Sailing on the best small cruise ship while viewing incredible wildlife and stunning landscapes ensure this will be an amazing experience for all wildlife enthusiasts

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - August 19th, 2010 - Wildlife & Wilderness, a leading UK specialist in wildlife holidays, has announced a spectacular 10 day Arctic cruise on a privately chartered 12-berth icebreaker, guided by Andy Rouse, one of the world’s most experienced and award winning wildlife photographers and conservationists.

The cruise explores the isolated and spectacular Svalbard archipelago situated off the northern coast of Norway just 600 miles from the North Pole, under the expert guidance of co-Expedition Leaders Lisa Strom and Andy Rouse.

The icy mountains, immense glaciers and deep fjords are home to polar bears, walrus, seals, whales, Arctic fox and reindeer. During the 4 months of the Arctic summer when the sun never sets, the frozen expanses are freed and amenable to exploration by Zodiac or on foot.

The unique appeal of the Svalbard Arctic cruise is that there is no set agenda and no time pressure, allowing the opportunity to truly experience the magic of the wildlife encounters that present themselves along the way. Recent Wildlife & Wilderness Svalbard cruises have witnessed as many as 40 polar bears and over 1,000 walrus during a 12-day period.

However, the Svalbard trip is much more than just an wildlife and photographic cruise, it’s also designed to be a fun adventure and participating socially with other members of the group is actively encouraged and will make the experience even more memorable.

“The ship we use for our Svalbard cruise is owned by a captain who knows the waters better than any other and can take it places no other vessel can go” said Dr. Steve Banner, Director, Wildlife & Wilderness. “However, it’s the hospitality of the Swedish crew on board, the terrific food and wine, as well as Andy’s enlightening photographic skills and the educational experience of the guiding that makes this trip so special” says Dr. Banner.

The ship charter dates for the 2011 Svalbard expedition are as follows:

Svalbard Explorer 1 19th August 2011 - 29th August 2011
Svalbard Explorer 2 29th August 2011 - 8th September 2011

For more information, the Wildlife & Wilderness Svalbard 2011 Expedition Brochure is available as a PDF at http://www.wildlifewilderness.com/svalbard2011_brochure.pdf

About Wildlife & Wilderness

Wildlife & Wilderness is a team of enthusiastic professionals that design tailor-made wildlife trips and safari holidays for individuals, couples, families and private groups to some of the world's most inspiring destinations.

The company was founded 15 years ago by Dr. Steve Banner, a biologist with a life-long enthusiasm for nature and wild places together with some reasonably serious independent adventure travel experiences having trekked and climbed in numerous countries.

Wildlife & Wilderness is committed to sustainable tourism that minimises environmental and cultural impact and rewards local enterprises.

For more information about Wildlife & Wilderness please visit www.wildlifewilderness.com or call 0845 00 44 599.

###