Arctic and Antarctic bookings have an increased deposit requirement of 20% of the full voyage cost (before any discount). The balance is due 120 days before departure. If a booking is cancelled 120 days or more before departure \u2013 the cancellation fee is the full loss of the deposit paid. If a booking is cancelled between 119 days and departure \u2013 the cancellation fee is 100% of the total price of the voyage. Other fees may apply for air tickets and other arrangements booked in conjunction with a Polar voyage. ADVENTURE OPTIONS Kayaking is available to book on all Arctic voyages (except the North Pole). This must be booked prior to departure and incurs an additional cost. Spaces are limited so please enquire at time of booking. To participate in kayaking, previous, recent experience is essential. In addition, there are other included optional activities offered on some voyages such as hiking. This activity does not need to be booked in advance and no additional cost applies. Your voyage is operated by our sister company, Quark Expeditions. All accommodation and transfer arrangements as listed in the itinerary are also operated by Quark Expeditions or their local representatives. INCREASED HEALTH SCREENING MEASURES APPLY TO THIS TRIP All customers must be fully vaccinated to join this trip and you will be required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. You will need to arrive with a negative PCR test administered within 3 days prior to day Day1 (the day you arrive at your hotel) Quark Expeditions will also conduct an additional test on day 1 (the day prior to embarkation). We recommend you arrive between 10am-4pm on Day 1 of the itinerary as this is when Quark Expeditions testing teams are scheduled to be available at your joining point hotel. If you are arriving late on day one and are unable to be tested by Quark at the hotel you will be required to obtain your own PCR test from a local testing facility in the gateway city and bring the covid test result with you to show Quark staff. Contact your sales agent if you need assistance booking a covid test in a gateway city. Customers will be required to complete a health questionnaire upon arrival. <\/div><\/p>","age_average":30,"images":[{"original":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-8.jpg","index":0,"size_1_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/640x450\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-8.webp","size_2_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/960x450\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-8.webp","size_2_jpg":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/960x450\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-8.jpg","size_3_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1080x450\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-8.webp","size_4_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1280x900\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-8.webp","size_4_jpg":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1280x900\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-8.jpg","size_5_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1440x900\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-8.webp","size_6_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1920x900\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-8.webp","size_6_jpg":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1920x900\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-8.jpg"},{"original":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/tour\/23\/8815123464222-4.jpg","index":1,"size_1_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/640x450\/tour\/23\/8815123464222-4.webp","size_2_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/960x450\/tour\/23\/8815123464222-4.webp","size_2_jpg":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/960x450\/tour\/23\/8815123464222-4.jpg","size_3_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1080x450\/tour\/23\/8815123464222-4.webp","size_4_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1280x900\/tour\/23\/8815123464222-4.webp","size_4_jpg":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1280x900\/tour\/23\/8815123464222-4.jpg","size_5_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1440x900\/tour\/23\/8815123464222-4.webp","size_6_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1920x900\/tour\/23\/8815123464222-4.webp","size_6_jpg":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1920x900\/tour\/23\/8815123464222-4.jpg"},{"original":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/tour\/23\/8815123988510-5.jpg","index":2,"size_1_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/640x450\/tour\/23\/8815123988510-5.webp","size_2_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/960x450\/tour\/23\/8815123988510-5.webp","size_2_jpg":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/960x450\/tour\/23\/8815123988510-5.jpg","size_3_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1080x450\/tour\/23\/8815123988510-5.webp","size_4_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1280x900\/tour\/23\/8815123988510-5.webp","size_4_jpg":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1280x900\/tour\/23\/8815123988