Wilderness Travel Cultural Cruise Collection for 2022-23

Svalbard Expedition ABOARD THE QUEST OR SJOVEIEN

Embark on an expedition-style journey into the Arctic, allowing ice conditions, wildlife, and weather to dictate your landings and activities. On board a small expedition ship—either a 53-passenger vessel or an intimate 12-passenger vessel—you’ll enjoy access to remote coves, secluded islands, and pristine bays. Choose from a 9-day springtime adventure when wintry wonderlands still sparkle with ice formations, mountains are covered in snow, and wildlife is bursting with new life, or an 11-day summer journey in the glow of the midnight sun. In July and August, as the ice begins to loosen its grip, you’ll be able to explore the seldom visited eastern parts of the archipelago. During this time, a larger number of whales frequent the waters, you can take longer walks onto magnificent landscapes, and warm summer sunsets are perfect for photography. No matter which journey you choose, you’ll be in the company of excellent naturalists who will enrich your days and nights in this wild and wondrous northerly realm.

DAYS 1-2 LONGYEARBYEN TO ISFJORDEN ( 11-day summer itinerary) After an overnight in Longyearbyen, the Arctic adventure capital of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard, embark and sail into a true wilderness where nature rules. The long days of summer sunlight illuminate your surroundings as the ship makes its way through the high Arctic, while the experienced captain and expedition leaders adjust plans as necessary, depending on conditions and opportunities. The scenery while sailing through Isfjorden is spectacular and there is always the possibility of marine mammal encounters.

DAYS 3-11 SVALBARD EXPEDITION Experience excellent wildlife viewing as you explore Svalbard’s spectacular fjords, coasts, and islands including Nordaustlandet, covered by an enormous ice cap and graced with huge glacier fronts intersected by hundreds of waterfalls. Seals watch vigilantly for polar bears on ice floes and “fast ice” (the ice that extends out from shore). The flowering tundra is home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox, the waters are home to walrus and a variety of whales, and the whole area is alive with migratory birds. Polar bears preside over it all, and the Zodiacs cruise as close and safely as possible to the

edge of the polar ice cap to witness these mighty symbols of the Arctic. To complete the Arctic experience, you’ll explore places rich with history—the remnants of whaling camps, trappers’ cabins, staging areas for early attempts to reach the North Pole, and even an abandoned polar research station. Disembark in Longyearbyen. DATES Multiple departures May-Aug Itinerary lengths vary, please see website TRIP COST From $5,690 Price is per person and depends on cabin type

ARCTIC OCEAN

NORDAUSTLANDET

Virgohamna

Raudfjorden

Kongsfjorden

SPITSBERGEN

Prins Karls Forland

NORWAY

R

Longyearb

yen

Alkhornet

Bellsund

SVALBARD ARCHIPELAGO

Hornsund

GREENLAND SEA

100 mi

100 km

12

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