Arctic icebreaker cruises to Spitsbergen
| country: | Arctic Circle, Greenland |
| departures: | 2008: 5 Jul, 7 Jul, 9 Jul, 15 Jul, 4 Aug, 5 Aug, 6 Aug, 14 Aug, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, 24 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug, 5 Sep, 15 Sep, 16 Sep, 17 Sep |
| price: | From £1400 - £3990 (8-14 days) excluding flights |
the amazing things you'll be doing
A voyage on the waters of the Arctic seas is not one you merely take to reach your destination, but one to savour in itself, giving time and space to remove urban cobwebs and revitalise the mind. From the outset the seascape is both rich and expansive, where one may marvel at the spectacle of dolphin acrobatics at the bow, view tail flukes of whales on the horizon or witness polars bears cruise by on the ice below.
Our ships are modern and comfortable ice strengthened research vessels. Carrying up to 44 or 52 passengers, they are the smallest and friendliest ships exploring the High Arctic waters. The entire vessel from the panoramic ship’s bridge where there are excellent view points to the open deck viewing areas on the upper most deck and at the bow and stern are open for all. The ships carry a full complement of Zodiac craft, excellent for small group expert-lead landings with the opportunity for close encounters with wildlife. The small natural history library onboard, combined with an inspiring evening lecture programme on subjects such as Arctic wildlife, conservation and natural history help make these wilderness voyages some of the most memorable you will ever experience.
From £1400 - £2570 (8 days) ex flights, depending on cabin (triple share - suite)
2008 departures: 11 Jun, 12 Jun, 13 Jun, 15 Jun, 19 Jun, 20 Jun, 22 Jun, 25 Jun
North Spitsbergen is locked in ice throughout the winter, so our early summer voyages have a pioneering feel to them. With long Arctic summer days arriving and the ice floes receding, by June we can expect access to some of the most awe-inspiring areas of this part of the Spitsbergen Archipelago. Our focus is the spectacular fjords and islands of this area which offer abundant birdlife and the chance to encounter walruses, reindeer, ringed and bearded seals and polar bears. This North Spitsbergen Voyage provides access to some outstanding glacial scenery including the impressive Monaco Glacier in Liefdefjorden. This area is ripe for photographic opportunities of polar bird life and wildlife.
Our aim is to reach the Hinlopen Strait and the island of Nordaustlandet, the most northerly of the major Spitsbergen islands. Ringed at times by high mountains and shimmering glaciers, these northern bays and fjords offer outstanding and memorable Arctic scenery. The expedition reaches 81 degrees north - just 540 mile south of the geographic north pole.
East Greenland Voyage – Whales of the Denmark Strait & Scoresby Sund
From £1880 - £3280 (10-11 days) ex flights, depending on cabin (triple share - suite)
2007 departures (11 days): 13 Sep, 17 Sep, 27 Sep
2008 departures (10 days): 15 Sep, 16 Sep, 17 Sep
We first sail into an area north of Iceland where hundreds of Humpback whales often come to breed, before sailing into Scoresby Sund, the largest and most spectacular fjord in the World. Heading South the expedition encounters beautifully sculpted icebergs, ringed by high mountains with magnificent glaciers spilling down into the sea. Throughout, we take the opportunity for guided wildlife and culturally focussed wet landings by Zodiac. In this part of Greenland narwhals are often spotted and we may encounter Blue Whales and Polar Bears as they drift southwards on the ice floes.
Spitsbergen Voyage
From £2095 - £3690 (11 days) ex flights, depending on cabin (triple share - suite)
2008 departures: 25 Jun, 27 Jun, 29 Jun, 5 Jul, 7 Jul, 9 Jul, 15 Jul,4 Aug, 5 Aug, 6 Aug, 14 Aug, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, 24 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug
The High-Arctic islands of Spitsbergen offer stunning mountainous landscapes, glaciers, fjords and the unsurpassed opportunity for close encounters with polar bears amongst other wildlife. Depending upon ice conditions, the aim of this voyage is to circumnavigate Spitsbergen. Using fully equipped zodiacs and guided by specialist natural history guides we, explore key locations such as the Hindlopen Strait in the east where Polar Bears abound. This voyage is also wonderful for observing seabirds, walruses, ringed and bearded seals and whales.
Whilst polar bears may be encountered on the ice, we also venture out on daily trekking to the tundra where Reindeer graze and scavenging arctic foxes roam. This voyage provides close contact with sea ice with the chance to observe impressive calving glaciers at close range.
