SVALBARDTHE NORWEGIAN FJORDS, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD - SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD - SVALBARD 2 ADVENTURE021 - EXPEDITION SVALBARD POLAR ADVENTURES SINCE 1999 For more than 20 years, we have taken adventurous travellers to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. From May to September, our three small expedition ships explore this magnificent wilderness that are home to animals such as the charming walrus, the cute Arctic fox, the endemic Svalbard reindeer and last, but certainly not least, the king of the Arctic – the polar bear. Every expedition with us is unique and our aim is that each passenger will have the trip of a lifetime. When you call our office you will speak to members of staff, whom all have been to Svalbard themselves and can answer all your questions about the big adventure. Sustainability is at the heart of PolarQuest and all trips are climate compensated. Welcome on board! SMALL EXPEDITION SHIPS – GREAT MOMENTS Our expedition ships are comfortable, carry only 12 or 53 passengers and when you travel through Svalbard’s untamed wilderness as the exact route offer a completely different experience compared to a larger ship. We can depends on weather, ice conditions and wildlife encounters. Sometimes you reach some of the most inaccessible areas, all passengers can go ashore might be woken up in the middle of the bright night if a polar bear has been at the same time and we can maximise the time to ensure that you get the spotted on the ice or a whale in front of the ship. Below, please find our most out of your trip. Unpredictability and flexibility are the main keywords three ships (read more on p. 14 - 19). M/S QUEST - 53 PASSENGERS M/S STOCKHOLM - 12 PASSENGERS M/S SJØVEIEN - 12 PASSENGERS M/S Quest is a comfortable expedition ship that M/S Stockholm is a classic ship with beautiful M/S Sjøveien was built in 1964 and after being a was built in 1992 and started her Svalbard brass details and wooden decks, built in 1953. hotel ship for the past few years she was refurbished career in 2008. The ship offers several cabin After 20 years in Svalbard she has the experience into a classic and exclusive passenger ship and categories, spacious decks and a beautiful and track record of being able to reach sites that started her career in Svalbard in 2017. She offers panorama lounge offering breath-taking views are inaccessible to other ships. beautiful wooden decks and spacious cabins. of the surrounding polar landscape. 2 THE ZODIACS - THE KEY TO INTIMATE EXPERIENCES One of the secrets behind a successful expedition cruise is Ar cti c Ci the Zodiacs. With these safe and sturdy rubber boats we can rc le navigate among icebergs, cruise along glaciers and go ashore to Greenland get unique nature and wildlife experiences. Our ambition is to make landings or cruises every day. Iceland North Pole OUR EXPERIENCED POLAR GUIDES Norway We know that the most important part of a trip is knowledgeable Svalbard and enthusiastic guides with a genuine love of the Arctic. On board, ashore and in the Zodiacs, they will teach you more about the flora, fauna and history of Svalbard. We also set high standards when it comes to safety. “Yesterday we received the fantastic log “The expedition was absolutely fabulous, “I am still in a dreamlike state after my of our expedition to Svalbard. It bought with a very efficient and friendly crew, wonderful trip to Svalbard on M/S Quest. back many memories of all the wonderful and delicious food. The Zodiac outings Thank you to all your multitalented guides experiences and adventures we had on and landings were awe-inspiring with who could not have done more to make the board and in the Zodiacs. The stunning five exceptional, highly professional and trip a fantastic experience. Thanks to all of views, scenery and wildlife encounters enthusiastic guides, giving excellent and you in the office too who made it all work will never be forgotten. We thought that captivating explanations on the Arctic from afar! Many thanks.” the whole trip was very well organised and fauna and flora, as well as on their / Doreen McBarnet the guides so professional, knowledgeable, environment and on different explorers.” helpful and very friendly. We had so many / Marit and Don Meredith “Attenborough moments” which made this trip easily the best we have ever been on.” / Richard and Christine Shortt 3 THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD Join M/S Stockholm on a great adventure, exploring some of Norway’s most exciting and scenic locations. Our stops along the Norwegian coast include the majestic Storfjord, SVALBARD the charming town of Ålesund and the picturesque fishing village of Nusfjord, included Longyearbyen on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. We continue towards the seldom visited Bear Island, located in