Sign-up to recieve our Best Deals!

    Svalbard To The Pack Ice

    Highlights

    Experience a true Arctic adventure. In late August, autumn arrives in Svalbard: the landscape shifts into warm hues, the sun sinks lower towards the horizon, and the archipelago prepares for the coming polar night. With a bit of luck, we may also be treated to magnificent sunsets. The ship serves as our comfortable base, and with our Zodiacs we can cruise along glaciers, explore spectacular fjords and go ashore to experience nature up close.

    On many of our Svalbard cruises, there is an opportunity to experience the vast pack ice, but on this particular Arctic expedition our aim is to spend a couple of days there. In true expedition spirit, we set course north and venture into this frozen and ever-changing ecosystem north of Spitsbergen – a place reached by few vessels. Thanks to the captain’s extensive experience and the ship’s strength in the ice, we have excellent conditions for exploring the pack ice, and we will keep a constant lookout for the wildlife that inhabits these waters – such as ivory gulls, seals, and polar bears.

    • Only 12 passengers

    • More time in the pack ice

    • Unique expedition ship from 1953

    • 1 night in Longyearbyen

    • 2 experienced guides

    Map/Itinerary

    Day 1Arrive Longyearbyen, Svalbard

    We arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to our hotel.

    Day 2-11Expedition Cruising

    Explore Longyearbyen on your own before meeting up your fellow travellers and guides for lunch. In the afternoon we board the expedition ship and sail out through the spectacular Isfjorden – our great Arctic expedition has began! We are now in a part of the world where we are completely dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Our exact itinerary depends on these factors and on the wildlife we encounter. Our aim is to head out on Zodiac cruises every day and to go ashore when the opportunity arises. Here are some examples of places we may visit:

    Northwest Spitsbergen

    The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is located in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. Two other courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. The Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon and the American journalist Wellman started with an airship. Interesting remnants of these expeditions can still be seen here.

    The magnificent fjords of Spitsbergen

    Svalbard offers visitors countless spectacular fjords. During our journey we will explore some of them such as: 

    In Krossfjorden we revel in the beautifully sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier. Continuing further into the fjord system, we reach Lilliehöökfjorden, which stretches over four kilometres. Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty – dominated by magnificent glaciers and also a favourite haunt of seals. In Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love”, we hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier. 

    North of Svalbard

    In the direction of the North Pole, the goal is to reach the pack ice north of Svalbard and spend around two days here. This floating and ever-changing habitat is a fascinating and powerful experience to say the least. Not many ships come here and we can enjoy the tranquillity of this magnificent icy landscape. From our ship we are constantly on the lookout for the exciting wildlife associated with the Arctic Ocean, such as polar bears, seals and ivory gulls. The pack ice around Svalbard is of great importance to the archipelago’s ecosystem and climate. It is also a mainstay of life in the Arctic.

    Sjuøyane

    These islands are situated north of Nordaustlandet and it is Svalbard’s northernmost outpost. On one of the islands, Rossøya, Andrée and his companions had one of their depots with supplies in case their, by now legendary, balloon trip in the late 1800s would fail.

    Hinlopen Strait

    We enter the Hinlopen Strait and we head to Kinnvika and Torellneset to look for walruses. We may also continue into the beautiful bay of Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet.

    Eastern Svalbard

    The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by a huge ice cap and has fascinated naturalists and historians alike. Here the giant glacier Bråsvellbreen stretches for 180 kilometres with 15-20 metre high ice edge.

    Day 12Longyearbyen

    Early morning we disembark our expedition ship and begin our journey back home.

    Please note: All itineraries are for guidance only. Our exact route will depend on the ice, weather conditions, wildlife and government regulations. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to maximise your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!

    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

    • 1 night in a hotel in Longyearbyen
    • 10 nights on board
    • Lunch day 2
    • Visit to Svalbard Museum day 2
    • All meals on board
    • All beverages on board
    • 1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide
    • Guiding ashore and talks on board
    • All excursions and activities
    • Slideshow from the trip
    • Full carbon offset

    Exclusions

    • Flight to/from Longyearbyen
    • Travel and cancellation insurance
    • Gratuity to the ship’s crew
    • Personal expenses such as bar and shop charges

    Prices

    Filter all trips

    Regions

    Destinations

    Price

    Vessel Category

    Month

    Year

    Duration

    Sort by

    Start: Jul 17, 2026

    End: Jul 28, 2026

    Departure: Longyearbyen

    Arrival: Longyearbyen

    M/S Quest

    Duration: 12 Days

    Show Prices
    From$9,290

    Start: Jun 21, 2027

    End: Jul 2, 2027

    Departure: Longyearbyen

    Arrival: Longyearbyen

    M/S Quest

    Duration: 12 Days

    Show Prices
    From$9,790

    Start: Jul 10, 2027

    End: Jul 21, 2027

    Departure: Longyearbyen

    Arrival: Longyearbyen

    M/S Quest

    Duration: 12 Days

    Show Prices
    From$9,790

    Start: Jul 20, 2027

    End: Jul 31, 2027

    Departure: Longyearbyen

    Arrival: Longyearbyen

    M/S Quest

    Duration: 12 Days

    Show Prices
    From$9,790

    Photos

    Contact Us