SCHEDULE AND COST:
Travel dates: 12 - 20 July 2023
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Cost per person:
- Cabin with window OD4, 19 sq m - from € 8,484
- Cabin with balcony BD5, 28 sq m - from € 9,542
- Suite SU 44 sq m - from € 12,287
- Premium Suite PS 47 sq m - from € 14,060
**The cost per person depends on the chosen deck and type of cabin and (double occupancy)
Estimated cost of a flight to Oslo: 1,000 - 1,500 euros.
For citizens of the Russian Federation, an open Schengen visa is required along the route.
TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO ANTARCTICA
Day 1. July 12, 2023 Flight to Oslo
The journey begins with a meeting at the Oslo airport. You will be met by a Swan Hellenic representative. An organized transfer will take you to your hotel. You will have free time to relax after the flight and maybe to walk around the center of Oslo.
*Recommended flight:
- by AirSerbia with a stopover in Belgrade, departure from Moscow to Belgrade at 10:57 on July 12 by flight JU-651, stopover in Belgrade 4h27min, departure to Oslo at 17:27 by flight JU-454 and arrival in Oslo at 20:20 on July 12 ,
- or by Pobeda airline with a stopover in Antalya, departure from Moscow at 9:10 on July 12 by flight DP-839, stopover in Antalya 3 hours 20 minutes, departure to Oslo by flight DY-1261 of Norwegian Air Shuttle at 17:40 and arrival in Oslo at 21:00 July 12
- or any other flight arriving in Oslo no later than 12 July.
Meals Included: No
Accommodation: Clarion Hotel & Congress Oslo 5*
Day 2. July 13, 2023 Longyearbyen. Exit to the sea
After breakfast, the transfer will take you to the airport. For the members of the expedition, a flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen will be organized on a regular or charter flight at the choice of Swan Hellenic. After a comfortable flight, you will land in the capital of Svalbard - Longyearbyen, concurrently in the northernmost settlement in the world, with a population of more than a thousand people. A Swan Hellenic representative will meet you at the airport. The transfer will take you to the port of Longyearbyen to board the expedition vessel SH Vega.
After going through all the formalities, you will be able to relax in the cabin and have lunch.
In this tiny Norwegian town, located on the island of Western Svalbard, in a valley, on the shores of the idyllic Adventfjord, surrounded by steep mountains and several glaciers, in the harsh climatic conditions of the High Arctic, lovers of the unique polar nature from 53 countries live.
Locals call Longyearbyen a metropolis, because the vast majority of the population of Svalbard lives here. The international atmosphere, hospitality and geopolitical position fully justify this name. The mines destroyed during the Second World War were restored and functioned until the 90s, after which the city began to develop as a scientific and tourist center. Although this tiny town may seem harsh for its industrial appearance, Longyearbyen is renowned for its high level of comfort. It has hotels, restaurants, boutiques and attractions such as the Svalbard Aviation Museum, Art Gallery, Svalbard Museum and Science Center, Lutheran Church, Sundial and University Center.
Before departure, you will be invited to the upper deck by speakerphone, from where you can take panoramic photos of Longyearbyen, because the city itself, with its colorful houses surrounded by mountains that look like clouds, is already, in fact, an attraction. It's time to say goodbye to the hospitable capital of Svalbard, our expedition begins.
While navigating, you will already start observing seabirds and marine mammals from the ship. Viewpoints offer stunning views of the ocean. A rich educational program awaits you on board. The expedition team of polar experts will introduce you to the history of Arctic exploration, the origin of glaciers, the flora and fauna of the region, and many other informative and interesting facts. You will also receive a safety briefing during the landings on the Zodiac boats. And of course, days at sea are a time to relax and enjoy your time on board. Visit a spa or gym, connect with like-minded people, share your travel experiences, or head to a library filled with themed books and reference books. This evening you will have a welcome cocktail with the captain, officers and expedition team.
