ARCTIC VOYAGE AROUND SPITSBERGEN - BOOK NOW FOR AUGUST DEPARTURE

Save up to £370 p/p on Wildlife Worldwide’s 11-night voyage aboard the ice-strengthened expedition vessel Antarctic Dream, around the icy northern coastline of Spitsbergen, searching out Walrus, Arctic seabird colonies, whales and the ultimate land carnivore - the mighty Polar Bear. Voyage departs Longyearbyen 18th August 2008.

The Svalbard Archipelago is only a few hours flight from the UK, yet this extraordinary land of rugged mountains, sweeping tundra, ice caps, glaciers and exceptional wildlife is a true High Arctic wilderness. Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago. Ice conditions allowing, the northern-most point of the voyage is likely to be Phippsøya in the Seven Islands, just 870 kilometres from the geographic North Pole. Heading north along the west coast to Krossfjorden, passengers transfer to Zodiacs for an exhilarating cruise along the sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier. The next port of call is Ny Ålesund, the world’s most northerly settlement. Once a mining village - served by the world’s most northerly railway, which can still be seen - Ny Ålesund is now a research centre. Heading further north still, the vessel sails into Liefdefjorden, cruising close to the face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the glacier front are a favourite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwakes and Polar Bears are occasionally seen on the glacier. Phippsøya in the Seven Islands, the realm of the Polar Bear, is next. Here, time will be spent on the pack ice taking in the spectacular surroundings and watching for sightings of the ‘King of the Arctic’. Turning south, a visit is made to Laagöya, a low island with a big lagoon where a big herd of Walrus tends to congregate. Sabine’s Gulls nest on the island, and during a nature walk, families of Ptarmigan may be encountered. Sailing down through Hinlopen Strait, the waterway between Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet, sightings of Bearded and Ringed Seals, Polar Bears and Ivory Gulls are all possible. Utilising zodiacs to navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya, explorations will be made of the bird cliffs at Alkefjellet, home to thousands of Brunnich’s Guillemots, the polar desert of Nordaustlandet, next to the world’s third largest ice cap, and an old trapper’s hut at Sundneset on Barentsøya. Moving south to Dislobukta on the west side of Edgeøya, beaches are littered with whale bones and tree trunks that have drifted from Siberia. On Ahlstrandhalvøya, piles of Beluga skeletons are evidence of the 19th Century slaughter. Fortunately Belugas were not hunted to extinction and the chances of encountering a pod are good. The voyage concludes back in Longyearbyen.

The voyage now costs from £2,325 p/p including accommodation on board ship, all meals and expertly guided shore and zodiac excursions.

Click here for Arctic Wildlife Cruise, Around Spitsbergen