Arctic Cruise Adventure: In Search of the Polar Bear

Arrive in Oslo, Norway’s capital city and your gateway to the Arctic. On arrival, you are met and escorted to your hotel. This evening, meet fellow guests for a welcome cocktail reception.

Board an early morning charter flight to Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard, also known as Spitsbergen, the sovereign Arctic archipelago of Norway. It is one of the most remote groups of islands on the planet, with nearly two-thirds of its surface covered in luminous glaciers. Tour the tiny town and its Arctic Museum. This afternoon, board your expedition cruiser.

Very few people have the opportunity to view the remote wilderness of the Svalbard Islands. In the archipelago, polar bears, walruses, Svalbard reindeer and an incredibly rich variety of birds are abundant, as are cathedrals of ice, glaciers and craggy mountain peaks. An exquisite assortment of flora also pepper this barren landscape. Throughout your voyage, our primary objective is to search for polar bears as they roam in their natural habitat. Cruising on A&K’s exclusive charter limited to just 199 guests grants A&K with a unique advantage, affording us with unrestricted access to every navigable area within the Svalbard archipelago — something ships with larger capacities are not permitted to do — and allowing us to visit any locale favored by the bears. Your Captain and Expedition Leader determine the day’s best sightseeing opportunities, which may include: Ny Alesund, home to a polar research station and the northernmost post office in the world; The towering Alkefjellet, or “auk cliffs,” which drop directly into the water and provide a home to vast colonies of auks, diving birds entirely dependent on the sea for their food; Monaco Bay and Glacier, frequented by polar bears, walruses, harbor and bearded seals, and a multitude of seabirds; The Austfonna ice cliffs and one of the world’s largest ice caps, spanning over 5,000 square miles; Liefdefjorden (Loves Bay) in far northern Svalbard, another excellent area for spotting polar bears and wildlife; and Sjuøyane (“Seven Islands”), the most northerly region of the Svalbard archipelago. In every region, enjoy endless moments of discovery alongside A&K’s seasoned Expedition Team, who know intuitively where and when we are most likely to see polar bears and wildlife, which we observe from the safety and comfort of ‘Le Boreal.’ These same experts also scout every landing site in advance of your arrival, assuring your safety and maximizing your experience ashore.

As ‘Le Boreal’ plies toward Greenland, spend time at sea with the new friends you’ve made and your Expedition Team, who continue offering engaging discussions and lectures that promise an enlightening experience at sea.

While crossing the Greenland Sea and cruising along the Arctic ice edge, your Expedition Team prepares you for the world’s largest island: Greenland. Arrive at its rarely visited east coast and Scoresby Sound, the largest and longest fjord system in the world, all of which you enjoy exploring for the next three days. Embark on Zodiac excursions through the fjord’s intricate network, taking in its islands and icebergs, and searching for residents that include the musk ox and Arctic fox. Ice conditions permitting, disembark for a visit to the small settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most isolated villages in Greenland.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea cruising the narrow strip of water that separates Greenland from Iceland, and connects the Arctic Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. Continue exciting conversations with your Expedition Team and enrichment specialists, and watch for seabirds and whales from the deck in between the insightful lectures they present.

Arrive in picturesque Husavik and visit the Husavik Whale Museum, supported by A&K Philanthropy. The museum is one of the world’s foremost centers for research of whales and their habitat. Afterward, choose to embark on a scenic whale-watching tour followed by free time in Husavik or set off for Godafoss Falls and geothermal Lake Myvatn. Tonight, gather with your Expedition Team and fellow guests for a special farewell reception and dinner.

Explore the glacier-carved terrain of Iceland’s West Fjords with its Drangajokull Glacier. Visit the small fishing village of Grundarfjordur, one of the first villages in Iceland. Then, choose from excursions that include exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula with its stunning glacially formed peak; taking a boat tour and fresh sushi adventure around an archipelago teeming with exotic birds; and hiking over the region’s lava trails, steeped in Viking lore.

This morning, disembark ‘Le Boreal’ in Reykjavik and transfer to the airport for your return flight home, or continue on in Iceland with a Reykjavik extension.