g expedition polar bear cruise

Realm of the Polar Bear in Depth

  • Overview

    With 9 days in total of scouring the ice and tundra in search of the elusive polar bear and encounter even more icebergs, glaciers, and unique wildlife than you ever thought possible. Search for lounging seals, grazing reindeer, and colonies of birds under the midnight sun.

    Duration: 11 days
    Passengers: 130 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
    Disembarkation Point: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
    Physical rating: Soft Adventure
    Fly/Cruise: Cruise only
    Single Supplement: 1.6x twin rate or share options
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Longyearbyen; Embarkation Day

      Get a first glimpse of the midnight sun in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen's capital. Transfer from the city to the G Expedition for a late afternoon embarkation.

      Please make sure you drop your checked luggage off at the meeting point between 9am - 12pm. A local representative will be in the luggage storage room. They can provide general information about the town or the embarkation process.

      All passengers will be transferred to the ship as a group for embarkation at 4pm. Please ensure that for embarkation you have your passport accessible (not in your luggage which is being transferred separately to the ship).

      IMPORTANT: On the July 15, 2017 departure, the ship will embark at 10pm to accommodate passengers arriving into Longyearbyen on the afternoon flight from Oslo.

    • Day 2/10 - Spitsbergen

      Each day is planned to take advantage of local ice and weather conditions. Svalbard is one of the few places on the planet to offer such a plethora of natural and historical extravaganzas. Spend the next nine days exploring the remote polar regions. Visit ice-sculpted fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery, and glaciers crashing into the sea. Spend time exploring pack ice edges in search of polar bears hunting seals. At one or more of the stops, it's possible to encounter Svalbard's arctic fox and the region's unique reindeer.

      Our goal is to give travellers the best possible opportunity to see wildlife in and around the Svalbard archipelago. Ice conditions sometimes allow for sailing through the Hinlopenstretet towards the east coast of Spitsbergen, then through Freemansundet towards the south. However, this is not always possible.

      Some departures will explore alternative routes to maximize time in this remote destination. Early season voyages often provide the greatest opportunity to see large ice floes in the Arctic pack ice, which usually means excellent wildlife viewing. Later in the season, the group will cover more territory, which may allow the chance to explore the entire archipelago. This can lead into the less explored regions of Nordaustlandet and Kvitøya, or the continental edges where large whales are attracted by nutrient rich upwellings.

      Svalbard & Spitsbergen
      Svalbard is one of the few places on the planet that offers such a wealth and diversity of natural and cultural history sites. During these nine days, visit ice covered seas, fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery, and glaciers flowing into the sea. Spend time moving through the ice in search of polar bears hunting seals. Ivory gulls will be a highlight for the birders. Keep a constant lookout for walrus hauled out on ice floes or on sandy beaches. Ice permitting, visit spectacular bird cliffs filled with thousands of murres (guillemots), as well as kittiwakes and glaucous gulls. Shore stops will be highlighted with tiny tundra flowers. The Expedition team will be on hand to answer any questions about this spectacular wilderness.

    • Day 11 - Longyearbyen; Disembarkation

      On departure day, transfers to the Longyearbyen airport will be offered to all passengers with flights scheduled.

      General disembarkation from the vessel is at approximately 8:00am. You will be transferred to either the airport or the Radisson Blu Polar hotel, depending on the time of your flight. Those transferred to the hotel will have an opportunity to explore the town centre on their own, and then be transferred to the airport later in the day as per flight schedules. Transfer times will be confirmed and communicated onboard prior to departure. Luggage storage at the Raddison Blu Polar hotel will be available until time of departure.

      Due to restrictive airline schedules for flights departing from Longyearbyen, we are pleased to offer an early morning disembarkation and transfer to the airport for those passengers with flights departing Longyearbyen around 2:30am (dependent on airline schedules).

    Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your captain and expedition leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

  • Adventure Activities

    The Polar Bear

    To many people, the polar bear is the Arctic. The sight of such an impressive silky white bear wandering the frozen Arctic seas in search of seals symbolizes the cold, isolated nature of the Arctic so well. Polar bears are marine mammals because they spend so much of their lives away from land. In the high Arctic where there is always some sea ice to travel on, polar bears range over ice floes in the pack ice hunting seals all summer. In some areas (e.g. southern Hudson Bay, southern Svalbard) they are simply forced to come ashore. Polar bears rarely venture inland.

