BIG ACE – Arctic Climate Expedition
- 13 Days
- Departure/Arrival:
- Oslo, Norway - Oslo, Norway
- Voyage code:
- SVL065S
- Voyage type:
-
Polar Expedition
- Ship:
- Sylvia Earle
- Price:
-
from GBP £15,590.00/pp
Summary
AE Expeditions, in partnership with Dr Sylvia Earle and Ocean Geographic, is excited to invite you aboard the "Arctic Climate Expedition 2025"
The BIG ACE - the Bears, Ice, Glaciers, Arctic Climate Expedition 2025 begins from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and navigates northward to go beyond 80°N in pursuit of the remaining Arctic ice shelf. The voyage will aim to proceed (weather permitting) eastward towards Kritøya, circling around Austfonna, one of the largest glaciers on the planet. Throughout, the aim will be to encounter and observe a diverse array of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, walruses, puffins, and arctic foxes, amidst the stunning backdrop of sea ice platforms and calving glaciers. With Svalbard boasting an astounding 2100 glaciers, this expedition promises an unparalleled natural spectacle.
Hosted by Dr Sylvia Earle in her 90th birthday year, this expedition will honour Dr Earle’s lifelong advocacy for the world’s oceans by inviting changemaker passengers to use their own voice, contributing their various talents or ‘superpowers’ to instigate meaningful conversations and spur action to safeguard the planet for future generations.
BIG ACE seeks to lobby for the protection of the Arctic, foster a collective appreciation of our planet’s fragility and mitigate the impact of climate change through the power of the arts. The Arctic, where warming occurs at a rate four to five times greater than the global average, is undergoing significant degradation.
As a Certified B Corporation™, we’re committed to driving positive change and contributing to a more sustainable future. The Arctic Climate Expedition 2025 is a key initiative towards fulfilling that goal – building ambassadors for the conservation and preservation of our planet.
BIG ACE isn’t confined to scientists and researchers; this epic project calls for an assemblage of 110 global citizens and we welcome people of all ages, nationalities, educational and professional backgrounds. Each participant will be asked to contribute their specialised expertise for a collective cause, using their unique voice. Whether through storytelling, film production, poetry, music, art, education, lobbying, or other avenues, every participant will play a vital role in championing the Arctic’s cause.
Highlights
· Travel with Dr. Sylvia Earle and Ocean Geographic
· Venture close to 80° north, watch for polar bears on pack ice
· Enjoy the best of Svalbard, a world of near-endless daylight, where polar bear sightings quicken your pulse, guillemot cries echo from towering cliffs, and beluga whales rise from the sea.
· Explore tundra adorned with wildflowers, keep watch for arctic fox, and discover historical camps of explorers and hunters. Circle some of the worlds largest glaciers.
· Circle some of the worlds largest glaciers. With Svalbard boasting an astounding 2100 glaciers, this expedition promises an unparalleled natural spectacle.
· Push through pack ice to find walrus and bearded seals, and delight in the breathtakingly beautiful fjords.
· Engage in hands-on workshops and activities designed to foster environmental stewardship and promote sustainable living.
Itinerary
Days 1-2 Arrive in Oslo & BIG ACE Conference
Having made your way to Oslo, you will be met on arrival by the Ocean Geographic team and directed to your hotel. Take the international arrivals exit on the ground floor, follow the signs and walk 500m through the direct walkway from Oslo Airport to the Radisson Red Oslo Airport hotel. Journey time: 6 minutes.
Enjoy pre-expedition workshops and lectures led by Ocean Geographic, Dr. Sylvia Earle and AE Expeditions.
Accommodation: Radisson Red Airport Hotel, Oslo
Meals: All inclusive
Day 3 Fly to Longyearbyen
Following breakfast, walk to Oslo Airport for your included charter flight to Longyearbyen (flight details will be available in February 2025). You will be met by a representative of AE Expeditions at the hotel and taken to the check in counter for your charter flight.
Upon arrival in Longyearbyen, you will be transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival at your included hotel, please visit the AE Expeditions hospitality desk to collect your luggage cabin tags and to speak with our ground operations team, who may have information to share with you about pre-embarkation or to provide you with information about where to dine or purchase last minute items from a local pharmacy or supermarket. The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Spitsbergen
Day 4 Embarkation
This morning, your luggage will be collected from your hotel and transferred directly to the port for sanitisation, clearance and delivered to your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. Please ensure that your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Any valuables or personal items should be kept on you throughout the day.
