The Svalbard archipelago—also known as Spitsbergen—is a remote Arctic wilderness dotted with dramatic landforms and abundant wildlife. Located just 650 miles from the North Pole, this is one of the last true European wilderness areas, where you can expect to train your camera lens on impressive jagged peaks, colossal glaciers, deep fjords and vast ice plateaus. It’s also one of the best places to position yourself to catch a glimpse of the elusive Aurora Borealis or see Polar Bear in their natural habitat.
It’s here that the world’s northernmost settlement can be found in Longyearbyen, the bustling starting point for your Arctic adventure. Join us as we cruise the stunning northern reaches of Iceland, Greenland and Norway and watch the rugged coastlines of Svalbard reveal a breathtaking landscape rich with diverse wildlife.
Explore the waters around Svalbard, home to ringed and bearded seals, walrus and beluga whales, and head ashore to discover reindeer, Arctic foxes and large flocks of migratory birds. Spot polar bears at play, trek across tundra, and explore the otherworldly beauty of the European Arctic by zodiac and sea kayak.
Take a look at our unique Arctic itineraries and be one of the lucky few to experience the serene beauty of this remarkable environment.
From
From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
14 Days
10 Days
8 Days
We use vessels that carry no more than 114 passengers, giving us access to areas that are unavailable to the larger cruise ships. We focus on spending time ashore to enjoy the spontaneity of wildlife encounters, hearing from experts in research stations and observing sculptured ice formations from our zodiacs. No two trips are the same.
We have a diverse selection of voyages and departures to choose from. Circumnavigate Spitsbergen, visite remote Kvitoya, or sail down the east coast of Greenland to Iceland.
Our people are the best in the business—passionate individuals who have dedicated decades to polar exploration and tourism. From our captains and crew to our expert naturalists and lecturers, their combined knowledge will truly enhance your polar experience.
With us you can fully savour the spectacular landscapes of the Polar Regions by getting active. Cross Try your hand at a range of activities including kayaking, long hiking or snowshoeing on one of our voyages.
The Polar Regions are pristine natural environments. Preserving them for future generations is not just important, but essential. We are associate members of The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators and founding members of The Association of Arctic Expeditions Cruise Operators.
When visiting continents rich in wildlife and home to fragile and pristine environments, such as those found in the Polar regions, the importance of travelling responsibility is extreme if we are to preserve them for future generations. We are an Associate B2 Member of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, operating within the parameters of the Antarctic Treaty System. In the Arctic, we abide by the guidelines set by the Association of Arctic Expeditions Cruise Operators.
Our polar expedition leaders and crew are specialists in wilderness environments with years of experience in the field. Your Expedition Leader will be highly skilled in communication and decision making, along with wilderness first aid and safety. It will be their job to ensure the expedition runs smoothly and that as many of our itinerary objectives are met whilst ensuring all participants safety and wellbeing. Your tour leader will be assisted by an expedition team, which may include a variety of polar specialists including geologists, ornithologists, marine biologists, naturalists and historians. There is also a resident medical officer on board each voyage. During the trip all of the team will impart their knowledge of the environments, as well as acting as zodiac drivers, lecturer’s, dinner companions and all round great travel buddies!
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|
The European Arctic offers dramatic polar landscapes, rich wildlife and remote island wilderness, with the best regions to explore including Svalbard, Greenland’s east coast, Jan Mayen, the Greenland Sea and the Arctic pack ice.
Svalbard Archipelago: Svalbard’s glaciers, fjords and tundra landscapes offer exceptional expedition cruising with opportunities to observe polar bears, walrus and seabird colonies.
East Greenland Fjords: Greenland’s remote eastern coastline reveals towering fjords, glaciers and Inuit settlements explored by expedition ship and Zodiac.
Jan Mayen Island: Isolated Jan Mayen rises from the Arctic Ocean where volcanic landscapes and seabird colonies surround the snow-covered Beerenberg volcano.
Greenland Sea Pack Ice: The drifting pack ice between Greenland and Svalbard provides prime habitat for polar bears, seals and Arctic wildlife.
Arctic Ocean Wilderness: Remote Arctic waters reveal pristine polar landscapes where expedition voyages explore some of the world’s least visited environments.
Summer in Spitsbergen is from June to September and the temperature is surprisingly mild. The midnight sun brings 24 hour daylight, and temperatures generally range from –10 to +15 degrees Celsius. Precipitation is unlikely. Day time temperatures in Greenland throughout summer range from 10 – 18 degrees celsius in the south, and between 5 – 10 degrees celsius in the north. Fog is common around all coasts, especially in the far south, but it frequently lifts before noon, or doesn’t roll in until late afternoon.
Svalbard is +2 hours ahead of GMT/UTC
Norwegian
In Svalbard the official currency is Danish Kroner. Payment of incidental expenses aboard most ships can be paid for with US dollars cash, Euro or with Visa and Mastercards.
+47
We recommend taking a universal adapter.
Svalbard is not part of the Schengen area. Norwegian authorities do not require a visa for visiting Svalbard, but as most transport links connect Svalbard with Norway, foreigners with visa requirements to Norway/the Schengen area will need a valid visa to travel through the Schengen area.
Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.
Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.
We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.
We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.
Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.