NEW! Svalbard- Kingdom of the Polar Bear!

The Svalbard archipelago is one of the most dramatic places on earth. Just 600 miles south of the North Pole, warmed by the most northerly waters of the Gulf Stream, this is a spectacular land of rugged mountains, extensive Arctic pack-ice drifting offshore, and the blue ice of ancient, awe-inspiring glaciers. Experience the majesty of these North Atlantic islands as we explore one of the last great wildernesses on earth. There is more too; nothing can prepare you for your first sighting of a wild Polar Bear, the undisputed king of the Arctic, and a key highlight of this fabulous adventure.

We have worked closely with our vessel operators, friends for many years, to design the best possible wildlife cruise, and on this tour we seek birds and mammals in the high-Arctic wilderness. Very importantly, we have detailed knowledge of the birdlife, and target all available species. Spitsbergen is home to countless birds nesting on spectacular cliffs and there are massive colonies of Little Auk, and huge populations of Brunnich's Guillemot, Puffin, Razorbill and Kittiwake. Glaucous Gull, Fulmar, Black Guillemot and Snow Bunting, the only common passerine, are virtually everywhere. Purple Sandpiper, Red-throated Diver, Ptarmigan, Great and Arctic Skua, Long-tailed Duck and Common Eider are found widely, Barnacle and Pink-footed Geese breed on the many shoreline meadows where melting snows reveal vegetation, and Pomarine and Long-tailed Skua are usually seen. Ivory Gull are often found singly, breeding Sabine's Gull are rare though possible, King Eider and Red Phalarope are local but quite common, and we expect the unexpected, with occasional rarities including Pectoral Sandpiper. We also of course seek Polar Bear, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Svalbard Reindeer and other marine mammals including beautiful Beluga Whale, and Whiskered and Harp Seal.

This fabulous trip to the 'Kingdom of the Polar Bear' takes place in June, taking advantage of long daylight hours, and coinciding with the height of the breeding season for most birds. Be sure at the end of the day to spend time outside on deck and marvel at the low sun, lighting the mountains as the sea turns a vivid orange-pink. It may be some time before you make it back to your cabin! You will never forget the unique wildlife of this harsh, beautiful land, so join us on the experience of a lifetime!

Our vessel, the 106-berth MV Plancius, is ideal; full details below! Our friendly and experienced crew will be excited to share their knowledge and enthusiasm, and we will be flexible in our itinerary, paying close attention to weather and ice, changing course and using inflatable zodiacs amongst the ice-floes, and spending as much time ashore as possible. Expect a friendly, intimate atmosphere in a cosy and comfortable onboard environment.

CABIN PRICES (per person)
Quadruple               £TBC
Twin Porthole         £TBC
Twin Window          £TBC
Twin Deluxe            £TBC
Superior                   £TBC

All cabins have either window or porthole, private shower and toilet, desk and chair, flat screen TV, telephone and internet connection, hair dryer and ample storage space. Click here for full cabin information, including pics. We advise early booking to secure the cabin type of your choice. Single travellers are welcome, and if willing to be paired with another single traveller in a shared cabin, will not pay a single supplement. Cabins are available for single use at a supplement, beginning at an additional cost for Twin Porthole. It is much better value to share! Single rooms in Oslo are available at a small premium, please contact our office for details.

Download the ship cabin plan. Contact us to reserve the specific cabin of your choice!

We expect to see many if not most of these;

BIRDS: Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Fulmar, Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Common Eider, King Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Ptarmigan, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, Grey Phalarope, Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skua, Long-tailed Skua, Great Skua, Sabine’s Gull, Glaucous Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Kittiwake, Ivory Gull, Arctic Tern, Common Guillemot, Brünnich’s Guillemot, Black Guillemot, Little Auk, Puffin, Snow Bunting.

MAMMALS: Polar Bear, Arctic Fox, Svalbard Reindeer, Walrus, Bearded Seal, Ringed Seal, Harp Seal, Common Seal, cetaceans including Beluga and Minke Whale.

This video was produced by our vessel operators, and gives a really good idea of what you will experience. The scenery, wildlife, and fun are unforgettable!
PS you aren't expected to take to canoes, comfortable zodiacs with helping hands are provided throughout!

Enjoy your complimentary pre-flight overnight hotel before your holiday begins. Full details from our office! Read more about our Pre-flight Service here!

