SVALBARD - LAST STOP BEFORE THE NORTH POLE - £4,195 FROM
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S VA L B A R D - L A S T S TO P B E F O R E
T H E N O RT H P O L E
14th – 22nd June 2023
FROM
£4,195
PER PERSON
Tour Leaders: Tom & Libby Owen Edwards
R I C H H E R I TAG E ,
Enjoy the immense beauty of Svalbard on this Arctic adventure cruise among whales, walruses, polar bears,
and plentiful of sea birds. Experience high summer in the Arctic with Ocean Albatros – launching in May
2023, the ship is one of the few iceclass expedition ships built to withstand the North Pole’s pack ice and
M E D I E VA L H I S TO RY
has a 50% lower carbon footprint than traditional expedition ships.
One of the goals of this Albatros expedition is to sail as close as possible to the pack ice north of Svalbard,
& N AT U R A L B E AU T Y
the polar bear´s favourite summer residence. How far north we reach, and the exact route up there will
depend on the ice conditions. Additionally, we will visit several of the amazing locations along the west
coast of Svalbard, all kept navigable by the warm Gulf Stream.
During the short summer, wildlife such as reindeer and polar fox are busy amassing energy for the icy polar
winter. The cliffs shimmer with life as every surface is populated with countless birds, and in a few months
a new generation of arctic sea birds are ready to leave their nests. Arctic guillemots, black guillemots and
razorbills can be observed fishing in the wake of our ship. On several shores, the huge walruses enjoy the
short Arctic summer as well as many whales and seals foraging along the edge of the pack ice and the
coasts. With a fleet of sturdy Zodiac boats, we can view wildlife at proximity. The Zodiacs allow us to have
frequent shore landings and embark on exploratory mini cruises in the fjords and glacial landscapes.
Situated between the subtropical Black Sea coast, the Caspian Sea and the snowy peaks of the Caucasus, the state of
Georgia sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Georgia’s rich heritage has been hugely influenced by both Byzantine and
Persian cultures. With Russia (and Chechnya, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkar, North Osetia-Alania) to the north, Turkey to the
west, Armenia and Iran to the south and Azerbaijan to the east, Georgia remains a fiercely independent nation after years of
oppression by the Russian Tsars and the Soviet Union. Georgia’s mix of natural beauty and medieval history has made this
small country one of Eastern Europe’s most fascinating destinations.
10-DAY ITINERARY, DEPARTING 14 JUNE 2023
14 June London / Oslo offers the best chances of spotting Spitsbergen. If conditions allow, we’ll
exotic and fantastic birds. We plan on make a landing on Ytre Norskøya,
Suggested flight (not included in the
making a landing during the morning where whalers would have their
cost of the tour) with Scandinavian
at Möllerhamna or in another suitable lookout posts.
Airlines, SK 806 departing London
location. The majestic landscape
Heathrow at 15.35 arriving in Oslo at
around Regnardneset in the 18 June Amazing Birdlife At
18.50. On arrival check in to the 4*
innermost area of Krossfjorden give Alkefjellet, Polar Desert Landscape
Radisson Blu Hotel for one night.
us our first taste of what has enticed At Torrelnesset
the early explorers of these lands in
15 June Oslo / Longyearbyen, In the morning we arrive and cruise
the far north.
Spitsbergen. Embarkation slowly by the famous Alkefjellet. If
In the afternoon, we continue further the weather is on “our side” we will
Morning flight from Oslo departing north into the fjord system, and have a good view of the steep cliffs.
at 08.30, arriving in Longyearbyen at depending on the ice situation, we The whole area is home to a dense
11.35. Longyearbyen is the capital of may do a Zodiac cruise along the congregation of Brünichs guillemots.
Svalbard - possibly the northernmost Lilliehöök Glacier front. There are so many of the birds, that
‘real’ town in the world.
With some arctic luck we will be able hardly an inch is free. During the
Our vessel is docked close to the to navigate past the magnificent summer the breeding pairs offer
town center. After boarding and scenery in the bay of Fjortende Juli, a wild view of frantic activity, both
enjoying a welcome drink, the where the glacier Fjortende Juli-breen along the cliffs and in the sea in front.