    Endless Arctic nights

    Svalbard is the Arctic North as you always dreamed it existed. This wondrous archipelago is a land of dramatic snow-drowned peaks and glaciers, of vast icefields and forbidding icebergs, an elemental place where the seemingly endless Arctic night and the perpetual sunlight of summer carry a deeper kind of magic. One of Europe's last great wildernesses, this is also the domain of more polar bears than people, a terrain rich in epic legends of polar exploration.

  • Inclusions

    Expedition Gear

    Comfortable expedition boots (USA sizes 6-16) and a high quality expedition parka. Specifically designed for the polar regions the expedition parkas feature; breathable waterproof fabric, 5cm Thinsulate liner, reflective taping, large storage pocket and cuff pocket.

    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    - Expedition parka
    - Insulated and waterproof boots supplied for USA size 6 - 16
    - Tours specified in the itinerary
    - Zodiac and land excursions with our expert expedition team
    - Meeting point to ship transfer
    - Accommodation aboard the G Expedition

    Not included in your Expedition

    - Trip interruption / cancellation insurance
    - Travel medical insurance including medical repatriation (mandatory)
    - Medical expenses - fees / prescriptions / medications
    - Postage / telephone calls / email
    - Personal laundry
    - Soft drink and alcoholic beverages
    - Personal expenses
    - Pre & post cruise transfers and hotel
    - Airport taxes
    - Visa and passport fees
    - International & internal airfares
    - Gratuities
  • Map
    Aurora ex spitsbergen odyssey
  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    G EXPEDITION

    The G Expedition provides an intimate small-ship cruising experience. Completely refurbished in 2009, she boasts spacious cabins, each featuring ocean-facing windows or portholes and private en-suite facilities. Large common areas and observation decks provide panoramic views of the distinctive landscapes of some of the world's most remote regions. The Expedition's spacious confines can hold up to 134 passengers. Many expedition cruise operators offer you a choice of space, comfort or expertise; the Expedition delivers all three at a price few can top. With a focus on safety, comfort and the unique demands of polar travel, the crew of the Expedition is committed to the ship’s continued safe operation.

    Features & Facilities
    • Recently refurbished
    • Lounge/Bar
    • Lecture room
    • Expedition mud room
    • Library
    • Computer room
    • Internet/Wifi
    • Gym
    • Sauna
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating: 3
    Guests #: 130
    Crew #: 69
    Ice Class: 1B
    Speed: 15
    Refurbished: 2009
    Technical Specs
    Year built: 1972
    Length: 105m
    Width: 18
    Draft: 4
    Tonnage: 6334
    Registry: Liberia
    Elec Outlets: 220V / 2 Round Pin
Check Voyage Dates, Pricing and Availability
All available dates
Ready to book your expedition?

We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.

  • Confirm your booking today with just USD$ 1,000 per passenger.
  • Pay your 25% deposit 5 day later.
  • Final payment due 120 days prior to departure.

Quad

01 Aug 2018 - 11 Aug 2018
Quad cabin with private facilities
USD$ 4,555pp
USD$ 4,555pp

Triple

01 Aug 2018 - 11 Aug 2018
Triple cabin with private facilities
USD$ 5,167pp
USD$ 5,167pp

Twin Porthole

01 Aug 2018 - 11 Aug 2018
Twin porthole cabin with private facilities
USD$ 6,051pp
USD$ 6,051pp

Twin Window

01 Aug 2018 - 11 Aug 2018
Twin window cabin with private facilities
USD$ 6,731pp
USD$ 6,731pp

Superior Twin

01 Aug 2018 - 11 Aug 2018
Superior twin cabin with private facilities
USD$ 7,615pp
USD$ 7,615pp

Suite

01 Aug 2018 - 11 Aug 2018
Suite with double bed, private facilities and panoramic windows
USD$ 8,363pp
USD$ 8,363pp