Day 1: Thurs 8 June 2023                                                          Arrival in Oslo
After relaxing in our complimentary VIP Airport Lounge, we fly to Oslo from London Gatwick. You can also join from Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Bristol, Newcastle, Birmingham, Glasgow or Leeds/Bradford, and non-stop flights are available from a number of European and North American airports. Please contact us for details. We have a welcome briefing, take dinner and overnight at the comfortable Radisson Blu Hotel adjacent to the airport. https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-osloairport

Day 2: Fri 9 June                       Travel to Longyearbyen and Embarkation
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Longyearbyen, Svalbard. We arrive mid-afternoon, and may have some time to acclimatise in this fascinating and picturesque northern settlement of around 2000 people. Birds immediately available might include Glaucous Gull, Purple Sandpiper, 'Svalbard' Ptarmigan, Arctic Tern, Snow Bunting, Brent, Pink-footed and Barnacle Goose, Northern ('Borealis') Eider, Little Auk and also short-legged Svalbard Reindeer, Arctic Fox and perhaps flowering Svalbard Poppy close to the town. There may be an opportunity to do some sightseeing, visit the Museum or go shopping. We join M/V Plancius late this afternoon, and after our safety drill and briefing, sail north up the west coast in early evening. 'Blue' Fulmar, Puffin, and Brünnich’s Guillemot can be expected.

Day 3: Sat 10 June                                                                               Raudfjord
We sail to Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favoured by Ringed and Bearded Seal. The cliffs and shoreline of the fjord also support thriving seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation, which flourishes in sheltered spots. Polar Bear are frequently seen here.

Day 4: Sun 11 June                                                                      Liefdefjorden
Depending on the weather we may sail to the mouth of Liefdefjorden and possibly go ashore for a walk on the tundra island of Andøya. Many Common Eider and Pink-footed Goose nest here, and rarer King Eider may also be seen. We hope to sail into Liefdefjorden, cruising near the 5km long face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the glacier face are a favourite feeding spot for thousands of Kittiwake, and on previous voyages Polar Bear have been seen on the glacier, providing wonderful opportunities for photography.

Day 5: Mon 12 June                                                                  Hinlopen Strait
Today we sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to Bearded Seal, Ringed Seal, Polar Bear, and Ivory Gull. At the entrance there is the possibility of Blue Whale. We’ll navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in our zodiacs and explore the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich’s Guillemot. On the east side of Hinlopenstrait, we’ll attempt a landing at Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet, home to Reindeer, Pink-footed Goose, breeding Ivory Gull, and Walrus.

Day 6: Tue 13 June                                        Phippsøya - 81 Degrees North!
We will try to reach the northernmost point at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here we will be at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar Bear inhabit this region, as do Ivory Gull. The ship may sit for several hours in the pack ice before turning west again.

Day 7: Wed 14 June                                                  Westward to Kongsfjord
Retracing our route westwards, our route takes us through and along the pack ice, keeping watch for Polar Bear and elusive Greenland Whale (Bowhead). About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen we sail along the edge of the continental shelf, where Fin Whale forage in summer in the upwellings along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of the Kongsfjord we also have good chances to see Minke Whale and perhaps beautiful white Beluga.

Day 8: Thur 15 June                              Forlandsundet then Longyearbyen
We travel to Forlandsundet at Sarstangen, a haul out place for Walrus. Alternatively we sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on its cliffs and Arctic Fox quarter the cliff base for fallen eggs and chicks, while Spitsbergen Reindeer graze the relatively luxuriant vegetation. The Reindeer may seem unbothered by human presence, but this is not really the case. The animals must survive the harsh winter, when temperatures plummet and food is hard to find, so they preserve what energy they can, fleeing only when it is absolutely necessary. In the afternoon we cruise through beautiful Borebukta, following a glacier face before continuing to Longyearbyen.

Day 9: Fri 16 June                                                        Disembark and Return
We disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Spitsbergen, for flights south to Oslo and onward to the UK.

What's included in your holiday price:

• full-board accommodation (as specified) during voyage. Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and all excursions, talks and reports provided by Expedition Leaders.
• return scheduled flight from London Gatwick – Oslo and Oslo - Longyearbyen, airport taxes, baggage and hand luggage up to airline-included limit.
• airport transfers in Longyearbyen, ground transportation, accommodation and meals as specified.
• the Heatherlea Pre-Flight Service offers you organisation of everything you need at the airport, including hotels, car parking, airport lounges, regional flights, and upgrades. On this holiday, all these items are chargeable.
• the services of your Leaders.
• A 'Heatherlea Beanie'! The first item on the menu of international fashion, this little article of headgear will come in very handy. Wear your beanie with pride!