Expedition Leader will provide calves into the fjord. A fitting end to More wildlife awaits us as we land
information about the voyage, the a day full of scenic views and arctic at the polar desert landscapes of
ship’s daily routines and the various wildlife. Torrelnesset. The beach here is
security and safety procedures.
home to a host of walruses that lay
Before sailing, there will be a
17 June Former Whaling Station At amongst each other. They feed on the
mandatory safety drill. The Captain
Smeerenburg And Ytre Norskøya clams and any other molluscs they
then takes the ship out of Advent
We have now entered North West can find in the shallows of Svalbard’s
Fjord and our Arctic adventure
Svalbard, which was declared a waters.
commences.
national park in 1973. The day could
begin with a cruise in Danskergattet, 19 June Cruising Towards The
16 June Regnardneset And
looking for seals in Virgohamna, Pack Ice And Sjuøyane, Polar Bear
Lilliehöök Glacier
before crossing from Danskøya to Country At 80 Degrees Around
During the ‘night’ (what is night, Amsterdamøya to make a landing at Eastern Svalbard
when the sun never sets?), we have Smeerenburg, the legendary whaling During the night the ship will steer
passed Prins Karls Forland and arrive town of the 17th century. 200-plus far north towards the edge of the
in the magnificent Krossfjord. Our men were living – and quite often polar pack ice. How far north only
visit to Svalbard is in the middle of dying – here in the heyday of blubber time and weather will tell, but the
the arctic summer and at this time production. main target for us is just the ‘edge’,
of year the migrating birds are very
There are several interesting places possibly at 80 degrees north! This is
active. The months of June and July
to visit in this northwestern corner of the kingdom of the polar bear!
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As the pack ice retreats during 20 June Liefde Fjord With Monaco walk through the area.
summer, polar bears ride the Glacier And Texas Bar On the opposite side of the fjord we
floes north, as this is where their find the abandoned marble mining
During the night we head to Wood
prey, seals resides. Bears who for settlement Ny London. Its history
Fjord and its branch, the Liefde Fjord.
unfortunate reasons do not ‘catch’ is short but hectic, as the marble
Our plan is to slow cruise along the
the ice moving north, are stranded deposits allowed for an almost
broad glacier front of Monacobreen.
on Svalbard all summer, and will Klondike like rush to mine the
This gives a unique insight of the
have to sustain on berries, eggs, and resources. Wars and failing financial
glacial forces and the unlimited
whatever whale cadavers they can viability ended the adventure only 9
forms of icebergs. The ice front is
find. A hard life indeed! years after it started. We take a walk
named after Albert I of Monaco, who
During the day, lectures on polar was a major sponsor of Svalbard amongst the ruins of workshops,
mammals, environment and/or research. locomotives and cranes, testament to
culture can be enjoyed on board in the great but failed investments.
Many trappers historically hunted
the Viking Theatre. Should we get After the visit, we are southbound
and trapped in these areas. Some of
into the pack ice where the sea is towards the entrance to the Isfjord.
them stayed over the winter and built
usually calm, our captain will cruise On our way towards Longyearbyen,
cabins. The cabin known as Texas
slowly between the floes and look for we hope to get our last glimpses of
Bar is said to be named after the US
wildlife. wildlife as well as the truly unique
state of Texas. This cabin was built in
A part goal of the day is to reach the 1927. We plan to visit the area around landscapes of Svalbard.
island Nordaustlandet and hopefully the cabin and enjoy the scenery that
its 7 (or 9, depending on how you surrounds us. 22 June Longyearbyen,
count) smaller islands Sjuøyane Spitsbergen. Disembarkation
in the far north of Svalbard. The
21 June Ny Ålesund And Ny London Early in the morning the ship returns
almost vegetation-free, rocky islands
Today we enter the beautiful Kongs to our starting point in Longyearbyen.
are located around 1000 km more
Fjord known for the former mining Flight departs Longyearbyen at 12.25
northernly than mainland Norway’s
settlement and simply being one of arriving in Oslo at 15.30. Connect to
famous Nordkapp.
