Realm of the Polar Bear
An 8-Day G Adventures tour starting from $3,599
Tour Overview
| Tour Type: |
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| Tour Category: | Expedition | ||
| Tour Operator: | G Adventures | ||
| Tour Code: | GAP-XVRPNX-2012 |
- Dates & Prices
- Highlights
- Itinerary
- What's Included/Accommodations
- Details & Specials
- Reviews & Ratings
Countries Visited
NorwayCities Visited
See DescriptionWhile it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
Group Leader Description
A carefully chosen team will lead our voyage. Our expedition ships boast an international team of professional naturalists and lecturers. Their goal is to provide an informed and balanced interpretation of the destination, accomplished through stimulating lectures, day-to-day briefings, and informal discussions. Your lecturers and Expedition Leader will cover all aspects of the voyage including ornithology, marine biology, geography, geology, history and the environment, as well as practical things like photography. The expedition staff work conscientiously with you on deck and in the field, improving your observational skills to allow you to experience all that the destination has to offer. Their strong sense of ethics and ecological knowledge make for stimulating and mindful conversation whether onshore or at the dinner table. The Expedition Staff will pilot the Zodiac landing craft used for shore landings and Zodiac cruises; they are experienced drivers who operate the Zodiacs in a responsible manner.
Group Size Notes
Max 132
Your Fellow Travellers
As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.
Highlights
Spot whales and polar bears, explore incredible scenery, listen to and watch Arctic birdlife and glaciers, discover breathtaking ice-covered fjords, glimpse herds of Svalbard’s unique reindeer, brave the Arctic waters for a polar plunge and take advantage of time spent with our expert guides.
From close-up encounters with icebergs and glaciers to the region’s plentiful wildlife, this is a voyage of nonstop highlights. Always on the lookout for wildlife you’ll explore this landscape not only by ship but also on foot and by Zodiac. Roaming polar bears, lounging seals, grazing reindeer and colonies of birds all co-exist in this harsh land we dare only to explore a couple months of the year.
- Book 3 or more tours - Get an extra 5% off
- Book a group 8 people pay, 9th person is free.
| Start Date | End Date | Brochure price | Our Price | Quote |
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Please call a tour specialist at 1-800-942-3301 for personalized assistance.
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Airfare Disclaimer Documents Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator. |
Longyearbyen is the largest settlement on archipelago of Svalbard with a population of about 2,060 people and about as many snowmobiles. Most of the inhabitants are Norwegians, and some are Russians. Located in the Advent Fjord at the entrance of the Advent Valley, this community has an infrastructure fit for a much larger city. Within the islands, there are four inhabited settlements and some scientific stations. Barentsburg, a Russian coal mining settlement, has approximately 850 inhabitants. Sveagruva, the functional Norwegian mine has around 100 inhabitants and Ny Ålesund, a scientific settlement has between 30 and 150 inhabitants, depending on the season. All settlements are found on the west coast, the part of Spitsbergen with the mildest climate due to the warm Gulf Current. Longyearbyen is located at 78°13′N 15°33′E. The Governor of Svalbard resides there. Due to its location far north of the polar circle, it is polar night from mid-October to mid-February and polar day from mid-April to mid-August. Longyearbyen has an arctic tundra climate. History and present day facilities: The settlement was founded in 1906 by John Munroe Longyear, main owner of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston. "Byen" is Norwegian for "the city". It was destroyed by the Germans in 1943 and rebuilt after World War II, with the old foundations still visible in some places. Until the early 1990's the coal mining industry was the major employer in Longyearbyen. The daily life revolved only around the mining business. Today, the community offers a wide range of activities and facilities. There is a bank, post office, hospital, public library, cafes/restaurants, tourist information, a swimming hall, a climbing wall, a big sports hall, a grocery store, three pubs, three hotels, one church, several tourists shops, there are various forms of lodging, from hostels to modern full-service hotels, a cinema (Sundays) and one night club. During summer, most of the people you meet here will be tourists or young people working to accommodate the visitors. A very friendly and international atmosphere reigns. And, of course, Longyearbyen has its own international airport.
