Circumnavigating Spitsbergen

Circumnavigating Spitsbergen – The Realm of the Polar Bear – 11 Days

Prices From £7,472pp
June to August | 10 nights

Big Discounts!

No Solo Supplement!

Circumnavigating Spitsbergen – The Realm of the Polar Bear – 11 Days

Aboard: MS Fram MS Spitsbergen

Join us on an unforgettable Arctic expedition as we venture towards the 80th parallel, just 600 nautical miles from the North Pole. If ice conditions allow, we’ll attempt a full circumnavigation of Spitsbergen, the largest island in Svalbard. Along the way, explore remote fjords, towering glaciers, and dramatic ice edges while searching for incredible wildlife, from reindeer and walruses to the elusive polar bear.

Beneath the endless daylight of the Midnight Sun, experience the raw beauty of the High Arctic. Discover the historic town of Longyearbyen, scan the tundra and icy waters of Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, and navigate through ever-changing seascapes. With expert guides leading the way, every day brings new opportunities for adventure, whether hiking, scanning the seas from the ship, or exploring by small expedition boat.

Various departures available. Activities and excursions may differ.

Highlights

  • Attempt to cross the 80th parallel and circumnavigate Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island, sailing under the Midnight Sun
  • Search for Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, walruses, reindeer, and whales, and see towering bird cliffs teeming with seabirds like guillemots and fulmars
  • Explore the dramatic fjords, glaciers, and ice edges around Spitsbergen’s dramatic coastline
  • Visit historic Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town
  • Enjoy up-close cruising by small expedition boat and hike across the tundra to explore former trapper and mining sites
  • Kayaking options available (select departures – fees apply)

What's Included

  • Economy class return flights between Oslo and Longyearbyen
  • One night hotel stay in Longyearbyen pre-voyage
  • All-inclusive accommodation onboard with daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and non-premium wine, beer and spirits available at meals and throughout the day and evening
  • All day coffee, tea and soft drinks
  • Complimentary polar expedition jacket and refillable water bottle
  • Escorted landings with small expedition boats
  • Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for activities
  • In-depth lecture and discussion programme hosted by onboard experts
  • Full access to the ship’s Science Centre and Citizen Science Programme
  • Professional onboard photographer who will offer photography tips throughout
  • Use of sauna, hot tubs, fitness room, lounges and more
  • Access to professional photos from your trip
  • Gratuities

Big Discounts!

Book select departures by 31st August and receive up to 25% discount off select cabins! Plus a free suite upgrade!
Price shown includes voyage discount.

Offer applicable when booked before 1st September 2026

Full terms & conditions apply. Offer is subject to availability and may be removed or updated at any time. / Available on selected dates/vessels.

No Solo Supplement!

Book select departures by June 30th and solo travellers can book select cabins without a single supplement!

Offer applicable when booked before 1st July 2026

Full terms & conditions apply. Subject to availability. / Available on selected dates/vessels.

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Oslo to Longyearbyen
1Day

Oslo to Longyearbyen

Your Arctic adventure begins with an included flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town and the administrative capital of the magnificent Svalbard archipelago. Upon arriving in Longyearbyen, in the heart of Spitsbergen, you will check into a comfortable hotel for an included overnight stay. Time allowing, head out to explore this unique and colourful Arctic settlement, where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles, and enjoy a relaxing evening at your leisure.

Longyearbyen - Embark
2Day

Longyearbyen - Embark

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, enjoy an included excursion that will offer you a brief insight into this unique and charming town. This is the perfect settlement for exploring on foot, and you may even spot the odd reindeer sauntering by as you stroll through the colourful main street.

In the afternoon you will board your impressive expedition vessel and prepare for your adventure to truly begin as we set sail through the Isfjorden and into the wilderness.

Ny-Ålesund Area
3Day

Ny-Ålesund Area

Today, immerse yourself in the tranquillity of Ny-Ålesund and the stunning fjords of Krossfjord and Kongsfjord. With the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s nearby geodetic station requiring a temporary disconnection from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to unplug and fully embrace the untouched beauty of the Arctic.

Once a remote mining outpost and the launch site for Roald Amundsen’s historic airship Norge, Ny-Ålesund is now a leading centre for global science and climate research. As you explore, traces of its pioneering past remain visible amidst the modern research stations.

Surrounded by dramatic glacial landscapes, we’ll navigate the fjords, ready for adventure at every turn. Whether launching our small expedition boats, setting foot on shore for a hike, or cruising past towering ice formations, the Arctic’s raw beauty awaits.

Expedition Days
4 - 5Days

Expedition Days

Over the next two days, immerse yourself in the wild beauty of Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. This remote landscape of towering mountains, expansive glaciers, and scattered offshore islands is home to some of the Arctic’s most iconic wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for whales, seals, walruses, and reindeer - and if luck is on our side, we may even spot a polar bear from the ship’s Observation Deck.

In breathtaking Kongsfjord, witness massive glaciers calving into the sea, a powerful display of nature’s forces.

Adventure awaits at every turn. We’ll make the most of every opportunity to explore, whether paddling through icy waters in kayaks, venturing ashore in our small expedition boats for a hike, or taking part in a meaningful beach clean-up to help preserve this pristine environment.

