Begin your Arctic adventure in Longyearbyen, capital of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard and starting and ending point of your 8-day expedition. Explore the many waterways and islands of this unique Arctic landscape. The long days of summer sunlight illuminate the surroundings as you slip your moorings and sail into a true wilderness where wildlife abounds. The scenery as you sail through Isfjorden on the first evening is spectacular and there is already the possibility of marine mammal encounters. From panoramic open decks, enjoy Arctic landscapes and wildlife sightings. Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to walrus and a wide variety of whales.
Highlights
Observe majestic polar bears around the beautiful Barents Sea
Walk in the footsteps of famous polar explorers at various historical sites
Explore the spectacular fjords and coasts of western Svalbard
Explore the seldom-visited eastern region of Svalbard
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Originally established as a mining town along breathtaking Isfjorden, Longyearbyen is now Svalbard’s largest city, a vibrant cultural hub and an ideal launching pad for your polar adventures. Fulfill a lifelong dream by riding a sled pulled by huskies and visit a mysterious ice cave, whose translucent walls gleam in shades of blue and white. Journey to the Russian mining ghost town of Pyramiden, where fascinating vestiges of a once-thriving operation still stand, and continue to Barentsburg, an inhabited Russian settlement that offers a compelling contrast to Longyearbyen. For an invigorating adventure, kayak among small chunks of ice floating offshore or hike through Svalbard’s lunar-like landscapes, perhaps ascending to Plateau Mountain for superlative views or trekking to the critically important Global Seed Vault, a repository for Earth’s plant life. Learn the exhilarating tales of intrepid explorers at the North Pole Expedition Museum, where exhibits shed light on some of history’s most daring voyages. Hang up your coat at Huset, a sophisticated eatery that wouldn’t be out of place in the world’s culinary capitals, and try unusual and impeccably prepared regional dishes such as reindeer and seal steak.
Slicing into the southern tip of Spitsbergen Island, Hornsund is treasured as one Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords. Its somewhat misleading name derives from a set of reindeer antlers found by explorers in the 17th century, as well as the belief that it cut through to the other side of Spitsbergen, which would have made it a sund, or sound. The fjord’s tallest peak is the towering, serrated Hornsundtind, but dramatic rock formations are plentiful along the shore, including the needle-like Bautaen. To the east, imposing plateau-shaped mountains with horizontal layers of sediment recall an American West landscape, albeit a perpetually frigid one. Where the tundra has taken hold, vibrant flowers emerge and substantial colonies of little auks congregate, ideal conditions for reindeer and Arctic fox. Of the people who have settled here throughout history, the most fascinating may be Wanny Wolstad, a Norwegian woman who joined an expedition to Svalbard in 1932 and settled in Hornsund, becoming an expert trapper in defiance of the era’s social norms and expectations. With luck, you might see the formidable polar bears she once hunted, brought into Hornsund atop floating icebergs carried by ocean currents.
The earliest known explorer of this fjord was Jonas Poole, an Englishman who bravely made his way here in 1610. Trekking about a mile inland, he left across as a marker indicating the date of his arrival, which in turn provided the fjord with its name. Other crumbling traces of human activity can be found in the area, most memorably a secret WWII German weather station, which provided valuable data for planning attacks on convoys. The landscape of the fjord and its tributaries is utterly majestic, with several glaciers coming to an end in the frigid waters. You’ll be mesmerized by Lilliehook, a uniquely horseshoe-shaped glacier that extends for approximately 4.5 miles. Interrupting the stillness, awesome chunks of ice periodically collapse into the fjord, forming slow-moving islands of ice. Elsewhere, gently sloping hills that descend to the shoreline are carpeted with tundra, attracting reindeer, Arctic fox and barnacle geese, hardy residents of this magical land.
At 16 miles long, Kongsfjorden is one of Svalbard’s shortest fjords, but it is ringed by no fewer than six impressive glaciers that continually feed the water with newly calved hunks of ice, each seemingly lit from within by supernatural blue light. Polar bears may claim these icebergs as temporary homes since they provide optimal staging points from which to hunt seals. The latter creatures are abundant, with ringed and bearded seals often clustered along the shores of venturing into the water for prey. Early whalers favored this waterway, which is still frequented by minke whales and Belugas that skim through the fjord in sociable pods. The industrial zeal of the early 20th century is evident on the island of Blomstrandhalvøya, where a marble quarrying operation called Ny London was established in 1911. Today, only remnants of the housing and equipment remain, as the marble was quickly found to be of inferior quality. From enthralling history to gorgeous scenery, Kongsfjorden perfectly encapsulates the essence of Svalbard.
As the island of Spitsbergen’s longest fjord and the second-longest in all of Svalbard, Isfjorden offers ample opportunities for thrilling exploration. To the north, the frozen mountains of the Nordre Isfjorden National Park give birth to massive glaciers that meander into the fjord. In Ekmanfjorden, one of Isfjorden’s branches, step ashore for views of impressive Kolosseum Mountain, keeping your eyes peeled for Arctic fox skittering about and seals relaxing on ice floes offshore. While cruising past Isfjorden’s tallest cliffs, you’ll observe significant populations of sea birds such as kittiwakes, Brünich’s guillemots and even alluring puffins, whose large, bright-orange beaks are instantly recognizable. The fjord also shelters most of Svalbard’s human residents, with the archipelago’s largest population found in the capital of Longyearbyen and a few Russians in the smaller settlement of Barentsburg. Perhaps most intriguing of all, Pyramiden is a mostly abandoned Russian mining colony that evokes the communist era with its severe apartment blocks. Surprisingly, the inviting Hotel Pyramiden opens for business during the warmer months, an excellent place to sip on hot tea and discuss the day’s adventures.
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.
$8,499
Notes
Please Note: Fares are capacity controlled and may change without notice. All fares are posted in USD and are based off of double occupancy. Single and triple rates are available upon request.
Cruise fares do not include Governmental, Port, Document Issuance, Handling and Service fees. Please see pricing for additional fees.
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 4.6 | 107 reviews
TrustScore 4.6 of 5
Based on 107 reviews on
20 hours ago
Clara and Rhenee were gracious and available. Phone contact is so important to answer questions and discuss all aspects of trip. If not immediately available they scheduled a time to speak.
They were knowledgeable, honest, realistic and very friendly. They are both very professional and take their role seriously.
Happy Camper
20 hours ago
Jason has been wonderful. He is full of information and was very willing to listen to what was of interest to us.
Lee
2 days ago
The ability (of Kassandra) to tailor a guided trip to my exact preferences is very valuable to me, as well as the ability (of Kassandra) to provide expert guidance on destinations and travel dates. I also appreciate the ability of the backup staff (Maria Ignacio, Exito Travel) to coordinate all the details to make the travel logistics easy for the customer.
Mark Whalen
2 days ago
Our Costa Rica trip was amazing! Kassandra planned everything and the excursions, hotels, overall organization were outstanding. Everything worked out smoothly, the excursions guides were knowledgeable allowing us to see so much of the fauna and flora of the country. The hotels were great as well, all in fantastic locations and with beautiful views.
Danny
2 days ago
This is our 7th trip Kassandra has planned and she is wonderful to work with. She is responsive, helpful, patient and knowledgeable. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to work together with her. We love Adventure Life!