What's not included in your holiday price:

• holiday insurance, optional tips to ship's crew/other staff, drinks, and other personal expenses.
• Lunch in Oslo on Day 2, lunch in Longyearbyen on Day 3.
• Pre-flight airport hotel and lounge are not included on this holiday, we instead include two nights hotel, dinner and breakfast in Oslo.
• Optional Extra Nights in Oslo and Longyearbyen are charged seperately.

More holiday information

Accommodation: is in comfortable cabins with en-suite facilities. See full details here. All hotel accommodation is included on the basis of shared rooms, please ask for detail of single supplement in Oslo, or Oslo + voyage.
Food: food on board is very good European cuisine, with a choice for all courses. Breakfast and lunch are usually an extensive buffet. There is a well stocked Bar run by the crew's Hotel staff, who are efficient, courteous and very helpful.
Mobility/Walking: is generally light/moderate, and an average level of fitness is required. There are no lifts on MV Plancius, though if you are mobile enough to manage stairs, you should be able to enjoy all aspects of this holiday. Staff are patient and courteous, and assistance is provided at both ends of zodiac voyages, all of which are optional. Land conditions can be wet and slippery, with uphill and downhill gradients, though an option to engage in very little walking when ashore is usually available. When on land all participants will be under the management of the Expedition Leader and their team, and must take note of instructions which are there for your safety and benefit.
Weather: will be cold, though can be surprisingly warm and pleasant. we travel in late spring/early summer, though of course at this latitude bad weather is quite possible. Warm clothing is essential, though your large vessel offers more than adequate cover and heating. Daytime temperatures can be around 5 - 6'C .
Insects: biting insects are not expected, though there will be flies on the boggy landscape. Little other insect life is expected.
Group size: you will part of a ship's complement of up to 106 clients. There is no restriction to how many of these will be Heatherlea clients.
Flights: from London are included. Local flights can be arranged from any airport linked to Oslo, though a price surcharge may apply. We will of course be happy to make personal arrangements for your convenience.
Holiday Payment: deposit payment of just £500pp secures your booking. Please take appropriate personal Travel Insurance to cover the possibility of your cancellation.
Photography: Opportunities are good to excellent, particularly for bears, Walrus, some birds and above all scenery.
Your leaders: Kevin Shaw, Ian Ford and Toby Green are the nominated Heatherlea Leaders, and a fourth will be appointed nearer the time. The voyage will be under the supervision a resident on-board Expedition Leader, plus crew leaders of a very high standard. 

Essential Information

TRAVEL TO LONGYEARBYEN

The Group will gather in Oslo, where we overnight at a comfortable hotel near the airport for a two night stay. Dinner, bed and breakfast is included in your holiday price. The main point of departure will be London, though flights to Oslo from other UK/International airports can be arranged - please get in touch with the Heatherlea office for more details. Supplements may apply. On this holiday pre-flight hotel and Airport VIP Lounge are not included, though these can be arranged if requested at the time of booking.

We transfer to Oslo Airport in the morning for our flight to Longyearbyen and enjoy a couple of free hours exploring the town, where lunch can be taken at your leisure. We board M/V Plancius, our home for the next 7 nights, in the mid-afternoon.

OUR VESSEL

M/V Plancius was completely rebuilt in 2009 as a 116-passenger vessel and complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea). There are 53 passenger cabins with private toilets and showers in 4 quadruple porthole cabins, 9 twin porthole cabins, 25 twin cabins with window and 2 twin deluxe cabins, all (ca. 12.5 square meters), and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters). All cabins offer lower berths (one queen-size bed in the superior cabins and two single beds in the twin cabins), except for the 4 quadruple cabins (for 4 persons in 2x upper and lower beds), and 2 triple cabins (1 bunk bed plus 1 lower bed).

The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. M/V Plancius has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 4), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways on the starboard side, guaranteeing a swift zodiac operation.     

Your Leaders

Oceanwide Expeditions has a team of resident onboard expedition staff. Heatherlea will provide four Leaders for this voyage;

Kevin Shaw - Along with wife Caryl, Kevin is the founder of Heatherlea, and very excited to be one of the guides on this adventure, his fourth to the Arctic.                                               

Notes by Kevin, Svalbard 2008

'This was our first Arctic holiday, and back in the Heatherlea office we knew exactly what we wanted.... during the cruise the especially pleasing things were when all this preparation paid off. The exceptional views of bears, and the experience with walruses were surely up there with the best possible wildlife watching anywhere, anytime. The scenery and permanent daylight were extra special, and everything went smoothly throughout: very satisfying for us as organisers!'

