Svalbard

At the present time EcoQuest Travel does not have a trip to the Norwegian Arctic scheduled, but it is a destination that we offer frequently. Below is an example of the type of trip we generally offer. If you are interested in Norway and/or the Arctic as a destination, or for a more detailed itinerary, please contact EcoQuest Travel by email at: info@ecoquesttravel.net.

The Wildlife of the Norwegian Arctic
A Journey to Svalbard: the Kingdom of the Ice Bear

EcoQuest Travel is proud to offer an incredible wildlife watching expedition to the Norwegian Arctic. From the beautiful city of Oslo we will journey north to the frozen wilderness of Svalbard. Svalbard is an extraordinary archipelago of dramatic landscapes including vast ice fields, glistening glaciers, snow-draped peaks and iceberg-choked fjords. The endless nights of summer only add to the mystique of this place. Once we arrive on the island of Spitsbergen we will board our expedition ship, the Plancius, for our eleven-day cruise in search of Arctic wildlife. Unlike most cruises we will circumnavigate the islands in order to maximize our chances of seeing the greatest diversity of wildlife including the monarch of the ice – the Polar Bear. Svalbard is indeed the kingdom of the ice bear, but it is also home to many other emblematic Arctic species such as Walrus, Beluga, Svalbard Reindeer, Arctic Fox and if we are really lucky a Bowhead Whale or Narwhal. Ringed, Harbor and Bearded Seals are common on the ice flows and provide the majority of prey for the Polar Bears. We could see other seals as well, like Harp and Hooded, but they are less common. The birdlife is spectacular including huge assemblages of nesting waterfowl and seabirds. Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese, and both Common and King Eiders breed here. Nesting Dovekies, Thick-billed Murres, Atlantic Puffins, Black Guillemots and Black-legged Kittiwakes blanket the sea cliffs. Red-throated Loons and Red Phalaropes grace tundra ponds and rare birds of the north like Ivory Gulls are commonly seen. The approachable wildlife and incredible scenery also make Svalbard a fantastic place for photography. We invite you to join us as we explore the natural wonders and cultural sites of Svalbard – the kingdom of the ice bear.