SPITZBERGEN EXPLORER

Sail to 80 degrees north, well beyond the Arctic Circle, around the island of Spitzbergen, where snow-draped mountains rise high above the pack ice. Seen from the ship or on land, it is the wildlife that makes this adventurous expedition so intoxicating: huge 200,000-strong colonies of little auk thronging the cliffs and shores, kittiwakes next to the Monaco Glacier, walrus wallowing in the shallows, arctic foxes, whales and, of course, one of the ultimate wildlife sightings, the mighty polar bear, frequently seen hunting in its frosty backyard on ice floes. With 24 hour daylight, the time is maximised amid this breathtaking glacial scenery, whether by the state-of-the-art Russian ship, Zodiacs or on foot.

Photographic Specials

Photographic & Polar Bear – Exclusive Exodus Voyage 24 June 2010
Photographic & Polar Bear – Special Departure 24 July 2010
Led by Paul Goldstein, these two voyages will be a Polar bear pilgrimage. Paul has guided the Svalbard Archipelago many times, and intends to maximise every one of the 24 hours of daylight. He is fascinated by Polar Bears and intends to work every moment to ensure his two departures are extra special in this respect.

Photographers and wildlife fans: these are must departures.

The Independent - writes about Arctic Voyage, White Nights (12 July 2008).

The Sunday Times - writes about Polar bears and whales on an Arctic safari (30 March 2008).