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Land of the Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration of Arctic Svalbard

Land of the Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration of Arctic Svalbard

From AUD $15,440

Description

Sail to the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, the best place on the planet to see polar bears—wild and majestic in their native habitat. Over the past 30+ years, our ace spotters have given our guests multiple opportunities to experience close sightings. In addition to the bears, we’ll have the opportunity to see and observe walrus, fascinating creatures and wonderful photo subjects, reindeer, elusive arctic foxes, fur seals, and a glory of birds. The islands of the archipelago are ideal for walking, with some hikes revealing artful, sculptural arrangements of whale bones on pebbled beaches, and the ghostly remains of trapper’s huts.

Trip Name
Land of the Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration of Arctic Svalbard
Days
10
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Passenger Capacity: 126 Built: 2020 A next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation. National Geographic Resolution is a next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation. A twin to National Geographic Endurance, she is a fully stabilized, highly strengthened, ice-class Polar Class 5 (PC5) vessel, it is designed to navigate polar passages year-round, and safely explore uncharted waters, while providing exceptional comfort. Its patented X-BOW® is key to its design; its powerful wave-slicing action provides an extremely smooth ride in even adverse conditions, and even reduces spray on deck, for superior observation. She carries a full suite of expedition tools and offers a variety of experience-enhancing amenities. The luxury of comfort on expedition. National Geographic Resolution comfortably accommodates 126 guests in 69 outside-facing cabins. Cabins are efficiently designed, with sizes range from the 140-square-foot solo cabin to the 430-square-foot category 7 suite. Fifty-three of the 69 cabins, including all 12 of the solo cabins, will feature small balconies with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that bring in the spectacular views and ample natural light.  Comfort & convenience in every room. Every cabin has two portholes, a large window or balcony, and temperature controls. Bathrooms are modern and stocked with botanically inspired hair products, soap, and shower gel, plus a hairdryer. Cabins are equipped with expedition command centers with tablets and USB/mobile device docking, TVs, Wi-Fi connections, and hair dryers. Dining. Food served aboard is fresh, local, and delicious, and sourced from suppliers who share our values of sustainable use whenever possible. Meals aboard are almost always served in the dining room, located aft of the lounge deck. When weather conditions allow, lighter fare may be served on the observation deck. There is no assigned seating and our dining room accommodates the entire expedition community in a single seating. During meals your expedition leader, naturalists, and any guest speakers aboard will join you. Public Areas: Two restaurants, a Chef’s Table for small group dining, Observation Lounge with bar, gym, Wellness area, infinity-style outdoor hot tubs, library, main lounge with full service bar, 24-hour beverage, state-of-the-art facilities for films, slideshows and presentations, and a photo workshop area; plus, an expedition base with lockers for expedition gear, and an “open bridge” for access to our captain, officers and the art of navigation. Meals: Two restaurants, featuring local, sustainable choices and unassigned seating for flexible, inclusive dining; plus a Chef’s table for intimate, small group dining. Main restaurant has 270º views, and the Observation deck restaurant features lighter, made-to-order fare.  Special Features: A full-time doctor, undersea specialist, National Geographic photographer, Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor and video chronicler, an internet cafe and laundry. Wellness: The vessel is staffed by our wellness specialists and features a glass-enclosed yoga studio, gym, treatment rooms and spa relax area, and high- and low-heat saunas with ocean views. Expedition Landing Craft. Key to our operation is our fleet of expedition landing craft, which we use to land in places that would otherwise be inaccessible. With 14 of these boats and two loading stations used every time we disembark, we’re able to transfer guests off the ship quickly, so you can be out on adventures, not idly waiting. The expedition landing craft we use are 19 feet long, powered by four-stroke outboard engines, and are capable of comfortably carrying 10-12 people. They are widely recognized as the safest and most versatile small boats afloat. Remotely Operated Vehicle. Capable of reaching 1,000 feet, far beyond the range of any Scuba diver, the ROV allows you to literally view parts of the undersea that are as unexplored as the moon. Chances are you, like many of our guests, will be struck by how surprisingly colorful undersea life is in these unlikely places. And this glimpse may fundamentally change how you view the ocean. Kayaks. National Geographic Resolution will be equipped with a fleet of kayaks large enough to ensure everyone who wants to can paddle at every opportunity. Consequently, prior kayaking experience isn’t necessary—many of our guests have their first kayaking experience in extraordinary locations. Our custom-designed floating platform lets us deploy kayaks from the ship, or any location we want—including far from shore. Kayakers are usually free to explore where they want within boundaries set by the undersea specialist and officer of the watch. Underwater camera. Our undersea specialist will dive often during your expedition, even in polar regions, with cold-water gear, to shoot