Home » Arctic » Spitsbergen Odyssey: Polar Pioneer
Duration: 11 days
Save up to AU$1000pp on our 2019 departures. Call us for details!
from A$7200
Spitsbergen Odyssey reveals the diversity of this island archipelago and takes us into the kingdom of the Polar Bear aboard the Polar Pioneer, the smallest ship operating in the region. We explore the coastline against a backdrop of spectacular glacier covered peaks and discover deep fjords in the west; mysterious, fossil-rich desert plains in the east; and best of all, seals and whales in the Arctic pack ice. This voyage offers the best chance for seeing reindeer and Polar Bears, and features wildflower walks across sweeping tundra
View spectacular fjords, rugged mountains and vast glaciers
Keep your eyes open for Polar Bears
Enjoy personalised service with only 54 passengers on board
Itinerary in brief
Day 1: Longyearbyen
Days 2-3: Magdalenefjorden
Days 4-6: Moffen Island & Woodfjorden
Days 7-8: Hinlopen Strait, Barentsoya and Edgeoya Islands
Days 9-10: Hornsund & Bellsund Fjords
Day 11: Longyearbyen
Day 1: Longyearbyen
Enjoy a guided tour of Longyearbyen’s art galleries and museum before being welcomed on Polar Pioneer.
Day 2–3: Magdalenefjorden
Wake up to spectacular alpine peaks and glacier
valleys of Spitsbergen’s rugged west coast. In Magdalenefjorden we
Zodiac cruise a safe distance from the aqua-blue ice cliffs of 14th July
Glacier or Waggonway Glacier, and take long walks among summer flowers,
alert for reindeer and Arctic fox. Thanks to the nutrient-rich Gulf
Stream and relatively mild temperatures, Atlantic puffins and guillemots
fill the cliffs. We look for bearded seals, with their precious curling
whiskers. We may visit the remains of a 350-year old Dutch whaling
settlement on Amsterdam Island and learn of an ill-fated ballooning
attempt over the North Pole.
Day 4–6: Moffen Island & Woodfjorden
Rounding Spitsbergen’s northwest coast, we enter
the Arctic Ocean and the world of pack ice. Ghostly beluga whales rise
up in open leads and polar bears stalk ringed, bearded and harp seals.
Offshore, walruses feed on clams or haul out on beaches, especially on
Moffen Island, a walrus sanctuary. We visit trapper huts and stay alert
for reindeer and Arctic fox. Delightful walks reveal delicious berries
and some of the tundra’s 164 exquisite flowering plants including purple
saxifrage, yellow spider plants and Svalbard poppies. If ice conditions
allow, we attempt to cross latitude 80° north before turning south to
Woodfjorden.
Day 7–8: Hinlopen Strait, Barentsoya and Edgeoya Islands
We attempt to pass through narrow Hinlopen Strait, a
channel flanked by austere, cream-coloured slopes rich in fossils
between Spitsbergen and ice-capped Nordaustlandet. This polar desert is a
landscape eroded by severe frost. Even in summer, pack ice could bar
our way, but there is much to strive for. We Zodiac cruise beneath
Alkefjellet, sheer basalt cliffs rising at more than 250 metres –
literally buzzing with some 200,000 nests of Brunnich’s guillemots.
During shore excursions, we seek eider ducks, Arctic foxes and the
elusive Svalbard ptarmigan. As we pass Barentsøya and Edgeøya islands,
we cross polar bear migration routes.
Day 9–10: Hornsund & Bellsund Fjords
This is true expedition cruising. If ice conditions
allow, we round South Cape and sail north toward Hornsund and Bellsund,
deep fjords home to stunning glaciers and wildlife. If ice bars our
way, we simply adjust our itinerary, backtrack and delve deeper into the
wonders of Spitsbergen’s north and west coasts.
Day 11: Disembark in Longyearbyen
A midnight cruise of glorious Isfjorden returns us to Longyearbyen, the end of our voyage and a group transfer to the airport.
Departs - Selected dates (listed below)
Polar Pioneer Ship Cabins
Triple Public
2 Cabins
Two lower bunks and one upper bunk
Desk
Small washbasin
Ample storage and hanging space
Portholes
Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins
Twin Public
12 Cabins
Two lower bunks
Desk
Small washbasin
Ample storage and hanging space
Couch
Porthole
Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins
Twin Economy Private
Cabin: 402, 403
Deck: 4
Upper and lower bunk
Private bathroom with shower
Couch, desk, chair
Cupboard with hanging space
Air-conditioning control
Outside deck access to main deck
Twin Private
12 Cabins
Two lower bunks
Desk
Windows
Private bathroom with shower
Toilet
Washbasin
Cabins #402 and #403 have upper and lower bunks and a couch
Mini Suite
2 Cabins
Double bed in a separate room
Foldout couch that can be used as a single bed
TV
Video player
Windows
Desk
Table area
Fridge
Private bathroom with shower
Toilet
Washbasin
Captain's Suite
1 Cabin
Double bed in separate room
Foldout couch that can be used as a single bed
Forwards and port windows
Lounge and table area
Fridge
TV
Video player
Private bathroom with shower
Toilet
Washbasin
DECK PLAN: POLAR PIONEER
SHIP INFORMATION: POLAR PIONEER
Polar Pioneer was built in Finland in 1985 as an ice-strengthened research ship, and for many years she plied the treacherous waters of the USSR's northern coast. In 2000 she was refurbished in St Petersburg to provide comfortable accommodation for 54 passengers.
A combined bar/lounge/library area (stocked with a good collection of polar books) was also created by simple internal restructuring.
This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising, due to its strength, manoeuvrability and small number of cabins. All cabins have outside portholes plus ample storage space. The Russian captain and crew are among the most experienced ice-navigators in the world and their enthusiasm is legendary.
The spacious bridge is always open to us and the decks are ideal for viewing. The chefs are European, and the dining room is attended by Russian stewardesses.
Polar Pioneer is not a luxury vessel as such, but this is our most popular ship for travel to the Polar regions. The accommodation is simple yet comfortable, and the meals are wholesome.
What's included?
On-board accommodation
Transfers
All meals during the voyage
Scheduled shore excursions and Zodiac landings
Expedition parka for you to keep
Use of gumboots
Lectures and presentations by naturalist staff and expedition leaders
Comprehensive pre-departure material
Miscellaneous port taxes and charges
What's not included?
Air transportation
Passport, visa and immigration fees
Airport taxes
Additional hotel nights
Optional activities*
Travel protection plan
Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages
Laundry service
Gratuities
Any items not mentioned as included
Notes
*Optional Activities (subject to availability)
- Sea kayaking: AU$1050 per person
- Scuba diving: AU$1100 per person on 2018 departures
- Scuba dicing: AU$1190 per person on 2019 departures
- Polar snorkelling: AU$740 per person on 2018 departures
- Polar snorkelling: AU$930 per person on 2019 departures
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Save up to AU$1000pp on our 2019 departures. Call us for details!
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_(575_x_486).jpg "Polar Pioneer Deck Plan")
