Luxury West Spitsbergen & Polar Ice Edge

Your adventure will begin in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Svalbard archipelago. You are invited to arrive at a time that is convenient to you and spend some time exploring at your leisure around this remote settlement. 2 nights’ accommodation in Longyearbyen is included as part of your package.

After breakfast on day 2 you will join your fellow travellers for a fun-filled day of guided activities and excursions in and around the town, designed to give you a true insight into life this far north. This will include a trip to meet some local dog mushers and enjoy a special tour through the nature of Svalbard, a visit to Coal Mine Number 3 to learn about the role and importance of mining here in the 20th century, and a memorable festive underground dinner!

This morning you can enjoy a motorcoach tour of the area followed by a visit to the excellent Svalbard Museum before returning to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the port to board the luxury polar vessel M/v Sea Spirit. Make yourself comfortable in your new surroundings as your ship sails into the wilderness through Isfjorden. Spectacular scenery abounds and with virtually 24 hour daylight at this time of year, we can already be on the lookout for marine mammals.

The spectacular fjords, coasts, and islands in the western part of Svalbard are a haven for wildlife and your ship will traverse through these lands in search of the polar bears, Arctic fox, reindeer, walrus, a variety of whales and an abundance of birds that call these lands their home.

This is a true expedition style cruise and as such the route taken will be heavily dependent on ice and weather conditions. Your experienced captain and expedition leaders will decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be assured that the best possible advantage will be taken to explore as much of this wild and remote corner of the Arctic as possible. Ice conditions dependent, we will push as far north, and as far south, as possible.

Whichever route is taken, throughout your time here you will experience the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks and immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Various species of seal keep a vigilant watch on the ice floes for the predatory polar bears, reindeers and Arctic foxes roam along the flowering tundra, the waters are often filled with bountiful walruses and a wide variety of whales, and the whole area is simply teeming with migratory birds. Yet it’s the polar bears that are often the bucket-list item, and with a bit of luck you won’t be disappointed in your search for observations of the “King of The Arctic”. We will visit some of the best places in the world to observe polar bears and sail the ship as close to the Polar Ice Edge as possible to see them stalk the frozen sea in search of seals and other prey. A truly unforgettable experience.

Your days will be filled with exciting Zodiac excursions and land visits, and as well as the scenery and wildlife there will also be time to discover the rich history and geological features of the area including the historical remnants of whaling camps, coal mining operations, trappers’ cabins, staging areas for historic attempts to discover the North Pole, and even an abandoned polar research station.

Areas visited are likely to include Hornsund, Prins Karls Forland and Ny Ålesund to name just a few.

Upon return back into Longyearbyen, a transfer to the airport or to the town center will be provided. You may wish to spend some further time here and if so, be sure to see the excellent Svalbard Museum and take advantage of the quality cultural and dining opportunities in this fascinating Arctic settlement. Please ask us about our land-based options and ideas for extending your trip.