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Spitsbergen zodiac

Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

Roundtrip Longyearbyen - Example 10 Day Cruise aboard MV Hondius
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Embark on a 10-day cruise aboard the MV Hondius. This Spitsbergen circumnavigation immerses you in Arctic landscapes, rich history, and abundant wildlife. Start in Longyearbyen, exploring this historic town before setting sail through Isfjorden, with a chance to spot minke whales. From there, visit Krossfjorden’s glacial panoramas and Ny Alesund, the world’s northernmost settlement. In Liefdefjorden, view Monaco Glacier—a prime hunting area for polar bears. Reaching the Seven Islands near 80°N, encounters polar bears amid sea ice. Hinlopen Strait offers views of bearded seals and thousands of guillemots on Alkefjellet’s bird cliffs. Navigate glacier-dense Storfjorden and Hornsund’s pointed peaks, sighting seals and belugas. In Bell Sund, explore lush fjord landscapes, with history-rich sites like Van Keulenfjorden and Ahlstrandhalvoya, where beluga sightings are common. Return to Longyearbyen with unforgettable Arctic memories.
Kittiwakes, canyons, and south EdgeøyaBell Sund’s flora, faunaHiking in SpitsbergenBeautiful Hornsund, NorwayColorful homes in Longyearbyen, SvalbardA polar bear sniffs the Arctic airWalruses huddled together on the iceBird cliffs of Alkefjellet.Spitsbergen zodiac
Highlights
  • Explore Longyearbyen’s historic landmarks amid rugged Arctic natural beauty
  • Visit Krossfjorden’s scenic glaciers with possible sightings of Arctic wildlife
  • Discover Ny Alesund’s northern settlement, rich in Arctic exploration history
  • Spot diverse wildlife in Bellsund’s rich tundra and fjord areas
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Longyearbyen | Embark

Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. Explore this historic former mining town, with highlights like the Svalbard Museum and the quaint parish church. Though the landscape appears rugged, over a hundred plant species thrive here. In the early evening, the ship departs from Isfjorden, offering a chance to spot the first minke whale of your journey.

Day 2-9: Clockwise circumnavigation of West Spitsbergen

Krossfjorden and Ny Alesund

Heading north along the west coast, you may arrive by morning in Krossfjorden, which has excellent views of glacier fronts. In the afternoon, you sail to Ny Alesund, the northernmost settlement on Earth. Once a mining village served by the world's most northerly railway – you can still see its tracks – Ny Alesund is now a research center. Close to the community is a breeding ground for barnacle geese, pink-footed geese, and Arctic terns. And if you're interested in the history of Arctic exploration, visit the anchoring mast used by polar explorers Amundsen and Nobile in their airships, Norge (1926) and Italia (1928).

The massive Monaco Glacier

Depending on the weather, you could sail into Liefdefjorden, land at Texas Bar, and cruise within sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of the precipitous Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the ice base is a famous polar bear hunting ground. Another possibility is the mouth of Wijdefjorden, which has both sides of a tundra landscape and a glacier in front of Nordbreen. If ice conditions prevent sailing here early in the season, an alternate route along the west coast of Spitsbergen can be implemented.

Stop at the Seven Islands

The northernmost point of your voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet, at Chermsideoya and Phippsoya in the Seven Islands. You reach 80° north, just 870 km (540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, so the ship may park for several hours among the pack ice before wheeling around west again. When the edge of this sea ice is tens of miles north of the Seven Islands (mostly in August), you can spend a second day in this area. Alternatively (mostly in July), you may turn to Sorgfjord, where you can find a herd of walruses near the graves of 17th-century whalers at Eolusneset. A nature walk here can bring you close to families of ptarmigans. The opposite side of the fjord at Heclahamna is also a beautiful area for an excursion.

