North Spitsbergen - Kvitoya - Farthest North | 9 Days | Hondius Cruise

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.

You can sail to Raudfjorden on Spitsbergen's north coast and see a vast fjord filled with glaciers. Ringed seals and bearded ones may even be seen. This fjord is also home to a thriving colony of seabirds, lush vegetation and even polar bears. You can see walruses on the island Moffen in the evening.

Next, you will sail along Beverleysundet. This area was formerly sailed by the Swedish-Russian Arc-of-Meridian Expedition of 1898. You then head east, along Scoresby Island to Rijpfjord. The German Wehrmacht ran the weather station Haudegen in Rijpfjord until September 1945. In Zorgdragerfjord, one group should walk along the east shore of the fjord while the other walks north on Arkvatnet through Havsuldalen and into Duvefjorden.

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. We can also sail to Behounekodden, the telegraphist for Nobile.

You are trying to get to Kvitoya today, which is located in the far east near Russian territory. This island is covered in a huge ice sheet. Only a few areas are untouched. Land at the west tip of Andreeneset where S. A. Andree, a Swedish explorer and his two companions died in 1897. Kraemerpynten, located in the extreme east of the Island, is another objective. A large group of Walruses lives there.

If sea ice permits, we will reach the northernmost point at the 82nd Parallel. As you retrace your southwest route, be on the lookout for polar-bears, Greenland whales (bowheads) and very rare Narwals. Ross's Gulls are in the area at this time of the year.

We could have landed on the most northern land of Spitsbergen in the Seven Islands, Rossoya. Vesle Tavleoya is marked by the SwedisheRussian Arc of Meridian Expedition of 1899. We usually see a flock of Walruses on Phippsoya. This region is home to polar bears, and the ship will park in the pack ice for a few hours before turning around again.

We'll sail to Krossfjorden, the main island in Spitsbergen. You will pass by stunning alpine mountains, active glaciers and lush vegetation.

No adventure is ever complete. Your adventure ends in Longyearbyen. You take home unforgettable memories to accompany you on your next journey.