Ship: Polar Pioneer
Itinerary: Jewels of the Arctic: Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland
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Ice Floes, with Polar Bear
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy | Testimonials
| Day 1 : | Embark in Longyearbyen |
|---|---|
| Days 2-3 : | West Coast of Spitsbergen |
| Day 4 : | At Sea |
| Day 5 : | Approaching East Greenland |
| Days 6-11 : | Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, King Oscar Fjord and Scoresby Sund |
| Day 12 : | Volquart Boon Coast |
| Day 13 : | Crossing the Denmark Strait |
| Day 14 : | Disembark in Keflavik |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Triple Shared | Twin Shared | Twin Private | Mini Suite | Suite | ||
| 14 | Jul 28, 2010 | $6,340 | $7,550 | $8,855 | $9,890 | $10,845 |
| Optional Kayaking: $825 per person | ||||||
| Destinations : Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard Activities : Nature Viewing, Paddling, Whale Watching |
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-Camping Option: There is no supplementary charge for this option. Participation will be confirmed at booking on a first come, first served basis.
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
-Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate
Exploring fjords by ship and Zodiac, hiking in the mountains, visiting remote Inuit settlements, photographing dramatic fjords, huge icebergs and Arctic wildlife - this trip has it all. Please note that the ice conditions vary enormously from year to year along the Greenland coast.
Day 1 : Embark in Longyearbyen
Today we will be met at the hotel in Longyearbyen and taken on a sightseeing tour to explore the remote outskirts and village of Longyearbyen, 'capital' of Spitsbergen. After our tour we will be transferred to the port in the later afternoon and board our ship, Polar Pioneer. Our Jewels of the Arctic voyage commences, cruising out of the beautiful Isfjorden, escorted by gliding fulmars and perhaps the occasional puffin. Polar Pioneer is not a luxury ship, she is homely and strong, built to be a working vessel and refitted to a comfortable passenger standard. The mood on board is definitely casual. At sea we are totally self-sufficient. The days flow by while we travel snugly in our cocoon. A favourite pastime on board is to stand on deck or on the bridge, watching for seabirds and absorbing the dramatic scenery.
Days 2-3 : West Coast of Spitsbergen
Depending on conditions, we may cruise either north or south along the west coast of Spitsbergen, stopping at intriguing places in search of the mighty polar bear. Along Spitsbergen's north coast we may explore places such as Woodfjorden and Leifdefjorden, where from our Zodiacs we enjoy magnificent views of glaciers sweeping and tumbling into the sea. We may walk on smooth raised beach terraces to magnificent viewpoints, hike on flowering tundra where reindeer graze, may visit trappers' huts of yesteryear - all the while remaining alert for wandering polar bears. We may enter the spectacular Hornsund Fjord in the south where we may take an early morning Zodiac cruise to admire the beautiful ice walls of the Samarin Glacier or take a stroll beneath the towering seabird cliffs at Sofiebogen. In Bellsund Fjord we are always on the lookout for Beluga whales. We may visit the remnants of a Norwegian Beluga whaling station from the 1930's. Across the fjord at Våraolbukta is a lush and stunning landscape where reindeer roam, Arctic flowers bloom in abundance and Arctic fox may be seen patrolling the little auk colony, where several thousand birds nest here amongst the boulders, coming and going in huge swarms. This is a beautiful place where we can stretch our legs before heading on a southwesterly course towards the East Greenland pack ice belt and the world's largest Island.
Day 4 : At Sea
As we cruise southwest across the Greenland Sea - the main outlet of the Arctic Ocean - we may encounter pack ice. The strong icy currents have isolated East Greenland from the rest of the world for millennia. These currents carry nutrients from the Polar Basin, attracting large numbers of fish, seals and whales. Climatic conditions and the concentration of ice in the vicinity often create thick morning fog that vanishes with the onset of the midday sun.
Day 5 : Approaching East Greenland
As we approach East Greenland we may encounter more pack ice where we may see seals and a variety of seabirds, including Northern Fulmar and migratory Brunnichs Guillemots. Conditions permitting, there will be a good chance to launch our sea kayaks today. We may also land on the Greenland coast. This stretch of coastline is ripe for exploration, with its many secrets locked in place by drift ice for upto eight months each year.