510-5.jpg","size_5_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1440x900\/tour\/23\/8815123988510-5.webp","size_6_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1920x900\/tour\/23\/8815123988510-5.webp","size_6_jpg":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1920x900\/tour\/23\/8815123988510-5.jpg"}],"map_image_url":{"original":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/tour\/23\/8815220555806-2.jpg","raw":"https:\/\/images-api.intrepidgroup.travel\/Intrepid\/134487\/8815220555806.png","size_1_hd":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/0x800\/tour\/23\/8815220555806-2.jpg","size_1_hd_web":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/0x800\/tour\/23\/8815220555806-2.webp","size_1_web":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/0x400\/tour\/23\/8815220555806-2.webp"},"inclusions":["Meals: 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 12 dinners","Transport: Expedition cruise ship, Zodiac","Accommodation: Expedition cruise ship"],"price":17050,"member_discount_price":16198,"member_discount":5,"currency_code":"AUD","provider":{"name":"Intrepid Travel","description":"Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.","logo":"https:\/\/cdn.tours.racv.com.au\/temp\/2021-10-25\/1635125846084-intrepid-primary-horizontal-red-rgb.png","tech_provider":"tour_atlas","url":"","payment_terms":"Payment can be made by Credit card. Subject to a 0.5% surcharge for Debit Card, 1.15% surcharge for Visa, MasterCard and 3% surcharge for American Express or by Electronic Transfer (EFT). Please ask your RACV Travel consultant for more information. ","cancellation_policy":"Cancelled bookings will incur charges and at the minimum a loss of deposit. These charges can be up to 100% of the cost of the booking, regardless of whether travel has commenced. Fees and extra charges will apply where a booking is changed or when tickets or documents are re-issued. Each individual supplier brochure will specify cancellation fees or your RACV Travel consultant can advise you of the specific airline fees relating to changes to your flights.","other_terms_and_notes":"For full booking conditions relating to your holiday, please see the booking conditions page at the back of the individual supplier brochures, or ask us for a copy.\n\nPrices<\/span>: All prices are subject to availability and can be withdrawn or varied without notice. The price is only guaranteed when paid in full. Please note that prices quoted here are subject to change. Price changes may occur by reason of matters outside our control which increase the cost of the product or service. Such factors include currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases.\n\nDisruption to cruising and touring arrangements\/Force Majeure<\/span>: Itineraries are intended as a guide only and are subject to change without notice. Alternations may be necessary for various reasons, including but not limited to, road, river or weather conditions, war, riots, road closures, natural disaster, industrial accidents, global pandemic which are beyond our or the supplier's reasonable control.\n\nHealth<\/span>: You must ensure that you are aware of any health requirements for your travel and ensure that you carry all necessary vaccination documentation. Some tour operators and tours require you to have a reasonable level of fitness and mobility. RACV Travel recommends seeking medical advice prior to your travel overseas. Consult your local GP or visit www.smarttraveller.gov.au<\/a> for information on any vaccinations that may be required."},"ref_provider_id":"159","featured_image":{"original":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-7.jpg","size_1_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/480x250\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-7.webp","size_2_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/640x500\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-7.webp","size_3_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/960x500\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-7.webp","size_3_jpg":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/960x500\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-7.jpg","size_4_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1080x500\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-7.webp","size_5_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1280x750\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-7.webp","size_5_jpg":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1280x750\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-7.jpg","size_6_webp":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1440x750\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-7.webp","size_6_jpg":"https:\/\/cdn.tours-racv.com\/1440x750\/tour\/23\/8815123726366-7.jpg"},"type":{"id":2,"created_at":null,"updated_at":null,"title":"Group Tours","description":"Group Tours","attributes":"Group","attributes_icon":"group","icon":"join","sort":1},"duration":14,"start_city":"Oslo","start_countries":"Norway","end_city":"Oslo","end_countries":"Norway","travel_style":["Polar","Outdoors & Nature"],"group_size_min":1,"group_size_max":132,"special_deal":null,"part":[{"id":280,"created_at":"2020-10-10T17:28:38.000000Z","updated_at":"2022-03-22T19:01:28.000000Z","title":"Day 1: Oslo","image_url":null,"description":"Your arctic voyage begins in Oslo, Norway\u2019s vibrant capital city. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and green spaces to keep you busy before retiring at your included airport hotel. Increased health screening measures currently apply to this trip please see information below for further information.","sort":0,"tour_id":23,"ref_parts_id":"1","extra":{"meals":{"dinnersIncluded":0,"lunchesIncluded":0,"breakfastsIncluded":0},"accommodationList":[],"includedActivityList":[],"optionalActivityList":[]}},{"id":281,"created_at":"2020-10-10T17:28:38.000000Z","updated_at":"2022-03-22T19:01:28.000000Z","title":"Day 2: Oslo \u2013 Longyearbyen \u2013 Embarkation Day","image_url":null,"description":"This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen\u2019s largest settlement, where you\u2019ll have some time to explore before embarkation. As your ship sets sail, enjoy your first view of the island\u2019s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically from icy waters.","sort":1,"tour_id":23,"ref_parts_id":"2","extra":{"meals":{"dinnersIncluded":"1","lunchesIncluded":0,"breakfastsIncluded":"1"},"accommodationList":[],"includedActivityList":[],"optionalActivityList":[]}},{"id":282,"created_at":"2020-10-10T17:28:38.000000Z","updated_at":"2022-03-22T19:01:28.000000Z","title":"Days 3-13: Exploring Spitsbergen","image_url":null,"description":"Expect a new adventure every day as we begin our circumnavigation by heading north and around the island of Spitsbergen, exploring smaller, outlying islands. The variety of incredible wildlife and geological formations found here is astounding. We plan to circumnavigate the island of Spitsbergen, but if conditions are favorable, we will also attempt a circumnavigation of the whole Svalbard archipelago. Every expedition will be different, depending on the weather and ice, but we do hope to visit a few of our favorite landing sites, including the 14th of July Glacier, Ny London, Phippsoya, Alkefjellet and the seldom-visited Kvitoya. The names may seem strange to you, but each has its own unique appeal. For birders, the 14th of July Glacier is home to purple sandpipers, common eiders, barnacle geese and arctic terns, while Alkefjellet is home to nesting Brunnich\u2019s guillemots (thick-billed murres). If you\u2019re looking for confirmation that reindeer are real, then you\u2019ll want to have your camera ready for visits to sites like Ny London, Sundneset and Alkhornet. As for the largest land carnivore in the world, searching for polar bears is a constant activity for our Expedition Team. Phippsoya and Isbukta are two of the bears\u2019 preferred places for hunting, which translates into great potential for you to capture them in action. A big part of appreciating Spitsbergen comes from understanding the culture\u2014not just how people live today, but also how this land was first explored. Whaling was a key industry, and you will see old blubber ovens from the 16th century, plus other evidence of whaling at landing sites such as Smeerenburg. Colorful tundra meadows are complemented by glaciers, and sometimes there is a rare chance to spot beluga whales. POSSIBLE LANDING SITES SVALBARD ALKEFJELLET This cliff is a seabird center, where Brunnich\u2019s guillemots (thick-billed murres) raise their young. An estimated 100,000 breeding pairs reside in the basalt cliffs. The birds do not build nests, rather they lay an egg on the bare ledge. DISKOBUKTA This bay on the west shore of Edgeoya affords a landing site with a box canyon where black-legged kittiwakes raise their young. Arctic foxes have been seen combing the canyon floor to feed on scraps that have fallen from the nests above. Watch for bones of ancient bowhead whales on the canyon floor, evidence that the shoreline has changed over millennia. ISBUKTA On the eastern shore of the southern tip of Svalbard is Ice Bay. Sabine gulls, skuas and bearded seals inhabit the bay. Polar bears are known to patrol the area as well. ISISPYNTEN Is an island! Both nautical charts and topographical maps define Isispynten as a point of land, but we\u2019ve proved them wrong. Receding glaciers have turned this point of land into an island. KAPP LEE This is a well-known walrus haul-out. The pink color to a walrus\u2019 hide as it lies in the sun is caused by blood pumped to the skin\u2019s surface to aid cooling, similar to that of a hippopotamus in Africa. KVITOYA The western part of this island is only 98 km from Victoria Island in Franz Josef Land, which is part of the Russian Arctic. This remote outpost is actually closer to the Russian Arctic than it is to Nordaustlandet (117 km) and is actually located on the same longitude as Cairo, Egypt. LILLIEHOOK GLACIER In 1906, His Serene Highness Prince Albert I of Monaco visited Lilliehook Glacier to conduct scientific investigations. His great-great-grandson visited the glacier 100 years later. He, too, was part of a scientific investigation, this time to further our understanding of the arctic clam, a species that lives for more than a century. The growth rings of a single clam\u2019s shell contain evidence of the chemicals encountered by the clam. Scientists