South & East Greenland Voyage
From £2095 - £3450 (11 days) ex flights, depending on cabin (triple share - suite)
2007 departure: 3 Sep
Greenland and its surrounding waters are home to an impressive array of wildlife: eight species of whale, two million seals, Walruses, Polar Bears, Reindeer, Musk Oxen, Arctic Hares, Arctic Wolves and a spectacular variety of birds. The largest island in the world, 90% of its surface area is covered by ice and it is inhabited by less then 100,000 people, though with a fascinating history and culture.
This voyage focuses on some of the most isolated parts of Greenland which are sparsely populated and scenically dramatic. Fortunately, from the wildlife enthusiast’s point of view, they are also the most rewarding regions with regular sightings of Musk Oxen, Arctic Hares, Narwhals and a variety of birds, including Gyrfalcon, Snowy Owl, Barnacle and Pink-footed Geese. The scenic highlight of this trip is breathtaking coastline of Skjoldungen Island which we circumnavigate over the course of two days. Another highlight is Køge Bugt (Ikeq) where the Greenland ice cap descends to the sea.
The landscape here has many similarities to what you might find in Antarctica with giant tabular icebergs calving from vast glacier fronts. Access to this highly indented and ruggedly mountainous coast is dependent on ice conditions. For much of the year, the region is locked in by pack ice, but by late summer this has usually broken up sufficiently to allow us the chance to penetrate and explore.
Spitsbergen & Northeast Greenland Voyage
From £2290 - £3990 (14 days) ex flights, depending on cabin (triple share - suite)
2007 departures: 12 Sep, 14 Sep
2008 departures: 5 Sep
This is a true Arctic voyage, starting in Northern Spitsbergen the realm of the polar bear and walrus. The journey then follows the ice pack of the East Greenland current, where encounters with Greenland whales, fin and minke whales are likely. In favourable ice conditions we explore Keiser Franz Joseph Fjord and Scoresby Sund, the largest and most spectacular fjord in the World. Its huge glaciers, beautifully sculpted icebergs and the warm colours of the Tundra present breathtaking landscapes. As we sail along the rugged, mountainous Greenland coastline Narwhals may be spotted and Polar bears encountered as they drift southwards on the icefloes.
Our ships are modern and comfortable ice strengthened research vessels. Carrying up to 44 or 52 passengers, they are the smallest and friendliest ships exploring the High Arctic waters. The entire vessel from the panoramic ship’s bridge where there are excellent view points to the open deck viewing areas on the upper most deck and at the bow and stern are open for all. The ships carry a full complement of Zodiac craft, excellent for small group expert-lead landings with the opportunity for close encounters with wildlife. The small natural history library onboard, combined with an inspiring evening lecture programme on subjects such as Arctic wildlife, conservation and natural history help make these wilderness voyages some of the most memorable you will ever experience.
our Arctic icebreaker cruises
North Spitsbergen Voyage From £1400 - £2570 (8 days) ex flights, depending on cabin (triple share - suite)
2008 departures: 11 Jun, 12 Jun, 13 Jun, 15 Jun, 19 Jun, 20 Jun, 22 Jun, 25 Jun
North Spitsbergen is locked in ice throughout the winter, so our early summer voyages have a pioneering feel to them. With long Arctic summer days arriving and the ice floes receding, by June we can expect access to some of the most awe-inspiring areas of this part of the Spitsbergen Archipelago. Our focus is the spectacular fjords and islands of this area which offer abundant birdlife and the chance to encounter walruses, reindeer, ringed and bearded seals and polar bears. This North Spitsbergen Voyage provides access to some outstanding glacial scenery including the impressive Monaco Glacier in Liefdefjorden. This area is ripe for photographic opportunities of polar bird life and wildlife.Our aim is to reach the Hinlopen Strait and the island of Nordaustlandet, the most northerly of the major Spitsbergen islands. Ringed at times by high mountains and shimmering glaciers, these northern bays and fjords offer outstanding and memorable Arctic scenery. The expedition reaches 81 degrees north - just 540 mile south of the geographic north pole.
East Greenland Voyage – Whales of the Denmark Strait & Scoresby Sund
From £1880 - £3280 (10-11 days) ex flights, depending on cabin (triple share - suite)
2007 departures (11 days): 13 Sep, 17 Sep, 27 Sep
2008 departures (10 days): 15 Sep, 16 Sep, 17 Sep
We first sail into an area north of Iceland where hundreds of Humpback whales often come to breed, before sailing into Scoresby Sund, the largest and most spectacular fjord in the World. Heading South the expedition encounters beautifully sculpted icebergs, ringed by high mountains with magnificent glaciers spilling down into the sea. Throughout, we take the opportunity for guided wildlife and culturally focussed wet landings by Zodiac. In this part of Greenland narwhals are often spotted and we may encounter Blue Whales and Polar Bears as they drift southwards on the ice floes.