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before joining your fellow expeditioners on a guided city tour of Longyearbyen. After the tour, you will be transferred directly to the pier to embark in the late afternoon. Settle into your cabin before attending important safety briefings and enjoy the thrill of departure as we ‘throw the lines’ and set sail.
Days 5–12 Svalbard
Svalbard offers Arctic wilderness at its best. The members of our experienced Expedition Team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to tailor our day-to-day itinerary, choosing the best options, based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions and the possibility of encounters with wildlife.
Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountains ranges, and a polar desert rich in fossils, set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walrus hauled-out on sea ice or on beaches. On land, we stretch our legs on walks across tundra carpeted in brightly coloured wildflowers. We visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and puffins, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies. Most memorable will be encounters with the majestic polar bear on pack ice.
Distinct from conventional polar expeditions, expeditioners on the Arctic Climate Expedition 2025 will have the chance to engage in hands-on workshops and activities designed to foster environmental stewardship and promote sustainable living. These engaging sessions encompass a variety of subjects, including essay writing, fine art painting, photography, and public speaking, empowering participants to express their commitment to conservation through diverse creative outlets.
If you have chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you will have an opportunity to enjoy that activity when conditions allow. For those who are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you will hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating dip – a memory you will savour for years to come.
Day 13 Disembark in Longyearbyen, fly to Oslo
During the early morning, we cruise into Longyearbyen and disembark at approximately 8.00 am. Farewell your Expedition Team and enjoy some free time before transferring to the airport for your return charter flight to Oslo to continue your journey.
Note: the arrival time in Oslo is contingent on the approved allocated flight slot of our charter flight to Longyearbyen, which we expect to receive in February 2025.
Inclusions
- Ocean Geographic’s Climate Conference 2025 including 2 night’s hotel accommodation, one day conference and all meals.
- Return charter flights between Oslo and Longyearbyen.
- Transfer from airport to hotel, in Longyearbyen on Day 3.
- 1 night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Longyearbyen on Day 3.
- Sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen and transfer to the ship on Day 4
- Transfer from pier to airport in Longyearbyen on Day 13.
- Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
- All meals, snacks, tea, coffee, soft drinks and juices during voyage.
- Beer and house wine with dinner.
- Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
- All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
- Educational lectures and guiding services provide by Expedition Team.
- Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
- One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
- Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
- Comprehensive pre-departure information.
- Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
- Wi-Fi. Please note we travel to remote regions and therefore the connection can be unreliable.
Exclusions
- International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Airport arrival or departure taxes.
- Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
- Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.
- All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages outside of dinner service, gratuities, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or phone charges.
Note: A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or adjust the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.
Included Activities
Bird watching
Lectures on wildlife, our environment, history and destinations
Near shore cruises
Photography
Polar plunge
Trips ashore
Walking
Zodiac cruises
Whale and mammal spotting
Add-on Activities
Sea Kayaking
From GBP £730.00/pp
Sea Kayaking Vacations One of the most exhilarating ways to experience Antarctica, the Arctic and beyond. Sea kayaking holidays in
Staterooms & Prices
Request a customised booking
Want to book flights and accommodation with us or simply want some additional information? Click the button below and fill out the form, our expedition experts are more than happy to help.
*Terms & Conditions apply. Valid on select ship voyages only. Offer is valid on new bookings only aboard the Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle or Douglas Mawson which must be booked and deposited by 31 December 2024. Promotion is subject to availability at the time of booking and capacity controlled. The promotion is only available in conjunction with the back to back voyage discount or the loyalty program offer, and not available with any other offer. The promotion can be withdrawn at any time and is not redeemable for cash. Normal booking terms and conditions apply. To confirm your booking, a completed booking form and non-refundable deposit of $2,500 pp in the booking currency is required within 7 days of reserved berth/s. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Please see full terms and conditions.
^Terms & Conditions apply. Additional 5% discount valid on both voyages but two voyages must connect back to back in terms of dates to be eligible. Offer is valid on new bookings only aboard the Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle. Promotions are subject to availability at the time of booking and capacity controlled. The promotion is only available in conjunction with early bird voyage discount or the loyalty program offer, and not available with any other offer. The offer can be withdrawn at any time and are not redeemable for cash. Normal booking terms and conditions apply. Please see full terms and conditions.