can determine the variations of the water\u2019s temperature and pollutant content by studying the shell. LONGYEARBYEN Eighteen hundred people inhabit the administrative capital of Svalbard, which is situated on the shore of Isfjorden. The settlement was founded in 1905 by John Munroe Longyear, the majority owner of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston. MOFFEN ISLAND This island is designated as a protected sanctuary for walrus. MONACO GLACIER HSH Prince Albert I of Monaco, a pioneer of oceanography, led an expedition to Svalbard in 1906. His team used sophisticated photographic techniques to understand the shape and position of several glacier fronts. Monaco Glacier honors the expedition, the prince and the principality over which he reigned. PHIPPSOYA This small archipelago is the northernmost land in Svalbard. Englishmen left their mark during a survey of the islands in the 1780s. The party named the islands after themselves, with the smallest and least significant island being named Nelsonoya, after the lowly midshipman. ROSENBERGDALEN This is an excellent location to stretch the legs and explore the Arctic on foot. We often head out hiking here in search of reindeer. SAMARINVAGIN The Samarin Glacier dominates the landscape that surrounds the bay, where icebergs, kittiwakes and Brunnich\u2019s guillemots (thick-billed murres) may be seen. VIBEBUKTA This polar desert may seem barren, but traces of life can be found here, including fossils and whalebones that are 9500 years old. The bones provide nutrients for microenvironments that leach from the ancient bones. VON OTTEROYA Otter Island is an excellent location for Zodiac cruising to search for and photograph polar bears and walrus. WORSLEYNESET This is a beautiful and colorful tundra-covered island with moss campion (a small wildflower), saxifrage and arctic mouse-eared chickweed. Fun names on an island that is a pleasure to explore. The following Optional Activities are available to participate in, on some or all of the departures of this itinerary. These must be booked in advance (additional costs apply) and space is limited. KAYAKING \u2013 Our kayaking adventures are the best way to feel at one with the sea. Taken in small groups of maximum 16 people, multiple times per voyage, kayaking adventures are only conducted during calm weather conditions. Kayaking is open to all levels of experience, however kayaking in the polar waters is not suitable for novice kayakers. Beginners interested in kayaking should first take an introductory course prior to the voyage which includes how to do a wet exit. In addition regardless of your experience, we recommend you take part in some kayaking practise prior to the voyage to ensure that you are comfortable on the water in the icy conditions. INCLUDED OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES offered on some or all departures of this itinerary HIKING - Hiking is a great way to appreciate the immense windswept landscapes of the Arctic. The tundra comes alive during the brief arctic summer, with bursts of color from shrubs and plants that eke out a living in this polar environment. You\u2019ll find each hike is different - exploring communities, shorelines or glaciated landscapes, often on the lookout for wildlife. Hiking participation is optional and your Expedition Team will advise you of what levels of activity you can expect prior to each excursion.","sort":2,"tour_id":23,"ref_parts_id":"3","extra":{"meals":{"dinnersIncluded":"11","lunchesIncluded":"11","breakfastsIncluded":"11"},"accommodationList":[],"includedActivityList":[],"optionalActivityList":[]}},{"id":283,"created_at":"2020-10-10T17:28:38.000000Z","updated_at":"2022-03-22T19:01:29.000000Z","title":"Day 14: Disembarkation Day \u2013 Longyearbyen \u2013 Oslo","image_url":null,"description":"Your adventure ends back at the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here we'll transfer you to the airport for your charter flight to Oslo. Your tour ends on arrival at Oslo airport in the late afternoon or early evening. Please do not don\u2019t book a connecting flight until after 9pm. Alternatively we recommend you book an additional hotel night in Oslo in case of any delays","sort":3,"tour_id":23,"ref_parts_id":"4","extra":{"meals":{"dinnersIncluded":0,"lunchesIncluded":0,"breakfastsIncluded":"1"},"accommodationList":[],"includedActivityList":[],"optionalActivityList":[]}}],"destinations":[{"name":"Norway","id":167},{"name":"Svalbard and Jan Mayen","id":202}],"destinations_arr":[{"city":"","country":"Norway"},{"city":"","country":"Svalbard and Jan Mayen"}],"departures_arr":[{"month":"July 2022","items":[{"start":"2022-07-07","end":"2022-07-20","sortdate":20220707,"price":17050,"currency_code":"AUD","member_discount_price":16198,"month":"July 2022"}]},{"month":"July 2023","items":[{"start":"2023-07-07","end":"2023-07-20","sortdate":20230707,"price":18000,"currency_code":"AUD","member_discount_price":17100,"month":"July 2023"}]}],"tour_type":2,"type_id":2,"style_rating":"Comfort","ref_url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/BQMA7"}} catch (error) {} We're sorry but travel-explorer doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. 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