This remarkable expedition departs from the far northern settlement of Longyearbyen on the Norwegian Arctic island of Spitsbergen in the famed Svalbard archipelago. You will explore the island’s northwestern coast, home to dramatic mountain scenery, tidewater glaciers, and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities.
On this voyage you’ll also venture to the jumbled edge of the north-polar ice cap in search of polar bears stalking their prey. Here, at the dynamic boundary between implacable ice and bountiful sea, you have a rare opportunity to experience raw nature and incredible events hardly ever seen.
Welcome to Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Svalbard and starting point of your Arctic expedition! At the Longyearbyen airport, you will be greeted by staff and transferred to a quality hotel, which has been arranged in advance and is included in the price of the itinerary. You will then be free to explore the charming, walkable town center.
After breakfast at your hotel, the morning is yours to enjoy Longyearbyen. Take in the views of icy fjords and glaciated mountains surrounding this historic former coal-mining town. Take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship. For lunch, Longyearbyen offers quick and easy meal options including the most northerly pizzas and kebabs in the world.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where you will be warmly welcomed aboard a deluxe expedition vessel.
The goal for this voyage is a circumnavigation of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Highlights of some of the places you may visit are the enormous Northwest Svalbard Nature Reserve, that covers the rugged northwestern parts of Spitsbergen and the entirety of Nordaustlandet, the second largest island in Svalbard, where the probability of encountering polar bears and walrus is very high; the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, the crown jewel of Svalbard’s scenic wonders, where you can find deep fjords flanked by serrated mountain peaks and immense tidewater glaciers calving icebergs into turquoise waters; and Ny Ålesund, a former mining town and airship base that is now home to an international community of Arctic researchers.
Every day offers something new and exciting. You will not miss a single opportunity to encounter amazing Arctic wildlife, to witness incredible polar scenery, and to walk in the footsteps of historic expeditions that came before.
After enjoying one final breakfast buffet on board, we bid you farewell in Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard and final destination of your expedition. After disembarkation, a captivating sightseeing tour awaits you, showcasing some of the most interesting locations in the world’s northernmost city. Transfers to the airport or to the town center are provided in case you plan to stay longer in Svalbard.
Please note: This itinerary is meant to serve as a general guide. Plans may change along the way, depending on weather, sea conditions, or choices made by the expedition leader and team to give you the safest and most rewarding experience.
Included in this voyage
Not included in this voyage
