Spitsbergen & Franz Josef Land

Your expedition begins in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital and largest town in Svalbard. Having arrived independently, you will make your way to the ship to board your expedition vessel in the afternoon. As we set sail through Isfjorden, keep an eye out for seabirds and marine wildlife following the ship.

A thoroughly enjoyable two-day sail will see us travel up Spitsbergen’s spectacular west coast and then east towards Franz Josef Land, exploring along the ice edge as we go. As we sail you can expect sightings of whales, seabirds, seals, and maybe even some Polar bears. Your onboard lecture and presentation programme will also begin, covering everything from Polar exploration to Arctic wildlife and geology.

On day 4 we will arrive in the 192-island archipelago of Franz Josef Land, one of the most scenic, wildlife-rich and historically important areas of the Arctic Ocean. This stunning, mostly-glaciated archipelago is home to iconic wildlife and exceptional scenery that is certain to impress. As with all Polar expeditions, our itinerary will be flexible to allow for changing weather and ice conditions, and your experienced captain and crew will take advantage of every opportunity for unrivalled experiences.

Before beginning our exploration of the archipelago we will get clearance from the Russian base Nagurskoye on Alexandra Land, where we will welcome on board four guides / inspectors from the Russian Arctic National Park who will accompany us throughout our exploration. Our first landing in the archipelago is likely to be on the southern part of Arthur Island where we will hope for our first sightings of Polar bears.

On day 5 we plan to sail to Rudolf Island, the northernmost island in the archipelago, to see an abandoned Russian station in Teplitz Bay and some reminders of the Italian and American expeditions here around the turn of the 19th century. We will also hope to make land at Cape Fligely, the northernmost landmass in Eurasia.

Day 6 is likely to be a great day for wildlife encounters and thrilling Zodiac excursions as we head south through the archipelago and make our way to Apollonov Island for a Zodiac cruise close to a large haul-out site for walruses. We will then visit Cape Norvegia on Jackson Island to see the site where Nansen and Johansen spent the winter after leaving the m/v Fram in 1895, before we sail through the narrow but spectacular straits surrounding Ziegler Island.

Continuing our exploration of Franz Josef Land, we now make our way to Wiener Neustadt Island where we will land at Cape Tirol, before heading to the famous Champ Island to enjoy some exploration around the island’s iconic enormous spherical stone formations. Later that day, an enjoyable sail will see us travel along the coast of Alger Island surrounded by mountainous islands boasting impressive glacier fronts.

Another highlight will see us sail along the mightily impressive cliff face of Rubini Rock on Hooker Island’s Tikhaya Bay. Here you are likely to see Greenland whales, harp seals, bearded seals and large colonies of seabirds including kittiwakes, fulmars, little auks and Brünnich’s and Black guillemots.

At Cape Flora on Northbrook Island you will learn all about how this area was used as a base for several historic expeditions, whilst at nearby Günther Bay a Zodiac cruise should bring us close to another important walrus haul-out site. Other areas we may visit around here include Bell Island.

On the morning of day 9 we will return to Nagurskoye where the four inspectors from Franz Josef Land National Park will disembark and we will sail on back west to Spitsbergen.

Arriving back in the Svalbard archipelago, you will enjoy a day of exploration around the Sjuøyane island group (Seven Islands), including a visit to Phippsøya, before moving west along the northern coast of Spitsbergen to Krossfjorden. Here you can enjoy a sail through staggeringly scenic alpine mountaintops, active glaciers, and rich vegetation.

Arrival back into Longyearbyen signals the end of our exciting Arctic cruise, and after breakfast you will disembark and bid a fond farewell to your expedition team and new-found friends. You may wish to spend some further time here exploring this unique Arctic town or enjoying some of the many extra excursions and activities that are on offer here. Please enquire for details of the land-based activities that we would be happy to arrange for you. Otherwise, it’s sadly time to make your way to the airport for your onward or homeward flights, filled with memories of the adventure of a lifetime.