Spitsbergen

Spitsbergen Circumnavigation 2012 
In the realm of the polar bear!

Remote, mysterious and extreme, the island of Spitsbergen is the jewel in Arctic Norway’s crown, a land forged by snow, ice, ocean and wind that presents you with a spectacular range of unforgettable adventures. Located on the southern fringe of the ever frozen Arctic Ocean, where the warmer currents of the Gulf Stream meet the colder air and water from the north, Spitsbergen and the other islands of the Svalbard Archipelago are a biological hot spot. 

The aim of our 2012 expedition is to circumnavigate Spitsbergen and discover the incredible Arctic flora and fauna via our included shore landings. Although wildlife species diversity is low compared to the temperate regions of the world, the species that are present in Svalbard are often highly abundant, a pattern most pronounced for seabirds. In the summer, thousands of migratory birds return to breed and there is intense bird activity at sea, in the bird cliffs and on the islands. Common sightings in the months of August and September include the Arctic Tern, Northern Fulmar, Ivory Gull, Little Auk, Atlantic Puffin, Snow Bunting, Arctic Skua and the Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (the only species that ­over-winters in the archipelago). Svalbard Reindeer and Arctic Fox are also year-round locals, and so too are Narwhals, Beluga and Bowhead whales, walruses, and a selection of seal species, including ringed, harbour and bearded varieties. Ruling over this fragile and often frozen kingdom is, of course, the region’s top predator, the magnificent polar bear!

During the voyage you’ll hear about the region’s early whaling era and have the opportunity to visit fascinating communities like Barentsburg, Longyearbyen and Ny Ålesund - each of which have a completely different atmosphere. One thing they do have in common, however, is that pioneer “Klondike” feeling. Thankfully we now travel in somewhat more comfort than the early explorers, but that certainly doesn’t make this expedition any the less exciting! So, if you’re inclined to explore, don’t miss this tour. It’s an opportunity to see what few have seen.

For more details follow the tour information links shown above.

Photo credits: Polar bear and cub © Dominic Barrington, MS Fram in Svalbard © Hurtigruten, Svalbard reindeer © Nina Bailey, Svalbard landscape © Hurtigruten, Flora © Dominic Barrington.

Our Inside Track

Time and time again our guests remark how much they value our attention to detail and the care we take to research, design and escort our tours. We’re often described as the escorted tour company for folk who don’t normally choose an escorted tour! Certainly, when you join a Furlongs holiday you can be sure of a friendly welcome, a relaxed atmosphere, and the company of other discerning guests.

One of our philosophies is to research destinations and check ­suppliers first hand. Dawn Furlong explored Svalbard a few years ago. She loved the place but not the only ship that was ­available at the time! Thankfully we’re now able to offer Dawn’s preferred itinerary on board the very comfortable new expedition ship, MS FRAM. We first inspected the FRAM when she was newly launched in 2007 and were immediately impressed by the cabin accommodations, spacious observation lounges and open decks. Subsequently we've escorted guests on board the FRAM in Antarctica, Greenland and Norway and she's become a firm favourite. You can be confident that the ship, crew, and expedition team will make our Spitsbergen voyage very special. 

Like all our tours, this one includes everything you need plus a few things you might not expect. Flights, transfers, ­accommodations and meals, of course, but also expedition ­landings, sightseeing, park fees and ­gratuities. Richard and Dawn will escort the tour. They plan ­meticulously and organise ­discreetly, which means you enjoy your holiday free of day-to-day niggles. Naturally our own ATOL tour operating licence gives you 100% peace of mind at all times.

If you fancy travelling in safe hands and in the company of other like-minded folk please join us!

Tour dates

Wednesday 29th August to Thursday 6th September 2012

Itinerary, 9 days

Wednesday 29th August 2012 - UK to Spitsbergen
We travel scheduled services with Scandinavian Airlines, departing from London Heathrow mid-afternoon and flying via Oslo to Longyearbyen on the island of Spitsbergen. Flights from some regional UK airports connecting to Heathrow or via Oslo may also be available, please enquire. We arrive in Longyearbyen late evening and transfer to the comfortable Radisson Blu hotel for an overnight stay.

Thursday 30th August 2012 - Longyearbyen and Barentsburg
After breakfast, join our included tour of Longyearbyen, accompanied by a local English speaking guide. The town is often referred to as the capital of the Svalbard archipelago. A light lunch and some free time is also included before we embark the MS FRAM to begin our expedition voyage. The local history here is very much the history of coal mining, and reminders of the early pioneers can be seen everywhere. We’ll visit the Russian settlement of Barentsburg, which is still an active mining community. Here you will find an exotic collection of Russian artefacts and architecture! (b,L,D)

Friday 31st August 2012 - Kongsfjorden / Svalbard National Park
Kings Bay is the largest fjord on the North West coast of Spitsbergen. The landscape here varies from large tundra plains to alpine peaks with dramatic glaciers calving into the ocean.

