North Spitsbergen - Compact Arctic Adventure

Spend time exploring Longyearbyen, Svalbard's main settlement and a former mining town, with its parish church and Svalbard Museum offering an insight into life in the High Arctic. Despite the seemingly stark landscape, more than 100 plant species have been recorded in the area. In the early evening, sail out through Isfjorden, keeping watch for wildlife including the possibility of a first minke whale sighting.

Meals:  D

Today we visit Ny Ålesund, one of the world’s northernmost settlements. Once a mining village, it is now an important centre for Arctic research, with remnants of its industrial past still visible. The surrounding area is also a breeding ground for barnacle and pink-footed geese and Arctic terns. Explore the settlement’s historic buildings and museum, and see the anchoring mast used by polar explorers Roald Amundsen and Umberto Nobile for the airships Norge in 1926 and Italia in 1928. There may also be time to visit the post office before returning to the ship. This afternoon, continue into Krossfjord, surrounded by the rugged landscapes of western Spitsbergen. Overnight, the ship follows the west coast north.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we head to Ytre Norskøya, where a walk explores the remains of the island's 17th-century whaling history. Whalers once used the headland to search for bowhead whales, and several historic graves remain scattered across the landscape. Nearby cliffs provide nesting sites for a variety of seabirds. We continue to Raudfjorden on Spitsbergen's north coast, an impressive fjord surrounded by glaciers. Ringed and bearded seals may be seen in these waters, while the cliffs and shoreline support seabird colonies and surprisingly rich vegetation. We keep an eye out for Arctic foxes and perhaps even polar bears.

Meals:  B,L,D

We continue north towards the edge of the Arctic pack ice before turning southwest to explore its outer fringes west of Spitsbergen. This constantly changing environment offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography as we navigate along the sea ice. Keep watch for seals, ivory gulls and whales, including bowhead whales, as well as the possibility of polar bears hunting and travelling across the ice.

Meals:  B,L,D

This afternoon, we hope to land at Poolepynten on the southern end of Prins Karls Forland, an established haul-out site for walruses. Alternatively, conditions may take us to Alkhornet at the entrance to Isfjorden, where seabirds nest on the cliffs, Arctic foxes search the slopes below and reindeer graze among the sparse vegetation. As we cruise through the mouth of Isfjorden, spend time on deck keeping watch for minke whales.

Meals:  B,L,D

Return to Longyearbyen and disembark for the transfer to the airport. Trip concludes. PLEASE NOTE: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per AECO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with AECO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our vessel is 10.5 knots.

Meals:  B