Aboard the National Geographic Explorer

June 15 – 25, 2012

Travel in true expeditionary style on a spectacular voyage around the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. Each day on this 11-day voyage is planned to take advantage of wildlife sightings, changing weather and ice conditions. Voyaging aboard a first-class, ice-strengthened expedition ship, you'll be accompanied by an experienced captain, attentive crew and expert naturalists.

• Observe polar bears – the kings of the Arctic – prowling the pack ice.
• Experience 24-hour sunlight, known as the midnight sun.
• Search for other animals, including seals, foxes, reindeer and walruses.
• Paddle in kayaks amid brilliantly blue icebergs and hike across tundra punctuated by clusters of vibrant wildflowers.
• View teeming bird colonies nesting in the sea cliffs.
  

Trip Itinerary

Friday, June 15, 2012: U.S. / Oslo, Norway
Fly overnight to Oslo on a a recommended group flight from Newark, New Jersey, or independently. Meals aloft

Saturday, June 16: Oslo
Arrive in Oslo in the morning and check in to the Continental Hotel (or similar). Later, stroll among the famed Vigeland sculptures set in parklands and make a visit to the Polar Ship Fram Museum, enjoying lunch and dinner on your own. (B)

Sunday, June 17: Oslo / Longyearbyen / Embark
Take a private charter flight to Longyearbyen and embark our ship. (B,L,D)

Monday, June 18 through Saturday, June 23: Exploring Svalbard
In true expedition style, we will let nature dictate our day-to-day movements and remain flexible, maximizing our opportunities to observe Svalbard’s abundant wildlife. With a fully stabilized ice-class expedition ship, we probe the ice in search of seals, Arctic foxes and the very symbol of the Arctic – polar bears. Once spotted, the scene is one of sheer excitement and reverence for these great animals. They are often seen on the pack ice searching for a meal, but a few times each season we sight a bear which has recently caught a seal.

Few experiences are as profound as locating and observing bears in Arctic Svalbard. To be on the 6,471-ton National Geographic Explorer in the Arctic, maneuvered with near-surgical precision by a skilled ice master as it draws close to a bear hunting on the pack ice or a mother bear instructing her young cubs, is simply enthralling. To be able to hover there, observing these creatures that remain completely undisturbed by the people gazing raptly from the deck rail or by their whirring camera motor drives, is one of life’s most inspiring and satisfying experiences.

Cruising in Svalbard’s fjords in the legendary land of the midnight sun, we venture to the foot of stunning tidewater glaciers. Zodiac and kayak among beautiful icebergs, and experience the geology, wildlife and wildflowers that give color and vitality to the High Arctic. (B,L,D)

Sunday, June 24: Longyearbyen / Disembark / Oslo
Disembark and explore Longyearbyen before flying to Oslo. Enjoy dinner on your own and spend the night. Radisson Blu Airport Hotel (B,L)

Monday, June 25: Oslo / U.S.
Depart for home after breakfast. (B)