Solar eclipse: Svalbard and Franz Josef Land
Nature at the top of the world
The Arctic summer provides the opportunity to see an amazing variety of plants, birds and animals, all using the short time available to maximum advantage. From the M/S Polaris and excursions in RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) we'll see all of this in both Svalbard and Franz Josef Land - and there's the added bonus of seeing the sun disappear in midsummer! The solar eclipse is on August 1st and we'll see it not far from Victoria Island, halfway between the two archipelagos.
Your journey begins at Longyearbyen, capital of Spitsbergen in Svalbard where you'll board the Polaris which is has been specially designed for this type of cruising during a major refit in 2004. We'll then spend two days around the islands of Svalbard before setting sail for Victoria Island and the eclipse.
Afterwards we'll sail on to Franz Josef Land which is just over 500 miles from the North Pole. We'll land (conditions permitting) on various of the islands to explore the wildlife, learn about the brief human occupations and marvel at the scenery in the stunning northern light. Polar bears, walruses, Arctic terns, whales, icebergs, glaciers, memorials to Arctic explorers, all waiting for you on this amazing tour.
