Where
SVALBARDWhen
JUNE TO AUGUST How long
7 NIGHTS How much
POAwhy
AUTHENTIC ICE-RATED EXPEDITION VESSEL; PRISTINE GLACIERS; MOUNTAIN VISTAS; TRUE POLAR OCEAN EXPLORATION, OFF THE BEATEN TRACK; ADVENTURE; TEAM OF THE ARCTIC’S TOP FILMING GUIDES AND BOAT CREWstaying in
ICE RATED EXPEDITION VESSELABOUT THIS ITINERARY
YOU WILL JOURNEY INTO THE POLAR ICE PACK IN THE COMPANY OF A CREW OF THE WORLD’S TOP ARCTIC WILDLIFE FILMING GUIDES.
Venture far from the restrictions of Zone 10 and along the remote west coast and onwards to 80 degrees north. Ice rated expedition vessel, onboard snow machines and crane, inflatable zodiacs, kayaks, private chef and the same saftey logisitcs and guide expertise used by the famous BBC natural history unit.
This seven day summer ocean based expedition will send you into the beautiful unspoilt wilderness of Western Svalbard, passing vast glaciers, ice filled fjords whilst breaking a passage through the sea ice. This trip is the finest expedition - perfect for sea-going adventurers.
Over the course of the next week your team will guide the vessel northwards safely up along the stunning west coast of Western Svalbard. Each morning you will wake to a new vista and a new adventure, you will have the opportunity to walk with walrus, view polar bears, patrol glacial bays by zodiac inflatable and sleep soundly on your stable ice-rated vessel.
Excellent food and wine will be served by your dedicated expedition chef and plenty of exercise can be had in the form of land expeditions, kayaking, snow machine trips, snow shoe and hiking in remote ice filled bays in the company of your armed guide.
This is a totally unique adventure following the same dedicated focus of a natural history unit summer wildlife filming trip.
All of our trips to Svalbard are planned and executed to the highest degree and in accordance with the regulations in place to protect the environment and its resident Arctic wildlife. We never actively track polar bears. Ours is a respectful and calm approach to witnessing any encounter with this majestic predator from a safe distance.We only work with our expert and well-established guides in Svalbard with the safety of our travellers being of paramount importance.
Day 1
ARRIVAL INTO LONGYEARBYEN
Arriving into the High Arctic airport of Longyearbyen, you will be met by our team and transferred to your basecamp lodge for dinner and a good night’s sleep. The next morning after a hearty breakfast you will transfer to our expedition logistics base. Here you will meet your guide team, learn about the forthcoming days adventures and receive a full safety briefing. You will then be kitted up in polar clothing, repack your kit and equipment and be transferred to the port to board your private ice-breaking expedition vessel. From here you will experience a multi-night sailing adventure into the wildlife rich ocean habitat of Western Svalbard.
Day 2 - 5
EXPLORING THE WEST COAST
After a home cooked breakfast you will be transferred with all your kit to our expedition base to meet your guide team. Here you will get kitted up and repack and receive a full safety briefing before you begin the next leg of your expedition. A short hop by 4x4 to the port and you will board your expedition vessel and head off along the fjord to open ocean.
For the next few hours you will motor approximately fifty nautical miles towards a stunning colony of huge walrus. After lunch you will transfer to the shale beach and observe your guide interacting with the hareem of walrus and the great bulls. This is without doubt a world-class wildlife spectacle. On re-boarding your vessel, drinks and dinner will be served.
Day 2 - 5
LIFE AT SEA
For the next week you will slip into a wonderfully varied routine - a sound night’s sleep followed by fresh coffee and a delicious homecooked breakfast, then a range of activities ranging from a snow-machine excursion, snow-shoe adventure, zodiac inflatable cruise or a morning spent on the bridge spotting polar bear tracks in the summer pack ice.
The crew and skipper of your vessel will be on constant alert for polar bear activity and the further north you go the more likely good sightings will be. On board lunch will be served at 1pm and then a siesta can be enjoyed, or a quiet time with a good novel before a full afternoon of activities before hot showers, drinks and dinner. Due to the ever-present summer sunlight at this time of year we will have zero restrictions to wildlife sightings. Some days we will enjoy a packed lunch out in a remote fjord, other days we might be shielding from a passing squall in a sheltered cove. Each day brings with it the promise of a new adventure. Just about any wilderness activity can be catered for and traditionally we discuss your preference for the coming day over a whisky the night before. This is a most civilised expedition!
Day 5-7
GLACIERS & MOUNTAIN PASSES
Your last two days will be spent exploring glaciers and mountain passes as we sail south again. For your final evening we transfer you to a luxurious hotel where a piping hot sauna, 3-course dinner and a great night’s rest in this rustic Arctic lodge awaits.
Day 8
RETURN TO LONGYEARBYEN AND HOMEWARD BOUND
After a good breakfast you will cruise along the fjords passing through beautiful scenery towards Longyearbyen. Once back in town you repack at our expedition base, have a light lunch and the chance to do a bit of shopping in the various boutiques and then transfer back to the airport for last farewells and your homeward flights.
A NOTE FROM OLLY
INSPIRATION & GROUND TRUTH
As an artist who works in nature I have been exploring Arctic Svalbard for more than 15 years. I am drawn to the high Arctic with the lunar quality of the landscape, the endless summer light, the thrill of discovering fresh polar bear tracks in virgin snow and viewing the magnificent polar bear roaming free on the ice pack.
There is a freedom to travelling by expedition vessel, far beyond the limits of the regular tourist zone, with the ability to cut a swathe through virgin ice pack, to deploy snow machines and kayaks, the feeling of being totally self-sufficient yet enjoying relative comfort and warmth and the luxury of having your meals prepared by your excellent expedition chef. This is a high Arctic expedition in the old-school style.
I have ground-truthed this unique, action-packed, multi-day, ocean-based adventure with my team of expert polar logistics guides to ensure over your week with us you will not only cover some incredibly scenic nautical miles but will experience an authentic glimpse into the world of the walrus and ice bear - all this in the company of a world class natural history filming team who live and work here all year round. You will truly unplug from civilisation and experience the finest Svalbard has to offer in the company of true polar experts in both comfort and style.
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Our experienced travellers include:
Catherine Ronan
Vanessa Janion
Andrea Hulme
It takes genuine local knowledge to craft trips that go beyond the ordinary.
All of us at Natural High have over 20 years’ experience in the countries we offer. We’ve lived there, worked there and arranged countless one-off journeys for clients. We live to travel – and love to share our tips on what’s really worth doing. For expert advice (and a traveller’s tale or two), speak to one of our team. They’ll be happy to let you in on their travel secrets, and help you plan a tailor-made trip that’s truly unforgettable.
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