Introduction to Spitsbergen

Your expedition will begin as you board your ship in Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s largest settlement, and settle in to your comfortable surroundings. As we set sail you will get fantastic views of the mountainous background and dramatic landscapes of this remote seaside town. Your experienced expedition crew will brief you on what’s ahead as you embark on your Arctic adventure.

For the next 7 days you will immerse yourself in the beauty of this spectacular remote island, on a constant search for the wildlife that makes this part of the world so intriguing. Embracing the very nature of expedition cruising there will be no particular fixed itinerary for your time in Spitsbergen, however there are a number of destinations that you can expect to visit as we navigate through western Spitsbergen and the stunning fjords and outlying islands to the north.

Each day your experienced expedition team will choose the best course for optimum wildlife viewing and the best places from which to get an insight into the history and geology of Spitsbergen. Some of the areas you can expect to visit include Hornsund, the 14th of July Glacier, Smeerenburg, Alkefjellet, Phippsoya, Poolepynton and the Hinlopen Strait.

In Hornsund polar bear viewing is almost guaranteed, with this area being one of their more favoured hunting areas, along with Alkefjellet where as well as excellent bird spotting opportunities, polar bears and Arctic foxes frequent the area in search of free bird egg meals. For exceptional photography opportunities Poolepynton is the place to be. Walrus haul-outs are very common here and as you come across the noisy spectacle of these lumbering giants vying for a choice spot on the coastline you will want to have your camera ready!

There is no shortage of natural beauty in Spitsbergen and one of the very best ways to experience this is to join an optional kayaking excursion through the more isolated pockets of the area. If weather conditions permit there may also be a chance for a snow-shoeing excursion in Smeerenburg where you can visit a memorial erected in 1906. This historical site honours the whalers who lost their lives in the 17th and 18th centuries while working in extreme Arctic conditions.

Whichever course your expedition team choose for your thrilling Spitsbergen adventure you can be assured of remarkable scenic sights, from polar flora to immense glaciers, exceptional wildlife viewing and a sense of true wilderness in these beautiful lands at the top of the world.

Our arrival back into Longyearbyen signals the end of our exciting Spitsbergen adventure. A group transfer will be provided to the airport for onward travel or to a Longyearbyen hotel if you are extending your stay.