Viva Expeditions OLD | 5 December 2019
Our operations manager, Tara Sutherland completed a circumnavigation of Spitsbergen, Norway! Tara departed on the cruise on 22nd July 2019 sailing for 13 days.
"The feeling of being so isolated was one of the most incredible experience", says Tara "and the fact that we got to see over 20 polar bears, from a distance through".
Due to the ice conditions, this was the first time the ship has made it all the way around Spitsbergen in 2019. Tara also braved the cold water by taking the Polar Plunge. She bravely jumped into the ice strewn water, which was measured at 2 degrees (35.6F) at 80° 40'N and 016° 449'E.
The cruise headed north and around the island of Spitsbergen, exploring smaller, outlying islands. The variety of incredible wildlife and geological formations found here is astounding. As for the largest land carnivore in the world, searching for polar bears is a constant activity for the expedition team on board. Phippsøya and Isbukta are two of the bears' preferred places for hunting, which translates into great potential for you to capture them in action.
Viva Expeditions has a wide variety of Arctic cruises which include Greenland, Iceland, Spitsbergen and even the Russian and Canadian Arctic! For more information on these cruises, click HERE!
Polar Bear on an Ice Pack
Ice Seas
Beautiful landscape in the Arctic
Boat Tour in the Arctic
Arctic Cruise
Hiking in Spitsbergen
Explore Antarctica on a classic small ship with only 80 passengers, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the stunning scenery and a bounty of wildlife.
Small Ship Cruising: Small ship expedition cruises are a wonderful way to explore. Choose from Antarctica cruises & Sub-Antarctic Island cruises, Arctic cruises or sail the Patagonian Fiords, Galapagos Islands Cruising or New Zealand’s wonderful Fiordland.
Signature Tours: Refined, Simplified, Perfected
Premium itineraries carefully crafted by destination experts. Take in the very best of South America and Central America, with highly-rated hotels and exclusive authentic experiences.
Explore the Galapagos Islands aboard a luxury catamaran, where lizards swim and tortoise roam. Includes a five-star stay in Quito's charming old town.
Luxury Tours: We design unique luxury holidays that allow you to experience the most spectacular and remote parts of the world. From the best hotels and lodges to luxury small ship cruises and exclusive heli-tours.
An exclusive journey on the exquisite Rovos Rail, from South Africa to Victoria Falls with special guest Hilary Barry.