• Polar Pioneer Front 4

Itinerary Summary

Duration
9 Days
Price
£5330
When
Aug 2023
Destination
Svalbard
Type
Small Group Safari
Duration Price When Destination Type
9 Days £5330 Aug 2023 Svalbard Small Group Safari
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Highlights of Svalbard

Enjoy the dramatic scenery of Svalbard and take time to soak up the exquisite Arctic atmosphere on this sea-based Arctic safari. 

Aboard the Polar Pioneer and heading north, this trip ensures that wildlife opportunities are at the forefront, with access to two zodiacs on the ship to make landings across the Archipelagos. With weather and ice conditions permitting, sail into the Hinlopen Strait and visit Alkefjellet (Bird Mountain), where thousands of nesting birds hunt nearby. Also explore, Nordauslndet, Storøya, Bråsvellbreen, Edgeøya and Barentsøya if conditions permit. There is also a plan to stop at the world's northernmost civilian settlement, the research village of Ny Alesund. 

Between landings, there will be a constant scout for polar bears, with an estimated 3000 - 4000 animals in the region. Also, witness massive scenic fjords, high snow-capped peaks and the wonderful Arctic tundra covered in colourful vegetation. 

What makes this trip extraordinary

  • Stay aboard a the Polar Pioneer, with only 53 other people
  • Join a knowledgeable expedition team throughout the trip
  • Make numerous landings using the two zodiacs to get as close a view of the wildlife as safely possible

Embedded Video Overview

An 9-day expedition in the middle of Svalbard's high season
from $6,236 per person, excluding international flights

Day by day

Day by day

Day 1

Embark the Polar Pioneer

Board the Polar Pioneer between 4-5pm from the dock in Longyearbyen and enjoy a welcome cocktail with the captain.

Overnight: M/V Polar Pioneer

Days 2-8

Exploring Svalbard

While there is a carefully planned daily schedule based on distances between points of interest and the location of the ice in any given season, our timetable in Svalbard by nature must be flexible.

We will likely begin by heading north to some key sites in the northwest before rounding the corner and heading east across the top of the archipelago where we have a number of options. We’ll be following a rough itinerary so that every day the conditions are maximized for visiting the places and landing sites that will allow us to get ashore and explore, while also offering the best wildlife watching opportunities, be they land or sea-based.

Every morning your Expedition Leader will work with the bridge officers to make decisions about the day, taking into account ice situation and the weather, looking at whether Plan A makes the most sense or if Plan B, C, or D will be better for us.

Nothing is guaranteed, but we are heading up there prepared, and will wish for some good luck to achieve our objectives.

Our aim will always be to focus on all of the wonders that Svalbard offers us. If we come across something amazing – be it a polar bear, whales, or some other unexpected gem – we would never just cruise past it because we have something else “scheduled” for the afternoon. Flexibility, and trust in our extremely experienced expedition team are key facets of a successful expedition.

Overnight: M/V Polar Pioneer

Day 9

Return to Longyearbyen

Disembark in Longyearbyen on the final day of your journey.

Trip details

This is available for one expedition date from August 6th - 14th 2023.

Price includes: 8 nights onboard the Polar Pioneer, all meals onboard the vessel (including non-alcoholic drinks such as coffee, tea, water and breakfast juice), services of Expedition team, and rubber boots to borrow (as long as size is available). 

There is currently an early booking 25% discount for this expedition, please contact one of our Destination Specialists to discuss this discount and prices across all of the cabins and suites available. 

Please note that pricing is subject to exchange rate fluctuations. 

Find out more about this itinerary

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