Circumnavigating Spitsbergen - In The Realm Of The Polar Bear

Flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen

Transfer from airport to hotel in Longyearbyen

At Hotel

Luggage transfer from hotel to pier in Longyearbyen

Explore this colourful frontier town  After breakfast it’s time to experience Longyearbyen. The former coal mining settlement is small enough to explore on foot. Stroll down the main street lined with boutique shops, an art gallery, and restaurants. You might even see a Svalbard reindeer saunter by.    Before boarding your ship in the afternoon and continuing your Arctic discovery, join an included excursion and get a deeper look at this isolated and remote region at the top of the world.  

Experience science, serenity and epic sceneryToday you’ll discover the serenity of Ny-Ålesund and neighbouring fjords such as Krossfjord and Kongsfjord. Disconnect and enjoy a day without distractions as the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s nearby geodetic station means we must switch off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. One of the northernmost settlements and a former mining town, Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for Roald Amundsen’s expeditions north with the airship ‘Norge’. Now a hub for global science and climate research, you can still see remnants of the town’s history. You’ll be immersed in rugged, glacial scenery as we explore the fjords around Ny-Ålesund. Be ready for adventure; we’ll seize any opportunity to launch our small expedition boats, go ashore to hike or cruise by majestic glaciers. 

Experience science, serenity and epic sceneryToday you’ll discover the serenity of Ny-Ålesund and neighbouring fjords such as Krossfjord and Kongsfjord. Disconnect and enjoy a day without distractions as the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s nearby geodetic station means we must switch off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. One of the northernmost settlements and a former mining town, Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for Roald Amundsen’s expeditions north with the airship ‘Norge’. Now a hub for global science and climate research, you can still see remnants of the town’s history. You’ll be immersed in rugged, glacial scenery as we explore the fjords around Ny-Ålesund. Be ready for adventure; we’ll seize any opportunity to launch our small expedition boats, go ashore to hike or cruise by majestic glaciers. 

Experience pristine Arctic wilderness Over the next two days, we’ll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of this breathtaking national park where steep mountains, glaciers and beautiful offshore islands form a unique Arctic landscape. We’ll scout for some of the animals of the Arctic – seals, walruses and reindeer. Early in the season, there’s a good chance we may spot polar bears too, so we’ll always be on the lookout for these iconic but elusive predators. Be ready for adventure; we’ll seize any opportunity to launch our kayaks or use our small expedition boats and go ashore to hike or participate in a beach clean up.

Experience pristine Arctic wilderness Over the next two days, we’ll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of this breathtaking national park where steep mountains, glaciers and beautiful offshore islands form a unique Arctic landscape. We’ll scout for some of the animals of the Arctic – seals, walruses and reindeer. Early in the season, there’s a good chance we may spot polar bears too, so we’ll always be on the lookout for these iconic but elusive predators. Be ready for adventure; we’ll seize any opportunity to launch our kayaks or use our small expedition boats and go ashore to hike or participate in a beach clean up.

Experience the opportunity of sailing to the edge of the polar ice cap  If conditions allow, we’ll sail north and cross the 80th parallel to explore the ever-changing ice edge. The transition zone between the ice cap and the sea is a magical yet ephemeral place where the waters are filled with ice floes and drifting pack ice. From the ship, there are great opportunities for spotting wildlife, such as seals and walruses who lounge on the sparkling ice. And if the conditions are right, we’ll lower our expedition boats into the water and enjoy an unforgettable close-up experience amid the floating ice.  The ice edge isn’t a fixed boundary, and it moves depending on the season and conditions, so visiting it will be an attempt rather than a certainty. From May to August, as summer progresses, it retreats further towards the pole, meaning it may be out of reach for us. If so, we’ll explore the no-less-impressive fjords, glaciers and incredible scenery of the Svalbard coast.   Wildflowers start blooming in July and into August, this is a time when the wildflowers appear, blanketing the landscape with a blaze of beauty and color.  

Scouting for polar bears, seabirds, and walruses  Be ready for anything. If sea ice permits, we'll venture into the frozen seascape of Eastern Spitsbergen, scouting for polar bears, walrus, and colonies of Brünnich's guillemots through the legendary Hinlopen Strait. We may head south to Freemansundet and Kapp Lee, or explore Edgeøya and Barentsøya by Zodiac. In true expedition style, where we go depends on conditions. If the ice doesn't allow passage east, we'll delve deeper into western Svalbard, navigating deep fjords and past calving glaciers in search of remarkable Arctic wildlife. Either way, expect exhilarating landings, hikes, and kayak trips at every turn. 

Scouting for polar bears, seabirds, and walruses  Be ready for anything. If sea ice permits, we'll venture into the frozen seascape of Eastern Spitsbergen, scouting for polar bears, walrus, and colonies of Brünnich's guillemots through the legendary Hinlopen Strait. We may head south to Freemansundet and Kapp Lee, or explore Edgeøya and Barentsøya by Zodiac. In true expedition style, where we go depends on conditions. If the ice doesn't allow passage east, we'll delve deeper into western Svalbard, navigating deep fjords and past calving glaciers in search of remarkable Arctic wildlife. Either way, expect exhilarating landings, hikes, and kayak trips at every turn. 

Majestic glaciers, birds, and pioneer history  Your expedition cruise continues south towards Hornsund – one of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords. Colourful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. The cliffs here are home to large colonies of auks, guillemots and Northern Fulmars, along with Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer below. Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, Mount Hornsundtind, and glaciers reaching into the sea, and learn about Wanny Woldstad, the first female trapper to hunt in Svalbard. Then we head to admire the classic beauty of the snowcapped mountains of Bellsund: a historic area where you can see the evidence of former whaling and mining activity on the shoreline. Our activities will be determined by the ever-changing weather conditions of Hornsund and Bellsund. Your Expedition Team will decide on the best possibilities for exploring on the day. 

Majestic glaciers, birds, and pioneer history  Your expedition cruise continues south towards Hornsund – one of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords. Colourful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. The cliffs here are home to large colonies of auks, guillemots and Northern Fulmars, along with Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer below. Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, Mount Hornsundtind, and glaciers reaching into the sea, and learn about Wanny Woldstad, the first female trapper to hunt in Svalbard. Then we head to admire the classic beauty of the snowcapped mountains of Bellsund: a historic area where you can see the evidence of former whaling and mining activity on the shoreline. Our activities will be determined by the ever-changing weather conditions of Hornsund and Bellsund. Your Expedition Team will decide on the best possibilities for exploring on the day. 

A final day on top of the world Your Arctic adventure ends in Longyearbyen, where you’ll catch your flight back to Oslo.  You'll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice and climate change than you arrived with – and memories of an incredible experience.

Transfer from pier to airport in Longyearbyen

Flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo