Exploration & adventure
You will love
- Venturing close to 80° north
- Searching for polar bears on pack ice
- Sighting walrus, seals, whales, reindeer, arctic fox, guillemots and puffins
- Cruising along blue glacier fronts
- Tundra hikes amidst stunningly beautiful scenery .
- SPECIAL OFFER – save up to 20% on twin share cabins OR waive the single supplement of 50% if travelling alone. Ts and Cs apply – Enquire for details.
15 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS
Day 1 | Arrive in Longyearbyen
Having made your way to Longyearbyen, you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel in Longyearbyen.
Enjoy free time, and in the evening, dine at your leisure (dinner not included).
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Polar Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 | Embarkation Day
This morning your luggage will be collected from your hotel and transferred directly to the port for clearance and delivered to your cabin ahead of your arrival on board.
After a leisurely breakfast, check-out before enjoying the main attractions of Longyearbyen town on a locally guided tour. On the drive to Camp Barentz, located in Advent Valley, your guide will give you an introduction to Longyearbyen’s fascinating history. Once at Camp Barentz we enjoy a presentation in the large ‘lavvo’ – a traditional building common in northern Norway. You will also have the opportunity to meet the friendly huskies and perhaps pick up some souvenirs. A visit to the Svalbard Museum is included back in town before embarking the vessel in the late afternoon.
After embarkation, settle into your cabin before attending mandatory safety briefings and enjoy the thrill of departure as we ‘throw the lines’ and set sail. Sail out of the beautiful Isfjorden, escorted by gliding fulmars and perhaps the occasional puffin. Find a spot in one of the observation areas to watch seabirds, including graceful ivory gulls, kittiwakes and guillemots.
This evening, get to know your fellow expeditioners, expedition team and crew at the Captain’s Welcome Dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure.
Days 3–14 | Svalbard Archipelago
Svalbard offers Arctic wilderness at its best. Our experienced expedition team will use their expertise to tailor our day-to-day itinerary, choosing the best options, based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions and the possibility of encounters with wildlife. Above the Arctic Circle during the boreal summer, the sun does not drop below the horizon until late August, so we enjoy 24 hours of daylight, and more time to explore this breathtaking part of the planet.
Days 3–14 | Svalbard Archipelago continued
Svalbard’s phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountain ranges and polar desert are rich in fossils, perfectly setting the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. We may encounter walrus hauled-out on sea ice or wallowing on beaches. We may seek out towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and listen to the busy chanting of little auk colonies protected amongst the scree slopes.
With more time than on our classic Svalbard voyages we plan to reach further afield, we will attempt to explore the two largest islands in the archipelago; Spitsbergen and Nordauslandet. We may enjoy the delights around Barentsoya and Edgeoya that are located in the Hinlopen Strait, a known polar bear migration route. We plan to visit the remains of old whaling settlements, old pomor sites, and enjoy early morning Zodiac cruises. We will encounter glittering glaciers, keep watch for beluga whales and spot ivory gulls.
Weather and ice permitting we may sail along the most northerly point of the Svalbard archipelago, a favoured spot to a large colony of walruses. We may encounter the mighty polar bear in its element, in the pack ice. Your expedition team is just as keen as you are to find them – we will be on constant watch to spot these magnificent creatures.
If you are participating in an optional activity such as kayaking, you will have opportunity to experience the Arctic whenever conditions allow. For those who are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, when conditions are perfect, you will hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating dip – a memory to savour for years to come.
Day 15 | Disembark in Longyearbyen
Early morning we cruise back into Longyearbyen for disembarkation. Farewell your crew and expedition team and
enjoy some free time before transferring to the airport to continue your journey.
Please note: We do not recommend booking flights that depart prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Svalbard in Depth
SVD001S
Departs June & July
15 days/14 nights
Svalbard in Depth
SVD001S
Departs June & July
15 days/14 nights
PLEASE ENQUIRE FOR PRICING & AVAILABILITY
PLEASE ENQUIRE FOR PRICING & AVAILABILITY
START: Longyearbyen, Norway | Finish: Longyearbyen, Norway
Inclusions
- Transfer from airport to hotel on Day 1.
- One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Longyearbyen on Day 1.
- Sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen on Day 2, prior to embarkation.
- Transfer from pier to airport in Longyearbyen on Day 15.
- Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
- All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.
- Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.
- Captain’s Welcome and Farewell receptions including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
- All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
- Educational lectures and guiding services provide by Expedition Team.
- Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
- One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
- Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
- Comprehensive pre-departure information.
- Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
- Gratuities for ship’s crew.
Exclusions
- International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Airport arrival or departure taxes.
- Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
- Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
- Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.
- All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of
dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, wi-fi, email or phone charges.
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