Ice Edge Attempt
6Day

Ice Edge Attempt

If conditions permit, we’ll set sail northward, aiming to cross the 80th parallel and reach the ever-shifting ice edge. This dynamic transition between the frozen Arctic Ocean and open sea is a breathtaking, fleeting wonder where drifting pack ice and scattered floes create a mesmerising landscape. From the ship, keep watch for wildlife as seals and walruses are often seen resting on the shimmering ice, offering incredible photo opportunities. If the conditions align, we’ll lower our expedition boats into the water for an unforgettable, up-close experience amid the floating ice.

The ice edge is constantly moving, shaped by the seasons and shifting conditions, making our visit an ambitious goal rather than a guarantee. From May to August, as summer advances, the ice retreats further north, and it may be beyond our reach. Should that be the case, we’ll instead explore the dramatic fjords, towering glaciers, and stunning landscapes along the Svalbard coast. By late July and August, the tundra bursts into life, with vibrant wildflowers painting the Arctic in unexpected splashes of colour, offering a striking contrast to the icy wilderness.

Eastern Spitsbergen
7 - 8Days

Eastern Spitsbergen

We spend the next two days scouting for polar bears, seabirds, and walruses as our adventures continue. If sea ice allows, we’ll journey into the frozen seascape of Eastern Spitsbergen, where the wilderness feels both vast and untamed.

Over the next two days, we have high hopes of spotting the elusive polar bear, along with walruses and thriving colonies of Brünnich’s Guillemots and other seabirds in the Hinlopen Strait. Our route may take us south to Freemansundet and Kapp Lee or across to the remote shores of Edgeøya and Barentsøya, where we’ll launch our small expedition boats to explore.

In true expedition style, our exact course will be shaped by the conditions on the day. Channel your inner explorer with thrilling landings, hikes, and kayak excursions. Should the ice block our passage through the Hinlopen Strait, adventure still awaits as we shift our focus to the wonders of western Svalbard. We’ll navigate through dramatic fjords and alongside towering, calving glaciers, always on the lookout for the remarkable wildlife that calls this Arctic wilderness home.

Hornsund & Bellsund
9 - 10Days

Hornsund & Bellsund

Having sailed along the southern coast of Spitsbergen, your expedition cruise reaches Hornsund, one of Svalbard’s most stunning fjords. Lush Arctic vegetation gives way to dramatic mountains, while seals and whales may be spotted from deck alongside glaciers calving into the sea.

Next, we venture to the snowcapped peaks of Bellsund, where towering cliffs host colonies of auks, guillemots, and Northern Fulmars, with Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer roaming below. Explore remnants of early mining settlements and hear the story of Wanny Woldstad, Svalbard’s first female trapper.

As always, our plans will be guided by the changing weather, with your Expedition Team selecting the best opportunities for exploration each day.

Longyearbyen to Oslo
11Day

Longyearbyen to Oslo

Arrival back into port at Longyearbyen will signal the conclusion of your thrilling Spitsbergen expedition cruise and it will sadly be time to disembark and bid farewell to your expedition team. A transfer will be provided to the airport for your included flight back to Oslo. Should you wish to spend more time in this fascinating part of the world, there are a wide range of additional adventures available here, please just enquire for more details and we will be happy to help you with your plans.

A view from Above

All Aboard

MS Fram
Mid range vessel

MS Fram

Refurbished in 2025 and purpose-built for polar exploration, MS Fram is a modern expedition ship that carries forward the legacy of one of history’s most iconic vessels. Named after the original Fram, which once ventured deep into Arctic ice under legendary explorers, this contemporary ship blends heritage with innovation. Hosting around 200 guests, its smaller size allows for closer access to remote landscapes, whether navigating Arctic fjords in summer or Antarctica’s icy wilderness in winter. With upgraded cabins and an advanced Science Centre, MS Fram offers an immersive journey designed to deepen your connection to the world’s most extreme environments.

On board, Scandinavian-inspired interiors create a warm and inviting atmosphere, with bright, airy spaces and natural materials throughout. Guests can unwind in the panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar, dine in two restaurants featuring regionally inspired cuisine, or relax in the sauna and outdoor hot tubs after a day of exploration. Accommodation ranges from comfortable Polar cabins to spacious Expedition Suites, some with private balconies and added privileges. Combining expert-led discovery with modern comfort, MS Fram delivers an authentic and enriching expedition experience at the ends of the earth.

MS Spitsbergen
Mid range vessel

MS Spitsbergen

Named after the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, MS Spitsbergen is a modern expedition ship that combines heritage with contemporary design. Rebuilt in 2016 and extensively refreshed in 2025, it accommodates just 150 guests, offering an intimate and relaxed atmosphere ideal for exploring remote regions. With a smaller size and agile design, MS Spitsbergen can access off-the-beaten-track destinations, bringing guests closer to nature across Arctic landscapes and beyond.

On board, Scandinavian-inspired interiors create a calm and stylish environment, with panoramic lounges, open decks, and a welcoming Explorer Lounge & Bar for sharing daily experiences. The upgraded Science Centre lies at the heart of the expedition, where guests can engage with expert guides and deepen their understanding of each destination. Dining highlights regional flavours in a relaxed setting, while facilities such as the sauna, fitness room, and outdoor hot tubs offer space to unwind. Accommodation ranges from cosy Polar cabins to spacious Expedition Suites, some with private balconies, ensuring a comfortable base for every adventure.

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 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.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

Sheena’s abiding love of adventure travel has taken her to some of the most incredible wildlife-rich places on Earth. Her vast experience and genuine desire to share her knowledge makes her an outstanding and invaluable person to help you organise your wildlife adventure trip.

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
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

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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