Svalbard Spring Adventure

Day 1: Arrival in Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Land in Longyearbyen, the gateway to the High Arctic. On arrival, you'll be transferred to your included hotel to recuperate from your flight in this remote frontier town surrounded by dramatic peaks and icy fjords.

Days 2 to 8: Exploring Svalbard

Your Arctic adventure begins with some time to explore Longyearbyen before boarding your expedition ship in the afternoon. You'll set sail through the Isfjorden, heading into one of the wildest and most remote regions on Earth.

From this point on, the route is dictated by nature. Ice, weather and wildlife sightings will shape the journey. Each day brings new opportunities for exploration, with potential landings, zodiac cruises and wildlife encounters.

Here are some of the places you may visit:

Alkhornet

At the entrance to Isfjorden, the dramatic cliffs of Alkhornet rise above lush tundra teeming with life. You may land here to observe barnacle geese, Brünnich’s guillemots, glaucous gulls, snow buntings and flocks of kittiwakes. Arctic foxes are sometimes spotted darting among the rocks.

Prins Karls Forland

A narrow island crowned by a snow-covered mountain range, this remote stretch of land is home to harbour seals and a variety of seabirds.

Kongsfjorden & Krossfjorden

In Kongsfjorden lies Ny-Ålesund, a scientific outpost and the historic launch point for polar expeditions by Amundsen and Nobile. Nearby, you'll cruise past the sculpted ice face of the 14th of July Glacier in Krossfjorden, with bird cliffs echoing the calls of nesting kittiwakes and guillemots.

Raudfjorden

A stunning landscape of glaciers and ice, Raudfjorden is a favourite haunt of seals and hosts bustling bird cliffs alive with Arctic activity.

Virgohamna & Danskøya

Steeped in history, Danskøya was the launch point for two audacious attempts to reach the North Pole – one by Swedish explorer Andrée in a hydrogen balloon, and another by American journalist Wellman in an airship. Remnants of these expeditions can still be seen today.

Bellsund

At Vårsolbukta in Bellsund, you'll step ashore to witness the lively nesting grounds of tens of thousands of little auks and soak up the stark beauty of the tundra.

Hornsund

This spectacular fjord system on the west coast of Spitsbergen is known for its towering glaciers and blue ice. It’s also one of the best places to spot polar bears – keep your eyes peeled as you cruise through their Arctic realm.

Day 9: Disembarking in Longyearbyen

In the morning, you'll leave the ship in Longyearbyen and begin your journey 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.