Circumnavigating Spitsbergen – In the realm of the Polar Bear
Price from $9,063
$7,563
Departure Dates
18 departures between Jun 2023 and Jul 2024
Duration
9 days
Departure Dates
18 departures between Jun 2023 and Jul 2024
Duration
9 days
Discover incredible Arctic scenery and wildlife under the Midnight Sun
Join us as for a full circumnavigation of Spitsbergen, taking in mighty glaciers, peaceful fjords, and Arctic wildlife under the enchanting Midnight Sun.
10-day expedition cruise of the Svalbard archipelago in an attempt to circumnavigate Spitsbergen
Land of the polar bear
Starting from Oslo, you‘ll fly to Longyearbyen, where your adventure continues at sea. We then sail into Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. Take in the stunning Arctic scenery as we scout for polar bears, Arctic foxes, and Svalbard reindeer. You’ll also have the chance to see colonies of Brünnich’s guillemot and kittiwakes.
Crossing the 80th parallel north
We plan to circumnavigate Spitsbergen and attempt to sail beyond the 80th parallel north, if conditions permit. You’ll see awe-inspiring nature and wildlife, along with the breathtaking Hornsund mountains, before we cruise toward stunning Isfjord and back to cozy Longyearbyen.
What's Included
Flights
- Return flights in economy class between Oslo and Longyearbyen
Hotel
- One overnight in Longyearbyen before joining the expedition cruise. Includes breakfast and lunch
Transfers
- All transfers in Longyearbyen
Route overview
We'll help you plan where to go, when to visit and how long to stay
Explore cosmopolitan Oslo
Day 1
Explore cosmopolitan Oslo
Enjoy time in Oslo before flying to Svalbard
Your expedition begins in Oslo, Norway’s fjord-side capital. If you have time before your flight, head out to explore the city center.
With its rich history and fashionable art scene, Oslo is a fascinating city. You’ll find museums, galleries, and breathtaking architecture, including the beautiful Opera House and new Munch Museum.
Take a stroll in the Ekebergparken Sculpture Park, visit Akershus Fortress, or relax in a floating sauna. Explore modern Sørenga and enjoy urban beach life, or try New Nordic cuisine before flying out to Longyearbyen in the Svalbard archipelago.
Longyearbyen adventures
Day 2
Longyearbyen adventures
Explore colorful Longyearbyen
After breakfast, it’s time to explore the world’s northernmost town, a colorful frontier settlement where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles.
Longyearbyen is perfect for exploring on foot. Stroll down the main street and you might see Svalbard reindeer pass by. Although wild, they’re curious and gentle. Admire the polar bear–inspired art or visit the North Pole Expedition Museum.
Before boarding your ship in the afternoon to continue your Arctic journey, join an included excursion after lunch, or try an optional electric bike, dog-sledding, or hiking tour.
Expedition days
Day 3-5
Expedition days
Experience pristine Arctic wilderness
Over the next three days, you’ll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. Surrounded by steep mountains, stark glaciers, and beautiful offshore islands, we’ll scan for Arctic animals, including whales, seals, walruses, and reindeer. If we’re really lucky, we might even see the elusive polar bear hunting on the ice. In stunning Kongsfjord, you may see glaciers calving into the sea.
Be ready for adventure – we’ll seize any opportunity to launch our kayaks or use our small boats (RIBs) to go ashore to hike or help in a beach clean-up.
Exploring the east
Day 6-7
Exploring the east
Scouting for polar bears, seabirds, and walruses
The frozen seascape of eastern Svalbard is home to the archipelago’s largest population of polar bears. We have high hopes you’ll see this elusive animal over the next two days. We will also scout for walrus and colonies of Brünnich’s guillemots and other seabirds in the Hinlopen Strait. We may head south to Freemansundet and Kapp Lee or take our small boats (RIBs) to Edgeøya or Barentsøya.
Your Expedition Team will set the daily itinerary. They’ll monitor local ice and weather conditions to take you on exhilarating landings, hikes, and kayaking tours.
Beautiful Hornsund
Day 8
Beautiful Hornsund
Majestic glaciers, rich vegetation, and seabirds
As we sail toward the southernmost tip of Spitsbergen, we’ll enter Hornsund, one of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords. Rich, colorful vegetation transforms into towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, admire Mount Hornsundtind, and watch glaciers calving into the sea.
The green patches of land you’ll see here are fertilized by little auk colonies. This in turn attracts Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes, so keep your eyes peeled. In the evening, we’ll journey north toward Isfjord, past beautiful Bellsund.
Astonishing Isfjord
Day 9
Astonishing Isfjord
Witness living history and ecology
Our Svalbard circumnavigation continues into Isfjord’s lush fjord system, where you’ll see immense, glacier-carved valleys rich in wildlife, vegetation, and human history.
To the north, Alkhornet is home to guillemots, kittiwakes, Svalbard reindeer, and Arctic foxes. Clear traces of the area’s whaling and hunting past are visible on beaches and in bays. Farther south, we’ll pass the former Isfjord Radio satellite communication station, which is now one of the world’s most beautifully situated hotels.
Today’s activities will be determined by the ever-changing weather conditions in Isfjord. Each day, your Expedition Team will decide on the best options for exploring.
Return to Longyearbyen
Day 10
Return to Longyearbyen
A final day on top of the world
Your Arctic adventure comes to an end back in Longyearbyen. You’ll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice, and climate change than when you arrived. You’ll also have lifelong memories from this incredible experience.
Before your flight back to Oslo, you’ll have time to explore more of Longyearbyen and do a bit of shopping – perhaps you’ll pick out a warm Svalbard sweater.
Attempt
On this epic expedition cruise, we will attempt to find a way through the Arctic’s ever-changing sea ice and venture above the 80th parallel north. Our goal is to successfully circumnavigate the island of Spitsbergen, ice permitting.
Included Programmes
It's a mixture of adventure activities for individuals of all ages
Know before you go
Practical information you need to know
Special offers
Expedition exclusive cost savings and rare opportunities.
* Certain offers may not be combinable, up to two savings opportunities except where noted otherwise