the most amazing fjord areas in all a suggested Scandinavian Airlines
Weather permitting, we will land flight (flights not included in the cost
of Svalbard. Our first landing will be
and walk these most northern of the tour) SK 815 departing Oslo at
at Ny Ålesund. This settlement is in
landmasses. The high Arctic islands 20.15 arriving London Heathrow at
fact further north than Longyearbyen,
are quite barren, only with moss and 21.35.
making it the northernmost town.
lichens covering the stones. The
But is a group of scientific stations,
birdlife is rich in this area and some
a post office, and a single shop open
of the rarer gulls frequent these
for a few hours a real town? You will
islands. So, bring your binoculars.
have to judge for yourself. The setting
At the end of the day, we will start is nice, the scientific projects are
cruising towards the Liefdefjord and very interesting, and so is the town’s
its landscapes which we will see history. The Captain will try to get
tomorrow. alongside, so we can enjoy an easy
020 3411 4595 | ENQUIRY@THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK
TOUR PRICES PER PERSON
M / V O C E A N A L B AT RO S S Category G - Single £6,590
Category F - Triple £4,195
Category E £5,660
Category D £5,415
Category C £6,075
Category B Balcony Suite £6,750
Category A Junior Suite £9,240
Polar Premium Suite £10,660
PRICE INCLUDES
• 7 Nights voyage according to the
program
• Charter Flights
The Ocean Albatros takes pride in being one of the most environmentally friendly options • Accommodation for one night in
for polar travel, with a carbon footprint significantly lower than traditional expedition Oslo
vessels. Its engines are all controlled electronically to optimise speed and minimise fuel • Accommodation in booked category
consumption, whilst its X-Bow technology ensures stability during challenging polar • English speaking expedition team
weather. • Shore landings by Zodiac
It has 18 Zodiac boats at its disposal, which will allow you to make landfall on remote • Information briefings and lectures by
shores, come within touching distance of icebergs and share magical encounters with the the expedition team
wildlife. The vessel also has two wonderful restaurants, a polar spa, an open-air pool with • Full board on the ship
lounging deck and Jacuzzis, the “Albatros Nordic Bar” and a modern lecture theatre. • Free coffee and tea on the ship
• Boots on loan in assorted sizes,
suitable for shore landings
• Port fees, IAATO fees, taxes, and
tariffs
PRICE EXCLUDES
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Cancellation insurance
• Extra excursions and activities not
mentioned in the itinerary
• Single room supplements and room
upgrades
• Meals not on board the ship
• Any other beverages
• Tips for the ship crew (approx. $14
per person per day)
• Kayaking $250 per trip, Snowshoeing
$150 per trip
TO M O W E N E D M U N D S
Tom Owen Edmunds is a Senior Adviser with the World Resources Institute (WRI), a
Washington-based think tank, specialising in climate and environment issues. From 2015-
2019, Tom was Head of the UK Climate Change Unit in the British Embassy in Jakarta.
Previously, he held posts with UK Aid in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and London, and was Private
Secretary to the Minister for Film, Broadcasting and Tourism.
Tom started his working life a freelance photographer specialising in wildlife and travel. In
1994 he was described by the British Journal of Photography as ‘one of the world’s leading
travel photographers’ and won the Endangered Wildlife category in the International Wildlife
Photographer of the Year contest. He shot assignments in over 100 countries, published
books on Bhutan and Mexico, and photographed the books that accompanied the BBC Great
Journeys series, taking him round the world 14 times, over 24 episodes.
Tom sat on the Council of the Royal Geographical Society from 2003-6, and was elected one
of the youngest ever Fellows of the Royal Photographic Society aged 24. He read Geography
at Oxford University specialising in ecology and sustainable development. Tom has a life-
long passion for wildlife and wild places, the most recent being a photographic safari to
Svalbard in April 2022.
020 3411 4595 | ENQUIRY@THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK
25–27 VANSTON PLACE LONDON SW6 1AZ
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