the middle of Barents Sea and home to hundreds of thousands of seabirds. The adventure culminates in one of the world’s most magnificent wildernesses – Svalbard. Bear Island This early in the season, Svalbard is characterised by a wonderful purity, pastel coloured Tromsø skies and breathtaking sceneries. Here we keep our eyes open for polar bears, walrus Lofoten and other Arctic animals, but above all we enjoy the stunning nature that surrounds us – ICELAND NORWAY ice formations and snow covered mountains, glistering glaciers and fjord ice. Ålesund Bergen Day 1: Bergen its delightfully decorated facades, towers and The journey begins in the city of Bergen, pinnacles. beautifully surrounded by high mountains and Geirangerfjorden deep fjords. We stay the night at a centrally We get to know the majestic Storfjorden and pay a Torghatten located hotel. visit to the UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjorden, On our way north we sail past famous natural Day 2 - 9: Expedition which is characterised by deep blue water and attractions like the mountain peaks known as the We embark M/S Stockholm and head towards lush mountain plains with beautiful waterfalls. Seven Sisters, followed by Torghatten – a rock the beautiful passage of Alversund. During our Grip with a big hole, that the ice sheet once created, or adventure along the Norwegian coast we hope to This deserted fishing village is now popular according to the legend; the hole a giant created visit some of the following places: with summer guests. Its original and colourful in despair from a broken heart. Ålesund wooden buildings are well preserved. We visit the Kerringøy Upon reaching Ålesund we explore this small beautiful church and we also pass by the small Kjerringøy is a real gem on the Norwegian town, built in a true Art Nouveau style, enjoying and very dramatically situated lighthouse. coast. Here we encounter a diverse landscape of 4 mountains, white sandy beaches and small farming Tromsø glaciers. We start by exploring parts of Storfjorden communities, but the island is most famous for its In Tromsø we visit the prestigious Polar Museum and constantly keeping our eyes peeled for the old trading post. This is a unique heritage consisting and learn more about the first polar explorers, who Arctic wildlife. How far in we reach depends on of 15 well-preserved houses, which gives the visitor went north to seek fame and fortune. The city is the drift ice that often accumulates here this time a great insight into what it was like to live in this known as Paris of the North, which derives from its of year. We continue towards majestic Hornsund, northern trading town in the 1800s. vast cultural offerings. consisting of several fjords, where glaciers calve Reine Day 10 - 16: Bear Island & Svalbard out shimmering blue icebergs. It is also a favourite We hope to visit the picturesque fishing village of We set sail towards the remote Bear Island, haunt for polar bears. In Bellsund we hope to Reine. This charming village, with characteristic situated in the middle of the Barents Sea. On reach Vårsolbukta, where the little auks nest in wooden houses overlook Kirkefjord with high the 400-meter high cliffs, hundreds of thousands tens of thousands. mountain tops in the background. It is not difficult of seabirds are nesting – puffins, guillemots, Day 17: Longyearbyen to see why it was once voted Norway’s most razorbills and kittiwakes among others. In addition We disembark and begin our journey home. beautiful place. to a spectacular Zodiac cruise along the impressive Read more about the ship M/S Stockholm, dates Nusfjord bird cliffs we aim to make a landing on this rarely and prices on p. 16 - 17. Nusfjord is a well-preserved and authentic fishing visited island. community with focus on cod fishing. The village We then continue our journey and sail over Please note: The places mentioned are just is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list of unique night. Our next destination is Svalbard – one of the examples of some of the many sites we have the wooden houses with a charming old fashioned world’s most magnificent wildernesses. It is spring chance to visit during this unique trip. Our exact shop well worth a visit. We sail further along what in the Arctic and it is a powerful experience to route will depend on ice, weather conditions is known as the Lofoten wall. In the evening we witness the archipelago spring to life. We enjoy the and wildlife. We always strive to maximise your enter magical Trollfjorden and later set course stunning nature that surrounds us – sparkling ice experience. Please remember that flexibility is the towards Tromsø. formations, snow covered mountains and glistering key to a successful expedition! 5 SPRINGTIME IN SVALBARD During the month of May, Svalbard is characterised by a wonderful purity and offers breathtaking sceneries.