From May to September, sailing takes advantage of the midnight sun, seasonal ice retreat and greater access to wildlife viewing areas.
NORWAY · EXPEDITION + WILDLIFE
NORWAY — SVALBARD & POLAR BEAR
Longyearbyen is the gateway to sea ice, glaciers, walruses and zodiac expeditions in the high Arctic.
DURATION11 days
BEST TIMEMay–Sep
EXPERIENCEExpedition + Wildlife
COUNTRYNorway
THE JOURNEY
Route map
Oslo → Longyearbyen → expedition through the Svalbard archipelago → Longyearbyen
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FEATURED
Key highlights
1Longyearbyen
2Polar bear
3Walruses
4Sea ice
5Zodiac Expeditions
6Midnight Sun
Few places allow you to navigate between sea ice and glaciers looking for polar bears and walruses under the midnight sun. In Svalbard, the very uncertainty of the route is part of the expedition.
SEASONALITY
When to go
A STARTING POINT
Suggested base itinerary
DAY 1
Oslo: arrival
Arrival in Oslo and overnight connection before heading to the high Arctic.
DAY 2
Oslo → Longyearbyen
I fly to Longyearbyen, crossing the Polar Circle to Svalbard and its treeless mountains.
DAY 3
Longyearbyen and preparation
Day in Longyearbyen for briefing, equipment and introduction to the history and extreme environment of the archipelago.
DAY 4
Start of the expedition through Svalbard
Boarding and beginning of navigation through Svalbard, leaving Longyearbyen towards fjords, glaciers and wildlife areas.
DAY 5
Svalbard: navigation and wildlife
Search for polar bears, walruses and seabirds along the coast, using zodiacs when conditions permit.
DAY 6
Svalbard: expedition
Navigation in front of glaciers and ice fields, with landings selected by the team for hiking and wildlife observation.
DAY 7
Svalbard: expedition
Exploration of another sector of Svalbard according to ice and sea, keeping the focus on Arctic landscapes and sighting opportunities.
DAY 8
Svalbard: expedition
Last full day of expedition, combining navigation, zodiacs and observation in the lingering light of the Arctic summer.
DAY 9
Return to Longyearbyen
Return to Longyearbyen and disembark, with time for a last walk around the small capital of Svalbard.
DAY 10
Longyearbyen → Oslo
Flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo and return to the mainland.
DAY 11
Closing
End of the trip in Oslo.
THE EXPERIENCE
The spirit of the journey
Svalbard demands flexibility. Ice, wind, and the position of the fauna define zodiac landings and navigations, while the ship acts as a base for exploring remote fjords far beyond Longyearbyen. In summer, the midnight sun keeps the horizon illuminated throughout the journey.
YOUR WAY
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This itinerary is a starting point. Order, duration, hotels and experiences can be customized to your pace and interests.