Spitsbergen Explorer

11 days - from $4990

Choose from two departure dates for this 11-day Arctic adventure, on which you'll cruise halfway round Spitsbergen, largest island in the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago. Sometimes called the "wildlife capital of the Arctic," Spitsbergen is home to thousands of rare seabirds, and offers some of the est polar bear and beluga whale sightings in the world. This Spitsbergen Explorer adventure includes frequent shore landings plus an optional kayaking adventure.

If polar bears and beluga whales top your list of must-see Arctic wildlife, choose an expedition to Spitsbergen. This remarkable island - largest in the northern archipelago called Svalbard - hosts an astonishing array of Arctic wildlife, protected within six national parks. The island itself has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The 11-day Spitsbergen Explorer tour is perfect for those who prefer frequent shore landings and Zodiac cruises to longer stretches at sea. Here you'll find polar bears, reindeer, walrus and belguas, and add a bounty of sea-bird sightings to your field book - including Arctic Terns and Skua, Barnacle Geese and Snow Buntings. Get even closer with Quark's unique kayaking adventure package.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Embarkation: Longyearbyen. 2-4 West Spitsbergen, 14th of July Glacier and Ny Alesund. 5-8 Smeerenburg, Phippsoya and Tusenoyane. 9-10 Bourbonhamna. 11 Longyearbyen - Disembarkation.

• Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.
• All breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks on board throughout your voyage.
• All shore landings per the daily program.
• Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader.
• All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program.
• Formal & informal presentations by our Expedition Team and Special Guests as scheduled.
• Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage.
• A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings.
• An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep.
• Coffee, tea and cocoa.
• Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin.
• Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader.
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
• All luggage handling aboard ship.
• Disembarkation day, group transfer from the ship to the airport.
• Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $100,000 per person

• International airfare.
• Passport and any applicable visa expenses.
• Government arrival and departure taxes.
• Meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation when applicable
• Baggage, cancellation, interruption, and medical travel insurance.
• Excess baggage charges.
• Bar and beverage charges.
• Laundry and other personal charges.
• Telecommunications charges.
• The voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew.