Spitsbergen And Polar Bears – An Arctic Adventure

Your adventure starts with an overnight stay to enjoy Longyearbyen’s galleries, pubs, restaurants and magnificent setting on the edge of an Arctic wilderness. Reminders of mining heritage are everywhere in this frontier town. The 2,000 inhabitants here are outnumbered by snowmobiles, and reindeer roam the streets, which have been given numbers instead of names.

Get a taste of what it feels like to live in this legendary Arctic frontier as you stroll the main street and admire its colourful buildings. Head to the aptly named North Pole Expedition Museum and immerse yourself in Svalbard’s polar exploration history. You’ll find old newspapers, photos, postcards, several hours of original expedition film footage and quirky historical artefacts from the fabled age of exploration.

Visit the Svalbard Brewery and enjoy a tasting session of beers brewed in the Arctic. Not only will you sample excellent beers, but you’ll also have the opportunity to rub shoulders with the residents of this singular town. You may meet nature enthusiasts and explorers just like you, or scientists and engineers associated with various projects, such as the nearby Global Seed Vault.

The locals like to remove their shoes before entering most public buildings. This is a custom that originated in the mining days to prevent people from trekking coal dust indoors, and is just one way the town’s mining history continues to affect its culture.

The cruise package includes an overnight stay at a hotel, offering modern comforts in historical surroundings. For a unique culinary experience, you can try king crab in the Funktionærmessen Restaurant before enjoying the many cafes and bars of this frontier town.

After you settle in, we sail the Isfjord, the most prominent fjord system in the Svalbard archipelago. Branching out to many smaller fjords, it forms a lush and beautiful system rich in wildlife and vegetation. Prepare to see majestic glacier fronts and immense U-shaped valleys carved out of the mountains by giant glaciers some ten thousand years ago.

To the north of the fjord, Alkehornet is a prominent landmark. It’s an imposing example of carbonate rock, with a horn-shaped mount at its peak. Naturally, the surrounding wildlife has conquered it. This region is home to Arctic fox, Svalbard reindeer and colonies of guillemots and kittiwakes.

As we sail, look out for the famous Isfjord Radio Station buildings located further south of the fjords. The former radio and weather station now serves as a stylish and comfortable hotel for the modern-day explorer.

Leaving behind what little civilisation there is, we now enter full exploration mode. In these beautiful yet remote areas, there is no internet, nor are there telephone masts to provide a mobile phone signal.

Free from emails and text messages, this is therefore your rare opportunity to disconnect and detox from the modern world. It's time to really get back in sync with what truly matters.

Spitsbergen means “pointed mountains.” If there’s one place that embodies that definition more than others, it’s Magdalenefjord. This breathtaking fjord is framed by spectacular views of jagged mountain peaks and glaciers. It has an Alpine feel to it, despite its remote location in the far north-west. The reflection of snow-capped mountains perfectly mirrored in the waters’ glassy surface is undoubtedly one of Svalbard’s most iconic sights.

We arrive in the morning and hope to make a landing to explore this wonderful Arctic wilderness. If we’re successful, you’ll be setting foot on an island with fascinating history of exploration - Magdalenefjord has lured explorers for centuries. Arctic explorer Willem Barents famously came here in 1596, naming it Tusk Bay because of the walrus tusks he found here.

The beautiful beach is peppered with evidence of a whaling station from the 17th Century with blubber ovens, a cemetery of 130 graves and a memorial to the whalers.

Long before explorers set foot on Magdalenefjord, the stunning views were the preserve of wildlife. The scree slopes are breeding grounds for large numbers of Little Auks. Arctic terns, Skuas, Eider Ducks and Barnacle Geese are just some of the birds you’re likely to see. The surrounding waters host minke and beluga whales in the summer months. Scan for seals on the floating sea ice, and if it’s your lucky day, polar bears.

Svalbard is a land of contrasts. Within Woodfjorden’s vast fjord system is a varied and unique landscape featuring striking red mountains of Devonian sandstone, cone-shaped remnants of three volcanoes and thermal springs. Woodfjorden’s beautiful tundra is rich in fauna enhanced by the oxidised soil in the Old Red areas. Hiking here will reward you with gorgeous views of purple saxifrage and spider plants.

The stunning views continue in Liefdefjorden, which means ‘The Love Fjord’ in English. Its possibly named after a Dutch ship, but it could also very well be for its jaw-dropping views. Rolling red hills give way to snow-capped mountains inland.

The area around Liefdefjorden is also a great place to scan for wildlife. The sights and sounds of thousands of sea birds like kittiwakes, terns and eiders fill the sky. As ever, the weather and ice will determine where we land and what activities we’ll do.

If the conditions are favourable, we plan to sail above 80° North, bringing you within 600 nautical miles of the North Pole. This far north, the sun is visible for 24 hours. Under the glorious midnight sun, you’ll have even more time to enjoy the stunning views from the deck.

Directly above 80° North is Moffen, the largest island of the Svalbard Archipelago. A stark, gravely island, Moffen is known for its walrus population. Large numbers of them are known to gather at the southern tip of the island. Seeing these huge marine mammals frolic on the shore is always a highlight. Our approach to the island will be kept to a safe distance to avoid disturbing this vulnerable animal.

Kongsfjorden, also known as Kong’s Fjord or King’s Bay, is the largest fjord on the Northwest coast of Spitsbergen. Two imposing glaciers, Kongsvegen and the colossal Kongsbreen watch over the entrance of the fjord. As we cruise silently, you might hear the tell-tale creaks and groans of chunks of glacier ice about to plunge into the sea. Framed by picturesque mountain formations, it’s undoubtedly one of Svalbard’s most scenic spots.

Hiking in the lush tundra will allow you to observe birds in a pristine environment. For bird lovers, Kongsfjorden is a treasure trove. Northern Fulmars, Black-legged kittiwakes, Atlantic puffins and guillemots are just some of the species found here in the summer months. A bird sanctuary consisting of about ten islands lies at the inner end of the fjord. It supports breeding populations of protected species such as Pink-footed Geese and Common Eider.

Later, we dock at the former mining settlement of Ny-Ålesund. At 78º 55’ N, this is one of the world’s northernmost year-round communities. Transformed into an international science centre, you’ll find a fair number of research stations from various countries dedicated to the study of glaciology, wildlife, and climate change. It’s roughly 30-35 residents enjoy a picturesque mix of old and new buildings, including a local café and the world’s northernmost post office.

You’ll unearth some fascinating history as you explore the settlement. Ny-Ålesund and its surrounding area are home to a large concentration of protected buildings and cultural artefacts left by Svalbard’s former settlers.

Discover rich explorer history in the museum – this tiny settlement is synonymous with historical attempts to reach the North Pole. See the mooring mast of Roald Amundsen’s airship “Norge” before sending a postcard from the most northerly post box in the world!

Your Arctic adventure around Svalbard is over for this time. As you wind down from your expedition, you’ll have some time to look back on all your new memories, still holding onto that elated feeling of having just been quite literally near the “top of the world.”

After saying goodbye to the ship and its crew, you’ll take a transfer to the airport for your flight back to Oslo.

If you have the time, grab some souvenirs from the local shops before heading home. A toasty Svalbard sweater or a box of local handmade chocolates would make a wonderful gift for family and friends. Svalbard is a duty-free zone and Longyearbyen has a selection of sports and outdoor clothing shops, so you could stock up on supplies for your next expedition cruise.

Whatever’s next for you, we wish you a safe onward journey and look forward to seeing you again!