Springtime in Svalbard

Touch down in Longyearbyen and transfer seamlessly to the hotel to settle in, rest, and prepare for the exciting Arctic expedition ahead.

Begin the Svalbard expedition by exploring Longyearbyen. In the afternoon, step aboard the expedition vessel and sail out through spectacular Isfjorden as the true Arctic adventure begins. Navigating this remote part of the world requires complete reliance on ever-changing ice and weather conditions. The exact itinerary adapts dynamically to these natural factors and sudden wildlife encounters. Expect to make a first excursion before heading south or north, driven entirely by the day's weather and ice. The following locations serve as excellent examples of destinations to explore during this remarkable journey.

Alkhornet
At the entrance of Isfjorden is the characteristic cliff of Alkhornet. Go ashore to enjoy the beautiful tundra and its birdlife, including barnacle geese, Brünnich’s guillemots, glaucous gulls, snow buntings and tens of thousands of kittiwakes. Arctic foxes are sometimes seen in the rock crevices around the mountain and with a bit of luck you might see these lovely little animals scurrying around, frantically looking for food.

Prins Karls Forland
This narrow strip of land is covered by a magnificent and snow-covered mountain chain. The island is also home to many seabirds and harbor seals.

Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden
The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is located in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. In the nearby Krossfjorden you can admire the beautifully sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier and listen to the sounds of the many kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots that nest on the nearby cliffs.

Raudfjorden
Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty – dominated by magnificent glaciers. It is also a favorite haunt of seals, and the bird cliffs are bursting with activity.

Virgohamna, Danskøya
Danskøya was the starting point for two of the most daring attempts to reach the North Pole. The Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman started with an airship. Interesting remnants of these Arctic expeditions can still be seen here.

Bellsund
At the beautiful Vårsolbukta in Bellsund little auks nest by the tens of thousands. Go ashore and walk across the tundra to get a closer look at these charming birds.

Hornsund
The majestic Hornsund consists of several magnificent fjords along the west coast of Spitsbergen, where huge glaciers calve out shimmering blue ice. This is one of the favorite haunts of some of Svalbard's polar bears, and you may be lucky enough to spot one on the fjord ice.

Arrive in Longyearbyen in the early morning and begin your journey home.

Please note: The itinerary is for guidance only. The exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions, wildlife, and government regulations. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. Every effort goes into maximizing your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!