Discover remote islands within the Arctic Circle on this 14-day Svalbard and Norway Arctic Experience cruise on board a boutique expedition ship. Your journey around Norway’s outlying Svalbard archipelago will take you into a realm of incredible scenery visited only by a few. These remote regions reveal their secrets as you come ashore to rugged landscapes bordered by tundra where wildflowers blossom. This unique arctic environment attracts guillemots and little auks with large haul-out sites of walrus watched closely by stealthy polar bears. As you cruise to the world’s northernmost settlements, take in the unforgettable views of vast glaciers where beluga swim under the midnight sun, and listen out for cracking sounds as they calve huge icebergs into the deep and beautiful fjords.
Highlights
Walk along Longyearbyen's main street and retrace steps of polar explorers
Learn more about this isolated polar region
Pass by Monacobreen, the most stunning glacier on Spitsbergen
Observe a large number of polar bears, seals, walruses, whales, and arctic foxes
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Longyearbyen is the world’s most northerly town and with it comes the world’s most northerly high street and pub. On Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island, Longyearbyen is home to The North Pole Expeditions Museum which chronicles early efforts to reach the pole by air. The nearby Svalbard Global Seed Vault preserves duplicates of seeds held in gene banks worldwide. The surrounding Arctic waters are populated by whales including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are regularly seen hauling.
Located deep inside the Arctic Circle, approaching the Svalbard archipelago feels a lot like sailing towards the edge of the world. Known as the kingdom of the polar bears, you’ll be hoping to spot some of its subjects as you explore some of the most varied polar landscapes in the Arctic. Down in Zodiac boats, you’ll get close to the gargantuan glaciers, rapidly retreating from the oceans that they feed. In the north of the archipelago, past the magnificent fjords, the remaining sea ice offers the perfect hunting ground for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, the landscape is punctuated with large areas devoid of snow and ice alongside vast tundra and exposed beaches. Alongside Svalbard’s 3,000 polar bears, this Arctic wildlife hotspot is also home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seal, the arctic fox and many species of marine mammals and seabirds.
Today, aim to take the ship further north of Svalbard along the sea ice, as close to the edge of the polar ice pack as possible, at about 79° north. Here, among the shifting ice, keep a sharp eye out for polar bears in their natural habitat, while harp seals haul out on the edge. Huge bowhead whales ply these frigid waters and can sometimes be seen breaching, fluking or breaking through the ice. The sight is one that leaves you feeling truly respectful of any life that makes this frozen landscape home.
Hinlopen Strait is a waterway that divides Svalbard’s largest island, Spitsbergen, from its second-largest island, Nordaustlandet. Whilst often congested with ice, this is a scenic place with interesting history and rich wildlife, including polar bears and several species of ducks and geese. The name is probably derived from the director of a Dutch whaling company in the 17th century. Sailing in the Hinlopen Strait, in the heart of the Arctic Ocean promises an unforgettable experience and offers offers breathtaking panoramas.
Located deep inside the Arctic Circle, approaching the Svalbard archipelago feels a lot like sailing towards the edge of the world. Known as the kingdom of the polar bears, you’ll be hoping to spot some of its subjects as you explore some of the most varied polar landscapes in the Arctic. Down in Zodiac boats, you’ll get close to the gargantuan glaciers, rapidly retreating from the oceans that they feed. In the north of the archipelago, past the magnificent fjords, the remaining sea ice offers the perfect hunting ground for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, the landscape is punctuated with large areas devoid of snow and ice alongside vast tundra and exposed beaches. Alongside Svalbard’s 3,000 polar bears, this Arctic wildlife hotspot is also home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seal, the arctic fox and many species of marine mammals and seabirds.
The greatest bird cliff in the Barents Sea is on Bear Island, or Bjørnøya, Svalbard’s southernmost island. Thousands of breeding seabirds - Atlantic puffin, northern gannet, glaucous gull, great skua, black-legged kittiwake, little auk, common guillemot and Brünnich’s guillemot colonies nest on the steep cliffs south of Sørhamna around Kapp Kolthoff. Only Zodiacs can come alongside, where distinctive sea stack rock columns, impressive sea caves and tunnels, such as Perleporten, have been created by the battering seas.
With just 60 permanent human residents, Skarsvåg is as stark, remote and naturally beautiful as Norway gets. Just a little further north is the North Cape, the northernmost point of Europe above the Arctic Circle. From here the only thing standing between you and the North Pole 2,100km away is the Svalbard archipelago. Back in Skarsvāg, the island’s famous bird cliffs are home to thousands of puffins, gannets and cormorants. If you have some energy to burn, the hike to the Cape Knivskjellodden, the northernmost point on Magreøya, is worth the effort for the incredible cliff face views of the North Cape Plateau.
Alta, or the city of Arctic light, sits above the Arctic Circle at 70° N. From mid-May to the end of July, as with many places north of here, the midnight sun glows and it never gets dark. Even with long summer days, the temperature rarely reaches above 10° C. Stop by the distinctive Alta Church - or Northern Lights Cathedral - that represents the waving aurora borealis. Nearby, at the head of the Alta Fjord, learn about the thousands of UNESCO-listed prehistoric rock carvings and paintings found here. The coastal town of Hammerfest in Finnmark is the most populated town in the north, known locally for its cuisine. Here, the World Heritage attraction, Struve Geodetic Arc measures the triangulation of the 26° E meridian. North of the Arctic treeline, Hammerfest is also a jumping-off point for adventure activities, climbing and hiking - scale Mount Tyven via the Tyventrappa Sherpa stairway for far-reaching views. Learn about how the town was rebuilt after being burnt to the ground in WWII at the Museum of Reconstruction Museum.
Day 14: Tromso | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Known as the Arctic gateway, Tromso is a remote Norwegian city at 69° north, 250 miles above the Arctic Circle, where you can take in the soft glow of the midnight sun. Learn more about early polar explorations at the Polar Museum. Famed for the Northern Lights on winter nights, you can find out more about this natural spectacle at the Science Centre.
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.
$11,861
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Oceanview D4
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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Oceanview M4
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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Balcony D5
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
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Balcony M5
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
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Balcony D6
Located on decks 6, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
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Junior Suite
SH Diana’s Junior Suites features a Super King Size bed, separate living room area with homely flame-effect fireplace, private kitchen, luxurious en-suite bathroom and a 7 sq. m private balcony.
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Suite
Our Suites features a superking bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
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Premium Suite
SH Diana’s Premium Suites feature a Super King Size bed, separate living room with homely flame-effect fireplace, luxurious en-suite bathroom, spacious walk-in wardrobe and a 12 sq. m private balcony.
Initial deposit is 20% (30% for Suite bookings), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
13 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 12 Dinners
13 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Room Service
Wifi
Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
Onboard gratuities & port taxes
Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
Excluded
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
We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
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Jul
Aug
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Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
