Svalbard Adventure

Svalbard Adventure 9 Days

Prices From £5,241pp

May to July | 8 nights

Svalbard Adventure 9 Days

Aboard: M/S Sjøveien M/S Stockholm M/S Quest

Join this fantastic voyage aboard a small and intimate Arctic expedition ship to discover the breathtaking landscapes and bountiful wildlife of Spitsbergen’s enchanting west and north coasts. The midnight sun will reign supreme, the dramatic mountain ranges will be beautifully blanketed in snow, the ever-changing ice formations will be creating the perfect scenery for us, the bird colonies will be teeming with life, seals and walruses will be lazing on the ice, Svalbard reindeers and Arctic foxes will be shedding their fur in preparation for the warmer months, and the iconic Polar bears will be venturing out and about with their new cubs. A fantastic time to discover all that makes these wild and remote lands so remarkable.

Various departures available aboard 3 different vessels. Exact route taken may vary depending on departure date and season. Please enquire for full rates and dates.

Highlights

Experience the Midnight Sun
Spectacular scenery where fjords & glaciers abound
Polar bears, whales and other wildlife
Historical sites
Enjoy a small group atmosphere, with passengers limited to 12 guests (M/S Sjøveien & M/S Stockholm), or 51 guests (M/S Quest)

What's Included

Full board accommodation on board ship with all meals and beverages
1 night hotel stay in Longyearbyen pre-expedition
Programme of lectures by expert guides
Shore and Zodiac excursions
Illustrated post-expedition log

So much to experience

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

1Day

Longyearbyen

Having arrived independently to Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of Svalbard, you will transfer to your hotel for your included overnight stay. Time allowing you can enjoy a walk around this unique Arctic town before settling down for a good night’s sleep in preparation for the adventures that lie ahead.

2 - 8Days

Exploring Svalbard

On the morning of day 2 we will begin our exploration of Svalbard with a tour around Longyearbyen, with lunch included, before making our way to the port to board your small expedition vessel to begin your voyage around Spitsbergen’s enchanting west and north coast.

As with all polar expedition cruises, flexibility throughout our voyage will be key, and as we travel through this untamed wilderness your experienced crew and captain will determine the best course for unparalleled scenic and wildlife experiences based on ice and weather conditions and likelihoods of wildlife encounters. Your crew are there to ensure you experience the very best of what Spitsbergen has to offer. Exploring by ship, Zodiac and on foot we will discover north and south of the dramatic west Spitsbergen coastline, with each day bringing a new experience and adventure. This could mean a wakeup call in the middle of the night as we sail by a polar bear on the ice, or spending more time in one destination than others due to the high concentration of wildlife. Whatever happens, this is sure to be the adventure of a lifetime!

Our route is likely to vary but there are some particular areas that we expect to visit during our time here. Our first stop is likely to be the narrow strip of Prins Karls Forland to see its beautiful landscape of snow-covered mountains and search for seals in the surrounding waters, before sailing north to Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden to explore around the scientific village of Ny-Ålesund and discover the beautifully sculpted front of the 14th of July glacier. We also hope to visit Liefdefjorden to discover its snow-covered mountain peaks and take a Zodiac cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier.

Sailing further north we plan to reach Raudfjorden, an area of immense natural beauty that is dominated by beautiful glaciers and is a favourite spot for seals and abundant birdlife, before reaching Danskøya. It is here where two of the most courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started and there are still interesting remnants from these expeditions left on this site. At this time of year we hope to be able to push even further north where we might meet the edge of the pack ice. Not many expeditions venture this far north but the size of your vessel allows it reach many places that are inaccessible to larger ships. As we spend some time soaking up the indescribable silence and grandeur of this icy landscape we have great chances of spotting polar bears along the ice floes.

Turning to sail south, our last stop is likely to be the majestic Hornsund to see the magnificent fjords and enormous glaciers that dominate the landscape. Here we will have our best chances of seeing the Kings of the Arctic…the iconic Polar bears!

9Day

Longyearbyen

Arrival back in to the port at Longyearbyen sadly signals the end of our voyage. After breakfast you will disembark, bid a fond farewell to your expedition crew and begin your journey home filled with enchanting memories of your Arctic adventure.

Please note: Various land and flight packages are available for getting to and from Longyearbyen, and also for extensions to your tour. Please enquire for further details.

A view from Above

All Aboard

Mid range vessel

M/S Sjøveien

M/S Sjøveien (meaning the Seaway) was built in Bergen in 1964 for the Norwegian Government and she worked for them in various capacities. From 1979 until 1995 she was used as a training ship for mariners. Since 1995 she has been in private ownership and during the many years since, worked for the Norwegian coast guard. After being a hotel ship for the past few years, she is now being refurbished into a classic and exclusive passenger ship and will set sail towards Svalbard in the early summer of 2017.

She is a true beauty with wooden decks and vintage details. There is a lot of deck space on the main deck and there is also an excellent area on top of the bridge, from where you have wonderful views of the magical Svalbard scenery.

To accommodate a maximum of 12 passengers there are eight outside cabins, all with private facilities. On the lower deck there are four twin cabins with portholes. On the main deck there are two larger twin cabins with windows and one large superior cabin with a double bed and windows. The eighth cabin is located on the upper deck and is a large superior cabin with windows. The dining area on the main deck is where you are served breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here is also a lounge area where you can relax with a cup of tea or coffee and listen to interesting talks by the guides. There is an international crew on board who speak English and the bridge is open for visitors.

Mid range vessel

M/S Stockholm

The M/S Stockholm is a classic ship built in 1953 for the Swedish National Maritime Administration. In 1999 she was totally refitted and started her career as a comfortable polar passenger ship. The M/S Stockholm carries a maximum of 12 passengers in twin cabins with bunk beds. All cabins have private facilities and small windows (portholes).

M/S Stockholm is a marvellous piece of maritime history with beautiful brass details and wooden decks. It is no wonder she is loved by so many! On board the ship you will enjoy delicious meals in the company of likeminded travellers, who are all fascinated by the Arctic nature, wildlife and history.

The food on board is of high standard and all beverages are included in the price. With such a small party on board, this is like travelling on a private yacht. The crew on board M/S Stockholm are also great enthusiasts of the unique wildlife and unspoiled nature. Their genuine curiosity is a prerequisite for expedition cruises of this kind. A trip on board M/S Stockholm in these northern waters, with its unique wildlife and pristine nature, is an experience of a lifetime!

Mid range vessel

M/S Quest

Formerly named Sea Endurance, the M/S Quest was built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on Greenland’s west coast. In 2004/2005 she was completely refurbished and now has a career as a small and comfortable expedition ship. The M/S Quest takes 50 passengers and all 25 cabins are outside cabins with private facilities. The triple cabins have upper and lower berths. All other cabins have two lower berths or a double bed. In your cabin you find a desk with a chair and a cupboard for storage. The superior cabins are spacious and have armchairs and TV/ DVD. The Owner’s cabin has a double bed, two large picture windows, a separate seating area and TV/DVD.

In the dining room you are treated to delicious meals in between landings and in the panorama lounge you can enjoy breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape. Here you can listen to entertaining talks on the area’s flora, fauna and history. In the lounge you also find a bar and a small library. The ship has spacious observation decks, where you can enjoy the beautiful vistas. Passengers are welcome on the bridge around the clock and there is always something to see or search for. There is an international crew on board the M/S Quest and the atmosphere is relaxed and very friendly.

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.

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.

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.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than fifteen years hands-on experience in the industry, travelling to some of the most incredible wild places on the planet. His far-reaching knowledge and invaluable skills will ensure that your wildlife travel adventure is a dream come true.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

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Svalbard Adventure