Svalbard: In Search of Polar Bears (From 8 Days)

$7,129.00

Start Location: Helsinki, Finland; End Location: Helsinki, Finland

Duration: From 8 Days

Travel Season: May to July (Best: July)

Ship: Quark Expeditions - Ultramarine / Ocean Explorer

Home to one of the densest populations of polar bears on earth, Svalbard unfolds beneath the endless, ethereal light of the Arctic summer as a truly captivating frontier. This voyage charts a course through a realm of towering glaciers, vibrant tundra, and silent, mirror-like fjords, guided each morning by the rhythm of ice, weather and wildlife.

Highlights at a Glance

• Mammals: Polar bear on the floe edge - the reason to come.

• Birds: Alkefjellet - hundreds of thousands of Brünnich's guillemots on sheer basalt cliffs.

• Landscape: Krossfjorden and the Monaco Glacier calving faces - Magdalenefjorden - Smeerenburg, the bones of a 17th-century Dutch whaling station - tundra in flower.

Itinerary

60°N70°N80°N20°W0°E20°E40°E60°EMoscowStockholmNizhniy NovgorodCopenhagenOsloDublinSvalbard fjordsLongyearbyenHelsinki1·52·431000 km

1·5 Helsinki · 2·4 Longyearbyen · 3 Svalbard fjords

Day 1Arrive in Helsinki, Finland

Fly independently to the Finnish capital and check into the included airport hotel, where the Quark Expeditions team is on hand for registration. The rest of the day is free for Helsinki's museums, galleries, Design District or a traditional Finnish sauna before the group flight north.

Day 2Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and Embark

After breakfast, board a private charter flight from Helsinki to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen's largest settlement at 78 degrees north, watching Scandinavian forest give way to tundra and Arctic sea. On arrival you transfer straight to the ship, settle into your cabin and meet the expedition team over the welcome briefing as the vessel casts off into Isfjorden.

Days 3-6Exploring Svalbard

Four full expedition days sailing western Spitsbergen among immense glaciers, deep fjords and soaring mountains, with the daily plan set by ice, weather and wildlife rather than a fixed schedule. Named highlights the team works towards include the Lilliehook and Monaco glaciers, the Dutch whaling station at Smeerenburg, Magdalenefjorden and the seabird cliffs at Alkhornet. Zodiac cruises, tundra landings and long hours of midnight sun bring chances of polar bears, walrus, reindeer, Arctic fox, beluga and whales.

Day 7Disembark in Longyearbyen and Fly to Helsinki

Say goodbye to the expedition team after breakfast and transfer to Longyearbyen airport for the private charter flight back to Helsinki. An included hotel night in Helsinki rounds off the voyage.

Day 8Onward Flight Home

Breakfast at the hotel before your onward flight home. Guests staying longer are free to explore Helsinki at leisure.

Ship

Quark Expeditions - Ultramarine / Ocean Explorer. Solo Panorama cabin (Ultramarine); Balcony Suite (Ultramarine); Ultra Suite (Ultramarine); Balena Restaurant; Bistro 487; Panorama Lounge & Bar; Ambassador Theater; Tundra Spa; sauna with sea views; steam room; gym and yoga studio; polar library; Ready Room A and Ready Room B mudrooms; the Studio helicopter preparation room.

All-Inclusive Benefits

• Gathering and dismissal in Helsinki, Finland

• Charter Flight & Hotel Package: private charter flights Helsinki-Longyearbyen-Helsinki

• Pre- and post-expedition hotel nights in Helsinki with breakfast

• Group transfers between airport, hotel and ship in Longyearbyen

• Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping aboard Ultramarine or Ocean Explorer

• All meals on board, plus 24-hour coffee, tea and hot chocolate

• Soft drinks and a selection of beers, wines and cocktails on board

• Official Quark Expeditions parka, yours to keep

• Waterproof expedition boots on loan for the voyage

• All Zodiac cruises, shore landings and excursions as scheduled

• Expedition team leadership, guiding and onboard presentations

• Basic Wi-Fi on one device, port charges, service taxes and luggage handling

Not Included

• International flights to and from Helsinki

• Travel insurance, which is mandatory

• Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising

• Adventure Options such as sea kayaking, paddling and the photography programme

• Gratuities for the expedition team and crew, plus laundry, spa and personal bar charges