Take a week to explore the stunning coastline, astonishing landscapes and spectacular wildlife of Spitsbergen, the largest wilderness area in Europe.
This itinerary provides an intoxicating mix of stunning coastline, astonishing landscapes and spectacular wildlife including huge colonies of seabirds, seals, walruses, whales, Arctic foxes and – most memorable of all – polar bears!
Lying some 650 kilometres north of Norway, the Svalbard archipelago is known for its remote and rugged landscape of glaciers and frozen tundra. During the short Arctic summer, the days seem to last forever, offering maximum opportunity to appreciate this breath-taking landscape of snow and ice. Some 3,000 people live in just four settlements, and there are only 50 kilometres of road, meaning the best way to explore is on an expedition cruise.
Spend your days sailing along the edge of the coastline, and even through the pack ice, in search of polar bears. Your expert expedition team will share their knowledge on bird species, helping you to identify, photograph and learn more about the birds you see. Zodiac cruises will provide you with unforgettable encounters on the water, whether that be observing walrus hauled out on sea ice, bearded seals cruising the scenic fjords or encountering the acrobatic behaviour of a humpback whale.
A typical North Spitsbergen itinerary is shown below, however we offer a choice of itineraries, expedition vessels and cabin types to suit your requirements.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Embark in Longyearbyen & set sail early evening
On arrival in Longyearbyen, you can enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum are fascinating attractions. Later today, sail out of Isfjorden and begin your Arctic adventure.
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Day 2:
Raudfjord
Sail to Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen. Take in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers, occasionally visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of this fjord support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of polar bears.
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Day 3:
Liefdefjorden
Weather permitting, sail into Liefdefjorden and cruise towards the face of Monaco Glacier. The foot of this glacier is a favourite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and a popular polar bear hunting ground.
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Day 4:
Sail into Hinlopen Strait
Sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals and polar bears. After cruising in Zodiacs among the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya, you can view the thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the cliffs. On Nordaustlandet, likely wildlife sightings include Arctic reindeers, pink-footed geese and walrus.
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Day 5:
Phippsoya
Today you reach the northernmost point of the trip at Phippsoya just 865 kilometres from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this desolate region, along with ivory gulls.
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Day 6:
Sail the continental shelf
Retracing your journey westwards, this route takes you through pack ice, where you may see polar bear. Sail along the edge of the continental shelf, where fin whales forage throughout summer.
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Day 7:
Forlandsundet
A popular haul out for walrus, Forlandsundet is on the agenda for today. Alternatively, you might sail into St. John's Fjord or to Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, while Arctic foxes patrol the cliff base below, searching for chicks.
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Day 8:
Arrive Longyearbyen & disembark
Please note: Exact itinerary and duration will depend on your chosen vessel, departure date and local conditions. Additional adventure activities are not available on every vessel and may incur an additional cost.
LUXURY VESSEL
EXPEDITION VESSEL
LUXURY VESSEL
EXPEDITION VESSEL
EXPEDITION VESSEL
MICRO VESSEL
LUXURY VESSEL
