This expedition begins and ends in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen. From there, you'll sail north to the Seven Islands, where you'll have the chance to see polar bears and walruses. You'll then continue east to Nordaustlandet, where you'll visit the great glacier front of Schweigaardbreen and try to reach the rarely visited island of Kvitøya.
On the way back to Longyearbyen, you'll stop at a variety of other interesting places, including Barentsøya, Hornsund, and Bell Sund. You'll have the opportunity to see more wildlife, go for hikes, and learn about the history of the Arctic.
10 Day Artic Itinerary
Day 1: Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen is the administrative centre of Spitsbergen - the largest of the Svalbard islands. This former mining city is a fascinating place to stroll around. The parish church and Svalbard Museum are both interesting attractions. The landscape may appear barren, but it is home to more than 100 species of plants. Early evening, the ship leaves Isfjorden. You might see the first Minke Whale of the voyage.
Day 2: Krossfjorden
You arrive in Krossfjorden by the morning after heading north up the west coast. You can board Zodiacs and cruise close to the Fourteenth July Glacier's blue-white face. Colorful flowers grow on the slopes around the glacier. Kittiwakes, Brunnich's Guillemots and other birds nest in the cliffs. A bearded sea seal or an Arctic Fox may be seen paddling in the fjord. Afternoon, you will sail to Ny Alesund - the world's northernmost settlement. Ny Alesund, once a mining community served by the most northern railway in the world - its tracks can be seen - is now a center for research. A breeding area for Arctic Terns, Pink-footed Geese and Barnacle Geese is located near the village. If you are interested in Arctic exploration history, stop by the mast that was used to anchor the airships Norge (1926), and Italia (1928) of polar explorers Amundsen, and Nobile.
Day 3: Nordaustlandet
You may reach the northernmost part of your journey north of Nordaustlandet in Seven Islands. You can reach the geographical North Pole at 870km (540miles) away, or 80deg. This stark, desolate land is home to polar bears and Walrus. The ship can spend several hours searching for wildlife in the pack ice later in the day.
Day 4: Nordaustlandet
You will reach Nordaustlandet by pushing east. This is the place where in 1928, the Italian captain Sora attempted to save the Nobile expedition. You can also choose to land in Firkantbukta and gain altitude for some higher-elevation pictures. You could also take a Zodiac tour near Storoya where you may encounter walruses.
Day 5: Kvitoya
You are trying to get to Kvitoya today, which is located in the far east near Russian territory. This island is covered in ice, leaving only a tiny area of it bare. Land at the west tip of Andreeneset where S. A. Andree, a Swedish explorer and his two companions died in 1897. Kraemerpynten is another objective of the day, as it's home to a large group of walruses.
Day 6: Nordaustlandet & Brasvellbreen
You can land south of Nordaustlandet on Isisoya. This island was once a Nunatak region surrounded with glaciers, but is now a sea-surrounded island. Brasvellbreen is part of Europe's largest icecap and famous for its melting water waterfalls.
Day 7: Barentsoya & Edgeoya
Polar bears can sometimes prevent landings at Freemansundet. Sundneset, Kapp Waldburg and Rindedalen are all possible stops in Barentsoya. Diskobukta is another option, but Kapp Lee will likely be your final destination. Kapp Lee has a walrus haul out, Pomor Ruins, and hiking along Edgeoya.
Day 8: Hornsund
The day begins with a cruise through the Hornsund area in southern Spitsbergen. You can see the towering peaks of Hornsundtind, which rises to 1,431 metres (4,695 ft). Bautaen illustrates why the Dutch named the island Spitsbergen - meaning "pointed mountain". There are also 14 large glaciers and opportunities to spot seals, polar bears and belugas.
Day 9: Bellsund
You are now in Bellsund - one of Svalbard's largest fjord system. This area is slightly warmer due to ocean currents, as can be seen in the lush vegetation. There are many opportunities for both wildlife and history to be enjoyed. Ahlstrandhalvoya is a possibility, located at the mouth Van Keulenfjorden. Here, you can find piles of beluga bones. The remains of whales that were killed in the 19th century are an eerie reminder of what happened when exploitation was rampant. You have a high chance of seeing a beluga group. You can also explore the tundra, where you will find reindeer feeding, or rock slopes, where auks breed, when you cruise along Bellsund's side fjords.
Day 10: Longyearbyen
All adventures must come to a close. As you disembark from the ship in Longyearbyen and head home, your memories will follow you to wherever your next journey takes.
Itinerary Map
10 Day Artic Itinerary Includes
- Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes
- Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.
- Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
- AECO fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
10 Day Artic Itinerary Does not Include
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post- land arrangements.
- Transfers to the vessel in Ushuaia and Ascension and from the vessel in Ascension and Praia; passport and visa expenses.
- Government arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals ashore.
- Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
- Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
10 Day Artic Itinerary Highlights
- Go for hikes and learn about the history of the Arctic
- Circumnavigate Spitsbergen, Svalbard, with a visit to the remote island of Kvitøya
- Visit the great glacier front of Schweigaardbreen and the rarely visited island of Kvitøya
Meals Included
- Breakfast Served Daily
- 9 Dinners
- 10 Lunches
10 Day Artic cruise activities
Under full instruction from your sea kayaking guide, experience true tranquillity as you paddle through clinking ice floes and realise the enormity of the surrounding scenery. Look out for breaching whales, lounging seals and penguins zipping alongside your kayak. Some experience is required.
Camp out on the ice and experience the silence which blankets the continent by night. This is your chance to completely connect with this ethereal ice world – wrap up warm and embrace the Antarctic elements.
Get a spring in your step when you slip on a pair of snowshoes in Antarctica. Enabling you to easily scale gentle slopes, this unique activity allows you to access hard to reach places and seek out the most impressive views.
Learn to capture wildlife and landscape shots in a small group photography program, including critiquing sessions and editing classes. Plus, Explorer Boat excursions with a dedicated photography expert on landings.
Achieve the best views and photographs from a forward facing Explorer Boats. They allow you to sit comfortably and securely while crackling through the ice-strewn waters. Look out for wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales as you cruise.
It doesn’t get more serene than complimentary yoga classes to the tune of glacial scenery. Join the most unique exercise setting in the world after a day of exploration. Classes are regular but are dependent on weather conditions and swell.
Around Spitsbergen - Kvitoya, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice
10 Days
From
$2,900.00
per person
