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Ultra Marine - Guests

Spitsbergen Photography: In Search Of Polar Bears

Spitsbergen Expedition

This unique 13-day voyage invites guests to embrace a true expeditionary spirit: rather than follow a set itinerary, together we'll allow our search for polar bears and other wildlife to determine our route and shore landings in the pristine Norwegian Arctic. You'll be experiencing this once-in-a-lifetime journey aboard our game-changing new expedition vessel, Ultramarine, which is equipped with 20 quick-launching Zodiacs, luxurious onboard amenities and the biggest portfolio of adventure option.


 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • View iconic arctic wildlife, like polar bears, walrus and arctic fox
  • Enjoy continuous daylight, perfect for photography buffs
  • Cruise in a Zodiac for closer views of glaciers, fjords, icebergs and more
  • Hike the colorful arctic tundra
  • Learn techniques and tips from onboard photographers

DATES / RATES

Rates are listed per person
Start DateEnd DateFrom EURFrom USD
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:
Package Cost: USD 995 per person
  • One night’s pre-expedition hotel night (Oslo for 2022 and Helsinki for 2023)
  • Charter flight from Oslo/Helsinki to Longyearbyen
  • Arrival and departure transfers in Longyearbyen
  • Charter flight from Longyearbyen to finishing city (Oslo for 2022 and Helsinki for 2023)
Rates are listed per person
Start DateEnd DateFrom EURFrom USD
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:
Package Cost: USD 995 per person
  • One night’s pre-expedition hotel night (Oslo for 2022 and Helsinki for 2023)
  • Charter flight from Oslo/Helsinki to Longyearbyen
  • Arrival and departure transfers in Longyearbyen
  • Charter flight from Longyearbyen to finishing city (Oslo for 2022 and Helsinki for 2023)

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Arrival Day. Check into your included hotel.

Note: for 2022 itineraries, the trip will start in Oslo. For 2023, the trip will start in Helsinki.


Day 2: Embarkation Day in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, where you’ll have some time to explore before embarkation. As your ship sets sail, enjoy your first view of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically from icy waters.

Days 3-13: Exploring Spitsbergen
Spitsbergen is graced with an unspoiled beauty that’s just waiting to be discovered. On this one-of-a-kind cruise, you’ll sail along the west coast of this magical island, exploring the coastal fjords and smaller, outlying islands. Each day will be a surprise, treating you to spectacular new sightings and experiences.

Every expedition is unique, depending on the weather and ice conditions, but we do hope to visit a few of our favorite landing sites, which will be chosen as much for their optimal wildlife-viewing opportunities as for their stunning scenery, historical significance and hiking activities. With no itinerary (unusual amongst polar cruises), our main goal will be to sail in a constant search for polar bears on the prowl. This means we may not move the ship every day as we do on regular voyages, especially if we find abundant wildlife in one place. Like true explorers, we’ll let the wildlife and pack ice—not a set schedule—guide our route! Our small expedition ship allows us to navigate shallower waters and tighter spaces, so we expect to explore the more hard-to-reach areas frequented by the elusive polar bear.

Presentations by on-board experts will prepare you for the adventures that await, and with continuous daylight during this time of year, photo ops abound. You’ll have ample time to linger and photograph any bears we find hunting on the ice edge, but they’re not the only wildlife we hope to encounter. The food-rich waters attract walrus, whales and seabirds, so you’ll want to keep your binoculars nearby while cruising. Arctic fox and the indigenous Svalbard reindeer may also be spotted on Zodiac excursions to shore.

A haven for present-day explorers, Spitsbergen and the surrounding area offer unforgettable polar experiences that will keep you and your camera active for the duration of the expedition. Although 60 percent of the landscape is covered in glaciers and much of the terrain is mountainous, Spitsbergen (which means “pointed mountains”) surprises visitors with stretches of colorful tundra that burst with wildflowers in summer. Optional hiking activities get you up close—though never obtrusively—to the abundant wildlife. At day’s end, you’ll have plenty of prized photographs and exciting stories to share with your shipmates.

Day 14: Disembark in Longyearbyen and Fly to the trip's end point
Your adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Oslo or Helsinki.

Note: for 2022 itineraries, the trip will end in Oslo. For 2023, the trip will end in Helsinki.

(Click image to view Ship details)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
  • All shore landings per the daily program
  • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
  • All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
  • Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
  • Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
  • A photographic journal documenting the expedition
  • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
  • An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
  • Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • All luggage handling aboard the ship
  • Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
  • Transfers between Longyearbyen town center and port on embarkation and disembarkation day

Rates do not include the following:
  • Mandatory Transfer Package*
  • International airfare
  • Arrival and departure transfers in Oslo
  • Passport and visa expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
  • Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
  • Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
  • Excess-baggage fees on international flights
  • Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
  • Laundry, bar and other personal charges unless specified
  • Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
  • Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
  • Additional overnight accommodation
  • Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities

ADVENTURE OPTIONS
  • Kayaking: USD 695
  • Paddling: USD 195

 

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Europe & ROW: WhatsApp & Mobile: +372 52 99 832

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DISCLAIMER: Rates are per person, subject to availability and can change at any time