Meals: all inclusive
Accommodation: in cabins on the yacht
Day 3. July 14, 2023 Exploring Svalbard
This day and the next 5 days we will explore the islands and glaciers of Svalbard. A cruise around the archipelago can be called a real expedition, because the actual route depends on weather and ice conditions. Our experienced captain can adjust the course, sequence and duration of stops in real time based on the weather forecast and the advice of an expedition leader to offer travelers the best options for active exploration of the Arctic and to show as much as possible of the wildlife of Svalbard.
The vast polar archipelago located in the Arctic Ocean is a real Arctic fairytale! Colorful tundra, endless glaciers (more than half of Svalbard is covered with glaciers!) and fjords, blue sea ice, majestic mountains - incomparable arctic landscapes, rich wildlife and famous historical sites. The seasonality is especially felt here.
The polar night with the famous northern lights is replaced by bright winter months, which, in turn, give way to a wonderfully mild summer with its midnight sun. The Arctic silence here creates a unique atmosphere. You will experience peace, which is practically unparalleled on Earth. The history of the archipelago dates back to the 16th century, when Svalbard was discovered by an expedition of a Dutch explorer. For centuries, the history of Svalbard has been associated with mining, hunting, and whaling.
Meals: all inclusive
Accommodation: in cabins on the yacht
Day 4. July 15, 2023 Hinlopen Strait
Today our ship will navigate the Hinlopen Strait, we are waiting for you to have a "scenic cruise" along the Strait. While riding the Zodiacs, you will have the opportunity to explore it even closer. The Hinlopen Strait is a waterway that separates the largest island of Svalbard from the second largest island of Nordaustlandet. Although the strait is often ice-bound, it is a picturesque place with an interesting history and rich wildlife, including polar bears and several species of ducks and geese. The name probably comes from the director of a Dutch whaling company in the XVII century. Sailing in the Hinlopen Strait, in the heart of the Arctic Ocean, promises an unforgettable experience and offers breathtaking panoramas.
Meals: all inclusive
Accommodation: in cabins on the yacht
Day 5-8. July 16 - 19, 2023. Exploring Svalbard
Our exploration of Svalbard will continue for the next 4 days. Most of the flora and fauna of the archipelago lives in the Barents Sea, which has excellent organic matter due to the mixture of warm and cold water in the Gulf Stream, shallow water shelf and intense solar radiation in the summer. Svalbard deer and arctic fox on land, various seal species including ringed seal, bearded seal, harbor seal and walrus, and whales are found in the surrounding waters. Svalbard is known throughout the world as the kingdom of the polar bear. And as the locals say, "A polar bear can be closer at any moment than we think." During the expedition, encounters with a polar bear, walrus, Svalbard deer and thousands of nesting seabirds are possible.
Meals: all inclusive
Accommodation: in cabins on the yacht
Day 9. July 20, 2023 Longyearbyen - Oslo
Our ship is returning to Longyearbyen. After breakfast, the transfer will take you to the airport. For the members of the expedition, a flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo will be organized on a regular or charter flight at the choice of Swan Hellenic. After a comfortable flight, you will land in Oslo, the capital of Norway, to continue the program in Norway of your choice or onward connecting flight back home.
For your convenience, SH can provide complimentary accommodation in Oslo for 1 night after the cruise if it is convenient for the logistics of the onward connecting flight. In a couple of weeks, when you return home, a pleasant surprise will await you. The Swan Hellenic team will send each guest a link to download the film, which will include a photo report and a video report of the perfect expedition cruise for a long memory.
Meals: all inclusive
Accommodation: in cabins on the yacht
* Recommended flight:
- AirSerbia with a stopover in Belgrade, departure from Oslo on July 21 at 21:02 by flight JU-455, long stopover in Belgrade 23:40, departure to Moscow on July 22 at 23:30 by flight JU-656,
- Pobeda airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle with a stopover in Antalya, departure from Oslo on July 32 at 06:00 and arrival in Antalya at 11:05 flight DY-1260, stopover in Antalya 3 hours 50 minutes, departure to Moscow a / k Pobeda, flight DP- 840 at 14:55,
- or any other flight departing from Oslo no earlier than 21 July.
* Please do not purchase tickets without prior approval from us.
** The program is subject to change due to weather conditions.