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North Spitsbergen Polar Bear

North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - Summer Solstice

Roundtrip Longyearbyen - Example 8 Day Cruise aboard MV Plancius
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Embark on an 8-day cruise aboard the MV Plancius through Spitsbergen’s rugged northern landscapes, abundant with Arctic wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery. Begin in Longyearbyen, where you explore historic sites and possibly spot your first minke whale as the ship departs Isfjorden. As you sail into the pack ice, highlights include Raudfjord, with its expansive glaciers, ringed seals, and vibrant seabird colonies. Witness the 5-kilometer-wide Monaco Glacier, a prime feeding area for polar bears and kittiwakes, and navigate Hinlopen Strait’s stunning bird cliffs and ice floes. Cruise to the Seven Islands, reaching as far north as 80° to spot polar bears amid the pack ice. While retracing west, search for Greenland whales near the continental shelf, where fin whales often feed. Explore Forlandsundet or St. Johns Fjord to see walrus haul-outs, Arctic foxes, and reindeer. Disembark in Longyearbyen with unforgettable memories of the Arctic wilderness.
A lone reindeer searches for its herdHomes in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, NorwayLittle AuksMysterious Spitsbergen sceneryWalruses huddled together on the iceArctic fox during spring in SvalbardPolar bears in the ArcticNorth Spitsbergen Polar Bear
Highlights
  • Wander through Longyearbyen, charming streets filled with Arctic history
  • Visit the Svalbard Museum, informative exhibits showcasing local Arctic life
  • Explore Raudfjord, expansive glaciers teeming with seals and seabird colonies
  • Sail through Isfjorden, scenic waters surrounded by stunning landscapes and wildlife
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, Norway | Embark

Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen and the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. Wander through this historic former mining town, where the parish church and Svalbard Museum offer fascinating glimpses into Arctic life. Despite the stark surroundings, the area boasts over a hundred plant species. As evening falls, the ship sets sail from Isfjorden—watch for your first minke whale sighting of the journey.

Day 2-7: North Spitsbergen

This voyage will take you into the pack ice and along the remote shorelines of rugged north Spitsbergen. Places you might visit include the following:

Raudfjord

On the north coast of Spitsbergen, you can enjoy this expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of polar bears. Try to land at Alicehamna or Buchananhalvoya.

Monaco Glacier

Depending on the weather and sea ice, you could sail into Liefdefjorden, land at Texas Bar, and cruise within sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this precipitous glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the ice base is a famous polar bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent you from sailing here early in the season, you may sail along the west coast of Spitsbergen.

Highlights of Hinlopen

You aim to sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, and polar bears. At the entrance, there is even the possibility to spot blue whales. After cruising among the ice floes of Lomfjord in the Zodiacs, you can 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 on Nordaustlandet. Here, you may see reindeer, pink-footed geese, and walruses. You can take an alternate route if ice prevents entry into Hinlopen.

The Seven Islands

The northernmost point of the voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet at Chermsideoya or Phippsoya, in the Seven Islands. You may 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.

Sailing the continental shelf

While retracing your route west, keep watch for polar bears and elusive Greenland (bowhead) whales. About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen, you sail the edge of the continental shelf. Here, fin whales forage during the summer in the upwelling zones (where cold, nutrient-rich water wells run up from below the sea’s surface) along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of Kongsfjorden, you have a good chance of sighting minke whales.

Forlandsundet, St. Johns Fjord, or Alkhornet

Walruses sometimes haul out in Forlandsundet at Sarstangen or Poolepynten. Alternatively, you might sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation.

Day 8: Longyearbyen | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Even great adventures must eventually come to an end. The vessel arrives in Longyearbyen in the early morning, and bus transportation to the airport will be provided.

Ship/Hotel

MV Plancius

MV Plancius
Dining room
Plancius, Restaurant

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$4,450 2-3 travelers
Quadruple Porthole
Quadruple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Quadruple Porthole
Triple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin porthole cabin
Twin with Porthole
9 twin private cabins with porthole. Two Lower berths. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin with window
Twin with Window
26 twin private cabins with window. Two Lower berths (ca. 15 m2)
Twin Deluxe
Twin Deluxe
2 twin private deluxe cabins. Lower berths - two single beds.(ca. 15 m2)
Superior
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.
  • 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.

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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge

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