Join this 8-day Arctic adventure aboard the rare and innovative Le Boreal, a yacht that embodies the subtle alliance between luxury, intimacy, and well-being. Step aboard in Tromsø and set sail to Spitsbergen for a memorable experience discovering beautiful landscapes, jagged mountains, and valleys. Explore the island's unique nature and navigate through icebergs, massive glaciers, and glacier toes while accompanied by a team of experienced naturalist guides.
Highlights
Observe numerous sea birds seeking shelter on the island's cliffs
Experience Spitsbergen's summer days, a time where sun never sets
Explore Bear Island, the southernmost island of the Svalbard archipelago
Visit Monaco Glacier, a place where polar bears and whales can be seen
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Fly from Paris to Tromso, Norway, on a European airline. Arrive in Tromsø and transfer to Le Boreal for a late afternoon embarkation. As the gateway to Svalbard, Tromsø is the departure point for polar expeditions. Here, the infinite shades of blue and white blend and mingle endlessly. Fishing villages, fragrant botanic gardens, and crystal-clear waterfalls are just some of the wonders that make this Arctic capital way up in Norway’s north so beautiful. Do not miss your chance to discover the Arctic Cathedral, a fascinating example of Scandinavian architecture whose remarkably bold lines call to mind a great white ship standing proudly, facing the old town.
Explore Bear Island, the southernmost island of the Svalbard archipelago, halfway between Norway and Spitsbergen. The remote island is 178 km2, and relatively barren, but still fascinating. There is little plant growth, consisting mostly of moss and some scurvy grass, but no trees. Arctic fox are the only indigenous land mammals. Despite its name, Bear Island is not a permanent residence of polar bears, although many arrive with the expanding pack ice in the winter. Occasionally, a bear stays behind when the ice retreats in spring and remains through the summer months. Ringed seal and bearded seal, prey of the polar bear, live in the waters near Bjørnøya, while multitudes of seabirds nest on the southern cliffs.
Located in the country’s south, Hornsund offers an extraordinary spectacle: the permanent daylight illuminates the glaciers to reveal all of their beauty, while polar bears tirelessly roam the region.
Head to the Bellsund Fjord to follow in the footsteps of the first explorers who came from the Norwegian coast, or those of the many fur traders seeking game and trophies. Boasting an astonishingly rich wildlife, the arms of the fjord separate to form two lush valleys.
Day 5: Magdalena Bay | Sailing towards the ice floe
Visit Monaco Glacier, located in the northwest of the Svalbard Archipelago, which is probably one of Spitsbergen’s most beautiful and majestic. Named in honor of Prince Albert I of Monaco, a sailor, it stands as an impenetrable, blue-tinged jagged wall, the last glacier before reaching a latitude of 80° North. Imagine the sound of the ice cracking as it breaks free and crashes into the translucent water. To make the magical landscape even more perfect, you might be lucky enough to spot bears and whales, as these two animals have a special fondness for this area.
Discover Ny Alesund, a former mining town that has been transformed into a scientific base. Founded in 1916, this small village was the departure point for many Arctic expeditions, including those of the famous explorer Roald Amundsen. Don’t miss a visit to the museum and its famous post office, considered to be the most northerly in the world. Cross Fjord reveals its typically Arctic setting, made up of plutonic rock and tundra. Experience the wild beauty of a remote land which many species of endemic wildlife have chosen as a haven.
Day 8: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Say farewell to your fellow passgeners and Le Boreal crew and start your journey back home. Fly from Longyearbyen to Paris on a European airline.
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.
$5,760
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Superior Stateroom
8 cabins, 226 sq ft, located on Le Champollion Deck. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area and private bath.
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Deluxe Stateroom
28 cabins, 200 sq ft with private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, private bath.
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Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
Deck 4, 200 sq ft with 43 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, private bath.
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Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
Deck 5, 200 sq ft with 43 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, private bath.
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Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
Deck 6, 200 sq ft with 43 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, private bath.
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Deluxe Suites
3 suites, 290 sq ft with 54 sq ft private balcony, located on the Le France Deck. A/C, king or twin beds, seating area, desk, minibar, private bath.
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Prestige Suite - Deck 5
398 sq ft with 86 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, communicating cabins available. Separate living area, private bath.
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Prestige Suite - Deck 6
398 sq ft with 86 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, communicating cabins available. Separate living area, private bath.
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Owners Suite
1 suite, 484 sq ft with 97 sq ft private balcony. A/C, king or twin beds, communicating cabins available. Separate living, dining areas, private bath with large tub and shower, minibar, 2 flat screen TVs, DVD, CD, and IPOD, Video on demand, Satellite phone.
Notes
Please Note:
Fares are based on double occupancy and are capacity controlled. Rates may increase at any time as the ship sells out and subject to change without notice.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day 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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.