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Hurtigruten's Arctic has a camping/polar bear watch excursion, glacier hikes

Hurtigruten's Arctic has a camping/polar bear watch excursion, glacier hikes
Passengers on Hurtigruten's expedition ship Fram in Greenland, Iceland and Spitsbergen can take excursions that include camping trips in the wilderness with a polar bear watch, kayaking among icebergs, glacier hikes and fishing excursions in the polar sea.

At Spitsbergen, the largest and only permanently populated island of Norway's Svalbard archipelago, passengers can experience a night in the wilderness with an exciting twist—a 24-hour polar bear watch. Participants in the 'A Nansen Night – Camping in the Arctic' excursion ($410) spend the night on land, camping in special Arctic-equipped tents and sleeping bags. Spitsbergen is known for its polar bear population so each participant takes a one-hour shift watching for polar bears with the expedition team throughout the evening. Adventurers return to the ship for a hearty breakfast.

Another Spitsbergen adventure, a glacier hike ($75), equips participants with climbing spurs and secures them in teams with a rope. No prior experience in ice climbing is required. Hurtigruten said the day hike offers epic views.

'Fishing and Cooking with the Crew' excursions ($160) are offered in Spitsbergen and Greenland. Particpants join the Fram crew in a small fishing boat. After a day of reeling in the local catch, they are invited to join Fram's head chef in the galley to help prepare the fish for dinner that evening.

Kayak tours are available in Greenland, Spitsbergen and Iceland ($160). Alongside experienced guides, participants paddle in a small group through the polar sea, past ice floes and icebergs.

A variety of hikes ($40-$150) are offered on expedition voyages that take participants to the most stunning places. Hurtigruten said they require a fair level of physical fitness, and difficulty levels vary depending on location.