The remote islands that make up the Svalbard Archipelago is the back drop to the spectacular Arctic cruise from Spitsbergen. Here you can see the wide range of polar wildlife and it’s just a short flight from the UK.
It’s a polar cruise that does not involve having to fly to the other side of the world but it does provide the chance to see an amazing diversity of life. Calling in on islands in the High Arctic this cruise will introduce you to migratory birds who all the Arctic home. Then there’s the many species of marine mammals such as walrus, seal and whales to experience.
Child friendly Arctic cruise.
This cruise is very family friendly with many activities aimed at keeping the children entertained – and educated at the same time!
Arctic Cruise Svalbard Pregramme.
Day 1:
Fly to Longyearbyen, night in hotel.
Day 2:
Book into the ship and settle into your cabin. As we depart Longyearbyen you can introduce yourself to your fellow passengers and explore the ship’s facilities. But always keep an eye out for marine wildlife as we leave the port.
Day 3:
We explore the Alkhornet inlet with it vast cliffs and many seabirds who call this region their home. The inlet is also an important historical site with remains of the old whaling days. The cruise continues onto the headland of Poolepynten where the beeches may be full of pick footed geese and walrus.
Day 4:
Smeerenburg on Amsterdam Island used to be one of the furtherest northern settlements of Europe during the 1600′s with it’s whaling colony. The name of the settlement translates to ‘Blubber Town’. Today it’s an important heritage site and has plenty of wildlife to see. Fugelsangen is also on our cruise route today. It’s rock beaches and cliffs are home to many pairs of little auks. The final destination today is the Moffen Island. The island is so important for wildlife that tourists are not permitted to land here but there is plenty to see from the decks of the ship.
Day 5:
The spectacular cliffs of Alkefjellet provide ample habitat for the tens of thousands of Brunich’s guillemots. There’s other birds to watch out for too as we cruise gently along this cliff face that stretches several kilometres. Torellneset is the next stop for today as we look out for the walruses that regularly haul out here onto the beach.
Day 6:
At Monacobreen you get the chance to take in views of the magnificent Monaco Glacier – it has a ice face that stretches 3 km in width. As today’s cruise continues we reach Worsleyneset in the Woodfjorden. As we continue our cruise we keep our eyes peeled for the polar bears that live in this area together with the seals and whales.
Day 7:
Our Arctic cruise in the land of the mid-night sun continues around Svalbard. Today on the itinerary are Raudfjorden- a fjord which reaches 20km in length and is 5km wide – and Hamiltonbreen – a glacier in the Nordvest Spitsbergen National Park.
Day 8:
Today’s leg of our cruise takes us to one of the most famous glaciers of Svalbard – the 14th July Glacier. After taking in the sights of the glacier we head towards Ny Alesund. This settlement was first established as a mining town in 1916 but is now home to research scientists who work in the many international polar stations.
Day 9:
Disembark in Lonyearbyen, afternoon flight to London.
Prices from: £2990 (9 days) excluding flights.
Availability: 2012: 2 Aug.
Get more information and booking details on the Arctic cruise around Svalbard.
Incoming search terms:
- arctic cruise
- birding cruisespitsbergen
- family friendly artic cruise
- little auk kayak
- small childrens holiday svalbard
- wildlife in arctic circle