Highlights of Hinlopen

Today, you sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded and ringed seals and polar bears. At the entrance, there is even the possibility to spot blue whales. As with Liefdefjorden, you can take an alternate west Spitsbergen route if ice prevents entry into Hinlopen. After cruising among the ice floes of Lomfjord in the Zodiacs, you then view the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with their thousands of Brunnich's guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopen Strait, you may attempt a landing in Palanderbukta, where reindeer, pink-footed geese, and walruses are likely sights. Alternatively, at Torrelneset, you can visit the polar desert of Nordaustlandet, next to the world's third-largest ice cap. During a coastline hike over the area's raised beaches, you may encounter walruses.

Storfjorden's many bounties

You opt to sail against stream through Heleysundet between West Spitsbergen and Barentsoya when you arrive in a scenery of nearby glaciers like Negribreen. Later in the day, you may land at the mouth of the valley Skjolddalen on West Spitsbergen, four kilometers from an Ivory Gull colony. A landing at Diskobukta on Edgeoya, near a canyon with a large Kittiwake colony, is also an option. Other landings, like at Kvalhovden near mighty glacier fronts, are also possible.

Land of the Pointed Mountains

You start the day by cruising the side fjords of the Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, taking in the spire-like peaks: Hornsundtind rises 1,431 meters (4,695 feet), and Bautaen is a perfect illustration of why early Dutch explorers named this island Spitsbergen, meaning "pointed mountains." There are 14 sizable glaciers in this area, and there are opportunities for spotting seals, beluga whales, and polar bears. You may land in Samarinvaagen and Birgerbukta, where you have great opportunities for a long walk.

Bell Sund's flora, fauna, and haunting history

Today, you find yourself in Bell Sund, one of the largest fjord systems in Svalbard. The ocean currents make this area slightly warmer than other areas in the archipelago, which shows in the relatively lush vegetation. Here, there are excellent opportunities to enjoy both history and wildlife. A possibility is Ahlstrandhalvoya, at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden, where piles of beluga skeletons can be found. These remains of 19th-century whale slaughter are a haunting reminder of the consequences of rampant exploitation. Fortunately, belugas were not hunted to extinction, and you have a good chance of coming across a pod. Alternately, while cruising the side fjords of Bellsund, you can explore the tundra, where reindeer like to feed, and rock slopes, where little auks breed near Vaarsolbukta.

Day 10: Longyearbyen | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

Ship/Hotel

MV Hondius

Hondius
Hondius Grand Suite Balcony
Hondius Reception

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$5,900 2-3 travelers
MV Hondius
Quadruple Porthole
Located on deck 3. Approximately 129 to 194 sq. ft. 2 portholes, 2 upper & lower berths, Small sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
MV Hondius
Triple Porthole
Located on deck 3. Approximately 129 to 194 sq. ft. 2 portholes, 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths, Small sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
MV Hondius
Twin Porthole
Located on deck 3. Approximately 129 to 194 sq. ft. 2 portholes, 2 single beds, Small sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
MV Hondius
Twin Window
Located on deck 4. Approximately 129 to 151 sq. ft. 1 window, 2 single beds, Small sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
MV Hondius
Twin deluxe
Located on deck 6. Approximately 205 to 226 sq. ft. 2 windows, 2 single beds, Sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
MV Hondius
Superior
Located on deck 6. Approximately 215 to 226 sq. ft. 2 windows, 1 double bed, Sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
MV Hondius
Junior Suite
Located on deck 7. Approximately 205 to 215 sq. ft. 1 double window, 1 double bed, Sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
Grand Suite with Private BalconyMV Hondius
Grand Suite with balcony
Located on deck 7. Approximately 291 sq. ft. 1 double window, 1 double bed, Sofa, Private balcony, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.

Notes

Single supplement - Single occupancy of a twin cabin is available at 1.7 times the twin occupancy rate.
Child discount: Children aged 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
  • 9 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.
  • Upon boarding, passengers receive an internet voucher, providing 1.5 GB of free internet per day. This daily allowance resets every 24 hours. Supplementary internet vouchers are available to purchase on board for those requiring additional internet availability. This applies to all trips scheduled for the 2024-25 Antarctic season and will continue across all future motor vessel trips in both Antarctica and the Arctic.
  • AECO Fees and Governmental Taxes
  • Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen
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.
  • Transfers to/from the Vessel Outside Spitsbergen

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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin

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