Our journey begins in Spitsbergen’s capital, Longyearbyen, once a coal mining settlement but now a major centre for polar research.

We will learn some of the history of the area and life on the island today before embarking on our voyage. After sailing to the Russian settlement of Barentsburg, we proceed through the Icefjord and along the coast of Prins Karl’s Forland, before reaching the northwest corner of Spitsbergen.

Passing magnificent glaciers, including the stunning Monaco Glacier and the ‘seven icebergs’, we travel beyond 80° north and enter a world of ice sculptures and towering granite mountains.

As fierce as the wastes and weather, is the sole king of this realm, the polar bear, who shares this distant, beautiful wilderness with any number of kittiwakes, seals, Arctic foxes, whales and walruses.

There are estimated to be some 3,000 polar bears in the Svalbard archipelago. Magnificent and solitary, these animals grow to a staggering 700 kilograms and there is every chance that we will come across one of these awe-inspiring beasts as we cruise through the ice floes.

There are also estimated to be more than 110 types of migratory birds in this region and our on board team of experts will ensure that we get the best out of our wildlife viewing, both from the deck of MS Expedition and from our daily shore visits by Polar Cirkel boats.

Continuing south we enter the poetically named Smeerenburgfjord (meaning ‘Blubbertownfjord’) a stark land of barren mountains that was once the home to a whaling station. Passing Magdalenefjord and the Wagonway glacier we visit Moffen Island, where we enter the realm of the walrus and at the Krossfjord birdcliffs we will stand beneath swirling, teeming flocks of Arctic tern, guillemot and puffin and maybe a razorbill or two. We will also explore the glacier walls, towering ramparts of blues and turquoise that constantly roar as they calve into the frozen waters below. Finally we travel to Ny-Ålesund, the most northerly permanently inhabited settlement on Earth, with a rich history in polar exploration and the world’s most northerly post office.

This voyage from Spitsbergen in the Svalbard
archipelago on MS Fram, navigates northbound from Longyearbyen to the remote Moffen Island, visiting fjords, glaciers and Arctic settlements.

Svalbard is rich in wildlife and dramatic scenery. Watch in awe as you sail through the bays and channels of this starkly beautiful outreach of northern Europe. Look
out for Arctic fox, reindeer, seal and walrus plus there is an excellent chance of spotting whales, as well as the solitary overlord of these Arctic regions, the polar bear.

Arrive Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s lively capital, once a mining settlement that is now a major centre for polar research. Overnight stay at Spitsbergen Hotel.

Embark on MS Nordstjernen. Sail to Barentsburg and
visit this Russian settlement, optional visit to the Pomor Museum and a folklore show. Sail out of the Icefjord, along the coast of Prins Karl’s Forland and past the Kongsfjord heading north.

Sail through the Woodfjord area, via the Monaco glacier
to Moffen Island, Smeerenburgfjord, Magdalenefjord and the Wagonway glacier.

Krossfjord. Visit birdcliffs and glacier fronts. Sail to
Ny-Ålesund.

Arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to Spitsbergen Hotel. Farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Tour ends in Longyearbyen.

All departures £655pp (2009) £695pp (2010)
Your flight package includes: Return economy class flights from London Heathrow to Longyearbyen (via Oslo), including applicable taxes and current fuel surcharges. Dinner or overnight at an Oslo airport hotel, transfers in Longyearbyen (for Hurtigruten group flights only).
Not included: Optional carbon balancing fee (£5.00).
Departures & supplements from other UK airports are available on request.

View our detailed dossier for this voyage (pdf)