At 78° 55’ north, we’ll visit Ny Ålesund, previously a mining community and now an advanced High Arctic research centre. Nearby Magdalenefjorden is home to an important piece of cultural heritage; a whaling station from the 16th century, complete with a graveyard of whalers who died during the first oil adventure. (B,L,D).

Saturday 1st September 2012 - North East Spitsbergen Nature Reserve
A true expedition day! We explore some of the most remote parts of the Svalbard Archipelago and will attempt to reach Sjuøyane, a cluster of islands at almost 81° north. These islands are closer to the Geographical North Pole than any other landmass in Europe. Polar bears and seabirds are the only inhabitants! (B,L,D)

Sunday 2nd September 2012 - Alkefjellet Nature Reserve
Another day in the true spirit of explorers like Amundsen and Nansen. MS Fram will tack her way south through the famous Hinlopen Strait which separates the east coast of Spitsbergen from the large ice-capped island of Nordaustlandet. On route we’ll visit a spectacular bird cliff called Alkefjellet. Its 300 metre spires rise directly from the sea and create perfect bird nesting conditions. We also hope to see the BRÅSVELLBREEN glacier, famous for its giant surge forward in 1938. (B,L,D)

Monday 3rd September 2012 - Svalbard Nature Reserve
The eastern part of Svalbard is mainly divided into two large Nature Reserves. Combined they represent one of the last large, mainly untouched, wildernesses in Europe. We’ll visit EdgEøya, the third largest island in Svalbard and then sail the Storfjorden, hopefully giving us views of hundreds of glaciers and mountains. If we are lucky we’ll meet some of Svalbard’s marine mammals as we head towards the South Cape Land, the southern most tip of Spitsbergen. (B,L,D)

Tuesday 4th September 2012 - Hornsund South National Park
Today we explore HORNSUND, a largely alpine landscape boasting some majestic mountains including Hornsundtinden and Bautaen (known in English as the Obelisk) which seen from the right angle looks like a giant Viking sword! (B,L,D)

Wednesday 5th September 2012 - Isfjorden
We spend the day exploring both the outer and the inner parts of ISFJORDEN. One of the most prominent mountains here is Alkhornet, where thousands of Brunnich Guillemots nest during the summer season. The inner U-shaped valleys, carved out by giant glaciers are now home to large populations of the endemic Svalbard Reindeer. Today, our intent is to find a scenic fjord arm and arrange a farewell barbecue in the most beautiful Arctic surroundings. (B,L,D)

Thursday 6th September 2012 - Longyearbyen / UK
Sadly, every explorer voyage has to come to an end. We disembark the MS FRAM this morning before flying via Olso back to the UK. (B)

You will probably have a strange feeling of time having passed faster than you expected, however, the number of awesome experiences feels impossible to have happened in such a short time. Bring back the memory of that solitary polar bear, the calving glacier front or the buzzing birdlife – or simply the subtle, odd feeling of having spent time on top of the globe, just a few hundred kilometres from the Geographical North Pole.

MS Fram

MS FRAM belongs to the Norwegian Hurtigruten fleet. She was built in 2007 and is widely accepted as the most modern expedition ship afloat. With a focus on safety, comfort and the unique demands of polar travel, the Fram is large enough to provide stability, speed, ample public space and comfortable accommodations, and yet small enough to manoeuvre in remote areas and get you close to the action. Ship stabilizers assist with a smooth ride and a fleet of zodiac style Polar Cirkel boats allows ­guests to get out and explore.

The FRAM has a capacity of 318 berths, but will be limited to approximately 250 guests for our Spitsbergen voyage. She can speed along at 16 knots which means you’ll spend less time getting from A to B, and more time exploring!

On board there’s a spacious reception, a glass-enclosed observation lounge, a restaurant, café, lecture rooms, Internet facility and library, plus plenty of observation ­terraces and deck space. There are also excellent leisure facilities, including a gym, sauna and heated Jacuzzis.

Cabins all have private facilities of shower, washbasin and WC, and most also have a refrigerator and room safe. As a general rule, outside accommodations on the higher decks have a picture window while those on lower decks have large round windows. Most cabins have twin berths, one of which can be turned into a sofa. Suites have a double bed plus a sitting area. Cabins vary in size and location, sometimes within the same grade.­

The holiday cost varies according to the ship cabin type chosen.

