Natural History Sailing Voyages
16 days £3350 less £360 late space discount. Now £2990
(12 days from £2190)
(8 days £1,690 / €1,790)
Small Ship Natural History Voyages
( 10 days £2,095)
(8 days from £2325 / €2550)
( 11 days from £2,690)
( 8 days from £1,550)
( 13 days from £3,980)
Arctic Diving and Natural History
(8 days from £2325 / €2550)
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Spitsbergen with its rugged mountains, sweeping tundra, ice caps and glaciers, is a High Arctic archipelago, only 600 miles from the North Pole. It is a true wilderness: difficult to reach and hostile to explore. Spitsbergen is amongst the most interesting and exciting of all Arctic destinations, and is home to around 2,000 polar bears as well as walruses, reindeer, arctic fox and huge Arctic seabird colonies. Long daylight hours and ice-free shores facilitate the exploration of the unspoilt natural beauty of this area. Guided by natural history experts, we use well equipped zodiacs to navigate deep inside dramatic fjords and hike across spectacular tundra, dotted with an array of wild flowers, birds and wildlife.
A voyage on the waters of the Arctic seas is not one you merely take to reach your destination, but one to savour in itself, giving time and space to remove urban cobwebs and revitalise the mind. From the outset the seascape is both rich and expansive, where one may marvel at the spectacle of dolphin acrobatics at the bow, view tail flukes on the horizon or witness polar bears floating by on the ice below.
The Arctic's vast and remote expanse, demands access and exploration by water. Your vessel is no longer a means of transport, but your base camp; sustaining and protecting you, whilst at the same time taking you deeper into one of the wildest and most hostile places on the planet. The Arctic instils a strong sense of detachment from the routine of modern commercial life.
Aqua-Firma provides the opportunity to explore this remote wilderness by your choice of small expedition Icebreaker or by sailing yacht. Both vessels carry small groups of between 20-45 travellers, providing an intimate and stimulating atmosphere of like minded people. Each vessel however delivers a different experience: The Russian research vessels are bold and powerful, hosting excellent viewing from the bridge, bow and decks throughout its length. One can watch in awe as the vessel deftly moves aside an ice mass equal in size to its own, whilst carving a path through the floes in its path. The sailing yacht on the other hand, handsome and undoubtedly suited to the challenges of the Arctic, evokes a romance and an expeditionary sense of adventure which comes with moving as one with the nature rather than against it.
All Arctic experiences are enriched by interaction through lectures and discussions with expert naturalists and historians onboard. Every opportunity is made to take zodiac landings to explore the glaciers, icebergs and fjords of this frozen expanse, observe wildlife and visit historic sites.
For the experienced dry-suit diver, the submarine ecosystems of the far north present a wild and undiscovered realm. This is a challenging and ever changing World of blue sculpted ice, Arctic marine wildlife and the chance to dive where few have dived before.
Photo credits: Jan Belgers, Malcolm Blake, Chris Dobbs and Charlotte Caffrey
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Wildlife Guide | Geology of Spitsbergen | Arctic Explorers 