Circumnavigating Spitsbergen – In the Realm of the Polar Bear

Enjoy time in Oslo before flying to Svalbard

 Your expedition begins in Oslo, Norway's fjord-side capital, a city rich in history with a thriving art scene. Wander the Ekebergparken sculpture park, admire the striking Opera House and Munch Museum, relax in a floating sauna on the harbour, or head to Sørenga for urban beach life and New Nordic cuisine, before settling in for the night in an airport hotel.  

The town at the top of the world

After an early breakfast, you’ll fly to Longyearbyen. 

A short panoramic bus tour offers a first glimpse of the town and its surroundings before lunch. Afterwards, enjoy some free time in Longyearbyen before being transferred to the ship for boarding.

This former coal-mining settlement is small and easy to explore on foot. Wander along the main street, lined with boutique shops, an art gallery, and inviting restaurants. You might even spot a Svalbard reindeer wandering by.

If you’d like to experience even more of Longyearbyen’s unique surroundings, consider joining our voyage with an extended stay in Longyearbyen.

Experience science, serenity, and epic scenery 

Today you’ll discover the serenity of Ny-Ålesund and neighbouring fjords such as Krossfjord and Kongsfjord. Disconnect and enjoy a day without distractions as the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s nearby geodetic station means we must switch off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. 

One of the northernmost settlements and a former mining town, Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for Roald Amundsen’s expeditions north with the airship ‘Norge’. Now a hub for global science and climate research, you can still see remnants of the town’s history. 

You’ll be immersed in rugged, glacial scenery as we explore the fjords around Ny-Ålesund. Be ready for adventure; we’ll seize any opportunity to launch our Zodiacs, go ashore to hike, or cruise by majestic glaciers.

Experience pristine Arctic wilderness

Over the next two days, we'll explore the rugged tundra of this breathtaking national park, where steep mountains, glaciers, and offshore islands form a unique Arctic landscape. 

We'll scout for seals, walrus, and reindeer, and early in the season there's a good chance of spotting polar bears too, so we'll always be on the lookout for these iconic but elusive predators. This is also one of Svalbard's most historically rich areas, full of artefacts from its exploratory past.

Be ready for adventure: we'll seize any opportunity to launch kayaks, head ashore by Zodiac to hike, or take part in a beach clean-up.

Sail to the edge of the polar ice cap

If conditions allow, we’ll sail north and cross the 80th parallel to explore the ever-changing ice edge. The transition zone between the ice cap and the sea is a magical yet ephemeral place where the waters are filled with ice floes and drifting pack ice. From the ship, there are great opportunities for spotting wildlife, such as seals and walruses who lounge on the sparkling ice. And if the conditions are right, we’ll lower our Zodiacs into the water and enjoy an unforgettable close-up experience amid the floating ice.  

The ice edge isn't a fixed boundary. It shifts with the season and conditions, so reaching it is an attempt rather than a certainty. From May to August, as summer progresses, it retreats further towards the pole and may be out of reach. If so, we'll explore the no-less-impressive fjords, glaciers, and incredible scenery of the Svalbard coast.  

Scouting for polar bears, seabirds, and walruses 

Be ready for anything. If sea ice permits, we'll venture into the frozen seascape of Eastern Spitsbergen, scouting for polar bears, walrus, and colonies of Brünnich's guillemots through the legendary Hinlopen Strait. We may head south to Freemansundet and Kapp Lee, or explore Edgeøya and Barentsøya by Zodiac. 

In true expedition style, where we go depends on conditions. If the ice doesn't allow passage east, we'll delve deeper into western Svalbard, navigating deep fjords and past calving glaciers in search of remarkable Arctic wildlife. Either way, expect exhilarating landings, hikes, and kayak trips at every turn. 

Majestic glaciers, birds, and pioneer history

Your expedition cruise continues south towards Hornsund,  one of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords. Colourful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. The cliffs here are home to large colonies of auks, guillemots, and northern fulmars, along with Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer below.  

Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, Mount Hornsundtind, and glaciers reaching into the sea, and learn about Wanny Woldstad, the famous female trapper to hunt in Svalbard. 

Then we head to admire the classic beauty of the snowcapped mountains of Bellsund: a historic area where you can see evidence of former whaling and mining activity on the shoreline.

Our activities will be determined by the ever-changing weather conditions of Hornsund and Bellsund. Your Expedition Team will decide on the best possibilities for exploring on the day. 

A final day on top of the world

 Your Arctic adventure ends in Longyearbyen, where you’ll catch your flight back to Oslo. You'll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice, and climate change than you arrived with and memories of an incredible experience.