• I-category: Inside cabin on decks 3, 5 or 6.
• FJ-category: Outside superior cabin (with limited or no view) on deck 5.
• N-category: Outside cabin on deck 3.
• U-category: Outside cabin on decks 5 and 6.
• F-category: Oytside superior cabin on decks 3 and 5.
• M-category: Outside suite on decks 5 and 6.
• MG-category: Outside grand suite on decks 5 and 6.

What's included in the tour prices?

• Scheduled economy class flights between London and Oslo.
• Scheduled economy class flights between Oslo and Spitsbergen.
• 1-night at the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel in Longyearbyen including breakfast and lunch.
• Guided tour of Longyearbyen.
• 7-night voyage aboard MS FRAM.
• Ship cabin grade of your choice assigned on booking.
• Full board meals on ship - breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Complimentary tea and coffee on board ship.
• Svalbard landings via rigid zodiac style Polar Cirkel boats.
• Landings accompanied by expedition team.
• Lectures and presentations by expedition team.
• CD souvenir log.
• Wind and water-resistant jacket.
• Port charges.
• Current airport and ­prepaid air taxes.
• Gratuities.
• Personally escorted throughout by Richard and Dawn Furlong

Tour Prices

Frequently Asked Questions

This A-to-Z section gives you useful travel information about the Spitsbergen holiday including health advice, passport requirements and details about our airport services. If you have any questions not covered here, please don't hesitate to contact us. Richard and Dawn will be delighted to pass on their first hand knowledge.

Airport Service

We offer discounted airport parking and hotel bookings at most UK airports. For more information please telephone 01580 240240 or email.

Departure service

We offer free parking at our office near Tenterden in Kent and complimentary transfers to and from Heathrow Airport. Spaces are subject to availability. This service is designed primarily for clients who live within a 15 mile radius of our office but, space permitting, any tour guest may join us. For more details, please ask.

Flight

Included is economy class scheduled flights with Scandinavian Airlines between London Heathrow and Longyearbyen in Spitsbergen. Flights are via Oslo. The expected flight schedule, subject to change, is a departure from Heathrow around 1pm on Wednesday 29th August 2012 and an arrival back at Heathrow around 9.30pm on Thursday 6th September 2012. Business Class upgrades may be available subject to extra cost, please ask for details.

Health

There will be a doctor on board the ship but, given the remoteness of the destination, this tour calls for relatively good health. Some of the shore excursions will involve walking on uneven and slippery terrain.

However it is up to you how much you do. Under the terms of the EEA Regulation, you are covered for emergency treatment whilst visiting Norway and Spitsbergen. You should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. (Form E111 is no longer valid). The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Norwegian nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC. 

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website http://www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo publishes essential travel tips and up-to-date information about travelling abroad. You may also ring them on 0870 6060290. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC (The National Travel Network and Centre) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Insurance

It is a condition of booking that all guests have adequate travel insurance for this tour. We recommend "Holiday Extras Travel Insurance" which is underwritten by Mapfre, but we are happy for you to arrange your own cover so long as it provides suitable cover. For details of the recommended insurance please call Holiday Extras direct on 0870 844 2742 and quote "Furlongs WZ679", or click here.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included on board ship. The food is Norwegian and breakfast is buffet style with a selection of cold meats, cheese, eggs, cereals and fruit. Lunch is the famous Cold Table with a choice of fish dishes, cold meats, salads, a selection of hot dishes, desserts and fruit. Dinner is a three-course set menu or equivalent buffet. The restaurant will be delighted to assist with any special diets you may have, but please be sure to let us know well in advance. The FRAM is fully licensed and the prices on board are the same as in Norway, i.e. quite expensive!

Money

The currency on board ship and in Spitsbergen is the Norwegian Kroner. Furlongs Travel will offer guests a foreign currency service prior to departure. Most major credit and debit cards may be used on board ship.

Passports and Visas

Visas are not required for tourist visits to Spitsbergen or Norway but you should be in possession of a valid British Passport. There is currently no minimum validity required but you should ensure that your passport is valid for your return journey.

Singles/Twin Shares

There is a limited number of cabins available for sole occupancy (single occupancy tour prices apply). If you are booking alone but may be happy to share we'll be pleased to help you find a sharer.

Terms and Conditions

Itineraries and prices are subject to change. Reservations are subject to our terms and conditions of booking, to review these please click here.