Overview
Enjoy the best of Svalbard, a world of near-endless daylight, where polar bear sightings quicken your pulse, guillemot cries echo from towering cliffs, and beluga whales rise from the sea. Explore tundra adorned with wildflowers, keep watch for arctic fox, and discover historical camps of explorers and hunters. Push through pack ice to find walrus and bearded seals, and delight in the breathtakingly beautiful fjords.
11 Days
Oslo
Oslo
A1 Ice Class
130
70
2019
SVL0
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Oslo, make your way to your group airport hotel, located just a five-minute walk from the International Terminal. At your included hotel, please visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk to collect your luggage cabin tags and to speak with our ground operations team, who may have information to share with you about pre-embarkation or to provide you with information about where to dine, withdraw cash or purchase last minute items from a local pharmacy or supermarket.
The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.
This morning, please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before walking to the airport for our charter flight to Longyearbyen for embarkation. Any valuables or personal items should be kept on you throughout the day.
The charter flight is scheduled to depart at 09:20 for Longyearbyen and arrive at 12:30.
In Longyearbyen, explore the town on a guided tour. A visit to the Svalbard Museum, Camp Barentz and a brief stop at the Global Seed Vault for a photo opportunity are included. After the tour, you will be transferred directly to the pier to embark in the late afternoon. Settle into your cabin before attending important safety briefings and enjoy the thrill of departure as we ‘throw the lines’ and set sail.
Note:the excursion is contingent on the arrival time of our charter flight to Longyearbyen.
Svalbard offers Arctic wilderness at its best. The members of our experienced Expedition Team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to tailor our day-to-day itinerary, choosing the best options, based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions and the possibility of encounters with wildlife.
Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountains ranges, and a polar desert rich in fossils, set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walrus hauled-out on sea ice or on beaches. On land, we stretch our legs on walks across tundra carpeted in brightly coloured wildflowers. We visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and puffins, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies.
If you have chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you will have an opportunity to enjoy that activity when conditions allow. For those who are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you will hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating dip – a memory you will savour for years to come.
During the early morning, we cruise back into Longyearbyen. Farewell your Expedition Team upon disembarkation and enjoy lunch and some free time in town before transferring to the airport for our charter flight back to Oslo.
The charter flight is scheduled to depart at 15:45 for Oslo and arrive at 18:55.
Tour Inclusions
- Venture close to 80° north, watch for polar bears on pack ice
- Discover the thrill of seeing walrus, seals, whales, reindeer, arctic fox, guillemots and puffins
- Cruise along blue glacier fronts and through stunning fjords
- Enjoy tundra hikes amid stunningly beautiful scenery
- Airport arrival and departure transfers to/from our group hotel or port on the first day and the final day of your voyage package.
- One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Oslo on Day 1.
- Sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen on Day 2, prior to embarkation (time permitting).
- Return charter flights between Oslo and Longyearbyen.
- Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
- All meals, snacks, tea, coffee, soft drinks and juices during voyage.
- Beer and house wine with dinner.
- Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
- All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
- Educational lectures and guiding services provide by Expedition Team.
- Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
- One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
- Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
- Comprehensive pre-departure information.
- Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
- Gratuities during excursions and enrichment program for local guides, drivers, venues and local sites.
- Wi-Fi. *Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable.
- International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Airport arrival or departure taxes.
- Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
- Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.
- All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to, alcoholic beverages (outside of dinner service), on board gratuities*, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, email or phone charges.
*A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
Life On Board
A floating ambassador for the conservation of the planet, the Sylvia Earle pays tribute to marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle and six pioneering women in conservation with public decks honouring their contributions. Read more
Learn more about the world and the unique destinations Aurora visits by visiting the onboard naturalist and Expedition Team in the world-class Citizen Science Center. You will be rewarded for your thirst for knowledge with one of the best views on the ship.
Whatever adventures the day holds, you will be fuelled-up with hearty meals and delicious morning and afternoon teas cooked by our onboard chefs. Our chefs offer a variety of menu options for each meal. Enjoy the range of house wine, beers, and soft drinks included with dinner after a long day in the wild.
With floor-to-ceiling windows, the library is a peaceful sanctuary and wildlife guides, books and binoculars can be found in the observation lounge on Deck 7 - the perfect place to relax and watch the incredible landscapes pass by, or spot unique polar wildlife.
On all expeditions you will meet naturalists and local specialists, who offer presentations on their area of expertise to enhance your appreciation of the destination you are exploring.
Dates & Pricing
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Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Aurora Expeditions. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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