Day 2-7 Svalbard Archipelago / Spitsbergen (6B,6L,6D)
Each day will be planned to take advantage of local ice and weather conditions. Distances are relatively short in the Archipelago and as there are no ocean crossings, the seas are normally calm. Svalbard is one of the few places on the planet that offers such a wealth and diversity of natural and cultural history sites. During these six days we will visit ice covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery and glaciers flowing into the sea around us. We will spend time steaming through the ice in search of polar bears hunting seals. Ivory gulls will be a highlight for the birders, while we keep a constant lookout for walrus hauled out on ice floes or on sandy beaches. We will visit, ice permitting, spectacular bird cliffs filled with thousands of murres (guillemots), as well as kittiwakes and glaucous gulls. A little auk colony will also be on our agenda. Our shore stops will be highlighted with flowers nearing, or at the peak of, their bloom. We will have the opportunity to observe and discuss some of their adaptations to what we consider a harsh environment. At one or more of our stops, we hope to see Svalbard’s unique subspecies of reindeer. They are much smaller than their southern relatives, but still carry impressive antlers. We also have the possibility of Arctic foxes. This is also a land of history: from whaling to reaching for the pole, to trapping, coal mining and war. We will visit some of these historic sites. We may cruise in Zodiacs along the ice edge viewing seals or walrus, in fjords with glaciers spilling down to the sea or in front of spectacular seabird cliffs. We will have opportunities to walk on shore, observe and photograph the Arctic flora and fauna. As we are in the land of the polar bear, your expedition staff will carry rifles and flare guns on shore for your protection. Krossfjord, Konigsfjord, Monaco Glacier, Hinlopen Strait, Northeast Land, Edgeoya, Hornsund and Bellsund are just a few of the places that we may visit. By not having a set itinerary, we take on an expedition spirit and are free to take advantage of the best that Svalbard has to offer. The evening of our last full day of adventure will find the expedition ship anchored off Longyearbyen. Please note that despite our best efforts it may not be possible to circumnavigate around Spitsbergen due to ice conditions.
Day 8 Longyearbyen (1B)
All meals included on board the ship.
Meals
Onboard our expedition ships you’ll find a diversity of gourmet international cuisines prepared and catered by professional chefs; all meals are included in the price of your expedition. Dining is casual, tables are unassigned and the dining room is capable of seating the entire passenger compliment at one time. There is always a selection of different meals available, and vegetarians will find plenty of options. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice, please advise us at time of confirmation. Coffee, tea and water are all provided free of charge. All other beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic are not included and can be purchased in the dining room, pub, or in the lounge.
Transport
M/S Expedition, Zodiac, and local buses.
Local Flights
Your local flights from Oslo to Longyearbyen are not included in this tour. We recommend arriving at least 1 day prior to the sailing of the ship to guarantee your arrival. While flight delays are not common sometimes they do happen.
Accommodation
Quad, triple, twin-share cabins, or suites (all with en suite bathrooms and porthole or window) (7 nights). Please note that all cabins consist of twin-sized berths and are ocean-facing. Suites have one queen size bed.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Important Notes
Arrival Transfer: If you are arriving into Longyearbyen on Flight SK4414@ 13:55 on day 1: a complimentary transfer will be provided to the meeting point. You must notify your booking agent about your arrival flight details into Longyearbyen.
Please note: While it is our intention of adhere to the route described above , there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. On the first day of your tour, your Expedition Leader will give you an expedition overview.
As a member of Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) we are dedicated to manage respectable, environmentally-friendly and safe expeditions in the Arctic. We therefore fully support and conduct our operations within the philosophy and regulations of the Governor of Svalbard. There is no single animal in Svalbard of more interest than the polar bear. With that in mind Norwegian legislation strictly limits permissible conduct in bear country. Article 30 of the "Svalbard Environmental Protection Act" states that it is prohibited to entice, feed, chase or otherwise actively make contact with a polar bear that may disturb it and / or cause danger for humans or the bear. At all times, the Captain, officers and crew of the M/S Expedition will operate in such a way as not to violate this trust between Governor Svalbard and the tourism industry.
As the Governor states: “We realize it is not possible to be an invisible tourist, but we appreciate your trying”.
Single Travellers
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
What to Take
Most airlines allow one checked bag and two carry-on per person. To avoid any problems on check-in and with possible excess baggage charges, please consult the airline for specific restrictions.
