Enjoy a multitude of shore landings and exciting experiences in the Arctic on this exploration of Svalbard's wilderness.
Explore the traditional Spitsbergen town of Longyearbyen, where modern shops and art galleries contrast with the settlement's strong coal mining heritage. Discover majestic glaciers, awe-inspiring fjords and the fascinating former mining town of Alesund whilst exploring North West Spitsbergen National Park.
Keep an eye out for polar bears hunting on the ice floes before navigating the breathtaking Isfjord, home to the endemic Svalbard Reindeer. Shore landings and guided hikes led by the Expedition Team enrich this fascinating voyage.
NE461 Operated by Hurtigruten Expeditions
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Grand Arctic Circumnavigation Itinerary
Day 1 - Oslo (Norway) - Longyearbyen (Spitsbergen)
Perhaps explore Norway's fascinating capital, Oslo, with its varied architecture and lively bars, before transferring to the airport for the flight to Longyearbyen. Overnight hotel stay.
Day 2 - Longyearbyen
Check out of the hotel and join an excursion showcasing the best of Longyearbyen and the surrounding area before embarking your ship.
Days 3-5 - North West Spitsbergen National Park
The North West Corner is scattered with islands, fjords and beaches, but such majestic sights can be blocked by heavy sea ice. The team will use all their expertise and 120 years of experience in these waters to try and navigate the ice in order to access areas for you to explore. One such site is Kongsfjorden, one of the most beautiful fjord areas in Spitsbergen, with mighty glaciers calving icebergs into the sea, framed by stunning mountain formations. We also plan to call on the former mining settlement of Ny-Alesund, now an international centre for research, with a picturesque mix of old and new buildings. There will likely be many other exciting landings and scenic kayaking opportunities if we are able to move past the ice and go further north.
Days 6-8 - Eastern Svalbard Nature Reserve
Eastern Svalbard boasts the highest population of polar bears in the archipelago. You will also be exploring the area in summertime, which is when polar bears and their cubs will be out hunting for seals on the ice floes. We therefore have high hopes that you’ll spot one or more during this journey. The Arctic Ocean in this part of Svalbard is also full of drifting ice and its frozen seascape changes constantly. Being modern-day explorers, the captain and the Expedition Team will be carefully analysing the density and movements of the sea ice using advanced sonar and live satellite imagery. They will then discuss together and decide where we can safely sail or land. This is what makes this cruise an expedition; it is a true, suspense-filled adventure into the Arctic’s great wilderness, negotiating and adapting to whatever elements nature challenges us with. Ultimately, it is the sea ice that will determine whether we can cross the 80th parallel and head further north to Sjuoyane (Seven Islands) at the extreme of the Svalbard archipelago.
Days 9-10 - South Spitsbergen National Park
Sail towards the southern tip of Spitsbergen, where Hornsund is home to a varied landscape and geology. Ice floes attract polar bears so there may be the chance to spot one of these majestic predators.
Day 11 - Isfjord
Explore the Isfjord, the most prominent fjord system on Svalbard, where the landscape if constantly changing. The immense glacier-carved valleys are home to large numbers of the Svalbard reindeer.
Day 12 - Longyearbyen - Oslo (Norway)
Disembark ship in Longyearbyen and transfer to the airport for the return flight to Oslo.
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary.