SPITSBERGEN IN DEPTH
Big Island, Big Adventure Contents
1 Overview 2 Itinerary 4 Arrival and Departure Details 6 Your Ship 8 Included Activities 9 Adventure Options 10 Dates & Rates 11 Inclusions & Exclusions 13 Your Expedition Team 13 Extend Your Trip 14 Meals on Board 15 Possible Excursions 18 Packing Checklist Overview Spitsbergen in Depth: Big Island, Big Adventure
This 14-day journey offers the most extensive exploration of Spitsbergen in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, including the opportunity to witness iconic Arctic wildlife like walrus, reindeer and polar bears, a glimpse into 16th-century EXPEDITION IN BRIEF maritime culture at secluded landing sites, and the rare chance to appreciate breathtaking views at the birdwatching utopias 14th of July Glacier and Alkefjellet. Encounter iconic Arctic wildlife, such as polar bears, walrus and reindeer If conditions allow, we will also attempt a full circumnavigation of the Arctic during this memorable voyage, including a visit to the remote, uninhabited Arctic desert View numerous Arctic bird species, like puffins, Arctic terns and purple of Nordaustlandet. sandpipers
The wildlife-viewing opportunities on this trip will leave you with plenty of Take advantage of continuous daylight memories—and photos: the walrus with its long tusks and distinctive whiskers; Explore glaciers, fjords, icebergs and Arctic birds in the thousands—in all their varied majesty; small herds of reindeer more with included Zodiac cruising loping across the tundra; and that most iconic of Arctic creatures, the polar bear, Immerse yourself in the icy realm especially as it prowls the edges of the pack ice on the perpetual hunt for food. Shore of the Arctic with optional kayaking excursions by Zodiac will enable you to set foot in places only a few humans have adventures walked before. This voyage truly is the big adventure you’ve been waiting for. Hike the tundra and polar desert
1 Itinerary
DAY 1 | ARRIVE IN OSLO, NORWAY DAYS 3 TO 13 | EXPLORING Your Arctic voyage begins in Oslo, SPITSBERGEN Kvitøya Phippsøya Expect a new adventure every day as Norway’s vibrant capital city. If you Arctic Ocean arrive early, there are many museums, we begin our journey by heading north Scheduled route Nordaustlandet restaurants and green spaces to keep you and around the island of Spitsbergen, If conditions allow busy before retiring at your included exploring smaller, outlying islands. We Monaco airport hotel. plan to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, but Glacier if conditions are favorable, we will also SPITSBERGEN Smeerenburg Barentsøya DAY 2 | EMBARKATION DAY IN attempt a larger circumnavigation of LONGYEARBYEN, SVALBARD the region, including many of the outer Longyearbyen Edgeøya This morning, the group will transfer islands in the Svalbard archipelago. Every to the airport and board our private expedition will be different, depending SVALBARD charter flight to Longyearbyen, Bellsund Calypsobyen on the weather and ice, but some of the Greenland Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, where Sea places we may visit include the 14th of July Hornsund TO/FROM you’ll have some time to explore before OSLO Glacier, Ny London, Phippsøya, Alkefjellet embarkation. As your ship sets sail, and the seldom-visited Kvitøya. enjoy your first view of the island’s SPITSBERGEN IN DEPTH: rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising Big Island, Big Adventure majestically from icy waters. Onboard the Ocean Adventurer Flights to/from Oslo
2 These names may seem strange to home to sea ice, the bears’ preferred you, but each site has its own unique habitat for hunting, which translates IMPORTANT REMINDER appeal. There is no shortage of natural into great potential for you to view and Embracing the unexpected is part beauty in Spitsbergen, where colorful capture them in action. of the legacy—and excitement—of tundra meadows are complemented by A big part of appreciating Spitsbergen expedition travel. When traveling immense glaciers. For birders, the 14th in extremely remote regions, your comes from understanding the history— of July Glacier is home to puffins, purple Expedition Team must consider the not just how people live today, but sandpipers, common eiders, barnacle sea, ice and weather to guide the route also how this land was first explored. geese and Arctic terns, while Alkefjellet’s and itinerary details. This itinerary is Whaling was a key industry, and you will cliffs are teeming with nesting Brünnich’s a tentative outline of what you may see remains of outposts from the 16th guillemots (thick-billed murres). experience on this voyage; please be century, plus other evidence of whaling aware that no specific itinerary can be Always on the lookout for wildlife, at landing sites such as Smeerenburg. guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife be sure to have your camera ready to encounters as described are expected, DAY 14 | DISEMBARK IN capture reindeer when we visit sites like but not guaranteed. Your Expedition LONGYEARBYEN & FLY TO OSLO Ny London, Sundneset and Alkhornet. Team will use their considerable Your adventure ends in the frontier-style Searching for the iconic polar bear is a experience to seek out wildlife in settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, constant activity for your Expedition known habitats, but the presence we’ll transfer you to the airport for your Team. Phippsøya and Isbukta are often of any particular species of bird or return group charter flight to Oslo. marine wildlife is not guaranteed.
3 Arrival & Departure Details
As you prepare for your journey, you may be interested in your arrival and departure details. Since international air transportation is not included in the cost of your expedition, you have some flexibility in planning your flights. Looking to extend your adventure beyond your polar expedition? On page 13, learn how to add on a pre- or post-expedition stop—or both!—in Oslo or a nearby region of your choice. Arrival Day and Embarkation ARRIVING IN OSLO You may arrive at any time during Day 1 of your itinerary. Upon your arrival in Oslo, you will make your way to the included group hotel. Check in time is 3pm. Early the following morning, on Day 2, your group will transfer to the airport and PLEASE NOTE board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen. The scheduled flight time will be There is a strict luggage limit of communicated in your final documents. 50 lbs (23 kg) checked luggage and 18 lbs (8 kg) cabin baggage on the flights LONGYEARBYEN AND EMBARKATION between Oslo and Longyearbyen. Should Upon arrival in Longyearbyen (Day 2 of your itinerary), you will be transferred from you have additional luggage, it can be the airport to a drop off point to have some free time to explore this historic town. stored at the hotel in Oslo. There is NO Your luggage will be taken directly to the ship, and later you will be transferred option to pay for additional luggage. from the designated meeting point to the pier. Details of ship transfer times will be provided during your arrival transfer. Due to port logistics, it is possible that you may need to board the vessel by Zodiac, rather than from the pier.
4 Final Day and DEPARTING FROM OSLO Arrival and Departure Upon arrival in Oslo, you may connect Departure directly with your onward flight. Transfers DISEMBARKATION IN Scheduled charter flight times will OSLO AIRPORT TRANSFERS LONGYEARBYEN AND ONWARD appear in your final documents, and any Arrival and departure transfers in Oslo Your ship is scheduled to arrive back in additional updates will be communicated are not included in the expedition. Your Longyearbyen between 7am and 8am on board prior to disembarkation. first night’s included accommodation will local time. After breakfast, you will have be provided at the airport hotel, so please time to bid farewell to your Expedition Included Hotel make your way to the lobby for check-in Team and shipmates before completing Accommodations when you arrive. The voyage concludes your disembarkation. The process on arrival at the Oslo airport; if you Your included accommodation begins on takes about an hour and due to port require a transfer to the city, a Polar Day 1 of your itinerary, and the specific logistics, may involve one last Zodiac Travel Adviser or your travel professional hotel(s) will be indicated in your final ride to the pier. After disembarkation, can arrange one for you. voyage confirmation. If you are arriving there will be a group transfer to your prior to Day 1 of your expedition or are If you are flying home right away, hotel if you have booked additional staying after the disembarkation day and you will most likely be able to board a accommodation. If you have purchased would like help booking a pre- or post- connecting flight on the same day. Please the Oslo hotel and transfer package, after stay, please contact your Polar Travel be sure to allow three hours between our disembarkation you will be transferred to Adviser or travel professional for hotel charter arrival and your international the central downtown shopping area in options. As accommodation space is departure. Longyearbyen for some free time, before limited, you are encouraged to request transferring to the airport for our return any extra nights as early as possible. charter flight to Oslo. Your luggage will be transferred directly from the ship to the airport, where you will pick it up for check-in to the charter flight.
5 Your Ship
Quark Expeditions® boasts the largest polar-class fleet of any polar operator, and the ability to offer you this incredible voyage on one of our ice strengthened vessels. The entire Quark Expeditions® fleet is built for challenging polar environments, allowing us to take you to places ordinary cruise companies wouldn’t dream of going.
6 FUNNEL
OBSERVATION DECK
BRIDGE
FUNNEL OCEAN ADVENTURER —Newly Renovated! BRIDGE DECK
Our popular ship Sea Adventurer has been relaunched as OBSERVATION DECK Ocean Adventurer after a multimillion-dollar renovation. CLINIC POLAR A team of marine architects, engineers, interior designers LIBRARY BRIDGE and polar expedition specialists worked together to enhance this nimble and intimate fleet favorite. Upgrades include CAPTAIN’S DECK BRIDGE DECK a refreshed look and feel throughout, plus the complete
PURSER’S CLINIC OFFICE remodeling of the lounge, dining room and bar. All cabins CLIPPER CLUB POLAR LIBRARY received brand new bathroom facilities. Six new deluxe DINING MAIN ROOM WC EL LOUNGE OFFICE cabins as well as three new suites have also been added. RECEPTION CAPTAIN’S DECK Major technical enhancements include two new Rolls-Royce UPPER DECK POLAR BOUTIQUE PURSER’S OFFICE engines, which yield increased speed and fuel efficiency, and CLIPPER CLUB
DINING MAIN ROOM WC EL LOUNGE
OFFICE a minimized carbon footprint. RECEPTION ZODIAC BOARDING UPPER DECK SHIP SPECIFICATIONS: ROOMS POLAR BOUTIQUE M GY Staff & Crew:87 Guests: 128 MAIN DECK ZODIAC BOARDING Lifeboats: 4, partially enclosed ROOMS M GY
Ice Class: 1A MAIN DECK Visit QuarkExpeditions.com to view deck plan details. STERN BOW STERN BOW LOWER DECK LOWER DECK
Triple Superior Triple Superior Lower Deck Twin Deluxe Lower Deck Twin Deluxe MainMain Deck TwinDeck Porthole Twin PortholeSuite Suite MainMain Deck TwinDeck Window Twin WindowOwner’s SuiteOwner’s Suite
7 Included Activities
Ready for a little adventure beyond your PRESENTATIONS ship? Each Quark Expeditions® voyage Enjoy daily chats with and presentations offers a variety of recreational activities from our world-class onboard polar to enhance your polar experience. experts—guides, scientists, naturalists, historians and other special guests who ZODIAC CRUISING will introduce you to the fascinating Zodiacs are the workhorses of polar history, biology, ornithology, and expeditions, taking you to places the glaciology of the region, and much, much ships can’t access, allowing you to reach more. remote shorelines, explore shallow inlets and search for unique wildlife. POLAR PLUNGE Expedition staff make stepping in and This rite of passage, scheduled only once out of them safe and comfortable. per expedition, gives you the chance to jump safely into the bracing Arctic waters HIKING under the watchful eye of our staff—and Led by experienced staff, exploring on just about every single camera on board! foot is the best way to appreciate the polar landscapes. Our guides are able PHOTOGRAPHY to accommodate a range of skill levels Documenting your voyage so you can to suit every passenger. Walking poles take the memories home is a rewarding are provided at each landing for your experience. Our photography guides will convenience. As there are a limited help you hone your skills to capture the number of poles available, please bring beauty of the polar regions. your own if you require them on every landing, as some landing sites will offer Contact your Polar Travel Adviser or your more demanding options than others. Travel Professional for more information about your Included Activities and Adventure Options, including the necessary experience, physical requirements and cost.
8 Adventure Options
SEA KAYAKING PADDLING EXCURSION Imagine gliding across the surface of If you’re interested in kayaking but a bay in the presence of icebergs and would like to try something a bit less glaciers. Our Sea Kayaking program is demanding than Sea Kayaking, you’re a great way to intimately explore your the perfect candidate to sign up for a surroundings. A small group of kayakers one-time paddle on our stable sit-on-top will plan to go out multiple times per kayaks—perfect for anyone with minimal voyage as an alternative to shore landings or no kayaking experience. Rotating or Zodiac cruises. groups of passengers will be taken out on calm days, with our expert guides always The number of opportunities to kayak present to provide instruction and help is weather dependent, and will be connect you with the polar sea. conducted only during calm conditions. Prior kayaking experience is required, and you must be able to do a wet exit PLEASE NOTE to participate. Beginners interested in For all paid activities pre-booking is kayaking should consider participating in required. We recommend booking early the Paddling Excursion. as spaces fill quickly. Please see your pre-departure book for a list of provided gear for each Adventure Option.
9 Dates & Rates Spitsbergen in Depth: Big Island, Big Adventure
Adventure OCEAN ADVENTURER Options Lower Deck Main Deck Main Deck Owner’s Transfer Dates Days Start / End Triple Superior Deluxe Suite Twin Porthole Window Suite Package ARCTIC 2021 JUN 30 – JUL 13, 2021 14 Oslo $9,995 $11,495 $12,995 $13,995 $15,495 $15,495 $19,495 $20,995 $995 $695 $195 ARCTIC 2020 JUN 24–JUL 7, 2020 14 Oslo $8,995 $10,495 $11,995 $12,995 $13,995 $15,495 $16,995 $18,995 $895 $695 $195
Adventure WORLD EXPLORER Options Infinity Veranda Superior Deluxe Owner’s Transfer Dates Days Start / End Triple Suite Suite Suite Suite Suite Package ARCTIC 2020 JUN 27 – JUL 10, 2020 14 Oslo $8,995 $13,995 $13,995 $15,995 $17,495 $19,995 $895 $695 $195 JUL 30 – AUG 12, 2020 14 Oslo $8,995 $13,995 $13,995 $15,995 $17,495 $19,995 $895 $695 $195
10 Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions Exclusions RATES INCLUDE: RATES SPECIFICALLY • Leadership throughout your voyage by our • Formal and informal presentations by our DO NOT INCLUDE: experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled • Mandatory Transfer Package* landings and other activities • A photographic journal documenting the expedition • International airfare • All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for • Arrival and departure transfers in Oslo program landings and Zodiac cruising excursions • Passport and visa expenses • All shore landings as per the daily program • An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep • Government arrival and departure taxes not • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping • Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin mentioned above • All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges • Meals ashore unless otherwise specified throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any throughout the program • Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. • All luggage handling aboard the ship travel insurance—strongly recommended Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare • Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers • Excess-baggage fees on international flights kosher meals.) to a maximum benefit of USD 500$ ,000 per person • Beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and • Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruis- • Transfers between Longyearbyen town center and ing, or any other gear not mentioned cocoa available around the clock port on embarkation and disembarkation day • Laundry, bar and other personal charges unless specified • Phone and Internet charges *MANDATORY TRANSFER PACKAGE INCLUDES: • Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage • One night’s pre-expedition hotel night at Oslo airport hotel, with breakfast for shipboard staff and crew • Charter flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen • Additional overnight accommodation • Arrival and departure transfers in Longyearbyen • Adventure Options not listed in Included • Charter flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo Activities
PACKAGE PRICE: $995 USD
11 Your Expedition Team
Our Expedition Leaders and their teams bring diverse expertise in subjects as varied as polar history, marine biology, glaciology, ornithology and photography. Their knowledge and enthusiasm will greatly enhance your immersion into the polar environment and further deepen your connection to the Arctic.
With over 30 years of experience bringing passengers to remote polar regions and an industry leading staff-to-guest ratio, we know how to safely handle the unexpected. Ensuring this hard earned experience is passed on, our new expedition staff receive comprehensive training in Quark Academy, which provides hands-on polar expedition training prior to any staff member’s first voyage as well as ongoing training for experienced staff.
12 Extend Your Trip
PRE- AND POST-EXPEDITION TRIP EXTENSIONS You can extend your trip by booking ex- tra days to explore other northern cities before or after the voyage. Since you’re traveling such a long way, you may want to spend extra time in Longyearbyen or add on a few days in Oslo. In the Sval- bard capital, learn about the archipela- go’s storied past at the museum, wander between colorful wooden houses and grab a pint at the local brewery. Im- merse yourself in Norwegian history with a visit to Oslo’s Viking Ship Mu- seum or the Fram Museum where you can learn about Norway’s polar history. Then tour the Royal Palace and take in the sweeping views, and delicious sea- food, from a hillside restaurant.
FROM TOP: Oslo’s Opera House; Longyearbyen; Oslo’s Viking Ship Museum
13 Meals on Board
If there is one constant on board, it is that you’ll enjoy delicious meals daily. While meal times may change due to landings and wildlife encounters, you’ll always be served three well-prepared meals per day. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated by letting us know prior to your expedition. Breakfasts and lunches are normally served buffet style, while dinners are served plated. À la carte meals are made at the time of your order, allowing our chefs to prepare each dish to your individual needs, ensuring you receive top-quality meals during the course of your expedition. Soft drinks and juices are available during meals and when the bar is open; beer and wine are served with dinner; and coffee, tea and water stations are available around the clock – all included in the cost of your package. Spirits, premium wines and champagne are available at extra cost which can be billed to your shipboard account. The well-stocked bars on the ship are open to enjoy with your fellow shipmates in late morning, afternoon and evening.
14 Possible Excursions
When traveling in extremely remote DISKOBUKTA regions, your Expedition Team must This bay on the west shore of Edgeøya consider the sea, ice and weather to affords a landing site with a box canyon guide the route and itinerary details. where black-legged kittiwakes raise The following sites are a sample of their young. Arctic foxes have been seen what you may experience on your combing the canyon floor to feed on expedition, whether by ship, Zodiac scraps that have fallen from the nests cruise, or shore landing. above. Watch for the bones of ancient bowhead whales—evidence that the Spitsbergen shoreline has receded over millennia. ALKEFJELLET ISBUKTA This cliff is a seabird colony, where On the eastern shore of the southern tip Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed of Svalbard is Isbukta, which means ‘Ice murres) raise their young. An estimated Bay.’ Sabine’s gulls, skuas and bearded 100,000 breeding pairs reside in the basalt seals inhabit the bay. Polar bears are cliffs. The birds do not build nests; rather, known to patrol the area as well. they lay eggs on the bare ledge of the cliff.