Days 6-11 : Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, King Oscar Fjord and Scoresby Sund
We will attempt to enter Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, a remote and rarely visited fjord system with countless opportunities for exploration that lies within the Northeast Greenland National Park. Cruising through Kong Oscar Fjord we will marvel at the geological beauty of the mountains. We will then head south along the coast of Liverpool Land, with our passage dependent on ice conditions. We aim to reach Scoresby Sund, the world's biggest fjord and a favourite hunting ground of the local Inuit. Massive glaciers dump into this fjord, the birthplace of the famous big Greenland icebergs.We hope to visit the remote Inuit community of Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresby Town) and to hike across the tundra in search of ancient graveyards and summer villages occupied 3000 years ago by Eskimos. This area provides excellent opportunities for sea kayaking in its maze of calm, interconnecting waterways. If we are lucky we may see musk oxen, Arctic hare and seals, and maybe if we are extremely lucky even a polar bear or narwhal, although due to the relentless pursuit of the local hunters, these sightings are very rare.Places we may visit in Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord and Scoresby Sund include: Cape Humboldt - Ymer Island: One of the many possibilities on Ymer Island is Cape Humboldt, where a lone trappers' hut built on an ancient beach looks out across a magnificent bay dotted with huge icebergs. Water-worn birch logs washed up on pebbly beaches and a steep hillside behind the hut offer walking opportunities and the possibility of seeing musk oxen grazing on the hardy foliage. Keep a lookout for Arctic fox and ptarmigan. Sefstrom Glacier - Alpefjord: A narrow waterway between peaks of up to 2200 metres - serrated brown eroded mountains with hanging glaciers clinging like limpets to stony gullies. The snout of the Sefstrom Glacier juts out almost blocking Alpefjord, allowing Zodiac access. Clumps of Arctic flora in autumn glory are visible as we cruise through the still water. Ittoqqortoormiit - Scorseby Sund: A colourful Inuit community of about 500 residents, some of them still hunt local game for a living. Explore the village, visit the fascinating museum and meet parents pushing latest model prams with cute round faced babies peeping out from Arctic fox fur jackets. Avoid speedy 4-wheel motorcycles that hurtle along rough dirt roads, listen to the crescendo of howling emerging from lines of huskies secured to chains. Visit the Supermarket or sit spellbound in the beautiful Lutheran Church serenaded by the local organist. Sydkap - Scorseby Sund: A small promontory jutting out from Scoresby Land, which offers good walking and delightful views across the sound. There are great opportunities for kayaking past lonely beaches where ancient gravesites can be visited on shore. Nests of grounded giant bergs the size of 10 story buildings with green tunnels and aquamarine lakes offer hours of endless enjoyment for kayakers and Zodiacers alike. Some other possible landing places are: Rypefjord, O Fjord, Fonfjord, Bjorn Oya, Milne Land, Hekla Havn, Danmark Island.
Day 12 : Volquart Boon Coast
We may sail south along the Volquart Boon Coast where our explorations will depend on the weather and timing. There are virtually no charts for these bays and fjords along this stretch of coast. So who knows where our adventures will take us and what we will discover? In the afternoon of Day 12 we head into the Denmark Strait.
Day 13 : Crossing the Denmark Strait
We will be at sea all day making our way across Denmark Strait and passing over submarine canyons that enrich the whale feeding grounds off the north-west Iceland coast.
Day 14 : Disembark in Keflavik
During the early morning we will arrive at Keflavik, the main port of Iceland. As our journey draws to an end, we will have time to reflect on the amazing experiences we have shared, before we bid each other farewell. You will be met and transferred to the Airport or Group Hotel in Reykjavik.
Ship Description: Polar Pioneer
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Polar Pioneer
Polar Pioneer was built in Finland in 1985 as an ice-strengthened research ship, and for many years she plied the treacherous waters of the USSR's northern coast. In 2000 she was refurbished in St Petersburg to provide comfortable accommodation for 54 passengers. A combined bar/lounge/library area (stocked with a good collection of polar books) was also created by simple internal restructuring - inviting surroundings for your Antarctica travel.
This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising, due to its strength, maneuverability and small number of cabins. All cabins have outside portholes plus ample storage space. The Russian captain and crew are among the most experienced ice navigators in the world and their enthusiasm is legendary.
The spacious bridge is always open to us and the decks are ideal for viewing. The chefs are European, and the dining room is attended by Russian stewardesses.
Polar Pioneer is not a luxury vessel as such, but this is a most popular ship for travel to the Polar regions. The accommodation is simple yet comfortable, and the meals are wholesome and uncomplicated. A small fleet of inflatable Zodiacs with outboard motors enable us to travel from ship to shore.
Triple SharedTriple Cabins have two lower and one upper berth, a desk, a small washbasin, storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins. |
Twin SharedTwin Shared Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins. |
Twin PrivateTwin Private Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Two cabins have upper and lower bunks (cabins 402 and 403). |
Mini SuiteMini Suites have a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofa bed in the main room, a desk, video player and TV, windows and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. |
Mini SuiteMini Suites have a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofa bed in the main room, a desk, video player and TV, windows and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. |
SuiteThe Suite features a large lounge area, a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofabed in the main room, a video player and TV, refrigerator, large forward and side facing windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. |
