Arctic Odyssey with New Scientist

Discover the secrets of magical Svalbard, with Aurora Expeditions and New Scientist, deeply exploring magnificent fjords abundant with wildlife.  Zodiac cruise past enormous glaciers, spot beluga whales surfacing in the crystalline waters and witness thousands of guillemots nesting in dramatic cliff faces.  Enter the pack ice to spot seals and the iconic polar bear.  Walk through the tundra’s beautiful microflora, keeping watch for reindeer and arctic fox, and discover long-lost exploration camps and old trapper huts.

Your onboard expedition team will help you experience a range of activities including Zodiac boat safaris (investigating coves, glaciers and wildlife), guided hikes (exploring pristine beaches and stunning wilderness) and photography (helping you to improve your skills with a camera). They will aim to deliver two shore excursions every day.

Onboard Expert

On this unique expedition cruise, you'll be joined by marine biologist, writer and broadcaster, Dr Helen Scales. Helen is the author of several books including the Guardian bestseller Spirals in Time, New Scientist book of the year Eye of the Shoal, and the children’s book, The Great Barrier Reef. She writes for National Geographic Magazine, the Guardian, and New Scientist, among others. On the radio, she has presented several documentaries for the BBC.

She teaches at Cambridge University and is a science advisor for the marine conservation charity Sea Changers. Her research focus is on marine conservation and the inter-relations between people and oceans, particularly in the context of habitat protection and the international wildlife trade. She has previously worked for several conservation organisations including the World Wide Fund for Nature, TRAFFIC International, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and Natural England.

Your Arctic Expedition is carefully curated with a mixture of incredible landings, Zodiac cruises, and insightful talks on board. Helen will accompany you on the activities and will give a series of private talks, as well as fireside chats covering a broad range of polar science such as:

• How not to freeze: the science behind ice-proof fish and how other polar animals survive
• The Arctic deep-sea: exploring the Gakkel Ridge, Loki's Castle and the world's most northerly black smokers
• Climate change and the future of the Arctic ecosystems
• The role of local indigenous people in Arctic research
• Arctic whales: how the lives of great cetaceans are changing
• The science of rejuvenating cold water therapy
• Under the ice: What ice cores tell us about the world's history and future

Highlights

• Search for polar bears, seals and walrus in the Arctic pack ice venturing 80° north
• Zodiac cruise past spellbinding glaciers and through stunning fjords
• Discover wonderful wildlife including guillemots, puffins, seals, reindeer, arctic fox, seabirds and whales
• See historic exploration camps, whaling sites and trapper huts
• Experience a kingdom full of varied terrain and wildlife, discovering polar desert, ice caps and arctic tundra
• Travel with a team of experts from New Scientist

Quick Itinerary

Days 1: Oslo
Day 2: Longyearbyen
Days 3-11: Svalbard archipelago
Day 12: Longyearbyen
 

Price Includes

• 1 night Oslo pre-voyage hotel stay at the Radisson Blu Oslo Airport
• Cruise package with Aurora onboard Greg Mortimer expedition ship
• Onboard accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
• All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during the voyage
• Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner
• All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
• A unique programme of educational lectures
• Hosted by New Scientist featuring guest speakers and onboard experts
• Port surcharges, permits and landing fees

Secure your space today by calling one of our Travel Specialists on 0203 196 1000 or enquire here

Departures and Prices

Greg Mortimer

7th June 2023 - 19th June 2023

Prices from £8,970 pp

Enquire

Day 1 -  Fly from London

Fly from London to Oslo where you will overnight at the Radisson Blu Oslo Airport hotel. Enjoy a reception service at the hotel.

Day 2 - Longyearbyen

You will arrive in the Northernmost city in the world and have some time to explore the city before boarding your ship, Greg Mortimer.

Days 3 - 11 - Svalbard Archipelago

Enjoy a unique experience exploring the stunning Svalbard archipelago, accompanied by New Scientist experts and an incredible team of expedition leaders.

Svalbard offers Arctic wilderness at its best. Aurora's experienced expedition team, have made countless journeys to this area and will use their expertise to choose the best options based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions and wildlife encounters.  

Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountains ranges and a polar desert rich in fossils set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walrus on pack ice or on beaches. On land, stretch you'll stretch your legs on walks across the tundra, filled with brightly-coloured wildflowers. Visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and puffins, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies. Most memorable are your encounters with the majestic polar bear on pack ice. Your expedition team is just as keen as you to find them— they will be on constant watch to spot these inspiring creatures.  

If you have chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you’ll have the option to enjoy the activity when conditions allow. For those who are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you’ll hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating plunge, a memory you’ll savour for years to come.  There will also be the opportunity to scuba diving, depending on conditions.

Day 12 – Longyearbyen

Your ship will arrive back in the capital of Spitsbergen, where you will disembark for your return flight to Oslo and onward journey home. You may also have the option to spend a final night in Oslo before you depart.

Secure your space today by calling one of our Travel Specialists on 0203 196 1000 or enquire here