North Spitsbergen, Arctic Spring - Hiking Special

Description

The focus of this voyage will be on hiking on shore. Hikers can choose from various hiking options which suite their fitness and ability level best.

The focus of this voyage will be on hiking on shore: –

Hikers can choose from various hiking options which suite their fitness and ability level best.

On offer: very easy beach hikes (good for photographers who need time for photography), easy/ short hikes, medium/ extended hikes, challenging/ long hikes.

Our hiking guests will be split into groups under the guidance of experienced and competent guides. The formation of walking groups will take place on site, taking into account the interests and physical condition of the guests. The hikes cannot be determined in advance because prevailing weather conditions influence the layout of the final program.

The route map in the day-by-day description outlines a possible (but not final) itinerary that serves as a rough guide. The program (walking on land) and the itinerary of the ship (at sea) will be adapted to the prevailing weather, sea, pack ice, and snow conditions. The daily program may vary considerably from the route described. Availability of landing sites and the presence of polar bears also play a role in the selection of daily outings. The program will be adapted in case of interesting wildlife observations.

The final decision about hikes will be made by the expedition leader. For the hiking program, we will be using snowshoes which will be available onboard for all passengers (free rental). With snowshoes it is easier and safer to walk on snowy surfaces. They fit all boot sizes and can be used in combination with our rubber boots. We strongly recommend bringing sturdy, ankle-high hiking boots and gaiters. Hiking poles with snow plates are required. See details in the equipment list.

At the end of a long Arctic winter, spring is starting to awaken. The climate, however, still clings to the cold: ice-covered mountains, snow-swept shores, temperatures around –4° C (25°F). It’s a good time to experience the last of the winter scenery, and with a little luck, also see some polar bears, walruses, and seals into the bargain.

Bird note: –

It is still somewhat quiet on the cliffs, as this time of year the cliff-nesting birds are only just arriving to pick out their breeding places. By May all the nesting birds will have arrived, and the breeding will take place later in June.

Trip Name

North Spitsbergen, Arctic Spring - Hiking Special

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Polar Class Expedition Ship Length: 107.6 metres Passenger Capacity: 170 Built: 2019 Hondius is the first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel in the world, meeting the latest and highest Lloyd’s Register demands for ice-strengthened cruise vessels. Hondius also exceeds the requirements of the Polar Code as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), allowing you to enjoy the polar regions as much as possible while impacting them as little as possible. Upon completion, Hondius will be the most flexible, advanced, innovative ice-strengthened vessel in the polar regions. It is optimized for exploratory voyages that provide you the utmost first-hand contact with the Arctic and Antarctica. Hondius offers high-quality accommodation for 170 passengers in six grand suites with balconies (27 square meters, 291 square feet), eight junior suites (19 to 20 square meters, 205 to 215 square feet), eight superior cabins (20 to 21 square meters, 215 to 226 square feet), 11 twin deluxe cabins, (19 to 21 square meters, 205 to 226 square feet), 14 twin window cabins (12 to 14 square meters, 129 to 151 square feet) as well as 28 twin porthole cabins, two triple porthole cabins, and four quadruple porthole cabins that vary in size from 12 to 18 square meters, or 129 to 194 square feet. The passenger capacity certificate for Hondius is 196 persons. One deck consists of a large observation lounge and separate lecture room, which are reserved for a wide variety of interactive workshops, exhibitions, and performances particular to Hondius. Though elegantly designed in stylish mid-century modern décor, this vessel holds true to Oceanwide’s distinctive cozy and informal atmosphere. It is our philosophy to keep sea time short so that we can focus instead on fast, effective access to shore and near-shore activities. To give you the maximum contact with the nature and wildlife you traveled so far to see, we employ a tough fleet of rigid-hull inflatable Zodiac boats that guarantee swift and safe landing operations for the passengers. Hondius has two separate gangways and a sheltered indoor Zodiac embarkation platform that can also be used for special outdoor activities, such as kayaking. Our top priority is taking advantage of every wildlife and terrain opportunity as it occurs. To keep our itineraries flexible itineraries and our response time rapid, Hondius is equipped with advanced stabilizers and two main engines capable of powering the vessel up to 15 knots. But Hondius sacrifices no warmth to achieve its keen polar edge: You will have 72 crew and staff members (including expedition and hotel staff) at your service while on board, ensuring that what little time you do spend on the ship you will spend comfortably entertained.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1: Largest town, biggest island

You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening, the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage. We head north for Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden.

Day 2 - Day 2: Kongsfjorden, Blomstrandhalvøya and Krossfjorden

On the first day of our activity program, we will slowly ease into things. Blomstrandhalvøya is located on the northern side of the fjord, which will offer shelter and room to change plan in case the weather changes. The landscape is likely to show signs of winter, the crags and slopes still blanketed with snow. Here there are rich opportunities for snowshoeing – we provide the snowshoes – and visiting places of historic interest: Ny London, where you can see the remains of early 20th-century marble mining.In the afternoon, you visit Ny Ålesund, one of the northernmost settlements on Earth. Once a mining village served by the world’s most northerly railway – you can still see its tracks – Ny Ålesund is now a research center. Close to the community is a breeding ground for barnacle geese, pink-footed geese, and Arctic terns. And if you’re interested in the history of Arctic exploration, visit the anchoring mast used by polar explorers Amundsen and Nobile in their airships, Norge (1926) and Italia (1928). In the evening, we head north along the west coast and spend the night in the sheltered surroundings of Krossfjorden. Krossfjorden offers views of colossal glaciers and lofty mountain peaks, but ultimately the extent of fjord ice dictates the itinerary here.

Day 3 - Day 3: Exploring the North West

Next to our activities, we will next head toward Amsterdamoya, where you have the chance to hike past the remains of a 17th-century whaling station. You can also enjoy the beautiful panorama of Smeerenburgsleta. In the afternoon, we make for the islands around Fair Haven. Ytre Norskoya is home to a small rookery of puffins, Brünnich’s guillemots, and other wildlife. Nearby Fuglesangen may also offer the chance to see litte auks flying overead as they return to their nests among the rocks.

Day 4 - Days 4: Rugged Raudfjorden

At Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, you can take in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of this fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of polar bears. Here we will find the right balance between safe activities and wildlilfe watching.

Day 5 - Day 5: The stunning sights of Liefdefjorden

Depending on the weather, you could sail into Liefdefjorden and cruise within sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular polar bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent sailing here early in the season, we may use an alternate route along the west coast of Spitsbergen. Near the area of Texas Bar and Hornbaekpollen, there are also some great hikes.

Day 6 - Day 6: North Spitsbergen splendors

This is our reserve day for activities around North Spitsbergen. Weather and wildlife permitting, we will choose the right location for another day of splendid outdoor adventures.

Day 7 - Day 7: Forlandsundet or St. Johns Fjord

Forlandsundet, between the main island of Spitsbergen and the narrow Prins Karls Forland, is a place of great beauty and fascinating wildlife. Walruses sometimes haul out here, and seabirds can be found around Fuglehuken. You may also see walrus populations around Sarstangen and Poolepynten. Alternatively, we might sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation. We will arrive in Longyearbyen later that night.

Day 8 - Day 8: There and back again

Even the greatest journeys eventually come to an end. Today you disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

Day 9 - Please Note:

All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevant national authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Average cruising speed of m/v Hondius is 10,5 knots.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Shore-Based Walking
Snowshoeing
Hiking
Ny Ålesund
Liefdefjorden
Fuglesangen
Walrus
Pink-footed Goose