Central Spitsbergen, Aurora borealis

7 days
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Small Ship Cruise
The central Spitsbergen cruise offers the chance to explore both the beautiful fjord region as well as the history of the people who have lived and worked here. The expedition is also a wonderful way to enjoy the wildlife in its natural habitat and one of the great attractions in the Arctic: The Northern Lights. Leaving Tryghamna early in the morning and set ...
From$2,650
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Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Visit the Svalbard Museum
    • See Arctic Fox and reindeer.
    • See remains of their huts - for example, at Ahlstrandhalvøya
    • Visit to Barentsburg, the only inhabited Russian settlement in Spitsbergen

What's this trip about?

    The central Spitsbergen cruise offers the chance to explore both the beautiful fjord region as well as the history of the people who have lived and worked here. The expedition is also a wonderful way to enjoy the wildlife in its natural habitat and one of the great attractions in the Arctic: The Northern Lights. Leaving Tryghamna early in the morning and set sail to the north side of Bell Sund fjord system with fascinating geology and amazing landscapes. Bell Sund is a fjord system with two major branches (Van Mijenfjord, Van Keulenfjord) and one smaller side bay (Recherchefjord). The geology is fascinating and has created amazing landscapes, such as the long, narrow island of Akseløya that blocks Van Mijenfjord almost completely.

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Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityLongyearbyen
End CityLongyearbyen

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Sailing
  • National Parks
  • Small Ship Cruise

Activities

Trip includes

    • Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
    • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
    • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
    • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
    • Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen.
    • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
    • AECO fees and governmental taxes.
    • Comprehensive pre-departure material.

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Itinerary

Day 1: We will embark our vessel in Longyeabyen, in the late afternoon
After arriving in Longyearbyen, the ‘capital’ (actually the administrative centre) of Spitsbergen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration. In the afternoon we ...
Day 2 - 5: We set sail to the fjord system of Bell Sund
We leave Trygghamna early in the morning and sail to the north side of Bellsund. Bellsund is a fjord system with two major branches (Van Mijenfjord, Van Keulenfjord) and one smaller side bay (Recherchefjord). The geology is fascinating and has created amazing landscapes,...
Day 6: We will visit an inhabitated Russian settlement in Barentsburg
We will pay a visit to Barentsburg, the only inhabited Russian settlement in Spitsbergen, or to Colesbukta, an abandoned Russian coal mining settlement.

Day 7: We will sail into the Isfjord system
We sail into the inner reaches of the Isfjord system, where during nights with open sky we will experience temperatures of minus 10 degrees C, and new ice will be forming on the heads of the fjords.

Day 8: Our final morning, we will disembark the ship in the morning in Longyearbyen
Departure by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,650
Price per day$379
Last Updated: 5/15/2023

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Oceanwide Expeditions.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
    • Pre- and post- land arrangements.
    • Passport and visa expenses.
    • Government arrival and departure taxes.
    • Meals ashore.
    • Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is mandatory).
    • Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
    • The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

Accommodation

Ship & cabin information
s/v Noorderlicht
The ‘Noorderlicht’ was originally built in 1910 in Flensburg, Germany as a three-masted schooner. For most of her existence she served as a light-vessel on the Baltic. In 1991 the present owners purchased the hull and re-rigged and refitted her thoroughly, under the rules of “Register Holland”. The ‘Noorderlicht’ now has a well-balanced two-masted schooner rig and is capable of sailing the seven seas • The qualified captains have a great experience of the oceans. Together with the rest of the crew, they will do everything possible to ensure that you have a wonderful and unforgettable journey • Ice class: The Noorderlicht has no ice class. She was anchored year around near Flensburg (Germany). Due to heavy ice conditions in the winter time, the bow of the Noorderlicht was strengthened. The vessel is not an ice breaker but has a strengthened bow • The ‘Noorderlicht’ provides accommodation for 20 travelers in comfortable twin shared inside cabins • All cabins have upper and lower berths, a cupboard and wash basin with hot and cold water. Shared shower (4) and toilet (5) facilities are conveniently located. All cabins have a small hatch in the ceiling which vary in size, except cabin 6 which has a small, locked porthole in the ceiling but ventilation slots in the door. On occasion and depending on weather situation those hatches will be opened by the crew to allow fresh air ventilation of the complete lower deck (including cabin 6) while passengers go ashore.
Passengers: 20 in 10 cabins Staff & crew: 5 Length: 46 meters (153 feet) Breadth: 6,5 meters (22 feet) Draft: 3,2 meters (11 feet) Ice class: Strengthened bow Displacement: 300 tonnes Propulsion: 360 hp diesel Speed: 7 knots maximum
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
oceanw-CenAurOceExp

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