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Holidays

Around Svalbard & Kvitoya

Arctic, Svalbard, Norway
Available Departures: Aug

10 days from

US$5,650

without flights
Polar
Guided Group
LEISURELY LEISURELY

Circumnavigating the Svalbard archipelago, including the rarely visited Kvitoya in the land of the midnight sun

Trip Code: PKV
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Around Svalbard & Kvitoya

Highlights
  • A visit to the ice capped island of Kvitoya at the eastern extreme of the Svalbard archipelago and a chance to see the walrus colony that call this island home
  • Opportunities to explore off ship daily with the Zodiac shore excursion team
  • Chances to hike, and on some departures kayak, on and around the islands of Svalbard
  • Surrounded by stunning Arctic wildlife including seabirds, seals, arctic foxes, and hopefully polar bears too

At a Glance
  • Group Size 1 to 132
  • 10 days sailing and wildlife viewing aboard the M/V Hondius or M/V Plancius
  • Join In Longyearbyen

Accommodation & Meals
  • All meals included
  • 9 nights Boat
Overview

A ten day cruise around the archipelago of Svalbard (aka Spitsbergen), with an added visit to the farthest eastern island of Kvitoya.

This is an alternative version of the 'In the Realm of the Polar Bear and Ice' cruise we also operate, with a variation in the middle of the trip, heading to the less visited island of Kvitoya on the far eastern edge of the archipelago. This island is almost completely covered in a solid ice cap, save for the eastern tip of the island which has been claimed by the walruses. These tusked giants haul out in their masses for a sunbathe, and hopefully we’ll get chance to view them up close.

We’ll visit the many and varied glaciers of the islands, including the Fourteenth of July Glacier, and the Schweigaardbreen Glacier, and see the kittiwakes wheeling through the air above the calving faces of these huge ice forms. We’ll delve into the history of the world’s most northerly community of Ny Alesund, and see the haunting discarded skeletons of the beluga whales that were hunted here in the 19th century. Our trip will be packed full of incredible wildlife spotting opportunities, including sunbathing walruses in huge haul outs by the sea, noisy seabird colonies with terns, auks and guillemots passing overhead in their thousands to graze on the krill and small fish of this bountiful northern ocean, and reindeer and arctic foxes carefully camouflaged against the mottled green hillsides full of hardy summertime blooms. The highlight would of course be the potential to see the Arctic’s most impressive apex predator, the polar bear. Our expert guides will be on hand with eyes peeled and facts poised to make the most of your wildlife and historical experiences.

Is this holiday for you?

This is principally a touring, sightseeing and wildlife viewing holiday, with minimal exertion required. If you choose to go ashore, you will need to make the transfers from the ship to a Zodiac and onto land. Short walks on the islands of Spitsbergen are optional and weather dependent. You should also consider that some of the classes of accommodation involve the use of bunk-beds. Whilst on de …

This is principally a touring, sightseeing and wildlife viewing holiday, with minimal exertion required. If you choose to go ashore, you will need to make the transfers from the ship to a Zodiac and onto land. Short walks on the islands of Spitsbergen are optional and weather dependent. You should also consider that some of the classes of accommodation involve the use of bunk-beds. Whilst on deck or during excursions, you need to be prepared for cold temperatures. The itinerary remains flexible, according to the variability of the weather and sea conditions and the locations of wildlife, particularly of polar bears. On certain departures you can book kayaking, experience is essential for these kayaking excursions. All equipment is provided. Early booking is essential. Cabin upgrades are also available.

Why KE?

A polar cruise with the comfort of being aboard a 100+ passenger ice-strengthened vessel. First hand office experience of people that have been there and loved it. Paddle around the coastline of remote fjords, hike to see walrus and seabird colonies, and gaze in awe at the sheer size of the Braswellbreen Glacier. A truly breath-taking trip from a comfortable base. All meals on board, zodiac excursions and optional hikes included. Kayaking available on some departures is the only optional extra with a fee.

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