15 KVITØYA of Adventfjord. The settlement was The western part of this island is only founded in 1905 by John Munroe 61 miles (98 km) from Victoria Island in Longyear, the majority owner of the Franz Josef Land, which is part of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston. Russian Arctic. This remote outpost is MOFFEN ISLAND actually closer to the Russian Arctic than This island is designated as a protected it is to Nordaustlandet (73 miles/117 km). sanctuary for walrus, which are best LILLIEHÖÖK GLACIER viewed from the water—have your In 2005, nearly 100 years after his great- binoculars ready! great-grandfather conducted scientific MONACO GLACIER investigations here, Prince Albert II of Prince Albert I of Monaco, a pioneer Monaco returned to Lilliehöök Glacier to of oceanography, led an expedition further our understanding of the Arctic to Svalbard in 1906. His team used clam, a species that lives for more than sophisticated photographic techniques a century. Here, you can take a Zodiac to understand the shape and position of cruise amid labyrinths of sparkling several glacier fronts. Monaco Glacier icebergs, and witness breathtaking honors the expedition, the prince and the panoramas of ice. You may even spot principality over which he reigned. While bearded seals hauled out on the floes. touring the glacier front by Zodiac cruise, LONGYEARBYEN listen to the crackle and pop of the brash Twenty-four hundred people inhabit the ice, search for seals and have a chance to administrative capital of Svalbard, which admire a natural sculpture gallery. is situated on the southern side
16 NORDAUSTLANDET ISLAND PHIPPSØYA AND MARTENSØYA, This is the second-largest island in the SEVEN ISLANDS IMPORTANT REMINDER entire Svalbard archipelago, and home This small archipelago is the Embracing the unexpected is part of the to the polar desert. Featured here is northernmost land in Svalbard. legacy—and excitement—of expedition Bråsvellbreen, an ice cap connected to Englishmen left their mark during a travel. When traveling in extremely the larger Austfonna, which together survey of the islands in the 1780s. The remote regions, your Expedition Team form a 112-mile- (180 km) long ice cliff. party named the islands after themselves, must allow the sea, the ice and the Bråsvellbreen’s glacier face makes for an with the smallest and least significant weather to guide route and itinerary impressive sight during a Zodiac cruise, island being named Nelsonøya, after the details. This itinerary is a tentative stretching across nearly the entire horizon. lowly midshipman who was promoted outline of what you’ll experience on over the years to the rank and title of this voyage; please be aware that no PALANDERBUKTA Vice Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson! specific itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife encounters On the western coast of Nordaustlandet, Featuring austere polar desert landscapes, as described are expected, but not this bay stretches south and east from the and often shrouded in pack ice, these guaranteed. Your Expedition Team Wahlenberg Fjord. This is a typical polar islands are closer to the North Pole than will use their considerable experience desert, where the “ice bear” (polar bear) anywhere else in Svalbard. can sometimes be seen roaming in search to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular of food. species of bird or marine wildlife is not a guarantee.
17 WEATHER CONDITIONS & TEMPERATURES Weather is very variable; temperatures may hover Packing around the freezing mark and winds can be strong. The continuous daylight warms sheltered areas so that you may sometimes find it warm enough for t-shirts. However, you may encounter snow squalls, fog and white-outs during an expedition and should Checklist be ready for any conditions.
WHAT TO BRING! Packing for the polar regions doesn’t have to be daunting, and to make it easier for you, all Quark voyages include an expedition parka to keep, and a loan of appropriate polar boots. Additional suggested items include:
FOR SHORE LANDINGS SUGGESTED ITEMS Base layers (wool, synthetic or a blend) Waterproof, lightweight backpack or dry sack Mid-layer warm/fleece top Swimsuit (for the polar plunge!) Mid-layer warm/fleece pant Binoculars Wool and synthetic sock (3 to 4 pairs) Camera with extra batteries Extra memory cards Neck warmer or balaclava Earplugs (in case of noisy cabinmates) Warm hat that covers ears Eye masks for sleeping Waterproof pants Seasickness, indigestion, headache Waterproof gloves and glove liners or other medicine Sunscreen Voltage converters and plug adapters Sunglasses with UV protection (220V/European outlets) Spare set of gloves Ski goggles (for Zodiac cruising)
FOR ON BOARD Comfortable casual clothing (pants/jeans, shirts, sweaters) Lighter shirts (in case the ship gets warm) Comfortable non-slip closed-toed unheeled shoes (NOTE: Flip flops or sandals should not be worn on board due to safety concerns)
18 TO BOOK YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE Contact your Travel Professional
PHOTO CREDITS: Acacia Johnson; David Merron; Nicky Souness; Samantha Crimmin; Michelle Sole; Sue Flood; Cindy Miller Hopkins; Abbey Weisbrot; EXPEDITION BROCHURE Hugo Perrin; Grange Productions; Focus Productions; Adobe Stock February 2020 19