The autumn in Svalbard offers beautiful colors, a warm light, and spectacular sunsets. The ice in the eastern parts of the archipelago has usually retreated at this time, which offers good opportunities to explore the more seldom-visited parts around Nordaustlandet. With ten nights on board the M/S Sjoveien, there is plenty of time for grand nature experiences and wildlife encounters.
Highlights
Embark on daily Zodiac cruises in search of Arctic wildlife
Cruise along Svalbard's impressive fjords and glaciers
Discover Eastern Svalbard and the glaciers of Nordaustlandet
Explore Southwest Spitsbergen and the grand fjords of Hornsund
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
You are now in a part of the world which is totally dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Your exact itinerary depends on these factors and on the wildlife you encounter. The ambition is to make landings or cruises every day with the Zodiacs. Here are some examples of places you may visit:
Northwest Spitsbergen
The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is situated in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. Two other courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. Swedish balloonist Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman started with an airship. There are still interesting remnants from these expeditions left on this site.
Magnificent fjords
Svalbard offers the visitor countless spectacular fjords. During your journey explore a few of them such as: Liefdefjorden, meaning “the fjord of love," is lined with snow-covered mountain peaks and here, hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier. In Krossfjorden, revel in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier to the raucous greeting of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots on the nearby cliffs. Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty and dominated by beautiful glaciers. It is also a favorite spot for seals.
Hinlopen Strait and Alkefjellet
If the ice allows, enter Hinlopen Strait. Here is Alkefjellet, an impressive, basaltic cliff, which is the home to an estimated 200,000 Brünnich’s guillemots. You may also continue into the beautiful bay Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet.
Eastern Svalbard
The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by an enormous ice cap and fascinates naturalists as well as historians. There are huge glacier fronts here, intersected by hundreds of waterfalls.
Barentsøyaand Edgeøya offer magnificent landscapes and vast tundra. Chances to encounter walruses, arctic fox, and Svalbard reindeer are good here.
Southwest Spitsbergen
The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of towering mountain peaks, often reaching above the clouds. On a clear day you can see the summit of the highest mountain, Hornsundtind, measuring 1431 meters. Hornsund is a favorite haunt for some of Svalbard’s polar bears and bearded seals are often seen resting on the fjord ice.
Day 11: Disembark in Longyearbyen
1 Breakfast
Early morning, disembark the expedition ship and begin your journey back home.
Please note: The itinerary is for guidance only. Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions, wildlife, and government regulations. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to maximize your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Twin Cabin with portholes
Located on the lower deck, four cabins featuring twin beds, portholes, and private facilities.
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Twin Cabin with windows
Located on the main deck, two larger cabins featuring twin beds, windows, and private facilities.
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Double Cabin Superior
Located on the main deck is one large superior cabin with a double bed, windows, and private facilities. Another superior cabin is located on the upper deck.
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Twin Cabin for single use
Located on the lower deck, available for single occupancy.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.