Dress on board is informal. Plan to bring comfortable, casual clothing for all activities. Bring wind and waterproof outer layers. Beware of tight clothing that leaves no room for trapped air, which is an excellent insulator. Wool, silk and some of the new synthetic fibers, like polar fleece, retain heat better than cotton. When packing, we suggest that you do not weigh yourself down with too many clothes or too much gear. Select informal, practical attire that can be worn in layers. The most important item that you will need to bring on your voyage is a parka.
Weather conditions during the period, July to August
· Average temperature approx. 5ºC
· Daylight around the clock
· Cold wind is usual
· Snow-covered areas at North and east Spitsbergen
· The ground is often wet because of melting snow
Checklist
GENERAL EXPEDITION CHECKLIST
ACCESSORIES:
Binoculars
Camera and Accessories
- Memory card
- Extra battery
- Something to protect your camera from water
Plug adaptor
- Onboard is 220AC electrical outlets with European 2 pin round holes as well as 110 volt shaving sockets for electric razors only
Sunglasses
Sunblock
At sea distractions
- Personal entertainment
- Laptop computer
- Books/games/movie
Water bottle
PERSONAL ITEMS:
Personal toiletries
Personal medication, vitamins
If you are prone to seasickness please consult your doc and bring medication
- Homeopathic and natural options
DOCUMENTATION:
Money (cash/travelers checks)
Credit Card
Visas
Passport
Airline tickets
Travel insurance documents
Trip details information
ONBOARD CLOTHING:
Comfortable and informal clothing onboard
Non-slip footwear for wet decks
BOOTS FOR ZODIAC LANDINGS:
Complementary used waterproof boots will be supplied for the following sized:
- Men’s USA size 8-14
- Women’s USA size 3-9
Guest must bring their own if they are:
- Men’s USA size 7 or smaller
- Men’s USA size 15 or larger
- Women’s USA size 2 or smaller
- Women’s USA size 10 of larger
Rubber, waterproof boots that are just below your knees (12-16” high or 30-41cm) with a strong, ridged non-skid sole are essential for wet landings via Zodiac. You usually have to step from the Zodiac into water, which can be up to 1 ft or 30 cm high on most landings. Do not bring heavy, cumbersome boots that make it difficult to walk. Do not bring boots with metal cleats as they cannot be used for the landings. Try out your boots before your voyage.
TRIP SPECIFIC CHECKLIST
OUTDOOR CLOTHING:
The goal is to dress for many different temperatures and weather conditions. We recommend bringing clothing in layers as the weather can vary between warm and sunny to very cold and snowing.
Waterproof parka
Waterproof pants
Warm hat
Gloves
Scarf
Warm socks to be worn inside wellington boots
Fleece
Long underwear
OPTIONAL CLOTHING:
Ski goggle for wet Zodiac rides
Walking poles
Visas
All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.
Departure Tax
Usually included in international air ticket that you have purchased.
Tipping
Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. It is an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your expedition. The industry standard and suggested amount is USD $10 - 15 per person per day spent on board. Of course, tipping is a personal choice and the suggested amount is set only as a guideline. The money is collected by the Hotel Manager at the end of the voyage and distributed amongst the crew and Expedition Staff.
Health
Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.
Please consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We require all passengers traveling on any one of our expeditions to review our medical questionnaire. The questionnaire can be found online at:
www.gadventures.com/online_medical_form.
Passengers with preexisting medical conditions are required to submit a medical form signed by a physician. It is very important that we are advised of any special meal requirements, food allergies, or prescribed medication when you confirm your tour. The ship is equipped with a small infirmary with typically required medications and limited equipment. The ship's doctor is available for visits during the day and is available 24 hours per day for emergencies.
In case of an emergency, please bring with you a signed and dated letter from your physician (to be given our doctor on board, as well as for any medical authorities in case of an emergency) stating any health problems and dosage requirements. International health regulations do not currently require any inoculations for the countries that you will visit on our voyages to the Antarctic. We suggest that you confer with your own physician to be sure your routine immunizations, such as tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis A, are up-to-date before traveling. Older travelers, in particular, may wish to consider preventive measures against influenza and pneumonia.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
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