Spitsbergen - Return of the
Sun
8 March 2009
By the end of October, the sun has cast its final rays for
the year over the landscape and Svalbard enters into a period
of darkness. For more than two months, from the end of November
to the beginning of February, there is darkness round the
clock. When the weather is good and the skies are clear, the
moon reflects enough light to send rays dancing in the Arctic
snow while the Northern Lights entertain.
In February the polar night gives way to the rising sun,
inching higher and higher for each passing day. On a clear
day, the sky shimmers with shades of blue and pink and finally
the day comes when the first pink rays from the sun touch
the mountain peaks. First touching the tops of the peaks,
the sun gradually makes its way down the valley. This is the
time of year to experience a uniquely warm and intimate atmosphere
found nowhere else on earth.
Flight information:
Flights with SAS Braathens (Via Oslo and/or Tromsø)
Regional Departures:
Please call our advisors for availability and supplements.
 Back
to Spitsbergen Winter
Index
|
Back
to Spitsbergen
Winter Index
|
| DAY 1 |
Fly to Oslo, stay overnight
at an airport hotel. |
| DAY 2 |
Fly to Longyearbyen, stay
3 nights at the Radisson SAS Polar hotel. |
| DAYS 3 & 4 |
Join the ‘ice grotto’ tour
or mine visit (included). Other optional excursions available,
as per the Polar
Nights of Spitsbergen itinerary. |
| DAY 5 |
International flight back to the UK. |
| Departure
dates and prices for 2008 |
| Dep dates |
Twin |
Single
Supp |
| 8 Mar 2009 |
1095 |
225 |
| Prices
are in £s per person based on two
people travelling together sharing a twin room.
|
|
| The
price includes |
| • |
Return economy flights
from London Heathrow, including applicable taxes
and service charges |
| • |
Overnight stay at an airport hotel
in Oslo including breakfast |
| • |
3 nights at Radisson SAS Polar Hotel
including breakfast |
| • |
Excursion as per itinerary |
| Not included:
Travel insurance; luggage handling; excursions;
transfers; tour manager; optional carbon balancing
fee (£5 per person). |
|
|
The
Return of the Sun 2009
|
Experience the
Return of the Sun, and the dawn of a New Year
with the people of Spitsbergen. Following a long
cold winter, with many months of darkness and
polar twilight, this special departure coincides
with the first dawn of spring, when the inhabitants
of Spitsbergen receive their first direct sunlight
of the year.
After living in twilight and Arctic twilight for
a period of two months the sun is welcomed back
to Longyearbyen with a week long festival which
includes concerts, exhibitions and outdoor events.
Although this is mainly organised for the local
population you will be able to join in and experience
the community spirit changing with the reappearance
of sunlight.
Following the Polar Nights of Spitsbergen itinerary,
this is a simply unique opportunity to witness
a time of local celebration and fabulous skies,
in these incredible Arctic lands.
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