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Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Svalbard Expedition

Longyearbyen to Longyearbyen - Example 9 Day Cruise aboard MS Explorer
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This expedition starts on Longyearbyen and navigates through Isfjorden, close to the Russian enclave of Barentsburg, the second-largest settlement in the archipelago. Discover breathtaking glaciers, majestic mountains, and well-preserved ice floes searching for polar bears on the north coast. Enjoy fantastic nature experiences and wildlife encounters during this expedition. 
Colorful homes in Longyearbyen, SvalbardBeautiful Hornsund, NorwayTraveling to 80 degrees northHomes in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, NorwayBeautiful Hornsund, NorwayLongyearbyen, Svalbard
Highlights
  • Explore the breathtaking Dei Sju Isfjella glacier
  • Navigate through the most spectacular glacier views of Monacobreen
  • Discover rarely explored bays and impressive little auk colonies
  • Search for polar bears and other iconic Arctic wildlife
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Longyearbyen | Embark

Depending on your arrival time in Longyearbyen, you will be able to  enjoy some free time in town or be invited to board  the ship upon arrival.. Navigate through Isfjorden, close to the Russian enclave of Barentsburg, the second-largest settlement in the archipelago.
 

Day 2: Krossfjorden and Magdalenefjorden

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Journey along Dei Sju Isfjella—once named The Coast of the Seven Icebergs by whalers—where a breathtaking glacier front extends over seven kilometers. Magdalenefjorden unveils an impressive setting of majestic mountains and glaciers, with scree slopes that are home to thousands of birds. The extended graveyard and remains of blubber ovens set in the Gravneset Peninsula bear testimony to the many whalers who used to find shelter in the fjord. Nowadays, the land welcomes a growing number of walruses.

Day 3: Ice floes and Monacobreen

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Navigate among the well-preserved ice floes in search of polar bears on the north coast. Monacobreen is a glacier reaching down into Liefdefjorden, whose landscapes and icebergs provide some of the most spectacular views in the whole archipelago. Tonight, we'll travel towards the island of Moffen where whales, walruses, and bears like to dwell, before proceeding beyond the 80th parallel north, ice permitting.
 

Day 4: Hinlopen Strait and Nordaustlandet

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Reach Murchisonfjorden, as famous for its buildings from the 1958 International Geophysical Year research expedition as it is for its walrus colonies. One of the largest and most remarkable bird colonies on the archipelago is nestled among the steep cliffs made up of dark basaltic rock and bright limestone. Ice permitting, we’ll resume our search for polar bears as we continue northeast.
 

Day 5: Smeerenburgfjorden and Nordaustlandet

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Once home to a busy whaling station and a starting point for major Arctic expeditions, this legendary fjord—where glaciers form a spectacular ice front against the sea—has now been claimed by wildlife. Walruses and seals are a likely sight, as bears wander about the slopes of steep, rugged mountains with beautiful ice-sculpted tops. Discover rarely explored bays and impressive little auk colonies, the most populous bird species in Svalbard.
 

Day 6: Kongsfjorden

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The pyramidal peaks of the majestic Tre Kroner mountains overlook Kongsfjorden, an inlet comprising several cultural-heritage sites. Norwegian explorer and key figure of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration Roald Amundsen made an attempt to reach the North Pole by flying boats from this area in the early 20th century. From gigantic icebergs calving from the edge of glaciers to bird colonies, nature reserves, and research stations, Kongsfjorden offers a unique array of riches. To top it off, you’ll likely cross paths with a few reindeer and arctic foxes!
 

Day 7: Bellsund

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today visit Recherchefjorden. Amidst remnants of white whale hunts and evidence of retreating glaciers, we’ll observe the large bird colonies that make the archipelago famous. Take a walk through moraines and tundras, in close contact with the ice.
 

Day 8: Hornsund

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The south of Spitsbergen is known for its incredible landscapes and the 11 glaciers peaking in Hornsund, with its highest mountain culminating at 1,431 meters.  All through history, the snow-covered fjord has welcomed whalers, early Russian explorers, Pomors, trappers, miners, and scientists, and is still home to a Polish research station that has been operating since 1957. Hornsund brims with impressive sights, including Brepollen—almost surrounded by glaciers extending over 20 kilometers—the strongly glaciated, vertical-rock wall area around Burgerbukta, the bird colonies in Gnålodden, and the polar bears who populate the area.
 

Day 9: Longyearbyen | Disembark

Disembark in Longyearbyen. This is the end of your adventure and we wish you a pleasant journey home.
 

Ship/Hotel

MS Explorer

MS Explorer
MS Explorer
MS Explorer

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
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Twin cabins with portholes
Cabins 207/ 209/ 211 •Separable beds (can be set as twin or double) •14 sq² •Portholes •Television •Cupboard (2 x 60 cm) and a place to store boots and hand jackets. Luggage can be stored under the bed •Individual air conditioning/ heating chair •En-suite bathroom with Italian style shower •Hairdryer/ toiletry
MS Explorer
Select a Date
Double bed cabin with portholes
Cabins 208 and 210 •Separable beds (can be set as twin or double) •17 sq² •Portholes •Television •Cupboard (2 x 60 cm) and a place to store boots and hand jackets. Luggage can be stored under the bed •Individual air conditioning/ heating chair •En-suite bathroom with Italian style shower •Hairdryer/ toiletry
Select a Date
Mini Suite
Cabins 401 and 402 •Equipped with double bed •17 square² •Floor to ceiling window •Part of the cabin is set as a small lounge with armchairs and a coffee table. •Television •Cupboard (2 x 60 cm) and a place to store boots and hand jackets. Luggage can be stored under the bed •Individual air conditioning/ heating chair •En-suite bathroom with Italian style shower •Hairdryer/ toiletry
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Single Cabin with panoramic window
Cabins 403 and 404 •Single beds •11 sq² •Panoramic window •Television •Cupboard (2 x 60 cm) and a place to store boots and hand jackets. Luggage can be stored under the bed •Individual air conditioning/ heating chair •En-suite bathroom with Italian style shower •Hairdryer/ toiletry
Included
  • 8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 Dinners
  • 8 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Transfers
  • All Excursions
  • Boots on loan
  • French-speaking tour guides
  • All taxes
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Laundry 
  • Drinks

Map

When to Go

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Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
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