbyen, the largest town on the archipelago, you will board your ship and sail through Icefjord to the Russian mining community of Barentsburg.
Continuing north to the tiny settlement of
Ny-Ålesund
, home to the world’s northernmost post office, you then visit the glacier-fed Magdalenefjord, one of the island’s most beautiful fjords and Smeerenburgfjord – meaning ‘Blubbertownfjord’ – site of a former whaling station set amid dramatically barren mountainscapes.
Informative talks and lectures in the ship’s panoramic lounge will allow guests to learn about the natural environment, geology, wildlife and exciting polar heritage as they sail.
WALRUS AT THE 80º PARALLEL
The beautiful Svalbard archipelago is host to over 170 species of plant, 110 types of migratory birds and a mammal population that includes reindeer, walrus, seal, Arctic fox, whale and the majestic polar bear. The Gulf Stream has allowed the island’s 400 kilometres long western coastline to become incredibly rich in animal and plant life, while the remote east is forever under the grips of the Arctic winter. The further north and east that you sail, the more ice you will meet and this ice will gradually build up into large ice floes with seals resting on them. On rounding the northwest corner of Spitsbergen, you will cross the 80th parallel, just 1000 kilometres from the North Pole.
THE REMOTE EAST
Deep within the Arctic Circle, you will see lonely Nordaustlandet – the second-largest island in the archipelago – before heading down Hinlopen Strait, lined by fjords and tundra. It is planned to visit Vibebukta and the 200 kilometres wide ice sheet of the Austfonna Glacier. The aim is to sail to the remote polar regions in order to experience the Arctic wilderness, drift ice, flora and fauna. This is very much the kingdom of the polar bear and there is a very good chance to see large males as well as mothers and their cubs. With the dramatic cliffs, hidden fjords, enchanting drift ice and rugged backdrop of the snow-capped landscape this trip is a voyage to the extremes of the Earth.
VOYAGE ITINERARY
This expedition cruise to Svalbard’s remote northern and eastern regions on board the MV Polar Star provides you with the opportunity to experience at close hand the unique wildlife, awesome landscape and overwhelming silence of the Arctic. Your ship is one of the most comfortable ice class vessels available for polar expeditions and she can safely explore areas that many others simply cannot reach. Your final itinerary is dependent on weather and ice conditions, but the aim is to explore the remote northern and eastern regions of Spitsbergen – perhaps circumnavigating the whole island.
DAY 1
Arrive in Longyearbyen. Overnight stay at Spitsbergen Hotel.
DAY 2
Sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen, board MV Polar Star and sail for the Icefjord and Barentsburg.
DAY 3
Stop off at Ny–Ålesund, before heading north to Magdalenefjord and Smeerenburgfjord.
DAY 4 - 7
Round the top of Spitsbergen, crossing the 80th parallel before exploring fjords, glaciers and icebergs. From here your itinerary is based on local sea and ice conditions at the time, with regular landings and excursions using Zodiacs.
Explore remote locations, seek out Arctic wildlife – including polar bears – and have the chance to learn more about the heritage of this fascinating region, from your on board experts. If conditions allow, the boat may circumnavigate the island of Spitsbergen, visit Nordaustlandet, Wahlenburgfjord, Murchisonfjord and possibly voyage as far as Edgeøya and Sørkapp (Southern Cape).
DAY 8
Return to Icefjord. Farewell dinner on board
DAY 9
Early morning arrival in Longyearbyen where your tour ends.
Destination Information
Weather
Inland temperatures in Norway are extreme with warm summers and often very cold winters (November to March). In general, the lowlands of the south and the inland mountains experience colder winters than the coastal areas. Rain is distributed throughout the year with frequent inland snowfalls during the winter. The northern part of the country inside the Arctic Circle has continuous daylight in midsummer, and twilight all day during winter - you might even see the Northern Lights if you're lucky. The best time to visit is between mid May and mid August, unless you're coming to ski, in which case the best time is December to Easter.
Passports and Visas
Visas are not required to enter Norway, but you need a valid British passport. There is no minimum validity required but you should ensure that your passport is valid for your return journey
Health
For up-to-date health advice for Norway, please consult your GP.
Insurance
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions from the policy, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake whilst on holiday. Medway Travel can provide you with a quote for this – please contact a member of the Leisure team for further details.
