Svalbard Circumnavigation & Norway

Svalbard Circumnavigation & Norway 14 Days

Prices From £5,629pp
16 AUG, 2019 | Up to 13 nights

Svalbard Circumnavigation & Norway 14 Days

Aboard: MS Spitsbergen

This excellent itinerary takes you discover the highlight of Norway, with a full circumnavigation of Svalbard as well as visits to Bjørnøya, the North Cape and the Arctic paradise islands of Sommarøy. On this unique Arctic expedition you will sail from Longyearbyen to travel around the spectacular Svalbard archipelago in search of the bountiful wildlife, including the elusive Polar bear, and unrivalled scenic sights. Enjoying thrilling excursions and venturing to less than 600 nautical miles from the Geographical North Pole you will reach places that few have been in this remote land where the Polar bears outnumber the humans! After your in-depth exploration of Svalbard you will visit the wild and remote Bjørnøya Island before stepping foot on the northernmost point of mainland Europe and getting a sample of the pristine beauty of the Norwegian coastline.

Highlights

  • Circumnavigate the spectacular Svalbard archipelago
  • Explore Sommarøy, North Cape & Bjørnøya
  • Take part in Expedition days in Spitsbergen
  • Great chances of seeing polar bears
  • Venture to less than 600 nautical miles from the Geographical North Pole

What's Included

  • Full board accommodation on board ship
  • Economy flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen
  • Overnight stay in Longyearbyen with breakfast & lunch
  • Transfers in Longyearbyen including pre-voyage excursion
  • Wind and water-resistant jacket
  • Landings with small boats and activities on board and ashore
  • Professional English-speaking Expedition team that provide lectures as well as accompanying landings and activities
  • Free tea and coffee

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Oslo to Longyearbyen
1Day

Oslo to Longyearbyen

Your Arctic adventure will begin with an included flight from the Norwegian capital of Oslo to Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of Svalbard, where upon arrival you will be transferred to your included hotel for an overnight stay. You can enjoy an evening here in this town perched on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. Longyearbyen is surprisingly cosmopolitan, with first-class facilities, charming architecture, an internationally renowned museum and several bars and restaurants. Enjoy a great night’s sleep in preparation for the adventures that lie ahead.

Longyearbyen - Embarkation
2Day

Longyearbyen - Embarkation

This morning we can enjoy an exciting excursion in Longyearbyen allowing you to get to know this unique town and get a glimpse into life here in this most remote of areas. In the afternoon embarkation will begin and after settling in to your cabin and exploring your new surroundings you may want to spend some time on deck as we sail through the scenic Isfjord and our adventure truly begins.



NW Spitsbergen National Park
3 - 5Days

NW Spitsbergen National Park

During these days we will explore the beautiful North West corner of Spitsbergen, an exceptionally scenic area scattered with islands, fjords and beaches, and a constantly changing frozen landscape. As with all Arctic expeditions our itinerary will be flexible, with your captain constantly monitoring the weather and ice conditions to establish the best routes to take to make the most of your time here and get the very best wildlife and scenic experiences. Throughout your time here we hope to make multiple landings to bring you up close to what this remarkable area has to offer and one of the highlights will be a visit to Kongsfjorden. Kongsfjorden is considered one of the most beautiful fjord areas in Spitsbergen, with mighty glaciers calving icebergs into the sea, framed by stunning mountain formations, and we hope to go on shore here to visit the former mining settlement of Ny-Ålesund.

As we sail northwest, we reach Krossfjorden and Mitrahalvøya, where you can see ruins from the whaling period, beautiful alpine flora, bird cliffs and quite often, Svalbard reindeer.

We also hope to see the huge Monaco Glacier in Liefdefjord where we will take a Zodiac (small boat) cruise around the area. In the Magdalenafjorden and Gravneset areas we hope to offer the chance for guests to earn their Arctic Swimming Certificate as they take a dip in the frigid Arctic waters. Exciting hiking excursions, like a trip to the 151-metre-high top of Ytre Norskøya, will also be offered as we take advantage of the 19 hours of sunlight and enjoy every minute here.

Eastern Svalbard & South Spitsbergen
6 - 10Days

Eastern Svalbard & South Spitsbergen

This expedition offers the rare chance to explore the whole way around the island, and as we sail east we will be venturing even further into the wilderness to discover a world like no other. The eastern and southern areas of Spitsbergen offer the highest chances of seeing the “King of The Arctic” and with Eastern Svalbard boasting the highest population of polar bears on the archipelago our chances of unforgettable encounters are very high.

Our likely route here will be to sail to Isflakbukta on Phippsøya on the far north of the Svalbard archipelago to see the tens of thousands of seabirds that mate here and walrus diving for clams in the bay. We also aim to cruise in Sorgfjorden, which borders the North East Spitsbergen Nature Reserve, and was the site of a famous 17th-century battle between whalers. If the weather is favourable here, we can enjoy a hike in beautiful Eolsneset or a Zodiac cruise in the Hinlopen Strait area before travelling onwards to Kvitøya, the easternmost island in the Svalbard archipelago. Kvitøya is 98 % covered by the Kvitøyjøkulen ice cap and we plan to make a landing on the western point of the island to discover this rarely explored and fascinating area.

We continue on to Edgeøya, the third-largest island in the archipelago, to discover its unique and largely un-glaciated landscape before making our way round the southern cape and heading towards Hornsund. Here we will find a wonderfully varied landscape and even more chances of spotting polar bears.

Bjørnøya
11Day

Bjørnøya

As we leave the wintery wilderness of Svalbard behind and cross the Arctic Ocean towards mainland Norway we will stop halfway to step ashore on wild Bjørnøya (Bear Island), home to the largest concentration of sea birds on the Northern Hemisphere. Bjørnøya is the southernmost island of the Svalbard Archipelago and with a population of just 9 people the 126 different bird species more than outnumber the human inhabitants on these remote and rugged lands.



North Cape
12Day

North Cape

In the early hours of day 12 we recommend having your cameras ready as your ship sails past the spectacular North Cape cliff offering you a stunning view of this famous landmark on the northernmost tip of mainland Europe. A short time later we will arrive at Skarsvåg, the world's northernmost fishing village which lies along the northern coast of the island of Magerøya.

Today you can join an optional excursion to the North Cape to experience the feeling of standing at the edge of the world and to see the famous statue that marks this important spot. There is also a museum here which is worth a visit, and enough breathtaking scenery to fill your cameras.

Sommarøy
13Day

Sommarøy

The final call on our thrilling Arctic itinerary will be Sommarøy, a beautiful archipelago of small islands with white, sandy beaches and a lively fishing community. Here you may want to spend a day of relaxation doing a bit of souvenir shopping in one of the small craft shops, or for those looking for more adventure there will be a variety of excursions available here including hiking and kayaking.



Tromsø - Disembark
14Day

Tromsø - Disembark

Arrival in to the port of Tromsø signals the end of our Arctic adventure and sadly it will be time to bid a fond farewell to our expedition team and fellow passengers. Known as the Gateway to the Arctic, Tromsø is a delightful place to visit and should you wish to extend your stay here please feel free to ask for details of extra excursions.

A view from Above

All Aboard

MS Spitsbergen
Mid range vessel

MS Spitsbergen

Originally built in 2009, the Spitsbergen has been completely refurbished and now offers a range of accommodation including inside and outside cabins and suites, all with private showerrooms. Public areas are light and airy and include lounges, dining room and bistro, bars, children's playroom, library, fitness room, sauna, two jacuzzis and observation deck. There are two passenger lifts.

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Arctic adventure for you.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than 15 years of experience in the travel industry and continues to be inspired by the people, places and wildlife he discovers. His in-depth personal knowledge of a diverse range of destinations ensures your adventure itinerary will be a holiday like no other.

Amy Lucas Travel Specialist

Having amassed a host of extraordinary adventures in destinations all over the world, Amy’s experience, skills and enthusiasm for helping clients plan their ideal itinerary will help make your holiday unforgettable, action packed and life-changing.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

As Senior Travel Expert, Simon has an absolute wealth of experience in adventure travel in some of the most fascinating places in the world. With in-depth knowledge and fantastic organizational skills, Simon’s first-hand experience and genuine passion drive him to work to create your perfect itinerary.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

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0800 195 3385
Outside the uk
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43
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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

Request a
callback

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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