Ian Ford - A very experienced leader with Heatherlea throughout the world, Ian is one of our Senior Guides, and is very much looking forward to your company in Spitzbergen, which he last visited as a Leader in 2019.

Ian and Kevin, Svalbard 2019

At least one Guide will attend this tour, and more Guides will be added later if numbers make this possible.

Field Notes

Summer at this latitude features generally settled weather, with light winds and perhaps a little rain. Temperatures should be between minus and plus 5 degrees Celsius. Sea conditions are unlikely to be adverse. Days are long, and you can expect wildlife to appear at any hour. We expect more than one sighting of all key birds and mammals including Polar Bear, so you shouldn’t miss anything. You will need waterproof boots, gaiters and wellies, and can expect maximum walking distances of around three miles, over moderate terrain (though of course most of the holiday is spent on the vessel). Biting insects are not expected. Due to the light, the dramatic landscape, and the quality and quantity of wildlife, this is an ideal location for photography.

The itinerary is given as a guide only. Actual holiday content may vary according to the judgement of our captain and crew, and elements beyond our control, especially weather.

A quick note about Spitsbergen and Polar Bears

Polar Bears make their way across the Arctic pack ice to Spitsbergen in winter, and our voyage to this northerly archipelago gives us excellent chances of seeing them. Frequently the pack ice melts in summer, isolating bears on the islands, and there is an obvious danger to Polar Bears if this recent trend continues. Bears need frozen sea ice to hunt seals, and although none of us can be sure of the future, it seems very possible that the Polar Bear may become much harder to find if the Arctic Ocean continues to warm. If you haven’t been here yet, put Spitsbergen high on your wildlife holiday agenda!

PREVIOUS VISITS BY HEATHERLEA TO SVALBARD
Here are a couple of observations from Kenny Taylor, BBC Wildlife Expert on that voyage, and also from our own Dylan Walker.

'A Midsummer's Ice Bear' - Kenny Taylor

'The sky is overcast, the cloud low, the ice white alongside the ship. The polar bear we’ve watched since very early in the morning  - a young adult, its coat yellowish and stained with seal blood down one leg - is now a few hundred metres away, moving very slowly over the frozen sea. I train a telescope on it, just in time to see it slip into a thin, dark gash of open water. The bear vanishes, then a few seconds later, its head emerges, and submerges.

There’s a seal hauled out near the channel, in the bear’s direction of travel. The bear surfaces again, now very close to the seal. The scene is like a frame from a cartoon – white bear head seen from behind, small, rounded ears prominent as it stares, motionless, at the equally motionless dark shape only metres away. But this is no comedy.

Slowly, slowly, the bear slips underwater once more. The seal dozes. Suddenly, there’s an explosion of water and bear from the far side of the slab of ice as the big predator, now facing in our direction, propels itself from the sea and lunges at the target. The seal escapes, but only just, as the bear cuffs the water, perhaps as an attack move, perhaps in frustration. After a pause, it moves on, still searching for food.

In not much more than a couple of hours, we’ve gone from the first, almost dreamlike impressions of the edge of the pack ice, to this first experience of a polar bear hunting within full view. There will be other bears and another hunt seen during the course of what will be a remarkable day’s journey. But it’s the first encounter and the first hunt that will stay in mind, as if etched in crystal, coloured in grey, white and glacial blue'.

'Awesome Encounters' - Heatherlea Guide Dylan Walker

'One of the things that struck me most about our Spitsbergen cruise was the inseparable link between the land and the sea. The impoverished islands of Svalbard are almost entirely reliant on the bountiful ocean to function. Seals, Polar Bears and seabirds may come ashore to breed, but they forage on ice and under water. Arctic Foxes rely on the eggs from seabird colonies, whilst the guano deposited by auks provides vital nutrients for Arctic plants, which are grazed by herds of Reindeer. We were lucky enough to see nearly all of the animals positioned at, or near, the top of that food chain – whales, seals, seabirds and, of course, Polar Bears!

In a European context, Spitsbergen is a first class destination for viewing marine mammals, as most species are almost impossible to see anywhere else. These include Bearded Seal, Harp Seal, Ringed Seal, Walrus, Beluga, and Polar Bear (which is classified as a marine mammal because it spends most of its time on sea ice).

I am sure that we all feel extremely privileged to have had such incredible encounters with these ‘rare’ mammals. Watching them in one of the harshest environments on Earth has only heightened my respect for these superb animals still further.'