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Arctic

Spitsbergen, Svalbard Explored

Highlights: Mountains & glacial scenery - pack ice - polar bears - walrus - inspirational guiding - intimate cruising

As an expedition cruise there is no fixed itinerary, but you will go in search of the wildlife, primarily polar bears, with the objective of also discovering the stunning wilderness. The pack-ice, weather and animal activity all affect the daily flow of these Arctic cruises around Spitsbergen. However, it is possible to indicate some of the places that you may visit on leaving Longyearbyen, the small town that is capital of the archipelago of islands that constitute Svalbard.

Sailing out of Isfjord you come to Barentsburg, a fascinating insight into an isolated Russian mining community. Beyond is the open sea but Stockholm and Origo are the two vessels that can sail inside of Prins Karls Fjorland thus finding calmer waters. All along this route there are steep rocky mountains interspersed with glaciers making this a wonderful passage, there are also usually walrus and harbour seal colonies hereabouts. You will be heading north towards the beautiful Smeerenberg glacier and Amsterdamoya and Danskoya, two islands off the coast of NW Spitsbergen. These islands are of historical significance both as starting points for early explorers to reach the North Pole and as old whaling stations.

Beyond and given favourable conditions, you round the craggy corner of northern Spitsbergen and late in the season head out in search of the pack ice. It is along the pack ice edge that polar bears often hunt for seals of which there are five species with ringed seals being their favourite prey. Ivory gulls can also be seen out here seeking out morsels from kills. From this region of the Arctic you may possibly head southward down the Hinlopen Strait towards some rocky cliffs where thousands of Brunnich's guillemots nest, Arctic foxes often scavenge here too; and to the shingle shores on the opposite side of the strait that are used as haul out points by groups of walrus.

Austfonna ice cap sits on the sea bed on the island of Nordaustlandet and this area too, with its calving blocks of ice is another favourite area for finding polar bears. Further east still is Hvitoya that is little visited. Barentsoya and Edgeoya offer a chance to walk on the tundra and in the short summer some beautiful saxifrages flower here. On the lakes long-tailed ducks and red-throated divers may be seen.

From the far side of Spitsbergen there are two ways to return to Longyearbyen, possibly via a circumnavigation with visits to the dramatic fjords of the south or by returning northwards to once more cruise close to the pack ice. Whichever way is chosen you will be rewarded by memories of a stunning journey and will have gained a fascinating insight into the life of nature in the high Arctic.

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Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrive Longyearbyen and embark on voyage.
Days 2 - 10. Cruising the waters around Svalbard, usually with two landings by zodiac each day.
Day 11. Disembark, sightseeing around Longyearbyen. Include a visit to the very good Polar Museum. Depart Svalbard.

Cost from: Please contact us for prices for the different ships

Departure Dates: Fixed departure dates between June and September each year