Expedition Svalbard to the Pack Ice

Upon arriving in Longyearbyen, transfer directly to the hotel to settle in, relax, and prepare for the incredible Arctic expedition ahead.

Explore Longyearbyen independently before gathering with fellow travelers and expert guides for a shared lunch. As the afternoon arrives, step aboard the expedition vessel and set sail through the spectacular waters of Isfjorden, signaling the thrilling start of an unforgettable Arctic journey.

You are now in a part of the world where you are completely dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Your exact itinerary will depend on these factors and on the wildlife you encounter. Your aim is to head out on Zodiac cruises every day and to go ashore when the opportunity arises. Here are some examples of places you may visit.

Northwest Spitsbergen
Isfjorden offers plenty of great landing sites and splendid hiking opportunities. At the entrance of Isfjorden is the characteristic cliff Alkhornet. Arctic foxes are often seen in the rock crevices around the mountain and with some luck you might see these lovely little animals scurrying around, frantically looking for food.
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. Two other courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. The Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon, and the American journalist Wellman started with an airship. Interesting remnants of these expeditions can still be seen here.

The magnificent fjords of Spitsbergen
Svalbard offers visitors countless spectacular fjords. During your journey, explore some of them such as: Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love”, is lined with snow-capped mountain peaks and here you hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier. Many common eiders and pink-footed geese nest in the area. In Krossfjorden, revel in the beautifully sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier and are greeted by the many kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots that nest on the nearby cliffs. 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 abuzz with activity.

North of Spitsbergen
In the direction of the North Pole, the goal is to reach the pack ice north of Spitsbergen and spend around two days here. This floating and ever-changing habitat is a fascinating and powerful experience to say the least. Not many ships come here and you can enjoy the tranquillity of this magnificent icy landscape. You are constantly on the lookout for the exciting wildlife associated with the Arctic Ocean, such as polar bears, seals and ivory gulls. The pack ice around Svalbard is of great importance to the archipelago's ecosystem and climate. It is also a mainstay of life in the Arctic.

Sjuøyane
These islands are situated north of Nordaustlandet and it is Svalbard’s northernmost outpost. On one of the islands, Rossøya, Andrée and his companions had one of their depots with supplies in case their, by now legendary, balloon trip in the late 1800s would fail.

Hinlopen Strait and Alkefjellet
Ice conditions permitting, enter the Hinlopen Strait. Here, you can find Alkefjellet, an impressive basalt cliff that is home to an estimated 200 000 Brünnich’s guillemots. You may also continue into the beautiful bay of Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet.

Eastern Svalbard
The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by a huge ice cap and has fascinated naturalists and historians alike. Here the giant glacier Bråsvellbreen stretches for 180 kilometers! The 15-20 meter high ice edge is punctuated by hundreds of by hundreds of waterfalls.

Early in the morning, disembark from your expedition ship and begin your journey back 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!