Svalbard Basecamp Adventure

Day 1: Embark on your ship in Longyearbyen

Arrive in Longyearbyen, the main settlement and administrative hub of Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island. Take time to explore this former mining town, where the charming parish church and the insightful Svalbard Museum offer a glimpse into local history and culture.

Despite the barren-looking landscape, over a hundred plant species thrive here.

In the early evening, your ship sets sail from Isfjorden. Keep an eye out – you may even catch your first glimpse of a minke whale.

Day 2: Kongsfjorden & Blomstrandhalvøya

On the first day of the activity program, you’ll take things gently. Blomstrandhalvøya, tucked into the northern side of the fjord, offers shelter – and flexibility if the weather takes a turn.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit Ny-Ålesund, one of the northernmost settlements on the planet. Once a mining village served by the world’s most northerly railway – you can still spot the old tracks – it’s now a hub for scientific research.

Nearby, look out for barnacle geese, pink-footed geese and Arctic terns, all of which nest in the area.

If polar history is your thing, don’t miss the airship mast once used by legendary explorers Amundsen and Nobile for their Arctic flights aboard the Norge (1926) and Italia (1928).

In the evening, the ship heads north along the west coast, spending the night in the calm, sheltered waters of Krossfjorden.

Day 3: Exploring the North West

Next up, you’ll travel towards Amsterdamoya to trek past what remains of a disused 17th-century whaling station.

Soak up the gorgeous views of Smeerenburgsleta. In the afternoon, you’ll sail to the islands around Fair Haven.

Day 4: Rugged Raudfjorden

At Raudfjorden, on Spitsbergen’s north coast, you’ll find a broad fjord framed by tumbling glaciers and possibly visited by ringed or bearded seals.

Its cliffs and shoreline are alive with seabird colonies and lush vegetation, and there's always the chance of spotting a polar bear.

Here, you’ll enjoy the ideal balance between safe, guided activities and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Day 5: The spectacular sights of Liefdefjorden

Weather permitting, you may sail into Liefdefjorden for a close-up view of Monaco Glacier’s impressive 5-km (3.1-mile) ice face.

The waters here are a feeding hotspot for thousands of kittiwakes, while the glacier’s base is a known hunting ground for polar bears.

If sea ice blocks access early in the season, you’ll follow an alternate route along Spitsbergen’s west coast instead.

The nearby areas of Texas Bar and Hornbaekpollen also offer fantastic hiking opportunities.

Day 6: North Spitsbergen splendours

This is a reserve day for embarking on activities around North Spitsbergen.

Weather and wildlife allowing, the onboard expedition team will select the perfect location for another day of wonderful outdoor adventures.

Day 7: Forlandsundet or St. Johns Fjord

Forlandsundet, the strait between Spitsbergen and the slender island of Prins Karls Forland, is a scenic stretch known for its striking landscapes and rich wildlife.

Walruses are often spotted hauled out along the shore, and seabirds gather around Fuglehuken. You might also spot walrus colonies at Sarstangen or Poolepynten.

Alternatively, you may head into St. Johns Fjord or sail south to the mouth of Isfjorden for a landing at Alkhornet. Here, seabirds nest along the cliffs, Arctic foxes patrol below in search of eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the thin vegetation.

You return to Longyearbyen later tonight.

Day 8: Disembarking in Longyearbyen

You’ll leave the ship one final time in Longyearbyen today, ready to take your memories home. 

NOTE: This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise.