Svalbard Encompassed

Svalbard Encompassed 11 days

Prices From £5,672pp
July Only | 10 nights

Svalbard Encompassed 11 days

Aboard: SH Vega

Embark on this incredible Svalbard Circumnavigation cruise on board a boutique expedition ship touring Norway’s remote Svalbard archipelago within the Arctic Circle. Feast your eyes on the alluring icy blue waters of the polar region as we sail past glaciers calving icebergs to the edge of far-reaching slabs of pack ice that can only be seen in this part of the world. Experience the unique arctic environment, endless days and the rarely seen wildlife that populates it. Very few people ever spot polar bears, walrus, reindeer and arctic foxes in their natural habitat, while thousands of seabirds, beluga whales track our voyage through this unforgettable icy wilderness.

Highlights

  • Attend a midnight sun concert at the Arctic Cathedral in Tromso, Norway’s arctic gateway city
  • Sail past Spitsbergen’s most beautiful glacier, Monacobreen, as it calves icebergs
  • Spy on hundreds of polar bears, seals, walruses, whales and arctic foxes in their natural habitat
  • Inspect tundra-loving wildflowers such as tufted saxifrage and arctic white campion in Wijdefjorden
  • Learn more about this isolated polar region from our on board team of experts
  • Kayaking options available (select departures - fees apply)

What's Included

  • Return regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (where specified)
  • Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
  • One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
  • All meals onboard
    24-hour room service
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Standard WiFi
  • Onboard gratuities and port taxes
  • One selected shore excursion/expedition activity per port of call
  • Expedition parka and use of rubber boots

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Tromsø
1Day

Tromsø

Known as the Arctic gateway, Tromso is a remote Norwegian city at 69° north, 250 miles above the Arctic Circle, where you can take in the soft glow of the midnight sun. Learn more about early polar explorations at the Polar Museum. Famed for the Northern Lights on winter nights, you can find out more about this natural spectacle at the Science Centre.

Bear Island
2Day

Bear Island

The greatest bird cliff in the Barents Sea is on Bear Island, or Bjørnøya, Svalbard’s southernmost island. Thousands of breeding seabirds - Atlantic puffin, northern gannet, glaucous gull, great skua, black-legged kittiwake, little auk, common guillemot and Brünnich’s guillemot colonies nest on the steep cliffs south of Sørhamna around Kapp Kolthoff. Only Zodiacs can come alongside, where distinctive sea stack rock columns, impressive sea caves and tunnels, such as Perleporten, have been created by the battering seas.

Svalbard
3 - 5Days

Svalbard

Located deep inside the Arctic Circle, approaching the Svalbard archipelago feels a lot like sailing towards the edge of the world. Known as the kingdom of the polar bears, we’ll be hoping to spot some of its subjects as we explore some of the most varied polar landscapes in the Arctic. Down in our Zodiac boats, we’ll get close to the gargantuan glaciers, rapidly retreating from the oceans that they feed.

Hinlopen Strait
6Day

Hinlopen Strait

Hinlopen Strait is a waterway that divides Svalbard’s largest island, Spitsbergen, from its second-largest island, Nordaustlandet. Whilst often congested with ice, this is a scenic place with interesting history and rich wildlife, including polar bears and several species of ducks and geese. The name is probably derived from the director of a Dutch whaling company in the 17th century. Sailing in the Hinlopen Strait, in the heart of the Arctic Ocean promises an unforgettable experience and offers offers breathtaking panoramas.

Svalbard
7 - 9Days

Svalbard

In the north of the archipelago, past the magnificent fjords, the remaining sea ice offers the perfect hunting ground for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, the landscape is punctuated with large areas devoid of snow and ice alongside vast tundra and exposed beaches. Alongside Svalbard’s 3,000 polar bears, this Arctic wildlife hotspot is also home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seal, the arctic fox and many species of marine mammals and seabirds.

At Sea
10Day

At Sea

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books.

Disembark Tromsø
11Day

Disembark Tromsø

Known as the Arctic gateway, Tromso is a remote Norwegian city at 69° north, 250 miles above the Arctic Circle, where you can take in the soft glow of the midnight sun. Learn more about early polar explorations at the Polar Museum. Famed for the Northern Lights on winter nights, you can find out more about this natural spectacle at the Science Centre.

A view from Above

All Aboard

SH Vega
Luxury  first class vessel

SH Vega

Launching in April 2022 the magnificent SH Vega will offer elegant 5-star boutique accommodation aboard a ship that has been decorated in a Scandi-design style to provide ultimate comfort and enjoyment. With an intimate atmosphere, the ship carries just 152 guests and has been built to allow for exploration in off the beaten path destinations, including the Polar regions. With a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers, all journeys will be very smooth and comfortable.

All areas of the vessel are decorated and furnished in a sophisticated style, with wide open public spaces and unobstructed views throughout the ship. Features of this luxury vessel will include a wonderful al-fresco dining area surrounding a heated outdoor pool, a wellness area with state-of-the-art gym, jacuzzi and sauna with breathtaking sea views, a beautiful main restaurant, welcoming club lounge and supremely comfortable observation lounge.

The 76 staterooms are equally stylish. From the standard staterooms to amazing suites, each room is luxurious, cosy and expertly designed. Each room features a luxury en-suite bathroom and living area, whilst higher category rooms also feature balconies, spacious walk-in wardrobes and separate living rooms.

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.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

Having amassed a host of extraordinary adventures in destinations all over the world, Sheena’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 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.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

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