Polar Bears and Arctic Adventure in Spitsbergen

Overview:

Holiday price is from £ 3,655 per person based on availability and two people sharing a cabin and a standard double/twin room.

2024 Departure Dates: Tuesday - Monday 

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Oslo

Arrival in Oslo and overnight in an airport hotel. 

Day 2: Oslo - Longyearbyen, Svalbard 

Morning flight from Oslo to Svalbard and your adventure starts with an overnight stay in Longyearbyen. This Norwegian settlement is a unique little town. While the arctic environment is dominant, it is also a surprisingly cosmopolitan place, with art galleries, pubs, long wine lists at restaurants, stores and a mini-mall.

Longyearbyen is often called an antidote to the stress of modern day life and is a prime destination for adventure travellers. Reminders of the history and heritage of early coal miners can be seen everywhere. When Coal Mine number 1 was opened in the 1930’ s, the miners moved into flimsy two-story barracks. When World War II ravaged Europe, Svalbard was also impacted when Nybyen was set on fire in 1943. After the war, the miners moved back and into the newly built barracks.

These “barracks” have been completely renovated to offer our guests a high standard of comfort. Spitsbergen Hotel was originally built as an accommodation and dining area for employees of Store Norske Spitsbergen Coal Company. It was also the company’ s official representational building. Its interior and architecture made it Longyearbyen’ s grandest construction. The hotel is preserved and decorated using its history.

It's well worth walking through the corridors and public areas to look at the historical photographs and pictures, old maps and newspaper stories. Situated on "The Hill", it gives you great views of Longyearbyen, the Lars- and Longyear glacier. The hotel was constructed in 1947, but has been extensively refurbished over the years. You spend the night in one of these hotels.

Day 3: Discover Two Very Different Settlements

After breakfast, you can take the morning to relax and explore this quaint town. Maybe you’ll encounter the Svalbard reindeer that are often seen walking around Longyearbyen, minding their own business. Although wild, you’ll find them quite curious and tame.

After lunch in one of the town’s restaurants, bring your bags to the bus and enjoy a guided tour that includes a visit to the Svalbard Museum. Here, you can find out all about the history, geology, and wildlife of the archipelago. Afterwards, we’ll pay a visit to Camp Barentz, where you’ll learn about polar bears. While you’re there, keep an eye out for reindeer, grouse, and foxes.

The historic MS Nordstjernen awaits at the harbour. Built in 1956, it’s one of our most beloved and longest-serving vessels. Despite modernisation for exclusive Arctic sailing in 2000 and 2013, MS Nordstjernen has retained its traditional Atlantic ship aura and offers a timeless experience not found on many other vessels.

After you settle in, we set sail in the Isfjord, the most prominent fjord system in the Svalbard archipelago. Branching out to many smaller fjords, it forms a lush and beautiful system rich in wildlife and vegetation. Prepare to see majestic glacier fronts and immense U-shaped valleys carved out of the mountains by giant glaciers some 10,000 years ago.

To the north of the fjord, look out for Alkhornet, an imposing example of carbonate rock, with a horn-shaped mount at its peak. Naturally, the surrounding wildlife has conquered it. This region is home to Arctic fox, Svalbard reindeer, and colonies of guillemots and kittiwakes.

Day 4: Cultural Heritage and Arctic Wilderness

Leaving behind what little civilisation there is, we now enter full exploration mode. In these beautiful yet remote areas, there is no internet, nor are there telephone masts to provide a mobile phone signal. Free from emails and text messages, you can enjoy a rare opportunity to disconnect and detox from the modern world. It’s time to really get back in sync with what truly matters.

Spitsbergen means “pointy mountains”. If there’s one place that embodies that definition more than others, it’s Magdalenefjord. Framed by spectacular views of jagged mountain peaks and glaciers, this breathtaking fjord has an Alpine feel to it, despite its remote location in the far north-west. The reflection of snow-capped mountains perfectly mirrored in the waters’ glassy surface is undoubtedly one of Svalbard’s most iconic sights.

We arrive in the morning and hope to make a landing to explore this wonderful Arctic wilderness. If we’re successful, you’ll be setting foot on land with a rich history of exploration – Magdalenefjord has lured explorers for centuries. Arctic explorer Willem Barents famously came here in 1596, naming it "Tusk Bay" because of the walrus tusks he found here.

The beautiful beach is peppered with evidence of a whaling station from the 17th Century, with blubber ovens, a cemetery of 130 graves, and a memorial to the whalers.

