SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER

We begin our exploration of the archipelago in , capital city of this Norwegian Territory. Following our embarkation of the Akademik Sergey Vavilov, our home for the next ten nights, we sail out of Isfjorden (Ice Fjord) and begin our exploration of the west coast of , slowly working our way up the coast and onto the northern side of Spitsbergen. A major focus of this voyage will be the wildlife on the ice and our ship is uniquely capable of working the ice pack and looking for polar bears. From the moment we throw the lines and start our voyage we are in the land of the polar bear, beluga, walrus and reindeer so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife.

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Departure from Longyearbyen, Svalbard We embark the expedition cruise vessel, Akademik Sergey Vavilov, in Longyearbyen and sail out of and into Isfjorden during the early evening. On board, we will meet for an introductory briefing and then adjourn to our dining room for our first meal aboard.

Days 2 to 4 - Ny Alesund and Western Svalbard The shores of Krossfjorden are home to numerous bird colonies and species. We will anchor off one small harbour and cruise the bird cliffs near the 14th of July Glacier. As we cruise these

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com waters we will also keep alert for bearded and ringed seals, GPS with you and mark in the waypoint. No trip along the north known to frequent this fjord. During the afternoon we will cross coast of Spitsbergen would be complete without a visit to Kongsfjord from Krossfjorden to the town site of Ny Alesund, a Monacobreen (Monaco Glacier). A wide glacier face at the head former mining village and currently the world’s most northern of the fjord makes for spectacular kayaking and zodiac cruising. community. Founded by the Kull Company A/S in The coastal plain near the mouth of Liefdefjorden offers superb 1916, Ny Alesund operated as a coal mine sporadically until hiking and is often a great place to spot polar bears. coal mining was ended in 1962. Since then, the community has become the site of numerous international polar science Days 8 to 10 - Bourbonhamna and Southwestern Svalbard institutes. Ny Alesund earned its place in aviation pioneering Beluga whales often transit the narrow sound near history as a jumping off place for North Pole aviation Bourbonhamna. The adults are pure white and the younger exploration. Notable pioneer aviators such as Zeppelin, animals a mottled grey colour. They are the only whales that Amundsen, Ellsworth, Byrd and Nobile all used Ny Alesund and can articulate their heads to nod and turn sideways. It is the airship anchor pylon for Amundsen and Nobile is still in estimated that there are approximately five to ten thousand place today. belugas in the Svalbard population. The beluga has no dorsal fin, a diagnostic feature of other whale species that live in the Days 5 to 7 - Smeerenburg and Northern Svalbard high Arctic such as the narwhal and bowhead. Since a dorsal fin As your zodiac approaches the shore of Fuglesangenoya, it could be damaged when the animal surfaces in areas with ice, becomes apparent that there are thousands of birds nesting on it has been postulated that the lack of dorsal fin is an this island. Home to a large dovekie colony, the formation of the adaptation to living in waters that are frequently covered by ice. island allows for excellent viewing without impacting upon the We will search for the belugas and then hope to go ashore at perimeter of the colony. Just a few miles from Fuglesangen is Bourbonhamna. A hunter’s cabin, grinding wheel and two the former station of Smeerenburg, literally translated overturned boats are points of interest a short walk away at as Blubber Town. As we hike the shoreline of this former whaling Ingebrigstenbukta. However, it is the massive piles of beluga station, we will learn about the importance of whaling in the whalebones that catch everybody’s attention. The bones and all discovery and exploration of the Svalbard archipelago. A harsh the artifacts are protected by the Svalbard Government and industry in an equally harsh environment and as a testament to cannot be removed. While wandering amongst these bone relics this whaling site all that is left is the blubber ovens. At 81 we may also expect to glimpse dozens of reindeer in the area. degrees north latitude, Phippsoya is only 540 nautical miles Landing at Dolerittneset near Kapp Lee, we will remark on the from the North Pole. Because of its proximity to the pack ice, lush vegetation of this region, although in the high 70’s of Phippsoya offers the potential for great polar bear viewing. Be latitude. This site has a large scattering of reindeer antlers, but sure to get up to the bridge and take a picture of the GPS it is the plethora of ancient whalebones that makes the landing showing your latitude or, better yet, take your own handheld memorable. Some 400 years ago whales were slaughtered here

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com and were hunted almost to extinction in the waters of Svalbard. Now nature has turned the decaying old bones into items of beauty. Time and the elements have altered their original shape and sculptured them into works of art. They are painted with luxuriant blankets of green mosses and grasses, spattered with blotches of black and orange lichen, and framed with purple saxifrage, yellow cinquefoil and white sandwort. Now, even after death, the noble whale supports life by robustly protecting the delicate flora from the harsh winds and providing nutrients to ensure their survival. Glacier-filled bays abound in Hornsund and we will sail our expedition vessel into one of these bays for a close-up view of the glacier. The entire archipelago of Svalbard is a lesson in glaciology and our onboard guides will use hikes and zodiac cruises as classrooms for continuing tuition on the formation of this fantastic landscape.

Day 11 - Longyearbyen, Svalbard We will come alongside in the morning and prepare to disembark following breakfast onboard our vessel. Please note: Specific sites visited will depend on ice and weather conditions experienced and the itinerary will be updated throughout the voyage in order to take advantage of favourable conditions.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: AKADEMIK SERGEY VAVILOV

YOUR SHIP: Akademik Sergey Vavilov

VESSEL TYPE: Ice - Strengthened

LENGTH: 117 metres

PASSENGER CAPACITY: 92

BUILT/REFURBISHED: 1988

Scandinavian built for the Russian Academy of Science, this ship was designed to travel quietly, during hydro-acoustic research. The ship is exceptionally stable, yet maneuverable. External stabilizers and a built-in trimming system provide exceptional stability. polar water on demand or for special events. There is a change Features on the ship include: room with towels and a shower room between the sauna and Dining Room, Gift Shop, Fitness & Fitness Room, Wellness the plunge pool. Centre, Infirmary, Library, Lounge, Mud Room, Presentation Elevator Room, Multimedia Room, Top Deck and Observatory A lift (or elevator) services Deck 1 through 5, allowing access to also / and from the presentation room on Deck 1. The bridge and Sauna and Polar Salt Water Plunge Pool bar/lounge on Deck 6 are not accessible by lift. Access to the Following a day of excursions, a sauna with complimentary zodiacs is by way of gangway stairs from the main deck (Deck aromatic oils can be a wonderful way to unwind. Located on 3). Deck 5, the sauna and adjacent plunge pool is open each _Akademik Sergey Vavilov_ has an ice-strengthened hull and a afternoon and evening. The sauna seats approximately six cruising speed in open water of 14.5 knots. people and the plunge pool can be filled with Cabins: All cabins have exterior views. Cabins have either shared, semi-private or private facilities.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com PRICING

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