Spitsbergen: Realm of Ice & Wildlife

Upon arriving in Oslo, take a brief five-minute walk from the International Terminal to reach the designated group airport hotel. Once at the property, visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk to collect the necessary cabin tags for your luggage and speak directly with the ground operations team. The on-site staff can share essential pre-embarkation details and offer practical local advice, including recommendations for dining, withdrawing cash, and locating nearby pharmacies or supermarkets for last-minute purchases.

Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your leisure, keeping in mind that all meals today are enjoyed at personal expense.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Airport Hotel 

This morning, ensure all cabin luggage features tags clearly labeled with your name and assigned cabin number. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before walking to the airport to board the charter flight to Longyearbyen. Keep all valuables and essential personal items on hand to carry throughout the day. Upon arriving in Longyearbyen, discover the local sights during a guided tour.

Afterward, transfer directly to the pier in the late afternoon to board the ship. Take time to settle into the cabin before attending the mandatory safety briefings. Soon after, the crew casts off the lines to officially set sail.

Note: The excursion is contingent on the arrival time of your charter flight to Longyearbyen. 

Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago and offers Arctic wilderness at its best. Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountain ranges, and a polar desert rich in fossils set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. 

See walrus hauled out on sea ice or beaches, stretch your legs on tundra walks carpeted in brightly colored wildflowers, and visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and puffins. This expedition has been thoughtfully designed and includes a mix of activities, such as expert-led talks, engaging workshops and exhilarating Zodiac cruise safaris. You are accompanied by engaging guest speakers from the world of science chosen by New Scientist Discovery Tours, along with the highly knowledgeable and supportive expedition team. Learn about topics including glaciology, climate, marine biology, and the history of polar exploration, deepening your connection to this remote and rugged archipelago. 

If you’ve chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you can have the chance to enjoy it when conditions allow. For those eager to take a polar plunge, once conditions are suitable, you can hear the call to prepare for an exhilarating dip – a memory to savor for years to come.

During the early morning, cruise back into Longyearbyen. Farewell your Expedition Team upon disembarkation and enjoy some free time before transferring to the airport for your return charter flight to Oslo to continue your journey.

Note: The arrival time in Oslo is contingent on the approved allocated slot for your charter flight to and from Longyearbyen.