Spitsbergen Voyage
From £2095 - £3690 (11 days) ex flights, depending on cabin (triple share - suite)
2008 departures: 25 Jun, 27 Jun, 29 Jun, 5 Jul, 7 Jul, 9 Jul, 15 Jul,4 Aug, 5 Aug, 6 Aug, 14 Aug, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, 24 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug
The High-Arctic islands of Spitsbergen offer stunning mountainous landscapes, glaciers, fjords and the unsurpassed opportunity for close encounters with polar bears amongst other wildlife. Depending upon ice conditions, the aim of this voyage is to circumnavigate Spitsbergen. Using fully equipped zodiacs and guided by specialist natural history guides we, explore key locations such as the Hindlopen Strait in the east where Polar Bears abound. This voyage is also wonderful for observing seabirds, walruses, ringed and bearded seals and whales. Whilst polar bears may be encountered on the ice, we also venture out on daily trekking to the tundra where Reindeer graze and scavenging arctic foxes roam. This voyage provides close contact with sea ice with the chance to observe impressive calving glaciers at close range.
South & East Greenland Voyage
From £2095 - £3450 (11 days) ex flights, depending on cabin (triple share - suite)
2007 departure: 3 Sep
Greenland and its surrounding waters are home to an impressive array of wildlife: eight species of whale, two million seals, Walruses, Polar Bears, Reindeer, Musk Oxen, Arctic Hares, Arctic Wolves and a spectacular variety of birds. The largest island in the world, 90% of its surface area is covered by ice and it is inhabited by less then 100,000 people, though with a fascinating history and culture.
This voyage focuses on some of the most isolated parts of Greenland which are sparsely populated and scenically dramatic. Fortunately, from the wildlife enthusiast’s point of view, they are also the most rewarding regions with regular sightings of Musk Oxen, Arctic Hares, Narwhals and a variety of birds, including Gyrfalcon, Snowy Owl, Barnacle and Pink-footed Geese. The scenic highlight of this trip is breathtaking coastline of Skjoldungen Island which we circumnavigate over the course of two days. Another highlight is Køge Bugt (Ikeq) where the Greenland ice cap descends to the sea.
The landscape here has many similarities to what you might find in Antarctica with giant tabular icebergs calving from vast glacier fronts. Access to this highly indented and ruggedly mountainous coast is dependent on ice conditions. For much of the year, the region is locked in by pack ice, but by late summer this has usually broken up sufficiently to allow us the chance to penetrate and explore.
Spitsbergen & Northeast Greenland Voyage
From £2290 - £3990 (14 days) ex flights, depending on cabin (triple share - suite)
2007 departures: 12 Sep, 14 Sep
2008 departures: 5 Sep
This is a true Arctic voyage, starting in Northern Spitsbergen the realm of the polar bear and walrus. The journey then follows the ice pack of the East Greenland current, where encounters with Greenland whales, fin and minke whales are likely. In favourable ice conditions we explore Keiser Franz Joseph Fjord and Scoresby Sund, the largest and most spectacular fjord in the World. Its huge glaciers, beautifully sculpted icebergs and the warm colours of the Tundra present breathtaking landscapes. As we sail along the rugged, mountainous Greenland coastline Narwhals may be spotted and Polar bears encountered as they drift southwards on the icefloes.how this holiday makes a difference
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We are committed to the conservation of the places we visits. This is why we have calculated the average CO2 emissions of our Arctic and Antarctic voyages and will automatically offset each client’s share of emissions via the charity Rainforest Concern’s Rainforest4Climate programme. We will also automatically offset the carbon emissions of flights booked through us for our polar expeditions.
With a maximum of only 52 passengers, our Arctic ships are smaller, less imposing on the Arctic landscape than the bigger 'cruise' ships. Group landings by zodiacs are more easily managed and a personalised ratio of leaders to passengers provides an added value experience. Your onboard natural history experts, through guided walks and evening talks, reveal the wonders of Artic scenery and wildlife and introduces some of the local and global conservation issues which this fragile habitat faces. Our polar trips are made under full membership of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and as such abide by their strict codes of conduct in both the Antarctic and the Arctic. Encounters with polar bears, walruses and whales are controlled by strict responsible codes of conduct. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've lead the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |