A Norwegian Expedition in Svalbard
June 12th – June 20th, 2020
New Trip Dates for 2021 TBA
An epic arctic adventure filled with photography and fun
Image Courtesy of Polar Quest/Henrik Haaning Nielseny
If you are looking to go to the edge of the earth, this is the outdoor oasis for you. Svalbard is about midway between continental Norway and the North Pole. So, you will have this stunning sliver (almost) all to yourself.
Hop on board the M/S Quest, an intimate ship with a mere 53 passengers. You can expect to cruise seamlessly in comfort throughout this Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean.
During our journey, Spring has arrived, and the Norwegian summer is just around the corner. At this time of year, the midnight sun reigns supreme, the bird colonies are teeming with life, and the peaks of the dramatic mountain ranges are still snow-covered, even in June.
The ice keeps the islands in its grip. So, we are privy to ever-changing ice formations.
After one night in a hotel, in the charming town of Longyearbyen, we embark on a seven-night expedition exploring this Arctic pearl, which has fascinated explorers for centuries.
Think of this as a safari schedule with an arctic angle. Each day, we will hop on zodiacs and navigate among icebergs, cruise along glaciers, and go ashore. On land and at sea, we may be privy to close encounters with walruses, seals, and polar bears, oh my!
So, grab your best friend, your longest lens, and join us on this epic arctic adventure! Whether you go it solo or with a gaggle of gals, this is a trip of a lifetime!
*Space is incredibly limited on this intimate ship.
Norwegian Adventure
June 12th - June 20th, 2020
Starting from $5,890 USD
Group size: 12-20
Ships capacity: 53
New Dates for the Norway Trip 2021 TBA - Email us ASAP to Secure Your Spot
Gallery Images Courtesy of Polar Quest
Adventure Details
About the Trip
If looking to add a bit of urban adventure into your trip mix, you may opt for a few days stay or overnight in Norway’s capital city of Oslo. This chic city will sate your cultural and culinary palette before you embark on your expedition in Svalbard.
After a flight from Oslo, we kick off the arctic adventure in the tiny town of Longyearbyen, which is a part of the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. Three hours by air from Oslo and 650 miles from the North Pole makes Longyearbyen with its 2,100 citizens, the most remote human settlement on earth.
If the small-town charm is what you are after, take that and add an epic landscape in the backdrop for a place unlike any other in the world. It sets the tone for the other-worldliness that follows.
So, whether you go it alone or grab a gaggle of gals, be sure to pack your sense of adventure as this will be a trip of a lifetime.
Trip Basics
Dates – June 12th- June 20th, 2020
New Norway Trip Dates for 2021 TBA
Days - 9 Days/8 Nights
Size - - Minimum 12, Maximum 20
Style - Adventure, Wildlife, Photography
Needs - $1,000 deposit to hold your spot.
(This is a first-come basis. As this is an intimate ship, the few spots will fill up fast.)
Treats - Exceptional adventure, stunning landscape, and exceptional wildlife. (Polar bears!)
Accommodations - Shared - An intimate expedition ship with 26 spacious outside cabins with large picture windows.
Host - Karen Loftus
Fees - Starting from $5,890 (shared cabin) and upward.
This is a first-come basis. As this is an intimate ship, the few spots will fill up fast.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1 | June 12th, 2020
Arrival into Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Image Courtesy of Polar Quest/Niklas Nilsson
We arrive in Longyearbyen, which is a part of the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard and transfer to our hotel. Settle in, shake off your jet lag, and prep for the adventure ahead.
Unpredictability and flexibility are the main keywords when you travel to this part of the world as the exact route depends on weather, ice conditions and wildlife encounters.
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Day 2 - 8 | June 13th – 19th, 2020
Longyearbyen
Rest up while you can. Once we embark on our adventure on this expedition cruise, you might be woken up in the middle of the night if a polar bear appears on the ice.
Tonight we count sheep. Tomorrow we start spotting and counting bears.
Images Courtesy of Polar Quest/@Adam Rheborg
Day 2 - 8 | June 13th – 19th, 2020 The Expedition
Image Courtesy of Polar Quest
We kick off our adventure in Svalbard by exploring the charming town of Longyearbyen. Like any great old mining town, there is a brewery, a gallery, a graveyard, and a North Pole Museum.
The pop of color in the old mining homes together with the snowcapped backdrop, makes it Insta-worthy instantly. So, grab those selfie sticks and have your DSLR charged up and good to go.
Image Courtesy of Polar Quest/Zet Freiburg Haus
Day 2 - 8 | June 13th – 19th, 2020
Expedition
In the afternoon, we embark on the expedition ship and sail out through Isfjorden. We are now in a part of the world where we are dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Our exact itinerary depends on these factors and on the wildlife we encounter. The ambition and the history of those running the ship are to make landings or cruises every day with the Zodiacs.
