Circumnavigating Svalbard: The Ultimate Arctic Expedition

Day to Day Itinerary

• Day 1 - Oslo

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  Your expedition begins in Oslo, Norway’s fjord-side capital. If you have time, we suggest exploring the city center on your own.
• Days 2/4 – Longyearbyen

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  After a morning flight from Oslo, arrive in Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town, and settle in for two nights at the edge of the Arctic wilderness. Spend time exploring this colorful frontier on foot, where reindeer roam the streets and local life unfolds against a dramatic polar backdrop.
  Over the next two days, enjoy guided e-bike excursions through the surrounding area, learning about Longyearbyen’s mining history and Arctic heritage. Ride along the historic Burma Road to Hotellneset, passing old funiculars, the Svalbard Church, and remnants of the original settlement, with sweeping views throughout. Continue beneath Plateau Mountain to the Coal Miners’ Cabins and Huset before returning to town for a relaxed lunch.
  On Day 4, enjoy a final morning in Longyearbyen before boarding your expedition ship in the afternoon and beginning your Arctic voyage.
• Day 5 – Ny-Ålesund

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  Explore Ny-Ålesund and the surrounding fjords of Krossfjord and Kongsfjord, enjoying a rare day fully disconnected as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are switched off near the nearby research station. Once a mining town and the departure point for Roald Amundsen’s polar expeditions, Ny-Ålesund is now an important center for Arctic science, with traces of its historic past still visible. Cruise through dramatic glacial landscapes and, conditions permitting, board expedition boats to explore the fjords, hike ashore, or glide past towering glaciers in this pristine Arctic wilderness.
• Days 6/7 – Northwest Spitsbergen National Park

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  Over the next three days, explore the wild landscapes of Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, where steep mountains, vast glaciers, and remote islands create a true Arctic wilderness. Keep watch for whales, seals, walruses, reindeer, and—if luck is on your side—the elusive polar bear.
  In Kongsfjord, admire glaciers calving into the sea, and take advantage of opportunities to kayak, cruise by Zodiac, hike ashore, or join a beach clean-up as you experience this pristine polar environment up close.
• Days 8/9 – Ice Edge Attempt

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  If conditions permit, sail north across the 80th parallel to explore the shifting ice edge, where drifting pack ice and sparkling floes create a breathtaking polar landscape. From the ship, watch for seals and walruses resting on the ice, and, weather and ice allowing, venture out by expedition boat for an unforgettable close-up experience among the floes. As the ice edge constantly changes with the season, reaching it is never guaranteed. If it lies beyond reach, explore Svalbard’s dramatic fjords, towering glaciers, and scenic coastline instead—where, in late summer, wildflowers add vibrant color to the Arctic tundra.
• Days 10/13 – Exploring the East

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  This stage of the voyage remains highly adventurous as you attempt to sail east into the remote wilderness of northeast Svalbard and, conditions permitting, continue our circumnavigation of the archipelago. Possible highlights include visiting the vast Bråsvellbreen glacier, landing by expedition boat near Kvitøya, and exploring channels such as Freemansundet, Kapp Lee, Edgeøya, or Barentsøya—all prime territory for spotting polar bears and other Arctic wildlife. As with all true expeditions, the route depends on ice and weather. Enjoy flexible landings, hikes, kayaking, and wildlife viewing along dramatic fjords and mountain-lined coasts. If ice blocks our eastern passage, we’ll instead explore the equally spectacular west coast or attempt to round Spitsbergen via the Hinlopen Strait, continuing the search for remarkable polar landscapes and wildlife.
• Days 14/15 – Hornsund & Bellsund

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  Sail south to Hornsund, one of Svalbard’s most scenic fjords, where colorful tundra gives way to dramatic mountains and calving glaciers. From the deck, watch for seals and whales and admire the towering peak of Hornsundtind. Continue to Bellsund, known for its bird cliffs and rich wildlife, where auks, guillemots, and fulmars nest above Arctic foxes and reindeer roaming below. Discover traces of early mining history and the story of Wanny Woldstad, the first female trapper. As always, plans remain flexible, with daily activities shaped by weather and ice conditions and guided by your Expedition Team.
• Day 16 – Longyearbyen & Oslo

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  Disembark in Longyearbyen and transfer to the airport for your flight to Oslo, carrying home memories of an epic Arctic adventure.