high-definition, Cousteau-like footage of the deep. Colorful nudibranchs, swimming, plant-like crinoids, and mysterious fish with antifreeze blood that thrive in the frigid sea will give you an entirely new appreciation of the marine environment. Video microscope. Naturalists will use the video microscope to help explain all elements of the environment, including tiny organisms that are the building block of the marine ecosystem. Spellbinding live views of krill at 80x magnification fills the high-definition screens in the lounge with vivid detail, and fills every onlooker with a sense of wonder at the importance of otherwise unobservable creatures. Hydrophone. This underwater microphone is deployed to listen to the vocalizations of marine mammals. Real time transmissions of their eerie, haunting sounds can be broadcast through the ship or recorded for later playback. Few experiences in nature are as captivating as watching humpback whales feed close to the ship as their vocalizations play through the ship’s PA system. Electronic charts. An electronic chart showing the ship’s location, course, and speed is almost always on display in the lounge. Open bridge. You’ll find our captains are engaged, knowledgeable members of your expedition who are eager to share their passion with you. National Geographic Resolution's open bridge features comfortable spaces to sit, enjoy the view, drink your morning coffee, or simply chat with the officers. Snorkeling gear & wetsuits. On warm weather itineraries where there will be snorkeling, you’ll select a mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit that remain yours for the duration of the expedition. There’s no need to pack and tote your own gear, although guests who prefer to are welcome to bring their own.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: Oslo, Norway
Arrive in Oslo, the capital city where each year theNobel Peace Prize is awarded in the presence ofthe King of Norway. Check in to the Hotel Bristol(or similar). In the afternoon, our introduction toOslo begins with a stroll among the famedVigeland sculptures—hundreds of life-size humanfigures set in terraced Frogner Park. Next we visitthe Fram Museum, dedicated to Norwegianexplorers Nansen and Amundsen. Join your fellowtravelers for a welcome cocktail reception then theevening is at leisure for dinner on your own. (L)
Day 2 - DAY 2: Oslo / Longyearbyen / Embark Ship
Depart Oslo on a charter flight, and enjoybreathtaking vistas en route to Longyearbyen. Onarrival, visit the Svalbard Museum to learn thestory of Svalbard and its context in Norway andthe Arctic, from 17th-century whaling to modernmining, research and tourism. Then tour theGallery Svalbard to view the permanent art andcultural collections as well as studios of localartists. Embark National Geographic Endurance orNational Geographic Resolution, your base for thenext six days. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - DAY 3-8: Exploring Svalbard
Our travel in the archipelago is truly exploratory bydesign, and our exact day-to-day movements willremain flexible, depending on local conditions.Our main focus is the search for Svalbard’samazing wildlife: polar bear, reindeer and walrus.Observe seals and arctic foxes and search for thevery symbol of the Arctic—majestic polar bears.Cruise in Svalbard’s fjords, venture to the foot ofstunning tidewater glaciers. We take our Zodiacsand kayaks among beautiful icebergs, andexperience the geology, wildlife and wildflowersthat give color and vitality to the High Arctic.(B,L,D)
Day 4 - DAY 9: Longyearbyen / Disembark / Oslo
Disembark in Longyearbyen, meet up with a localguide and take a short bus ride to Camp Barentzin the nearby Advent Valley for a taste of Arcticculture. Here, you’ll discover a unique collection ofbuildings including an authentic gamme, atraditional round building with an open fire in thecenter, and a lavvo, the traditional tent of the Samipeople. Enjoy refreshments and meet some of thefriendly sled dog huskies that reside at camp. Flyback to Oslo and overnight at the Radisson BluAirport Hotel. (B,L)
Day 5 - DAY 10: Oslo / Home
After breakfast, proceed to the airport for flightshome. (B)
Day 6 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-06-202320-06-2023AUD $15,440Category 1
11-06-202320-06-2023AUD $15,940Category 2
11-06-202320-06-2023AUD $19,390Category 3
11-06-202320-06-2023AUD $21,480Category 4
11-06-202320-06-2023AUD $23,630Category 5
11-06-202320-06-2023AUD $24,170Suite A Solo
11-06-202320-06-2023AUD $26,790Suite B Solo
11-06-202320-06-2023AUD $27,390Category 6
11-06-202320-06-2023AUD $30,400Category 7
30-05-202408-06-2024AUD $16,580Category 2
30-05-202408-06-2024AUD $20,150Category 3
30-05-202408-06-2024AUD $22,320Category 4
30-05-202408-06-2024AUD $24,570Category 5
30-05-202408-06-2024AUD $25,130Suite A Solo
30-05-202408-06-2024AUD $27,850Suite B Solo
30-05-202408-06-2024AUD $28,450Category 6
30-05-202408-06-2024AUD $31,600Category 7
30-05-202408-06-2024AUD $16,040Category 1
13-06-202422-06-2024AUD $15,440Category 1
13-06-202422-06-2024AUD $15,940Category 2
13-06-202422-06-2024AUD $19,390Category 3
13-06-202422-06-2024AUD $21,480Category 4
13-06-202422-06-2024AUD $23,630Category 5
13-06-202422-06-2024AUD $24,170Suite A Solo
13-06-202422-06-2024AUD $26,790Suite B Solo
13-06-202422-06-2024AUD $27,390Category 6
13-06-202422-06-2024AUD $30,400Category 7

Inclusions

    • Search for polar bears and walrus alongside our skilled veteran spotters
    • Explore under the midnight sun—and take advantage of spectacular photo ops with tips from a National Geographic photographer
    • Sail up to rock-wall rookeries teeming with thousands of birds, see pelagic birds from the ship’s rail when we’re underway, and Zodiac cruise near a cloud of feeding arctic terns
    • Actively explore––kayak, Zodiac cruise, hike, and walk
    • Even discover the seldom-seen undersea via video shot by an ROV

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