Arctic Cruise : Arctic Dreams, 20 days / 19 nights
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 56 passengers. This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising, due to its strength, manoeuvrability 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. Polar Pioneer is not a luxury vessel as such, but this is our 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
Two lower and one upper bunk, desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space, portholes. Showers and toilets are close by and are shared with other cabins. Located on the main deck
Triple Occupancy
$10290.00
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A grand adventure in the purest sense, this voyage combines all the classic highlights of the Arctic. A flexible itinerary should make for some fantastic discoveries during these unique voyages.
Day 1 :
We board Polar Pioneer in the Icelandic port of Keflavik in mid afternoon, settle ourselves in and set sail in the evening.
Days 2 :
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 Greenland’s south-east coast.
Day 3 :
We explore the East Greenland coast, along the flanks of Knud Rasmussen Land. The only sign of human habitation are tiny trappers’ huts perched on empty beaches or lonely promontories. We will marvel at the complex geology of the oldest island in the world where old volcanic lavas, thousands of meters thick, plunge into the frozen sea, and intriguing flat-topped mesas rise dramatically between massive glaciers.
Days 4–7 :
If the pack ice allows, we aim to reach Scoresby Sound, the world’s biggest fjord and a favorite hunting ground of the local Inuit. Massive glaciers that calve here form the birthplace of Greenland’s renowned giant icebergs and we hope to cruise in our Zodiacs among these phenomenal natural wonders. We plan to visit remote Inuit communities like Ittooqqortoormiit and to hike across the tundra in search of ancient graveyards or summer villages occupied 3000 years ago by Eskimos. If we are lucky we may see musk ox and seals, and maybe even polar bears and narwhal, although due to the relentless pursuit of the local hunters, these sightings are very rare. 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.
Days 8–9 :
We’ll be at sea all day, enjoying informative talks as we cruise north-east across the Greenland Sea. We’ll keep an eye out for seabirds, whales and pack ice that stretches north across the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole.
Days 10–11 :
Following the warm current of the Gulf Stream, we plan to spend two days sampling the delights of Spitsbergen’s mountainous west coast, where glaciers calve into picturesque bays. We hope to Zodiac cruise along this beautiful coastline and take long walks on spongy permafrost amid dramatic mountain scenery where we’ll visit trappers’ huts and stay alert for polar bears. Fulmars and kittiwakes plunge into the ocean, chasing prey in the ship’s wake. We may enjoy magnificent views of sweeping glaciers from Andoyana or cruise along the snout of Monaco Glacier.
Days 12-14 :
Along Spitsbergen’s north coast we may explore places such as Woodfjorden and Leifdefjorden in search of the mighty polar bear. East Spitsbergen is a different world – a polar desert. If ice conditions allow we will try to pass south through the narrow Hinlopen Strait, a channel flanked by austere, cream-colored slopes rich in fossils. On our walks we’ll seek eider ducks, Arctic foxes and beautiful ivory gulls. We may hike onshore to visit nesting kittiwakes or cruise past a very active glacial front. As we pass the lush vegetation of Barents and Edge islands, we’ll cross polar bear migration routes.
Day 15 :
We’ll be at sea this morning, and then hope to explore remote and mysterious Bear Island. Rarely visited, Bear Island is known for both its stark beauty and unpredictable weather and if conditions allow we hope to Zodiac around lofty sea stacks, hike amid tundra wildflowers and encounter Arctic fox.
Days 16–17 :
Our aim is to spend the next two days exploring the northern reaches of the superb Norwegian coastline. Cruising the intricate maze of seldom-visited inlets and fjords in this area, we then sail south to cod fishing villages nestled against towering mountains in the Lofoten Islands. Home to the most dramatic scenery in the country, these fairytale villages are nestled amid turquoise waters at the base of dramatic glaciated peaks and fjords – landscapes that will take your breath away. Watch for passing orca, minke and sperm whales as we explore narrow fjords and Zodiac cruise beneath steep bird cliffs alive with razorbills and guillemots.
Days 18–20 :
Sailing south and crossing the Arctic Circle, we hope to land at Torget Island to inspect the bizarre rock formation called Torghatten – a hole in the mountain created, as legend has it, by a troll’s arrow. We may visit Sor-Gjaeslingan and soak up the atmosphere of this colourful village, one of the best-preserved fishing villages in this part of Norway. Conditions permitting, we aim to Zodiac cruise around the island of Runde, southern Norway’s biggest bird sanctuary. Over 350,000 birds nest on these boisterous cliffs, including kittiwakes, gannets, fulmars, puffins and sea eagles. We finish our adventure in the historic waterfront town of Bergen and bid farewell to new friends.
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