Quest for the Ice Bear

Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to your hotel for the evening.

Day 2 - 8: Expedition

The adventure begins by exploring Longyearbyen before embarking the expedition ship in the afternoon. Sailing out through Isfjorden, you are now in a part of the world where the ice and weather conditions determine the exact itinerary and the wildlife you'll see – the surprise making for all the more excitement. The ambition is to make landings or cruises every day with the Zodiacs.

Some examples of places you may visit are:

Prins Karls Forland – This narrow strip of land is covered by a magnificent and snow-covered mountain chain. The island is also home to many seabirds and harbour seals.

Virgohamna, Danskøya – Two of the most courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman started with an airship. There are still interesting remnants from these expeditions left on this site.

North Spitsbergen – North of Spitsbergen you might meet the edge of the pack ice. Not many ships venture here and you'll be able to soak in the silence and grandeur of this icy landscape. Chances of meeting polar bears also increase as you sail along the ice floes.

Southwest Spitsbergen – The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of towering mountain peaks, often reaching above the clouds. On a clear day you can see the summit of the highest mountain Hornsundtind, measuring 1,431 meters. Hornsund is a favourite haunt for some of Svalbard’s polar bears and bearded seals are often seen resting on the fjord ice.

Fantastic fjords – Svalbard offers the visitor countless spectacular fjords. Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love”, is lined with snow-covered mountain peaks and, weather dependent, you can cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier. Many common eiders and pinkfooted geese nest in the area and if lucky you could see the rare king eider.

In Krossfjorden you can revel in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier to the raucous greeting of the large number of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the nearby cliffs. A favourite spot for seals, Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty dominated by beautiful glaciers, while the bird cliffs are also bursting with activity. In Kongsfjorden, visit the scientific village of Ny-Ålesund where Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. 

Day 9: Longyearbyen

The adventure comes to an end. Early morning, you'll disembark the ship and begin your journey onwards or back home.

NOTE: The exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and wildlife. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!