Highlights

See the High Arctic archipelago’s famous wildlife against a pristine backdrop of fairytale fjords, calving glaciers, and snow-capped mountains. Witnessing this endlessly rich habitat – home to reindeer, whales, Arctic foxes, polar bears, and much more – illuminated by the midnight sun is, simply, one of the greatest shows in nature.

On this summer expedition, explore the last stop before the North Pole, home to some of the most magnificent creatures and most stunning scenery on the planet, all lit up by the midnight sun.

Summer is when Svalbard’s wildlife – from Arctic foxes to whales, migratory birds, and polar bears – is at its most abundant and most visible
The ice opens up, making this the best time to reach Svalbard’s remotest and wildest reaches
Breathtaking landscape of majestic glaciers, stark mountains, and fjords, lit up by the midnight sun

Map/Itinerary

Day 1Welcome aboard!

Depart Longyearbyen at 4pm.

Sail past striking Fuglefjella (Bird Mountain), a fine example of plateau mountainous landscape, as we leave Longyearbyen.

Day 2Prins Karls Forland

Explore Poolepynten, a headland on Prins Karls Forland, home to a walrus colony and burial site.

Take a Zodiac cruise of Fjortende Julbreen, a stunning glacier, and Fjortende Julibukta, a scenic bay in Krossfjord.

Day 3-8Svalbard / Ice Edge

Land at Sallyhamna, a hut built in 1937, rich in history and cultural remains from the 1600s whaling period.

Search the ice edge, a dynamic setting of texture and light, home to seals, seabirds, and polar bears.

Explore the island of Kvitøya, taking in the walrus colony and cultural remains of the Andreeneset headland.

Take a Zodiac cruise to see Storisstraumen and a ship cruise to Bråsvellbreen of the Austfonna ice cap, Europe’s third-largest glacier by volume and area.

Marvel at Alkefjellet, a stunning bird cliff, nesting location of Brünnich guillemot.

See the historical site at Bruceneset in beautiful Alicehamna bay, during a Zodiac cruise or hike.

Land at Hamburgbukta to view remains from the 1600s whaling industry.

Visit Ny-Ålesund Research Station, the world’s northernmost year-round research facility, and Kongsfjorden, with landings and cruises to its two glaciers, Kronebreen and Kongsbreen.

Alkhornet showcases the change in geology from plateau to edge-dominated, alpine mountainous landscape.

Day 9Isfjorden and Longyearbyen

Return to Isfjorden and Longyearbyen.

Days 10Disembarkation in Longyearbyen

Disembark in Longyearbyen at 9am.

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.

Inclusions/Exclusions

Inclusions

Lectures, workshops on board, and daily exploratory activities
Free use of ship’s Wi-Fi powered by Starlink
Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) beverages served during meals, while on board our micro cruises
Rubber polar standard boots for shore landings
One piece insulation suits available on board
IAATO and AECO fees, and operational fees and permits included
Due to restricted local service options, all transfers included – from the airport to your hotel on arrival, between your hotel and the ship for embarkation and disembarkation, and from your hotel to the airport on departure day

Exclusions

International flights – we recommend booking early.
Travel and cancellation insurance – we strongly recommend securing coverage to protect your expedition.
Additional expenses outside of what is included in the voyage or optional activities
Gratuities
Additional purchases or services on board
Other transfer or hotels unless specified as included as part of the voyage description