Below are some examples of places that we may visit throughout the expedition.
Prins Karls Forland
A magnificent and snow-covered mountain chain covers this narrow strip of land. The island is also home to many seabirds and harbor seals. Keep your cameras close and charged up.
Image Courtesy of PQ/ @Mattias Henningsson
Image Courtesy of Polar Quest
Virgohamna, Danskøya
Two of the most courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. Swedish explorer Andrée attempted with a hydrogen balloon, and American journalist Wellman started with an airship. There are still interesting remnants from these expeditions left on this site.
Image Courtesy of PQ/Niklas Nielsson
Fantastic 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.
Image Courtesy of Polar Quest
Sightseeing
Many common eiders and pink-footed geese nest in the area, and if lucky, we could see the rare king eider. In Krossfjorden, we revel in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier to the raucous greeting of a large number of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the nearby cliffs.
Image Courtesy of Polar Quest
Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty – dominated by beautiful glaciers. It is also a favorite spot for seals and bird cliffs are bursting with activity. The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their notable and heroic expeditions to the North Pole.
Image Courtesy of @Polar Quest
North Spitsbergen
North of Spitsbergen, we might meet the edge of the pack ice. Not many ships venture here, and we can marvel at the steely silence and the absolute grandeur of this icy landscape. Chances of meeting polar bears increase as we sail along the ice floes.
Image Courtesy of Polar Quest
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 (4695 feet). Hornsund is a favorite haunt for some of Svalbard’s most famous residents. You can expect to see polar bears and bearded seals resting on the fjord ice.
Disembark
Image Courtesy of Polar Quest
In the early morning, we disembark from our expedition ship and begin our journey back home.
Please note: Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions, and wildlife. The places mentioned are examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. The ship always strives to maximize your experience.
Day 9 | June 20th, 2020
Longyearbyen
Image Courtesy of PQ/Andreas Bergstrom
Flights
We do offer group flights from Oslo to Longyearbyen with return (limited availability). Contact us for more information!
Until we travel together again…
Accommodations
M/S Quest’s
M/S Quest’s 26 cabins are all outside cabins with private facilities. Triple cabins have upper and lower berths, while all other cabins have two lower berths or a double bed.
The ship was built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on Greenland’s west coast. It is now a comfortable expedition ship due to the recent refurbishment in 2004/2005. In 2018, she underwent yet another renovation within the passenger areas.
In your cabin, you will 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 a TV.
In between landings, meals are in the dining room. Any time of day or night, guests can escape to the panorama lounge for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. You will also find a spirited bar and a small library. The lounge also hosts entertaining talks on the area’s flora, fauna, and history.
Image Courtesy of Polar Quest
Accommodations, Rates, Availability
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SHARED ACCOMMODATION: From $5,890
The starting price for the trip is $5,890 • Pricing is for shared cabins
A $1,000 deposit is due asap to hold your reservation.
Final deposit deadline is April 15th, 2020
First-come first-serve as it is a small intimate ship
Availability - This trip welcomes a minimum of 12 guests booked with WAT.
New Dates, Deadlines, and Prices for WAT's Norway Trip 2021 TBA - Email us ASAP to Secure Your Spot
Inclusions
Seven nights onboard M/S Quest
Flight to/from Longyearbyen
One night in a hotel in Longyearbyen
All meals onboard
An experienced Expedition Leader and knowledgeable guides
Guiding ashore and talks on board
All excursions and activities
Comprehensive information and material provided before the expedition
Exclusions
Travel and trip cancellation Insurance
Customary gratuity to the ship
Personal expenses such as bar and shop charges
Passport or visa charges
Your Host
Hover over the image below to see the full BIO on Your Host, Karen Loftus
Karen Loftus - Adventuress in Chief
Prior to her journalistic endeavors, the award-winning playwright and Tennessee Williams Fellow cut her travel teeth as an international comedian.
‘Lofty’, as she is globally known, toured The US, Middle East, Europe and Asia entertaining the troops and international audiences at military bases (US military in Korea with MWR), comedy clubs around the world (Comedy Cafe in Amsterdam & The Comedy Store in London) at theaters (La Goya in Barcelona, Ars Nova in NY), festivals (Edinburgh Fringe Festival & Singapore Comedy Festival), hotels (Raffles Hotel in Singapore, The Crown Plaza in Abu Dhabi) ), colleges (Sewanee, University of the South in Tennessee, Arkansas State University), conferences (WITI - Women in Technology in San Francisco) and at several private clubs (American Club in Hong Kong & in American Club in Singapore) and at corporate (Sony, Microsoft, Tyco Toys & Ford) events throughout the world.
After ten years of juggling her groundbreaking global tours together with her non-profit program, The Body Comedy Project, (sponsored by Comedy Central) where she used humor to heal, both survivors of violence and domestic violence offenders, in several shelters in LA and in LA jails, Lofty took a break and worked as an entertainment reporter interviewing film, TV and reality stars. One year on Hollywood’s raging red carpet later, had her running for the global door.
As a travel, luxury lifestyle & adventure writer, Karen has since written thousands of articles for 90+ media outlets including Vogue, Architectural Digest, American Way, Hemispheres Magazine, Forbes, Robb Report, NY Daily News, The Globe & Mail (Canada), South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), The Gulf News (Dubai) Grazia Magazine (US & UK), NUVO Magazine (Canada), Lucire (New Zealand), New Woman (Australia), Men’s Fitness, Men’s Journal, AskMen, InsideHook, Travel Weekly, Huffington Post, Food & Beverage Magazine, Societe Perrier, Zink Magazine and Sherman's Travels among others.
This savvy traveler has been to all seven continents and 70 countries and counting. Today she speaks at conferences around the world about women and travel, the transformative power of travel, empowerment travel and trends in travel, be it luxury, adventure, solo or women’s travel.
She created and co-hosts #WATC - Women’s Adventure Travel Chat on Twitter, a Twitter chat garnering as many as 10 million impressions in the hour and she runs travel (From the Path to the Page) and creative writing (One Voice & What’s So Funny?) workshops.
She also co-created & co-hosts ReVerbs a live storytelling platform for the global travel, adventure and apparel industry, a vibrant conference alternative where executives, and industry leaders break from tradition and tell a personal tale versus a corporate story.
Karen is very excited to be launching her company, Women’s Adventure Travels, and to be leading her female-driven trips. It’s a full circle moment, one long in the making, a marriage of her many interests and experiences with itineraries based on many of her favorite places, people, and passions. The unique elements of the trips reflect Karen's varied background.
Her all-female trips have a feminine thread throughout as she and guests will be visiting top women tastemakers, the women of distinction and influence in each market, be it a hotelier, chef, artisan, athlete and or a village woman defying the local or global odds.
There’s also a storytelling component with women speakers and or storytellers. It is seamlessly woven into the trips with women and a few good men speaking over dinner, drinks or by the fire sharing their triumphs and tales. Karen and guests may tell a tale or two as well.
Last, there is a community immersion element with authentic interaction with local women and children, where they visit the villages, schools, co-ops and workplaces to share an activity, an experience, a meal and a moment with the local women to get a genuine look into their lives. It’s about digging the hands into the sand.
Set in stunning landscapes, the trips will also provide a mad mix of outdoor and adventure activity at various levels throughout. Their stays will be in top spots that showcase exceptional local artisans, food, and beverages as well as an element of wellness. No two itineraries will ever be alike and you will be hard-pressed to find anything quite like it online.
For more information on Karen, go to her LinkedIn profile, email her directly with any questions or simply click on one of her social media pages below to follow her on The Global Road.
Photo Credit for Gallery: Karen Loftus
Your Tour Operator
We are working with a local tour operator. They are based in the region and have been arranging polar tours in the area for more than 20 years. Their expertise is in small-ship expedition cruises in Svalbard and other polar regions. More importantly, sustainability is at the heart of the company as all trips are 100 % climate compensated.
Traveling on the small expedition ship allows for minimal impact on the environment. It’s a unique experience for the guests. It offers a more relaxed atmosphere, greater focus on the destination, and more time ashore, compared to traveling on board any of the larger ships in the region.
Final Notes
If you are curious about the arctic and you love adventure, the great outdoors, and chance to see more elusive wildlife (polar bears, reindeer, arctic fox, and walrus), then this is a trip for you.
Similar to other polar regions, this is an off the grid adventure. You won’t see anyone except those that are on board with you. You will have an opportunity to see a charming local city and or the bigger city of Oslo before setting off on this adventure, but essentially this is about stepping way off the grid.
When I went to Antarctica, I thought I might be cabin-crazy being on a cruise and a ship for fourteen days. It was the absolute opposite. I shuddered when we returned to shore. I loved the disconnect from the outside world and the deep connection to the serene scene all around me.
Similar to this and or an African safari schedule, there tends to be a rhythm and ritual to your day. You will be zipping around the sea among glaciers, icebergs, and fjords while in a zodiac. Weather permitting, there are daily landings. Therefore the days are more active than you may imagine as well. You will be onshore, hiking, exploring and shooting (photographing) wildlife, fauna, and the landscape.
This expedition is an extra special one as the ship is more boutique style as it is smaller. It’s an opportunity to go places where the bigger ships may not have access. Also, it makes for a more intimate experience among guests. Lasts, it’s an eco-expedition due to the size and the sustainable approach that the ship and the crew take throughout. It’s win, win, win!
