14 Days Franz Josef Land Archipelago

Start Point

Longyearbyen

End Point

Svalbard

Days

14 days & 13 nights

Price Per Person

USD 0.00 Twin/USD 0.00 Single


Tour Description

NOTE: DUE TO CORONA ALL ANTARCTICA OR ARCTIC CRUISES ARE CURRENTLY ON REQUEST PLEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION OR DEPARTURES PLEASE  CONTACT US AT CONCIERGE@ABOVE-5.COM OR OUR RESERVATION@ABOVE-5.COM

This extraordinary expedition to Franz Josef Land is as unique and authentic as the place itself. Starting in Longyearbyen in the Norwegian territory of Svalbard, we cross the icy, wildlife-rich Barents Sea to the Russian High Arctic. In Franz Josef Land we discover unparalleled landscapes, wildlife, and history in one of the wildest and most remote corners of the Arctic.

Back in Svalbard, we have the opportunity to explore beautiful fjords and islands on the northwestern coast of Spitsbergen. Here we seek the full range of Arctic wildlife in one of the world’s most impressive polar desert environments.

*Please note: Cruises in 2019 start and end in Longyearbyen (Svalbard), but do not include exploration of Spitsbergen.

Day 1 Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Place visiting
You are free to explore this small but fascinating settlement
Today's Highlights

Welcome to Longyearbyen, the Arctic adventure capital of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard and starting point of our expedition.

After arriving via scheduled commercial flight, you are free to explore this small but fascinating settlement.

Be sure to see the excellent Svalbard Museum and enjoy the shops, cafes and restaurants in the town center.

Your hotel for the night has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the voyage.

Description

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Day 2 Embarkation in Longyearbyen

Place visiting
Sail through Isfjorden
Today's Highlights

In the afternoon we welcome you aboard the expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit; transfers from the hotel are included.

Explore the ship and get comfortable in your home-away-from-home for the extraordinary adventure to come.

The long days of summer sunlight illuminate our surroundings as we slip our moorings and sail into a true wilderness where wildlife abounds.

The scenery as we sail through Isfjorden on our first evening is spectacular and there is already the possibility of marine mammal encounters.

Description

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Days 3-4 Across the Barents Sea

Place visiting
A Sea View
Today's Highlights

From Isfjorden we proceed straight to Franz Josef Land across the Barents Sea.

Presentations and workshops by our expert staff prepare us for what lies ahead.

In these far northern latitudes, it is possible to encounter sea ice even in summer.

Along the way, we’ll remain vigilant for sightings of ice-dependent marine mammals such as the elusive bowhead whale, various Arctic seal species, and the majestic polar bear.

Description

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Days 5-11 Exploration of Franz Josef Land

Place visiting
In the wild and remote corner of the Arctic
Today's Highlights

This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. As such, our route and exploration opportunities in Franz Josef Land are heavily dependent on weather and sea ice. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide our best route and continually adjust plans as opportunities warrant in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic.

Between obligatory initial and final calls at the Russian polar station Nagurskoye in Cambridge Bay we are free to explore the many waterways and islands of this unique Arctic wilderness.

The archipelago, part of the Russian Arctic National Park since 2012, is a nature sanctuary. Polar bears and other quintessential High Arctic wildlife—such as walruses and some rare whale species—can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Franz Josef Land. Scree slopes and cliffs around the islands host enormous nesting colonies of seabirds such as guillemots, dovekies, and kittiwakes. We’ll take advantage of the 24-hour daylight to exploit every opportunity for wildlife viewing.

Franz Josef Land is dominated by glaciation, which covers 85% of the archipelago. Immense tidewater glaciers and glittering icebergs provide a stunning backdrop to our voyage. Franz Josef Land is also home to some interesting geological features, such as the mysterious stone spheres on Champ Island. Collectors of geographical extremes may take note that Cape Fligely on Rudolf Island is the northernmost point of land in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Franz Josef Land also offers visitors the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of famous polar explorers at well-preserved historical sites. The journals of explorers such as Julius von Payer, Benjamin Leigh Smith, Frederick George Jackson, and Fridtjof Nansen come alive at Cape Norway, Cape Flora, Eira Harbour, and Cape Tegetthoff. Memorials, monuments, crosses and the remains of dwellings are testimony to incredible historical events that are further illuminated by our expert lecturers.

Tikhaya Bukhta is currently a Russian Arctic National Park ranger station occupying Soviet-era research buildings and was also a major base for polar expeditions. Nearby the fascinating columnar basalt cliffs of Rubini Rock are home to thousands of nesting seabirds.

Our primary focus during this expedition is the exploration of the Russian archipelago of Franz Josef Land. However, the number of days spent there depends on ice conditions. Final daily programs are subject to change and the decision of the captain and expedition leader.

Description

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Days 12-13: Back to Svalbard

Place visiting
Coastal islands
Today's Highlights

Following our week of exploration in Franz Josef Land, we cross back through the bountiful waters of the Barents Sea and then along the coastal islands of the Svalbard Archipelago.

From panoramic open decks, enjoy Arctic landscapes and wildlife sightings.

Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to walrus and a wide variety of whales.

The crossing also gives our expedition team the opportunity to offer a final presentation or two in the Oceanus Lounge.

Description

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Day 14 Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Place visiting
End of your tour
Today's Highlights

After breakfast, we say farewell in the town of Longyearbyen, where we started our expedition.

We provide a transfer to the airport, or to the town center if you plan to spend more time here.

As you look back on your wonderful experience, you may already be looking forward to your next incredible adventure to the ice!

Description

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What is all included

Place visiting
In This voyage
Today's Highlights
  • 1 pre-voyage hotel night;
  • Group transfer from the airport to the hotel on a day prior to departure;
  • Group transfer to the ship on day of embarkation;
  • Shipboard accommodation;
  • All meals on board throughout the voyage;
  • Tea and coffee station 24 hours daily;
  • All scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather and ice conditions);
  • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader & Expedition Team;
  • Branded Poseidon Expeditions parka;
  • Rubber boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise;
  • Welcome and Farewell cocktails;
  • All port fees;
  • Group transfer to airport or central location upon disembarkation;
  • Pre-departure materials;
  • Digital Voyage Log;
Description

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What is not included

Place visiting
In This voyage
Today's Highlights
  • Airfare;
  • Visa and passport fees. For this trip Russian visa is required. See your country’s Russian consulate or embassy for details;
  • Luggage and trip cancellation insurance;
  • Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and celebrations;
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and telecommunication charges;
  • Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of USD 150,000;
  • Staff gratuities.
Description

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Map of Franz Josef Land Archipelago

Place visiting
Find your way
Today's Highlights

Description

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About this ship:M/v Sea Spirit

Place visiting
Enjoy the polar regions as much as possible with M/v Sea Spirit
Today's Highlights

Like some of the birds we see in the Arctic and Antarctica, our m/v Sea Spirit is migratory and follows the sun, northbound in the summer and southbound in the winter, always ready for spontaneous discoveries — a pod of whales, a family of polar bears or a glaciated mountain vista.

She is highly maneuverable and capable of navigating the narrow fjords of East Greenland and entering the small bays of Spitsbergen.

Onboard, we create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all our guests.

They are united by one goal — to have a memorable wilderness experience and to become real polar adventurers.

We believe that first-hand travel to such places makes one an ambassador for conservation, and helps strengthen our resolve to protect these natural environments for future generations.

Description

For more information please contact our concierge@above-5.com or concierge@above5stars.com or chat with us via our website chat !!!