Have questions? We're here.
Glimpse the King of the Arctic

Polar Bear Special - North Spitsbergen

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard MV Plancius
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Svalbard trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
Spend 8 days along the northern coast of Spitsbergen searching for the King of the North - the polar bear. Board the MV Plancius and navigate north along the western coast of Svalbard and cruise through fjords to spectacular glaciers, through ice-pack, and into remote regions. There are ample opportuntities to view and photograph arctic wildlife such as polar bear, walrus, arctic fox, whales, and seals. Join this true polar experience for any wildlife and photography enthusiast! 
Surfacing Humpback WhalesPolar bear relaxing on an iceberg.Unforgettable shades of blueA mother bear and her two cubsGlimpse the King of the Arctic
Highlights
  • Explore Longyearbyen and visit its parish churches & Polar Museum
  • Enjoy opportunities to view and photograph polar bears
  • Navigate through deep fjords and around spectacular glaciers
  • Search for whales, seals, seabirds, arctic foxes, and walruses
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Longyearbyen | Embark

Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago, of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting. In the surrounds of Longyearbyen, more than 100 species of plant have been recorded. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where in the mouth of the fjord you may see your first minke whale.

Day 2: Raudfjord

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sail to Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favored by ringed and bearded seal. The cliffs and shoreline of the fjord also support thriving seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation, which flourishes in sheltered spots. Polar bear are often seen here.

Day 3: Andøya | Liefdefjorden

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Depending on the weather you may sail to the mouth of Liefdefjorden and go ashore for a walk on the tundra island of Andøya. Many common eider and pink-footed goose nest here, and the more rare king eider may also be seen. The ship may sail into Liefdefjorden, cruising near the 5km long face of the impressive Monaco Glacier. The waters of the glacier front are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes. As well, polar bear have been seen on the glacier, providing wonderful opportunities for photography.

Day 4: Hinlopen Strait

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seal, ringed seal, polar bear, and ivory gull. At the entrance there is the possibility to see blue whale. Navigate the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in your zodiac and explore the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopenstrait, attempt a landing at Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet, home to reindeer, pink-footed goose, breeding ivory gull, and walrus.

Day 5: Phippsøya

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Try to reach the northernmost point of your journey at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here find yourself at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, along with ivory gulls. The ship may sit for several hours in the pack ice before turning west again.

Day 6: Retracing Westward Route

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Retracing your route westwards, venture through and along the pack ice, keeping watch for polar bear and the elusive Greenland whale (bowhead). About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen sail along the edge of the continental shelf, where fin whale forage in summer in the upwellings along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of the Kongsfjord you have also good chances to see minke whale.

Day 7: St. Johns Fjord | Isfjorden

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In Forlandsundet at Sarstangen is a haul-out place for walruses. Alternatively, sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden and land at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on its cliffs and arctic foxes search the cliff base for fallen eggs and chicks, while Spitsbergen reindeer graze the relatively luxuriant vegetation. At nighttime arrive in Longyearbyen.

Day 8: Longyearbyen | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Return to Longyearbyen and disembark for the transfer to the airport and the flight to Oslo and home.

Ship/Hotel

MV Plancius

MV Plancius
MV Plancius

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$4,100
Quadruple Porthole
Select a Date
Quadruple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Quadruple Porthole
Select a Date
Triple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin porthole cabin
Select a Date
Twin with Porthole
9 twin private cabins with porthole. Two Lower berths. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin with window
Select a Date
Twin with Window
26 twin private cabins with window. Two Lower berths (ca. 15 m2)
Twin Deluxe
Select a Date
Twin Deluxe
2 twin private deluxe cabins. Lower berths - two single beds.(ca. 15 m2)
Superior
Select a Date
Superior
10 twin superior cabins. Lower berth - double bed. (ca. 21 m2)

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Single occupancy: All cabins 1.7 times the share twin price
-Children between the ages of 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Plancius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
  • All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
  • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
  • Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
  • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure material.

  • Transfers and Baggage Handling between the Airport, Hotels & Ship Only for Those on the Group Flights to/from Longyearbyen.
  • AECO Fees and Governmental Taxes
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
  • Meals ashore
  • Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
  • Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
  • Medical travel insurance, including emergency medical attention and evacuation coverage with a minimum of $100,000 of evacuation coverage is required.

Map

Inquire

* By providing your phone number, you consent to receive direct phone calls or SMS messages from our Trip Planners to get the process started. We do not share your information with third-parties.
Travel Agents

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By