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£500 PER PERS ON

In the Realm of the polar bear An e x pe di t ion e xploring th e Svalbard Ar c hipel a g o aboard t h e M S E x pedit ion 13 th to 21 st J une & 7 th to 1 5 th July 2 0 1 7

Arctic Fox

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here are few places that measure up to Svalbard. This remote and spectacular archipelago of immense glaciers, narrow fjords and abundant wildlife is a true Arctic wilderness and is home to species such as polar bears, walrus, seals and whales, all of which we have good chances of seeing during our expedition. During summer, when the sun never sets, the tundra experiences a warm awakening and ice-peppered fjords ring with the thunderous sound of glacial ice crashing to the sea. The flora and fauna take advantage of the short but extreme summer with blooming flowers and active wildlife. Join us aboard the MS Expedition for a true Arctic adventure. The vessel’s ice strengthened hull, shallow draft and superior manoeuvrability coupled with a veteran crew will allow us to go into the bays, fjords and pack ice, and the ship’s fleet of Zodiac landing craft will allow us to explore even further, get close to wildlife and make landings for walks ashore.

Polar bear on the ice pack

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Svalbard remains a relatively untouched archipelago of astounding beauty and many of our planned locations are pristine and rarely visited. During our voyages you will experience nature in its purest form in the High Arctic and joining you on board will be a knowledgeable expedition team which includes naturalists and geologists, all of whom have a genuine passion for the Polar regions. Their expertise and professionalism will enhance your cruise in so many ways. The voyage is undertaken in the spirit of discovery; our pace is unhurried and our options are many, so the day-by-day itinerary shown is a thoughtfully considered framework based on the vessel’s long experience in this region.

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S e ais one of the few places on Svalbard Ob the planet that offers such a wealth SVALBARD ʼ Longyearbyen and diversity of natural, cultural Bellsund Edgeoya GREENLAND Hornsund and historical sites. During these six BARENTS days we willP evisit ice covered seas, ch GREENLAND or SEA a fjords with breathtaking mountain SEA scenery and glaciers flowing into the sea around us. We will spend time Arkhangelʼsk steaming through the ice in search of polar bears hunting seals. Ivory gulls Kazan will be a highlight for the birders, ICELAND while we keep a constant lookout Nizhniy Novgorod St Peterburg for walrus hauled out on ice floes or Saratov on Tallinn sandy beaches. Ice permitting, Moscow NORWAY ESTONIA we will visit spectacular bird cliffs Oslo LATVIA Riga filled with thousands of murres Vilnius LITHUANIA (guillemots),Minsk as well as kittiwakes and RUSSIA BELARUS Donetsk glaucous gulls. A little auk colony will Kaliningrad also be on our agenda. Our shore U K R A I N E Warsaw highlighted with flowers Day 1 London Heathrow to Oslo, P O stops L A N Dwill be MOLDOVA nearing or at the peak Odessa of their bloom Norway. Fly London by scheduled flight. Kishinev and we will have the opportunity to On arrival transfer to your hotel for observe and discuss some of their an overnight stay. The remainder of adaptations to what we consider a the day is at leisure for independent harsh environment. At one or more of exploration. our stops, we hope to see Svalbard’s unique subspecies of reindeer. They Day 2 Oslo to Longyearbyen. are much smaller than their southern After breakfast in the hotel transfer relatives, but still carry impressive to the airport for your flight to antlers. We also have the possibility Longyearbyen. Arrive this afternoon of seeing Arctic foxes. Apart from and transfer to the MS Expedition for the magnificent wildlife, this is also embarkation. Sail this evening. a land of history: from whaling to reaching for the pole, to trapping, Day 3 to 8 Spitsbergen. Each day coal mining and war, we will visit will be planned to take advantage some of these historic sites. We may of local ice and weather conditions.

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cruise in Zodiacs along the ice edge viewing seals or walrus, in fjords with glaciers spilling down to the sea or in front of spectacular seabird cliffs. We will have opportunities to walk on shore, observe and photograph the Arctic flora and fauna. Krossfjord, Konigsfjord, Monaco Glacier, Hinlopen Strait, Northeast Land, Edgeoya, Hornsund and Bellsund are just a few of the places that we may visit. The flexibility of not having a set itinerary allows us to take

advantage of weather conditions and wildlife sightings and the experienced Captain and Expedition Leader will take the best advantage of these factors to maximise your Arctic experience. Our last evening on board will be spent anchored off Longyearbyen. Day 9 Longyearbyen to London Heathrow. Disembark this morning for our scheduled flight to London via Oslo. Arrive this evening.

Within this dramatic landscape resides a wealth of wildlife: seals, walrus, whales, Arctic foxes, and our ultimate goal, polar bears. We will take full advantage of the long daylight hours and embark on numerous Zodiac excursions to view the profuse wildlife close up.

Black Legged Kittiwakes Bowhead Whale

The Itinerary - 7th to 15th July 2017 Longyearbyen to Longyearbyen Day 1 London Heathrow to Longyearbyen, Norway. Fly by scheduled indirect flight. Arrive late in the evening and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 3 to 8 Spitsbergen. Each day will be planned to take advantage of local ice and weather conditions. See days 3 to 8 of the above Oslo to Longyearbyen itinerary.

Day 2 Longyearbyen. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and a morning at leisure. After check out we will have lunch in a local restaurant before transferring to the MS Expedition for embarkation. Sail this evening.

Day 9 Longyearbyen to London Heathrow. Disembark early this morning for our scheduled flight to London via Oslo. Arrive in the morning.

Crabeater Seals

Tundra, Svalbard

Prices per person

Based on double occupancy

Special Offer - BOOK Early AND SAVE UP TO £500 PER PERSON for a limited time only Cat Cabin Description 1 Triple with two lower berths and porthole 2 Twin with two lower berths and porthole 3 Twin with two lower berths and window 4 Superior with two lower berths and window 5 Suite with queen bed, lounge and window

Brochure price Special offer price On Request £4595 £5395 £5895 £6695

3 Twin with two lower berths and window for sole use £7495

On request £4095 £4895 £5395 £6195 £6995

Price Includes: Economy class scheduled flights, overnight hotel accommodation in Oslo or Longyearbyen on a bed and breakfast basis, seven nights aboard the MS Expedition on a full board basis, shore excursions, expedition team and lecture programme, parka jacket, port taxes, airport taxes, transfers, use of wellington boots aboard the MS Expedition. Not Included: Travel insurance, gratuities, meals on day 1, lunch on days 2 and 9 (for 13th June departure only), breakfast on day 9 (7th July departure only). NB. Ports and itinerary subject to change.

+44 (0)20 7752 0000

MS Expedition

For these Arctic adventures, we are working with our Canadian associates, G Adventures and their vessel the MS Expedition. The 134 passenger vessel was completely refurbished in 2009 and is perfect for our Arctic explorations being large enough to provide stability, speed, spacious cabins and ample public space, yet small enough to manoeuvre in remote areas and get you close to the action. She provides an intimate small ship cruising experience.

Your Cabin/Suite

There are a range of cabins and suites available and all feature outside views (window or porthole), full private en-suite bathroom, a writing desk and reading desk. Category 1 and Category 2 cabins measure 15sqm and include a porthole window, Category 3 cabins measure 15sqm with a window and Category 4 cabins measure 15sqm with a large window. Category 5 suites measure 30sqm and have multiple windows with a separate living and sleeping area.

Your Space

Restaurant

Spacious public areas provide panoramic views of the beautiful Arctic landscapes and include the Polar Bear Pub, Discovery Lounge, and a fine dining room serving international cuisine, large enough to accommodate all passengers in one sitting. There is also a barbecue deck, a top 360° view observation deck and a fitness centre and sauna. Enjoy a casual drink in the Polar Bear Pub with direct access to the back deck, relax with a book in the Lonely Planet Library or with a glass of wine in the Discovery Lounge, spend your days on the observation deck enjoying fantastic scenery and keeping your eyes peeled for passing wildlife. The Expedition Lounge is equipped with state of the art audio visual equipment, including multiple screens and will host the lectures, evening films and pre landing briefings and recaps.

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During these voyages you will be visiting out of the way destinations, and will be accompanied by an expedition team. Some landings ashore and optional excursions will be made by Zodiac landing craft. This cruise will appeal to the more adventurous and those who enjoy the natural world.

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For your Comfort, Safety & Security

Ship stabilisers ensure a smooth ride in rough waters allowing you to enjoy more of your time at sea and with a focus on security and comfort, the crew of the MS Expedition is committed to the ship’s continued safe operation. The ship has forwardlooking sonar which further enhances its adept abilities in navigating the Arctic waters, the ship being designed to Ice Class 1B specifications for service in sea ice. G Adventures’ environmental policies meet and exceed industry regulations and with a keen focus on their guests’ comfort, you will be provided with both a parka jacket and rubber boots for use on board, the jacket being a gift for you to keep as a memento of your expedition.

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The expedition team includes experts in marine biology, history and geology with one onboard expert for every 10 guests. Together they provide a vast in-depth knowledge and experience that will enrich your travels in unforgettable ways. A fleet of Zodiacs are used for landings and nature cruises, and an open bridge policy allows interaction with the Captain and navigation crew, further fostering the expeditionary nature of every voyage.

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Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style and dinner is served to your table in the dining room which can accommodate all passengers in one sitting. The Dining Room features large windows so whilst dining you are not missing out on the spectacular scenery. All meals include a vegetarian option and most dietary requests can be accommodated with advance notification. Afternoon tea is also served daily.

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2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0)20 7752 0000 | [email protected] | www.noble-caledonia.co.uk NC111016_S

All special offers are subject to availability. Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Cover image: Polar Bear Swimming