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Individual bookings

Spitsbergen 1

Tour leader: Prof. Dr. Louwrens Hacquebord

If the skies are clear, there is a wonderful view of the south of Spitsbergen from the airplane.

In the afternoon the crew of the Antigua expects you on board. After settling in your cabin, captain and crew welcome you on board and will tell you everything there is to know about life on board. After leaving port, the ship glides through the waters of Isfjord. The route takes us along the west and north coast of Spitsbergen. The captain and tour leader look for the most beautiful spots for excursions, of course always depending on weather, wind and ice conditions.

If the winds are favourable, the sails of the impressive three-master are set and you are more than welcome to join the crew in doing so. We sail along the magnificent coast, riddled with glaciers en the jagged mountain tops that give Spitsbergen its name. The ship of course has a motor as well, so if the winds are unfavourable or even absent, we can still reach our next destination. In case of longer distances, we will sail through the night; otherwise we will lie on anchor, sheltered in a fjord.

Our land excursions take us to the remnants of different periods of Spitsbergens history, for example blubber ovens and the graves near old whaling stations, trapper huts, weather stations and collieries. Famous explorers like Roald Amundsen and Umberto Nobile also left traces of their expeditions.

The more experienced walkers can make a longer walk on the tundra or a light mountain climb to a beautiful view point. But in general the land excursions last between two and three hours.

On the tundra close encounters with reindeer and polar fox are very likely. In the summer Spitsbergen is home to giant colonies of migratory birds, but even after the end of the breeding season, end of August, there are still several species of birds to be spotted. At several places we might encounter walruses. Seals like bearded seal and ringed seal we may expect almost everywhere. Of course we will be in no hurry watching animals, on land as well as on sea.

We can’t promise of course, but with a bit of luck whales will show themselves. These waters are mainly inhabited by minke whales and belugas as well as fin whales. Polar bears can be found anywhere, but despite their huge size, can be difficult to spot.

We sail deep into fjords towards the fascinating glacier snouts and glide past the varied and marvellous arctic landscapes. By the end of August the sun for the first time at the end of the arctic summer dips under the horizon and colours land, sky and sea in a beautiful warm glow. In September the first snow can cover the land with a white blanket.

After 12 days in the wild we return to Longyearbyen and with all the beautiful memories and a memory card loaded with wonderful pictures the leave-taking is not easy.

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Travel route

from / to Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen – west and north coast of Spitsbergen - Longyearbyen

Date

Mon. 30.08.2010, 14:00 Uhr – Fri. 10.09.2010, 12:00 Uhr

Price

€ 2450,- per person
Exclusive transfers to/from departure/arrival, drinks

References

Included in the price is accommodation in double cabins with shower and toilet, towels, bed linnen, all other ships costs and harbour dues etc. Full board consists of an extensive buffet breakfast, two course lunch buffet, tea/coffee break, three course dinner and coffee and tea throughout the day.

Further costs

• Transfer costs and drinks

Recommendations

• Sportive leasure clothing (suitable for wind and rain) and optional swim suit
• All luggage in travel bags (Hard cover suitcases are difficult to store in the cabins)