Expedition Svalbard with M/S Quest 2024
Join an extraordinary adventure in the magical wildernesses of Svalbard!
In July and the beginning of August, it is summer in Svalbard. The midnight sun reigns supreme and the purple saxifrage decorates the slopes. The ice is slowly starting to loosen its grip, which offers good opportunities to explore the seldom visited eastern parts of the archipelago. Whales are more frequently seen in the waters and more and more snowfree areas become accessible for longer walks.
Autumn arrive in late August. The tundra is shifting in autumn colours and the midnight sun is getting closer and closer sun is closer to the horizon, preparing for the polar night, giving us beautiful sunsets and a warm light, perfect for photography.
With ten nights on board we have plenty of time for grand nature experiences.
- A once-in-a-lifetime adventure
- 10 nights on board M/S Quest
- Small group - great moments
- 5-star nature experiences
- 5 experienced guides
- All trips are unique
Itinerary
Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
We arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to our hotel.
Day 2 - 11: Expedition cruising
We start our great adventure in Svalbard by exploring Longyearbyen. In the afternoon we embark the expedition ship and sail out through the spectacular Isfjorden - the Arctic expedition has started! We are now in a part of the world where we are totally dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Our exact itinerary depends on these factors and on the wildlife we encounter. Our ambition is to head out on Zodiac cruises every day and when the opportunity arises also go ashore. Here are some examples of places we may visit:
Northwest Spitsbergen
The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is situated in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. Two other courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman started with an airship. There are still interesting remnants from these expeditions left on this site.
Magnificent fjords
Svalbard offers the visitor countless spectacular fjords. During our journey we will explore a few of them such as: Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love”, is lined with snow-covered mountain peaks and here we hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier. Many common eiders and pinkfooted geese nest in the area. In Krossfjorden we revel in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier to the raucous greeting of the large number of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the nearby cliffs. Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty – dominated by beautiful glaciers. It is also a favourite spot for seals and the bird cliffs are bursting with activity.
Hinlopen Strait and Alkefjellet
If the ice allows we enter Hinlopen Strait. Here is Alkefjellet, an impressive, basaltic cliff, which is the home to an estimated 200 000 Brünnich’s guillemots. We may also continue into the beautiful bay Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet.
Eastern Svalbard
The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by an enormous ice cap and fascinates naturalists as well as historians. There are huge glacier fronts here, intersected by hundreds of waterfalls. Barentsøya and Edgeøya offer magnificent landscapes and vast tundra. Chances to encounter walruses, Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer are good here.
Southwest Spitsbergen
The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of towering mountain peaks, often reaching above the clouds. On a clear day we can see the summit of the highest mountain Hornsundtind, measuring 1431 meters. Hornsund is a favourite haunt for some of Svalbard’s polar bears and bearded seals are often seen resting on the fjord ice.
Day 12: Longyearbyen
Early morning we disembark our expedition ship and begin our journey back home.
All itineraries are for guidance only. Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions, wildlife and government regulations. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to maximise your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!
Flights
We offer group flights from Oslo to Longyearbyen with return (limited availability). Contact us for more information!
The Package Travel Directive – protects the traveller’s rights
When you have booked a trip with PolarQuest, you are protected by the Package Travel Directive. This includes that you have the right to rebook your trip or cancel and receive a full refund, if your Government, or other relevant authorities, have implemented restrictions against travelling. This includes documented quarantine requirements in the country you are travelling to. However, free cancellation is only possible when it is less than 30 days to departure, provided the travel restrictions are still in place and clearly will affect your trip. You are also entitled to a full refund, should PolarQuest cancel the trip for any reason whatsoever.
The ship M/S Quest
A COMFORTABLE EXPEDITION SHIP WITH A WONDERFUL CREW
The ship was built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on Greenland’s west coast. In 2004/2005 she was completely refurbished into a comfortable expedition ship and in 2018 she underwent a renovation of the passenger areas. M/S Quest takes 50 passengers and all 24 cabins are outside cabins with private facilities. The triple cabins have upper and lower berths. All other cabins have two lower berths or a double bed. In your cabin you find a desk with a chair and a cupboard for storage. The superior cabins are spacious and have armchairs and TV. The owner’s cabin has a double bed, two large picture windows, a separate seating area and TV.
In the dining room you are treated to delicious meals in between landings and in the panorama lounge you can enjoy breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape. Here you can listen to entertaining talks on the area’s flora, fauna and history. In the lounge you also find a bar and a small library. The ship has spacious observation decks, where you can enjoy the beautiful vistas. Passengers are welcome on the bridge around the clock and there is always something to see or search for. You are welcomed by an international crew and the atmosphere is relaxed and very friendly. There are five Zodiacs and five guides on board M/S Quest.
It is always possible to share a cabin on board M/S Quest. All cabins have windows and private facilities.
Cabins & prices
Cabin category | Price per person | ||
---|---|---|---|
Triple cabin | upper/lower beds | USD 8 390 | |
Twin cabin | 2 twin beds | USD 10 190 | |
Twin cabin Plus | 2 twin beds | USD 10 790 | |
Double cabin | double bed | USD 10 790 | |
Double cabin Superior | large double bed* | USD 11 690 | |
Owner’s cabin | large double bed | USD 12 690 | |
Twin cabin for single use | USD 16 490 |
Please note: It is always possible to share a cabin on board M/S Quest. All cabins have windows and private facilities.
*The double bed in the Superior cabins is separable.
Price includes
- 10 nights on board M/S Quest
- 1 night in a hotel in Longyearbyen
- Lunch day 2
- All meals on board
- Coffee and tea
- An experienced Expedition Leader and knowledgeable guides
- Guiding ashore and talks on board
- All excursions and activities
- Comprehensive information material before the expedition
Not included
- Flight to/from Longyearbyen
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Gratuity to the ship’s crew
- Personal expenses such as bar and shop charges
Departures & booking
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or wish to make a reservation.
Booking requestDeparture | Return |
---|---|
9 July 2024 | 20 July 2024 |
19 July 2024 | 30 July 2024 |
8 August 2024 | 19 August 2024 |
18 August 2024 | 29 August 2024 |
Related blog posts
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The magical polar night of Svalbard
In Svalbard, the dark season lasts for several months, from the end of October to the middle of February. However, between 14 November and 29 January, we enter the most enchanting and cozy phase of the dark season known as the polar night. During this time, the sun is never visible above the horizon, yet it's not entirely dark. The light from the hidden sun provides a few hours of daylight, and the significant turning point occurs around the winter solstice on 22 December. In this article, our expedition guide Olivier, who previously lived in Svalbard for six years, shares his unique experiences of the darkest of all dark seasons.
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Mattias Klum about his trip to Svalbard: "A hard-to-beat place"
For many years, the internationally recognised photographer, filmmaker and artist Mattias Klum has explored unique environments around the world. Svalbard is a place he has returned to several times, experiencing all seasons and the dramatic changes in nature. However, in August, when he travelled with our expedition ship M/S Quest, it was the first time he participated as a fellow traveller and inspirer. In this interview with Mattias, you gain a deeper insight into his trip and why he considers Svalbard one of the world's most unique destinations.
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