Pristine Spitsbergen

Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.

The vast Isfjorden is one of the main fjords in Svalbard. These different branches reach the heart of the island of Spitsbergen. Located deep inside the Billejforden, the Nordenskiöld Glacier with its front of ice, nearly 5 km wide, is one of the most spectacular in the Svalbard Archipelago. You will perhaps have the opportunity to discover the ghost town of Pyramiden. Constructed at the foot of a mountain in the form of a pyramid, this former mining town, founded by Sweden at the beginning of the 20th century before being sold a few years later to the Soviet Union, and abandoned in 1998, has conserved all the buildings from its glory days, when it lived off coal mining.

Sail in one of the most beautiful fjords in Svalbard, Kongsfjorden, a gateway to grandiose landscapes. Here, the snow-capped mountains are reflected in the water where icebergs try to outdo each other in their beauty.

Bearded seals, reindeer, barnacle geese and black guillemots frequent these places that have a unique atmosphere. Once you arrive at the end of the fjord, admire the Kongsbreen (glacier of the King) and its three characteristic rocky points, which take their names from three Scandinavian countries: Svea (Sweden), Dana (Denmark) and Nora (Norway).

Located on the Norwegian arctic archipelago of Svalbard, the Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park was established in the early 1970's to protect this exceptional environment against the growing interest of the mining industry.

It is a glorious land of mountain peaks, glaciers, islands and arctic tundra scattered with moss and lichen in shades of silver and gold. This region will fascinate you with its landscapes and with the numerous vestiges that bear witness to the history of the men who found themselves on these shores from the start of the 17th century.

Your captain will sail right up to the limit of the ice, to the edge of the ice floe. Weather conditions and state of the ice allowing, you will be able to go out in a zodiac dinghy for a unique experience in the middle of these floating slabs of ice. In addition to this grandiose journey through the middle of these floes with their cut and blue-tinged edges, sometimes over 2 metres thick, it is also often an opportunity to see a particular kind of fauna, totally dependent on the ice floe: birds, seals and polar bears.

Located on the Norwegian arctic archipelago of Svalbard, the Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park was established in the early 1970's to protect this exceptional environment against the growing interest of the mining industry.

It is a glorious land of mountain peaks, glaciers, islands and arctic tundra scattered with moss and lichen in shades of silver and gold. This region will fascinate you with its landscapes and with the numerous vestiges that bear witness to the history of the men who found themselves on these shores from the start of the 17th century.

The Sor-Spitsbergen National Park is the largest national park in Norway and Europe with an area of up to 13,300 km2. Two-thirds of its area is made up of ice and its sublime landscapes are divided between vast plains, alpine relief and impressive glaciers.

Discover Hornsund, the southernmost fjord in Spitsbergen. Its 8 glaciers extend down to the sea and form an immense 25 km long ice front, making up one of the most spectacular panoramas in Spitsbergen. Enjoy the chance to observe numerous colonies of birds and polar bears living in this nature sanctuary.

Halfway between Norway and Spitsbergen lies Bear Island or Bjørnøya, the southernmost island of Svalbard. Observe this isolated piece of land discovered in 1596 by Dutch navigator, Willem Barents. Following a tough fight between a polar bear and the members of the expedition, he dubbed the place Bear Island.

Regularly covered by a thick layer of fog, Bjørnøya shelters a meteorological station built in 1923. The island was declared a nature reserve in 2002 and is home to an enormous colony of sea birds - skuas, guillemots, puffins, gulls, petrels and little auks all coexist here.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing.

This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

In the north of the Arctic circle you’ll discover Tromsø, a secluded town located in the county of Troms. Norwegians call it the “Paris of the north”. You’ll soon see why when you discover its extensive neoclassical architectural heritage. A stunning example is the Arctic cathedral, a major monument whose stylistic purity echoes the outline of the mountains surrounding the town.