Land of the Ice Bears: Arctic Svalbard
Land of the Ice Bears: Arctic Svalbard
Land of the Ice Bears: Arctic Svalbard
A remote archipelago situated just over 350 miles north of Norway's North Cape, Svalbard is a place of deep fjords, mountains and massive sheets of ice. During summer, when the sun never sets, the tundra experiences a warm awakening. It is carpeted with wildflowers. Ice-peppered fjords ring with the thunderous sound of glacial ice crashing to the sea. Walrus raise their sleepy heads to observe us. And everyone holds their breath as a polar bear is spotted and cameras click wildly. Experience nature in its purest form in the High Arctic.
This is as far north as it is possible to travel without an icebreaker, and you’ll experience the legendary midnight sun. With our fully stabilized ice-class expedition ship, we are able to probe the ice in search of wildlife. This voyage is undertaken in the spirit of discovery. Nature is full of wonderful surprises and we are guided by her. Our pace is unhurried and our options are many, so the day-by-day itinerary below is a thoughtfully considered framework based on our long experience in this region.
Day 1 - U.S./Fly Overnight to Oslo
Flights to Oslo from USA are overnight flights and not included in trip cost.
Day 2 - Oslo, Norway/Continental Hotel
Arrive in Oslo and check in to the Continental Hotel. For the remaining part of the morning you can rest in your comfortable hotel room. Highlights of an afternoon tour include a stroll among the famed Vigeland sculptures set in park lands and a visit to the Polar Ship Fram Museum, with its excellent exhibits on the history of Arctic exploration. This evening try one of the harbor restaurants or turn in early.
Day 3 - Oslo/Longyearbyen/Embark Ship
Depart Oslo on our private charter flight over beautiful vistas to Longyearbyen. Embark the ship.
Days 4-9 - Exploring Svalbard
Our travel in the archipelago is truly exploratory by design. This is as far north as it is possible to travel without an icebreaker, and you’ll experience the legendary midnight sun. With our fully stabilized ice-class expedition ship, we are able to probe the ice in search of wildlife, and our exact day-to-day movements will remain flexible, depending on local conditions.
Our main focus is the search for Svalbard’s amazing wildlife: polar bear, reindeer and walrus. Observe seals and arctic foxes and search for the very symbol of the Arctic—majestic polar bears. Cruising in Svalbard’s fjords, venture to the foot of stunning tidewater glaciers. We take our Zodiacs and kayaks to cruise among beautiful icebergs, and experience the geology, wildlife and wildflowers that give color and vitality to the High Arctic.
Day 10 - Longyearbyen/Disembark/Oslo
Disembark the ship in Longyearbyen and explore on your own before we fly to Oslo. Overnight in the Radisson SAS Airport Hotel.
Day 11 - Oslo/U.S.
After breakfast, proceed to the airport for the flight to the U.S. aboard SAS Scandinavian Airlines, or continue on to other adventures.
