Natural Wonders of Svalbard Cruise

Your expedition begins in the most Northerly town in the world, Longyearbyen. In the afternoon you embark on your expedition vessel at the port of Longyearbyen. After an introduction from your expedition leader and a safety briefing from the Captain, you set sail out through the majestic Adventfjord. As Longyearbyen disappears astern, you wave goodbye to civilization for the next 9 days. As you sail out through the Isfjord you spend time on deck watching for the whales that frequent the waters.

In the morning, you approach Prins Karls Foreland, an uninhabited island of beautiful scenery off the west coast of Spitsbergen. You will drop anchor and launch the Zodiac landing craft to go ashore and visit an area where walruses haul out. In the afternoon you will do a wilderness hike. You frequently see Svalbard reindeer here. If the conditions allow you will sail up to the edge of the sea ice which extends all the way to the North Pole. In calm conditions, you will cruise the edge of the sea ice keeping a sharp lookout for wildlife including polar bears that hunt on the ice.

Every voyage undertaken to Svalbard involves an element of exploration. As part of your Svalbard experience, you will have a few days with no set itinerary. Under the guidance of your expedition leader, you will work with the weather and sea ice conditions to explore the best that the northwest coast has to offer. Over the next 3 days, you will cruise around the coast with regular shore landings to visit various natural and historical sites, including glaciers, while also doing wilderness hikes and spending time enjoying the raw nature of the Arctic.

As you sail back south, you will explore the area and Kongsfjorden. You can expect majestic glaciers, some of Svalbard's most beautiful fjords, and stunning scenery from the decks. Here, you will encounter one of Svalbard's most breathtaking sites, the Lilliehook glacier, one of Svalbard's largest calving glacier fronts. You will have the opportunity to spend time here witnessing nature's beauty in its rawest form, with the option of doing a wilderness hike to a neighboring fjord.

In the morning you arrive back at the port of Longyearbyen. After breakfast, you say your goodbyes after making new friends and sharing a wonderful adventure together.

The above itinerary is a guide only. A part of any Arctic adventure is the flexibility to take advantage of the weather and ice conditions. Your expedition leader will make sure you see as much as possible.