Long before explorers set foot on Magdalenefjord, the stunning views were the preserve of wildlife. Today, the scree slopes are breeding grounds for large numbers of Little Auks, and you might also see Arctic Terns, Skuas, Eider Ducks, and Barnacle Geese. In the summer months, the surrounding waters host minke and beluga whales. Scan for seals on the floating sea ice and, if it’s your lucky day, you might catch a glimpse of a polar bear.

Day 5: Chances of Seeing Polar Bears

Svalbard is a land of contrasts. Within Woodfjord’s vast fjord system is a varied and unique landscape featuring striking red mountains of Devonian sandstone, cone-shaped remnants of three volcanoes, and thermal springs.

Woodfjord’s beautiful tundra is rich in flora enhanced by the oxidised soil in the Old Red areas. Hiking here will reward you with gorgeous views of purple saxifrage and spider plants.

The stunning views continue in Liefdefjord, which means "The Love Fjord" in English. It is possibly named after a Dutch ship, but it could also very well be because of its jaw-dropping views. Rolling red hills give way to snow-capped mountains inland.

The area around Liefdefjord is also a great place to scan for wildlife. The sights and sounds of thousands of sea birds like kittiwakes, terns and eiders fill the sky. As ever, the weather and ice will determine where we land and what activities we’ll do.

If the conditions are favourable, we plan to sail above 80° North, bringing you within 600 nautical miles of the North Pole. This far north, the sun is visible for 24 hours. Under the glorious Midnight Sun, you’ll have even more time to enjoy the stunning views from the deck.

Directly above 80° North is Moffen, a stark, gravely island known for its walrus population. Large numbers of them are known to gather at the southern tip of the island. Seeing these huge marine mammals frolic on the shore is always a highlight. Our approach to the island will adhere to the 300m exclusion zone to avoid disturbing this vulnerable animal.

Day 6: Fjords, Glaciers and Research

Also known as Kong’s Fjord or King’s Bay, Kongsfjord is the largest fjord on the north-west coast of Spitsbergen. Two imposing glaciers, Kongsvegen and the colossal Kongsbreen, watch over the entrance of the fjord. As we sail silently, you might hear the tell-tale creaks and groans of chunks of glacier ice about to plunge into the sea. Framed by picturesque mountain formations, it’s undoubtedly one of Svalbard’s most scenic spots.

Hiking in the lush tundra will allow you to observe birds in a pristine environment. Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Atlantic Puffins and guillemots are just some of the species found here in the summer months. A bird sanctuary consisting of about ten islands lies at the inner end of the fjord, and supports breeding populations of protected species such as Pink-footed Geese and Common Eider.

Later, we dock at the former mining settlement of Ny-Ålesund. At 78º 55’ N, this is one of the world’s northernmost year-round communities. Transformed into an international science centre, you’ll find a fair number of research stations from various countries dedicated to the study of glaciology, wildlife, and climate change.

You’ll unearth some fascinating history as you explore the settlement, which today hosts roughly 30-35 residents. Ny-Ålesund and its surrounding area are home to a large concentration of protected buildings and cultural artefacts left by Svalbard’s former settlers.

This tiny settlement is synonymous with historical attempts to reach the North Pole. Discover rich explorer history in the museum and see the mooring mast of Roald Amundsen’s airship “Norge”, before sending a postcard from the northernmost post box in the world!

Day 7: Farewell Svalbard

The Spitsbergen Adventure Voyage is over and it is time to say goodbye. An early morning transfer bus will take you to the airport for your flight.

Package Includes:

• Return flights from London to Longyearbyen via Oslo or Tromso (we can arrange flights from other UK airports upon request)
• 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler
• Airport transfers by shuttle bus in Svalbard
• 1 nights' accommodation in an Oslo airport hotel incl. breakfast
• 1 nights' accommodation at the above-mentioned accommodation depending on your chosen cabin grade incl. breakfast
• 4 nights’ accommodation in MS Nordstjernen
• Full board on MS Nordstjernen
• 3-hour sightseeing including Camp Barentz and Museum ending at the pier for embarking
• Landings with small boats and activities on board and ashore
• Professional English-speaking Expedition team
• Free tea and coffee
• 24-hour emergency service
• ATOL protection
• All taxes

You'll see...

• Svalbard – Attractions And Activities
• Svalbard – History
• Svalbard – Polar Bears And Other Wildlife