P.O. Box 190, Hollister, CA 95024 USA Phone: 831-637-8527 E-mail
© 2002-2012 Shearwater Journeys
SVALBARD: HIGH ARCTIC
THE ULTIMATE SPITSBERGEN WILDLIFE CHARTER
with SHEARWATER JOURNEYS
The remote archipelago of Spitsbergen, Europe's only large High Arctic
territory, is located 400 miles north of Norway. This area, about the size
of Ireland, is approximately 60% glaciated. Since 1925 Norway has had
sovereignty over Spitsbergen, or Svalbard by its Norwegian name. With
its rugged mountains, sweeping tundra, ice-caps and glaciers, Svalbard
is a true, unspoilt High Arctic wilderness only 600 miles from the North
Pole. The abundant wildlife, including polar bears, walrus and huge
colonies of seabirds, afford splendid opportunities and experiences like
no other. Enjoying a midnight sun, 24 hours of light, presents enormous
photographic opportunities as well.
Debi Shearwater has chartered the Swedish vessel, Stockholm, for an
exclusive, small group adventure like no other on offer. The voyage will
begin and end in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen. (From North America, fly
to Oslo, Norway to connect). With only 12 guests on board, this is the
ultimate in small ship travel! Captain Per's ship has been described as a
"polar bear attractant." He has sailed these waters since 1991, and few, if
any, in the world possess the same knowledge of Spitsbergen as Per. Our
Expedition Leader will be the legendary, Morten Joergensen, who was
also our EL on Shearwater Journeys' charter Antarctica voyage, January
2010. He IS a birder! Why would you dream of going to this region with
any other EL?
Each day, we will go in search of Arctic wildlife. While polar bears will
certainly be a main feature, we shall also hope to see many other species,
including: large colonies of little auk, black guillemot, thick-billed
murre; Atlantic puffin; pink-footed and barnacle geese; common eider;
Northern fulmar; common ringed plover; purple sandpiper; red
phalarope; black-legged kittiwake; ivory and glaucous gulls; Arctic tern;
great skua and all 3 jaegers and snow bunting. Other mammals could
include: walrus, Arctic fox, bearded seal, harbor porpoise, reindeer,
minke, fin, blue and sperm whales and beluga.
Accommodation will be on board M/V Stockholm, with landings by
Zodiac. One of the major differences from this voyage will be that all of
us can be in ONE Zodiac, as opposed to ships that carry 100 or more
passengers in 10 different Zodiacs. All cabins have upper/lower berths.
All meals on board included. Climate is remarkably mild on the east
coast due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. Our route will be
determined by the extent of sea ice, but we hope to circumnavigate
Svalbard.
Registration is required, as these unique voyages are expected to sell out
early. Cabin rates are: $9985, $10,050,
$10195, depending on size of the cabin. No single cabins are available.
This is a completely remarkable voyage. Debi Shearwater, will, of
course, be on board. Please contact Debi, if you have any questions
contact Debi by email or phone: 831-637-8527.
Click
on the murrelet to find out how to reserve a trip.
