Jetsettersblog

Hurtigruten has announced new a voyage — “Climate Pilgrimage” — to Northern Norway and the Arctic island of Spitsbergen.

The 11-day voyage, aboard the polar-ready Fram, offers the opportunity to visit research stations, track wildlife, participate in field studies and meet with some of the field’s top research scientists.

The May 29 departure is priced from $4,823 to $9,516 per person, double occupancy.

The first two days are spent in Tromso, Norway, visiting the Polar Environmental Centre, where climate scientists discuss the status of the research being done on climate change. A stop in one of Europe’s northernmost cities, Honningsvag, includes a visit to the North Cape Plateau and a stop at Gjesvaerstappan, a unique bird cliff where the Norwegian Polar Institute has done research on seabirds including puffins, gannets, auks and guillemots.

The remainder of the trip is spent exploring the Arctic island of Spitsbergen where polar bears, Svalbard reindeer, Arctic foxes, whales, walruses and ringed and harp seals still roam in their natural habitats.

On Bjornoya (Bear Island), participants observe the changes to bird habits at one of the largest concentrations of seabirds in the Northern Hemisphere.

Research in Hornsund, Spitsbergen’ most southern fjord, includes polar bears and the feeding grounds of auks, while in Bellsund, guests learn about the phenomenon call surging glaciers.

Ny Alesund has been the jump-off point for several historic attempts to reach the North Ple — Amundsen, Ellsworth and Nobile are some examples of explorers.

The warming of the Arctic now allows vessels to cross the 80th parallel, something not possible less than 20 years ago.

Walruses, whales and polar bears rule this region, and the Fram will treat guests to a close look at the marginal ice-zone and its large yearly variations.

The final two days are spent exploring Isfjorden, Spitsbergen’s largest fjord system, observing giant bird cliffs, and visits to the University Centre of Svalbard and Svalbard Museum in Spitsbergen’s capital town of Longyearben.

Fares include the cruise and all meals onboard, flights from Spitsbergen to Oslo, lectures and excursions by experienced scientists, applicable land transfers, port fees and some land excursions.

Transatlantic airfare, optional excursions, gratuities, and fuel surcharges and taxes are additional.

For more information, call 800-323-7436

or visit www.hurtigruten.us