S E E U S O N T H E W E B AT wildlifeworldwide.com 183 Ice conditions allowing, the northern-most point of your voyage is likely to be Phippsøya in the Seven Islands, just 870 kilometres from the geographic North Pole. As you sail down through Hinlopen Strait, the waterway between Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet, keep watch for Bearded, and Ringed Seals, Polar Bears and Ivory Gulls. Using the zodiacs to navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya you will explore the bird cliffs at Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich’s Guillemots. An old trapper’s hut will be found at Sundneset on Barentsøya and, moving south to Diskobukta on the west side of Edgeøya, you will find a beach littered with whale bones and tree trunks that have drifted from Siberia. On Ahlstrandhalvøya piles of Beluga skeletons are evidence of the 19th Century slaughter. Fortunately Belugas were not hunted to the edge of extinction and the chances of coming across a pod are good. If ice conditions are favourable you may sail around Nordaustlandet and visit Kvitøya, where the Swedish Explorer Andree perished, instead of sailing through the Hinlopen Strait. Akademik Sergey Vavilov ADVENTURE SHIP Voyage nts Tour dates Triple/sh Twin/ULB/sh Twin/ULB/pr Superior Suite 11 9 to 20 June 08 £1,795 £2,395 £2,625 From £2,895 From £3,295 10 9 to 19 July 08 £2,250 £2,895 £3,150 From £3,395 From £3,795 10 19 to 29 July 08 £2,250 £2,895 £3,150 From £3,395 From £3,795 10 8 to 18 Aug 08 £2,250 £2,895 £3,150 From £3,395 From £3,795 Alexsey Maryshev ADVENTURE SHIP Voyage nts Tour dates Twin/ULB/sh Twin/ULB/pr Superior 10 25 June to 5 July 08 £2,525 £3,025 £3,395 10 5 to 15 July 08 £2,525 £3,025 £3,395 10 15 to 25 July 08 £2,525 £3,025 £3,395 Antarctic Dream EXPEDITION SHIP Voyage nts Tour dates Twin/ULB/sh Twin/ULB/pr Superior Suite 10 28 June to 8 July 08 £2,525 £3,025 £3,395 £3,795 10 8 to 18 July 08 £2,525 £3,025 £3,395 £3,795 10 18 to 28 July 08 £2,525 £3,025 £3,395 £3,795 10 8 to 18 Aug 08 £2,525 £3,025 £3,395 £3,795 10 18 to 28 Aug 08 £2,525 £3,025 £3,395 £3,795 Grigoriy Mikheev ADVENTURE SHIP Voyage nts Tour dates Twin/ULB/sh Twin/ULB/pr Superior 10 29 June to 9 July 08 £2,525 £3,025 £3,395 Professor Molchanov ADVENTURE SHIP Voyage nts Tour dates Triple/sh Twin/ULB/sh Twin/ULB/pr Superior Suite 10 5 to 15 Aug 08 £2,195 £2,525 £3,025 £3,395 £3,795 10 15 to 25 Aug 08 £2,195 £2,525 £3,025 £3,395 £3,795 10 25 Aug to 4 Sept 08 £2,195 £2,525 £3,025 £3,395 £3,795 Prices include port dues, taxes, hotel accommodation as indicated (twin/triple share), accommodation on board ship (twin/triple share), guided activities & all meals on board ship.

Spitsbergen - with its rugged mountains, sweeping tundra, ice caps and glaciers is a true High Arctic wilderness. Its abundant wildlife was once a huge draw for whalers and trappers but now discerning visitors are discovering the attractions of huge Arctic seabird colonies and the chance to enjoy and photograph species such as Walrus, Reindeer, Arctic Fox and of course, Polar Bear. If you choose to visit Spitsbergen in May or June there are two different adventure cruises available to you: 7-nights onboard an icestrengthened expedition cruise ship or a longer 11-night itinerary on the Noorderlicht, a two-masted schooner. As you will be visiting fairly early in the Arctic season the sea ice may restrict the areas you can visit – however, it also makes for excellent conditions to see Polar Bears. Sea ice is the classic and best way to find and observe these magnificent creatures and, for this reason, an early season voyage is recommended. Although sightings can never be guaranteed. Sailing from Longyearbyen, your vessel will take you north along Spitsbergen’s west coast, where you will zodiac cruise along sculpted glacier fronts; marvel at the many species of delicate wildflowers in full bloom; visit the northern settlement of Ny Ålesund, once a thriving mining village now a scientific research centre; hike over the tundra on the lookout for Reindeer, Pink-footed Geese, breeding Ivory Gulls and Walrus and keep a constant watch for Polar Bears. You will visit west Spitsbergen’s most beautiful fjords including Raudfjord and Magdalenafjord with their impressive glacier fronts and exceptional variety of wildlife. North Spitsbergen Enjoy the spectacular icy landscapes of Spitsbergen on an early season voyage, sailing on a two-masted schooner or an icestrengthened expedition cruise ship. F O R R E S E R V A T I O N S C A L L U S O N 0845 130 6982 Itinerary Day 1. Embark in Longyearbyen Day 2. Krossfjorden, Ny Ålesund, Day 3. Liefdefjorden Day 4. Hinlopen Strait Day 5. Phippsøya Day 6. Raudfjord, Ytre Norskøya Day 7. Prins Karls Forland Day 8. Longyearbyen and disembark Vessel Alexsey Maryshev, Antarctic Dream, Grigoriy Mikheev, Noorderlicht, Professor Molchanov, Professor Multanovskiy (see Vessel pages for more details). Things you need to know Embark Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Disembark Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Voyage nights 7 & 11 nights Departure dates 7-nights: 28 May to 4 Jun, 4 to 11 Jun, 11 to 18 Jun, 12 to 19 Jun, 13 to 20 Jun, 14 to 21 Jun, 20 to 27 Jun, 21 to 28 Jun, 22 to 29 Jun 11-nights: 20 to 31 May, 31 May to 11 Jun, 22 Jun to 3 Jul Price From £1,595 in a triple share cabin From £1,795 in a twin share cabin Single supplement On request. If you are travelling alone ask about our request share programme which enables solo travellers to share a cabin with another solo traveller. What’s included Voyage including guided shore & zodiac excursions, all meals onboard & transfers. Guide price for flights & accommodation package Around £495 including return flights from the UK & 1-night in Oslo. 184 The Noorderlicht also operates a 7-night SOUTH SPITSBERGEN voyage with departures in late September. Please ask us for details.