Spitsbergen Circumnavigation: A Rite of Passage
Set sail around Spitsbergen – and more of the Svalbard archipelago – on a 14-day adventure for the ages. After getting your bearings in Helsinki, Finland, you’ll start your voyage aboard the Ultramarine, where you’ll enjoy a flexible schedule of excursions to prime spots for polar bear, Arctic fox and walrus sightings. Take daily Zodiac trips to towering glacier faces and visit islands that rub shoulders with the North Pole. With an expert expedition team on board, helping you see it all, this trip is sure to leave a lasting impression.
14 days, from
$13,846
per person
GROUP SIZE
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Details
Countries Visited:
Finland
Norway
Svalbard And Jan Mayen Islands
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night), Expedition cruise ship (12 nights)
Transportation: Expedition cruise ship , Zodiac
Included Meals:
- 12 breakfasts
- 12 lunches
- 12 dinners
Group size: Minimum 1, Max 199
Minimum Age: 8
Uncover the incredible landscape of Spitsbergen, from the quirky northernmost city of Longyearbyen to stunning fjords, towering mountains and impressive glaciers.
Scour sheets of ice and be rewarded with sightings of Arctic foxes, reindeer and the ruler of the Arctic – the polar bear.
Did someone say midnight snack? Because of the time of year, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight, allowing for sightseeing any time of the day, or night!
With a flexible voyage itinerary, you’ll only hit the places which are worthwhile and have the best conditions, as your expert polar team maximises wildlife spotting opportunities each day.
Choose to get even closer to this amazing environment with optional activities like hiking and gliding along pristine waters between icebergs in a sea kayak.
Itinerary
Tervetuloa! Welcome to Helsinki, Finland. Your Arctic adventure begins in Finland’s modern capital, where you may arrive at any time. Once settled in, why not head out and explore the city’s endless array of options? You could visit one (or more) of the many museums, galleries and restaurants on offer, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander through the vibrant Design District. For dinner, perhaps head out in the evening to sample some local, traditional dishes.
This morning, transfer to the airport and board your private charter flight to Longyearbyen – Spitsbergen’s largest settlement. You may want to visit the Svalbard or North Pole museums to learn more about the local history, or perhaps grab a beer at the Svalbard Brewery if you have time. After boarding the ship, head out on deck to enjoy the great vistas of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this historic town.
Your expedition begins by sailing north, exploring Spitsbergen’s coastal fjords and smaller, outlying islands. The plan is to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, but if conditions are favourable, you'll also attempt a larger circumnavigation of the Svalbard archipelago. Each day will be a surprise, treating you to spectacular new sightings and experiences. There are a range of excursions you might embark on, whether by ship, Zodiac cruise, helicopter or shore landing.
For birders, 14th of July Bay is home to puffins, purple sandpipers, black-legged kittiwakes, pink-footed geese, and barnacle geese, while Alkefjellet’s cliffs are teeming with nesting brunnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).
Always on the lookout for wildlife, be sure to have your camera ready to capture reindeer on visits to sites like Ny-London, Hornsund, Sundneset and Alkhornet. Phippsoya and Isbukta are often home to sea ice, polar bears’ preferred habitat for hunting, which translates into great potential for you to view them in action. Alternatively, Moffen Island is a protected sanctuary for walrus, which are best viewed from the water.
Sitting at 112-mile- (180 km) long, Brasvellbreen’s glacier face makes for an impressive sight during a Zodiac cruise, stretching all the way to the horizon. Lilliehook Glacier features labyrinths of sparkling icebergs and breathtaking panoramas of ice, while at Monaco Glacier you can listen to the crackle and pop of the brash ice, search for seals and have a chance to admire a natural sculpture gallery.
If conditions allow, you’ll also visit Phippsoya and Martensoya of the Seven Islands – this small archipelago is closer to the North Pole than anywhere else in Svalbard.
Your adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, you’ll transfer to the airport for a return group charter flight to Helsinki, included in the transfer package. Your tour ends on arrival at Helsinki airport.